Students Give WHS’s Gawle and Rhodes a Magical Wynton Marsalis Memory

What do you give as a retirement gift to two high school music teachers who between them have given a collective 77 years to Wilton High School students? If those teachers are the beloved Frank “Chip” Gawle and John Rhodes, you might consider giving them an incredible evening of musical magic.

That’s exactly what the music students and parents in the WHS Music Boosters did. They presented Gawle and Rhodes with

The gift, says Gawle, was incredibly meaningful—and quite a surprise.

“We were both very moved by the gesture. Interestingly, at first we thought the gift was [only] the concert so we started making plans to drive in together and find a place to eat. When we saw Anna MacDonald, our fantastic Band Booster president largely responsible for making this whole thing happen, she then told us we had a limo and a dinner as well. Our jaws hit the ground simultaneously!” he says.

Rhodes and his wife, Martha, and Gawle and his wife, Patty, rode in the limo together.

“[It was] a giant stretch limo that was appointed like a night club inside; it was our first time in such a beast and it was fun! We felt like celebs all night, being dropped by this 30-ft. monster on the steps of the Time Warner building and then picked up after,” Gawle says.

But it was the performance that made the biggest impression, of course, especially for two big fans who had never seen Marsalis perform. It kicked off with a lecture on George Gershwin given by a jazz historian and then the master, Marsalis, took the stage.

“We have both listened to countless recordings and video of both his classical and jazz performances. People often forget that Mr. Marsalis plays as sweetly in the Baroque style as he does in our jazz forms. His band was comprised of the finest jazz musicians on the planet and they were all awe inspiring. The band played all arrangements (some of which were done by the members) of Gershwin’s music and we loved that because we play that music for fun together all the time! The arrangements were incredible, the playing virtuosity beyond compare!”

And then the incredible icing on the cake? Meeting Marsalis himself. Anna MacDonald had gotten in touch with Marsalis’ personal assistant, Edith, and arranged to get Gawle and Rhodes on the backstage list. How did the meet and greet backstage come to happen?

“After 30 minutes of waiting and meeting several other band members, Edith found us and brought us to the other side of the backstage area to Mr. Marsalis’ green room to meet him. We were both quite star struck but did manage to thank him for being one of the world’s strongest forces at work to protect and preserve the great American art form we love so much.”

But then the tables turned, when Marsalis heard about the two teachers’ work at WHS.

“We told him about our four jazz bands at Wilton High School and he, being the gracious, elegant and sweet man that he is, spent the rest of the time thanking us! He is such a genuinely nice person! He even invited our students to come talk to him when they go to Lincoln Center.”

Students at the Heart of it All

Rhodes came to WHS in 1974 from one of the most prestigious band programs in Ohio. Gawle came here in 1981 and the two have been a team since 1986. Gawle says the students and their parents have been the best part of being teachers at Wilton High School.

“We have been blessed to teach the best and brightest students this wonderful town has to offer for 42 years. In the process, we have been given unwavering support by the administrations, Boards, faculty and most importantly, the parents. Those parents have gradually over the years, organized into a very strong Booster organization that serves all the music students at WHS by volunteering countless hours helping with banquets, uniforms, trips, concerts, programs, fund raising and scholarships.”

Of course the students will be the thing both teachers will miss the most when they retire at the end of this school year.

“John knows them for seven years and I [know them] for four, and we spend a great deal of time with them outside the school day. There is no question that we get to know and love these students so it will be tough to wean ourselves from that.”

They will get to help with the transition next year, however, so they’re grateful to be able to savor as much time as possible with those kids.

Leaving is top of mind at each of the high school’s musical events, as the two prepare to retire. This Friday, February 26, (3:30-9:30 p.m.) is the 40th Annual Jazz Symposium at the high school, and it’s something they’ll both treasure.

“Each ‘last ‘ thing has a special meaning, but not really until it is over. We are trying to give our best effort ever now to each day and each event. We want to go out on a high point, and thanks to the Boosters, the administration, and these awesome students, so far, that is what it feels like.”

It’s bittersweet to leave, says Gawle, but it’s the knowledge that they’ve created something that will continue on after they do.

“We think there will be a great many tears before the curtain finally falls. So many memories, so many wonderful people, so many stories! We have tried to build a strong foundation for our program. Our greatest hope is that the program not only continue, but thrive, grow and improve!”