I am so grateful that he was a mentor for me . I count it a high privilege to have known him well and I am grateful for all he did to encourage me and others through so many years .
— RON HOLZ
Vernon Post with his sons Doug and Vernon Robert
practical pieces like those for BEJ and ABJ , for example , Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart .
In the summer of 1972 Vernon and Katie felt compelled , against their will , to leave SA officership . I have written of this difficult period , as well as the full Post-era NYSB in the NYSB history , The Proclaimers . The Posts had become models for so many developing music leaders in the Eastern Territory . We were devastated by this unforeseen and , we felt , unjust situation . Vernon had taken ‘ a risk ’ with several of us even before we had finished our university training . For example , Ronald Waiksnoris and I were appointed as cornet and theory instructors and then bandmasters at Star Lake when still quite ‘ green .’ This was representative of what he was doing across the territory in encouraging small bands and choirs — and their young conductors . He aimed at insuring the future of SA music at a time of great social change in American life and not always with full support from upper SA administration . So many of us in leadership at the present were recipients of Post ’ s forward thinking and encouragement .
After this crisis Post pursued a vibrant career as a public school music educator in Summit , New Jersey . He had notable success there particularly with the high school orchestra and annual Broadway show productions , while also continuing his outstanding work in choral conducting throughout the region . He and Katie were blessed with three musically gifted children , all excellent brass players : Vernon Robert ( trombone ), Cathy Ann ( horn ), and Douglas ( trombone ). Vernon Robert has been a longstanding member of the trombone section of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra , were he has sat with his colleague , Salvationist Charles Baker , for many decades . Cathy Ann , also a talented artist , died young in 1982 . Vernon ’ s wife , Katie , then passed away five years later , 1987 . In spite of such tragic , personal losses , Vernon pressed on in his music , both as an active educator and conductor , and as composer-arranger , retiring in 1996 .
At about this time Dorothy Hughes Rustad came into his life ; she was a talented SA officer , writer , and then editor of the SA ’ s national publication , The Musician . Their marriage was a happy one , and they worshipped and served together at the Montclair ( New Jersey ) Citadel Corps . Both of them played piano there , and Vernon produced 20 representative piano arrangements that were published in Musical Offerings # 4 .
Vernon Post was an exacting , demanding leader . Sometimes in his pursuit of excellence he could be quite forceful , pedantic in the old ‘ maestro ’ style he had absorbed from conductors like Leidzen . His short phrase used frequently in rehearasl — “ Convince me ”— stays in my mind to this day . What he required of the band , of all of us , he required of himself , always in a spirit of love and fervent support . I repeat what a gracious gentleman he was ! He has served as a great beacon of determination , leadership , and encouragement to so many through years . I am so grateful that he was a mentor for me . I count it a high privilege to have known him well and I am grateful for all he did to encourage me and others through so many years .
— RON HOLZ
It has been a privilege to know Vernon Post for most of my adult life . I suppose more accurately , I have admired Vernon Post for more than forty-five years , but initially knew him primarily as the father of Cathy , a close friend of my wife Sharon , when we were all teenagers . As a Staff Bandsman , I had certainly admired Vernon for his immense musical knowledge , and skill as an educator . I was aware that Vernon had championed issues of biblical equity , justice , and inclusion , bringing into the NYSB musicians of different backgrounds and ethnicities , and welcoming
8 NYSB BULLETIN SUMMER 2023 WWW . NYSB . ORG