Video: A Sweet Farewell in Song For Beloved East Hampton Maestro

EAST HAMPTON, NY - East Hampton High School students touched hearts Wednesday night when they performed a send-off concert to retiring maestro David Douglas.

Douglas, said Mary McPartland, whose son, junior Andrew Wilson, sings in the chorus and Manly Men Group, said those who were fortunate enough to be present at the concert were lucky to experience what she called "magic," pure and simple.

"David Douglas was feted last night after a 20 year career building an award-winning music program that is second to none," she said.

At the concert, East Hampton School Superintendent Richard Burns read a "very touching sendoff," McPartland said.

Douglas, who joined the staff at East Hampton in 1996, built a stellar music program, beginning with just a few students and culminating with more than 200 onstage this week; more than 50 alumni also joined in. "East Hampton High School, under David, takes it to a whole other level," McPartland said.

Also of note during Douglas' tenure was a Camerata chamber choir trip to Italy, an experience many have called "life changing," she said.

"East Hampton is losing a music giant this year when David Douglas retires," Burns said. "His musical genius inspired our students to do their very best. He tapped into their passions and help each student to develop a lifelong love of music. They have developed skills in the music area so prestigious colleges and universities are seeking them to attend their schools."

He added, "He touched the lives of countless students as when evidenced in his last Spring Concert in which at least 60 of his former students attended and unbeknownst to him performed a song for him during the concert."

Select singing groups at the school were created by Douglas, including, Camerata, Chanterelle, and Manly Men, Burns said; trips to various competitions and a recent trip to Italy to perform at Saint Peters's Basilica were organized under his helm.

"Most importantly he created a community of musicians, which included students, parents, families and the larger East Hampton community," Burns said.

After the concert this week, one parent wrote to Burns, "Perhaps if you never lived anywhere else, or your kids never attended school in another district, you might never fully appreciate what we've got here. 'It' starts at All School Meetings at John M. Marshall Elementary School and 'it' culminates into an amazing evening of performance at East Hampton High School. I'm so thrilled, and proud, that my children attend East Hampton Schools. 'It; is a good thing . . . 'it' was in the air tonight. 'It' was truly wonderful."

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wilson.
Video courtesy of Mary McPartland.