A final bow

Suzie Harrison

He knows what it takes to go the distance.

Jeff Foster has inspired many by the path he has chosen and the

methods he has used to excel.

The path he has so diligently pursued has brought him, and every one

who has followed him, the universal gift of music.

Foster brought his love of music to Laguna Beach High School 35 years

ago.

Watching him teach, it’s easy to understand why he will be missed at

Laguna Beach High School and Thurston Middle School as he retires after

35 years as their teacher of music, band director and mentor.

Foster has been the creative genius behind Thurston and the high

school’s concert band and jazz bands and also the instrumental force of

the high school’s band and the middle schools chorus.

“Jeff Foster has been a tremendous asset to the district,” said Supt.

Theresa Daem. “He’s done wonderful things for the kids, making their

parents proud too. We will miss him very much.”

His track record is evidenced by the hundreds of trophies that line

four areas of the band room, further illustrating his ability to lead and

foster his students to a premier level of performance and competition.

Foster exudes the style of a leader and treats his students as equals

with a definite mind-set to have the class except nothing less than the

excellence he has been committed to teach them. Along with a little

sarcastic humor, his direct approach has helped these students transform

into musicians.

In class, Foster would point out things that would be helpful for

students to know -- and not just things related to band. He explained to

the class that as part of their ongoing training he is always trying to

make them better.

“I’ve learned most of what I know about music from him,” said John

Cross a student of Fosters for 7 years. “He is a mentor and like a father

figure and an extremely talented musician and band leader.”

The dedication and hard work Foster has provided has turned so many

students into skilled musicians.

“He’s an amazing teacher,” said another student, Don Sutton. “I’ve had

him for five years now and he’s the best teacher I have ever had.”

Nathan Cross, a 1995 Laguna Beach high school graduate, had Foster as

his teacher all through middle and high school.

“I started out playing saxophone and when I joined the high school

jazz band they needed a bass player, so I switched. Mr. Foster really

helped me and encouraged me,” Cross said. “Now I am a professional

musician and also teach bass and guitar.”

His students are not the only ones who will miss him. Debra Rabin, who

has had three children taught by Foster, was the instigator for the

dedication of the band room in his name -- an honor they will award him

on June 6 at the two school’s last concert.

“What is significant about Jeff Foster is that he has worked with both

the middle school and high school students, “ Rabin said. “This fluidity

carries through with the kids for so many years.”

Foster had originally planned on retiring a few years ago, but wanted

to see students he had taught in the sixth grade through to graduation.

“I really love them and wanted to make sure they had this program,”

Foster said.

As he goes over the music that will be his final concert with his

students, Foster said he doesn’t feel sad.

“By the time they become seniors they are ready to leave. They have

become very, very knowledgeable and are ready to move on to the next

realm or higher level of learning,” he said.

For Foster, his career is not about himself, but his students.

“This has been my home for 35 years. I feel really happy about

retiring but I feel a little bit of a tinge when I think of actually

walking out of the classroom,” he said.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot.

She may be reached at 494-4321.