A Tribute to John P. Paynter — Memories & Stories, Part 4
Celebrating the life and legacy of our friend and founder, A Tribute to John P. Paynter chronicles Mr. Paynter’s impact on the lives of countless individuals through his time on the podium at Northwestern University, leadership of the Northshore Concert Band, and encounters over his lifetime.
John Paynter leading the Northwestern University Marching Band on-field at Dyche Stadium (now Ryan Field), Evanston, Illinois.
ED SWANSON
“On Thursday, October 31, 1957, I was sitting in the office of WNUR, Northwestern’s student-run radio station, when I picked up a phone call that added an incredible dimension to my college days and created memories, thanks to Mallory Thompson and Dan Farris, that are kept alive for me to this day!
“On the other end of the phone was John P. Paynter, Director of Bands. He went straight to the point: ‘Have you got anybody over there that can announce my band show at Ohio State Saturday?’ Now, music had always been a part of my life and I was a student who was truly impressed by the Band’s half-time shows, so I said, ‘Give me a minute…’ while my mind was saying ‘Are you kidding?!’
“Thirty minutes later I am in his office where, untested, he lays out my agenda — I was to be at Willard Hall at 6:00AM the next morning to board the bus. Off we went, all 165 members of the ‘Wiiiild Caaaat’ Marching Band in four Greyhound buses headed for Columbus, Ohio. Sitting up front with Mr. Paynter, Marietta Paynter and their two small children, Bruce and Megan, Mr. Paynter gave me the script for the next day’s show. We were then joined by Bob Wessberg, captain of the drum line, who proceeded to ‘beat’ out the show on his drum pad while I rehearsed the script. That was it.
“I made my debut the next day, in front of 80,000 hostile Buckeye fans, in a soundproof press box. I could only hear the cadence of the drum line. I had no idea if I had hit my marks until I joined the band on the sidelines after the game fearful of what the renowned Director of ‘the finest band in the land’ would have to say to me. ‘Want to do this again next week?’ I sure did, and announced every show thereafter through the 1960 season, culminating with being the boy-faced band announcer in the now cult NUMB film, Strike Up the Band.
“The privilege and sheer enjoyment of working closely with John at music and marching rehearsals for those three-and-a-half years still bring excitement to my mind and a lasting admiration for his abilities, his leadership, and his wonderful human kindness. I miss him to this day.”
Jack Lageschulte
Jack Lageschulte met John Paynter in the early 1950s as part of a music festival and went on to play with the Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band. Mr. Lageschulte explained that, years later while attending a Northwestern University homecoming alumni event, “I walked into a room and saw that Mr. Paynter saw me. He said ‘Jack, welcome back.’ It blew me away that he would remember me. But then, that was who he was.”
JIM DOEPKE
“During the summer of 1986, I enjoyed the distinct honor of being awarded a Northwestern Summer Fellowship. Having attended three summer high school music institutes allowed me more opportunity to learn under my mentor, John Paynter. What an incredible time I had, including spending time at the Paynter home with fellow music teachers while Mr. Paynter cooked steaks for us. Mrs. Paynter was always so gracious.“
For more JPP stories, pictures, and more, follow along with our Tribute to John P. Paynter all week on Northshore Concert Band’s Facebook page.