I was an orchestra teacher for 33 years in the Kettering City Schools and the Fairborn City Schools. I also enjoyed work with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra as well as Peace Lutheran Church, Church of the Cross United Methodist and Shroyer Rd. Baptist Church.
View all posts by richwright1966
Ive been thinking about it more and more as the year goes on that I haven’t seen you at all this school year which is crazy to me I probably wouldnt have played freshman year if it wasnt for you and would have dropped it if I was in the other orchestra because you taught me music and introduced me into music I listen to today and I couldn’t thank you enough I learned the guitar because after our rock concert I started listening to the Beatles and loved to hear blackbird and wanted to play it so I decided to get a guitar and learn it and I haven’t looked back and I have to thank you for it but you taught us more than music you taught us how to treat eachother all the same and to treat eachother good I remember when you taught me how to play the backup piano part of heart and soul and we would play it at the middle school and I got a keyboard to try to learn piano man by Billy Joel the piano didnt really stick i play it every once in a while but it was because me and you played. If I ever have a book written about me which I probably wont I want you to be a huge part about this chapter of my life because music now Is all I think about even if its not orchestra its music that orchestra brought me to and to that I can never thank you enough. I can not wait to throw the football again with you some day I still have it on my shelf I wont pass it with anyone else just cause its special and I know its kinda stupid to not but sometimes ill throw it to myself and wonder what id ask you about whats happening right now. I dont think you can get fired or in trouble anymore so I remember when you snuck me out to throw the football just us to talk and then everyone came out so I just kinda went back into the crowd and no one noticed and when we went out it was right before Christmas break I think everyone was in the gym for a dodgeball tournament and I went out and threw the football with you ill never forget it we threw for like 2 hours and you told me about college and engineering and how to be wise with money and stuff and now I wish I could throw the football with you and tell you everything that has been happening. Well my ela teacher cant even get me to right this much so I hope you know how special you are as a teacher and a friend to me Mr Wright and I know that we will get to talk again soon whether its over throwing a football or getting coffee. Your favorite student. Duncan Larkins
Duncan, thanks for this amazing message. I need to get you my home email so we can plan that game of catch someday. I will get that figured out. I can’t just send it in my response because apparently that opens me up to Spam etc. Maybe I could send that to your advisory at school? I am going to try to go that route. More soon. Stay tuned and check in anytime.
Hi Mr. Wright. It’s Bennett Lewallen. I wanted to type this comment because I have been checking in on this blog and it makes me smile every time I see you post and I see you’re doing well. I wanted to find the right time to comment and this video seemed like the right time to do it. You were a huge inspiration for me in my 3 years in
Van Buren. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be the viola player I am today, and I thank you for it. Playing the viola is such a great thing I get to do in the school day and I hope that playing with your daughter goes well. It’s been so weird without you in the room giving off your positive energy every day and helping people when they need it. The times with you in and around the orchestra room went way too fast and I didn’t realize how fast it went until you announced your retirement last year. I hope you are doing really well now you are outside of the schools. I hope you are doing everything you always talked about in class that now you can. You shaped me as a human being and a viola player and was such an amazing person to talk to and be around every day. I’m tearing up just writing this message remembering the amazing memories you have cemented in my brain. We miss you Mr. Wright, and Go Violas!
Bennett, thank you so much for this comment. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me. I am so proud of you and who you are. I will see you all down the road soon. Enjoy it all, it does go fast.
hi mr wright, i seriously miss you so me. we all do.. honestly, on halloween me and a few others were gonna go to your house. we all miss you terribly ! i’ve even cried about it a few times lol. we love you !
Cate! Thanks for all of the kindness. I hope you and your family are doing well. I have heard often how well things are going for your sister at Beavertown as a rookie teacher. Say hi to everyone for me.
Hi Colin! It is great to see your name today. I hope 7th grade is going well. Tell everyone hello for me. I miss you all very much. Have a great holiday season.
Mr. Wright's Orchestra Site 
Ive been thinking about it more and more as the year goes on that I haven’t seen you at all this school year which is crazy to me I probably wouldnt have played freshman year if it wasnt for you and would have dropped it if I was in the other orchestra because you taught me music and introduced me into music I listen to today and I couldn’t thank you enough I learned the guitar because after our rock concert I started listening to the Beatles and loved to hear blackbird and wanted to play it so I decided to get a guitar and learn it and I haven’t looked back and I have to thank you for it but you taught us more than music you taught us how to treat eachother all the same and to treat eachother good I remember when you taught me how to play the backup piano part of heart and soul and we would play it at the middle school and I got a keyboard to try to learn piano man by Billy Joel the piano didnt really stick i play it every once in a while but it was because me and you played. If I ever have a book written about me which I probably wont I want you to be a huge part about this chapter of my life because music now Is all I think about even if its not orchestra its music that orchestra brought me to and to that I can never thank you enough. I can not wait to throw the football again with you some day I still have it on my shelf I wont pass it with anyone else just cause its special and I know its kinda stupid to not but sometimes ill throw it to myself and wonder what id ask you about whats happening right now. I dont think you can get fired or in trouble anymore so I remember when you snuck me out to throw the football just us to talk and then everyone came out so I just kinda went back into the crowd and no one noticed and when we went out it was right before Christmas break I think everyone was in the gym for a dodgeball tournament and I went out and threw the football with you ill never forget it we threw for like 2 hours and you told me about college and engineering and how to be wise with money and stuff and now I wish I could throw the football with you and tell you everything that has been happening. Well my ela teacher cant even get me to right this much so I hope you know how special you are as a teacher and a friend to me Mr Wright and I know that we will get to talk again soon whether its over throwing a football or getting coffee. Your favorite student. Duncan Larkins
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Duncan, thanks for this amazing message. I need to get you my home email so we can plan that game of catch someday. I will get that figured out. I can’t just send it in my response because apparently that opens me up to Spam etc. Maybe I could send that to your advisory at school? I am going to try to go that route. More soon. Stay tuned and check in anytime.
RW
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Hi Mr. Wright. It’s Bennett Lewallen. I wanted to type this comment because I have been checking in on this blog and it makes me smile every time I see you post and I see you’re doing well. I wanted to find the right time to comment and this video seemed like the right time to do it. You were a huge inspiration for me in my 3 years in
Van Buren. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be the viola player I am today, and I thank you for it. Playing the viola is such a great thing I get to do in the school day and I hope that playing with your daughter goes well. It’s been so weird without you in the room giving off your positive energy every day and helping people when they need it. The times with you in and around the orchestra room went way too fast and I didn’t realize how fast it went until you announced your retirement last year. I hope you are doing really well now you are outside of the schools. I hope you are doing everything you always talked about in class that now you can. You shaped me as a human being and a viola player and was such an amazing person to talk to and be around every day. I’m tearing up just writing this message remembering the amazing memories you have cemented in my brain. We miss you Mr. Wright, and Go Violas!
Love,
Bennett Lewallen
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Bennett, thank you so much for this comment. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me. I am so proud of you and who you are. I will see you all down the road soon. Enjoy it all, it does go fast.
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hi mr wright, i seriously miss you so me. we all do.. honestly, on halloween me and a few others were gonna go to your house. we all miss you terribly ! i’ve even cried about it a few times lol. we love you !
LikeLike
Cate! Thanks for all of the kindness. I hope you and your family are doing well. I have heard often how well things are going for your sister at Beavertown as a rookie teacher. Say hi to everyone for me.
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hi Mr wright it is Colin tolle I just wanted to say hi
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Hi Colin! It is great to see your name today. I hope 7th grade is going well. Tell everyone hello for me. I miss you all very much. Have a great holiday season.
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