Band student Bryan Szeglin asked if I would teach a lesson to the band and I did so this past Monday evening. I wanted to talk about jazz improvisation and traditions and how I felt they could relate to the marching band. (Notice how I learned to include traditions into the lesson. That’s not a coincidence). I thought that the “Hey Song” could serve as a reference point in introducing jazz traditions since it has so many jazz elements embedded in it. I also thought the “Hey Song” would work well for us because it’s a song that every band member who ever played in the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band would have memorized and would be comfortable playing.

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Jerrold Stein is retiring after 38 years at Stony Brook University

It’s worth stating here that we played the “Hey Song” at our very first football game when we travelled to the University of New Hampshire on September 16, 2006. Yes, we made our debut out of town so we could learn how a college football game flowed and so we could watch another college band in action.

Final score: UNH 62 Stony Brook 7. Seems like a long time ago. We travelled to UNH with the “Hey Song” and some cheers. There was no Fight Song, no Victory Song, no Alma Mater and no band uniforms. We played it that day and we’ve played it at nearly every game since. It’s a tradition that dates back to our very beginning. It’s always been a hit for us; in fact, there’s an entire media time out dedicated to the performance of the “Hey Song” at every men’s and women’s basketball game! But this is not a story about the “Hey Song”; it’s a story about stories, traditions, and celebrations. The “Hey Song” just happens, once again, to be the reference point.

I interviewed to become the interim marching band director on a beautiful June afternoon in 2006. There was no position of Director of Athletic Bands. That came later. During the interview I learned that the university wanted a marching band to stand on the field and play a few songs by Homecoming in late October, four months into the future. That would be followed by two more football games and, well, that would be that. Discovering that the band would be expected to perform at men’s and women’s basketball games? Also four months into the future.

That afternoon, I had a spirited and inspiring conversation in Dean Stein’s office with the selection committee. When our meeting broke up we were still throwing ideas around the room. Clearly there was an air of excitement as we discussed the arrival of a marching band onto the Stony Brook campus.

And that was the atmosphere in the room as I stood to leave. Then Dean Stein, in a chatty, relaxed and friendly manner, asked this question: “can you play that song that goes “Hey!”? I immediately knew what song he meant, but It was a transformative and enlightening moment for me. One of those times when one remembers not only the question but remembers the scene. I can still see the room, the arrangement of the chairs as I maneuvered around them, the sunlight spilling in through the office window. I could place Dean Stein in the spot where he stood and I know where I was standing.

I found his question to be profound. Profound in that it stayed with me every day as I worked at Stony Brook and it stays with me still, but I guess you can tell. It stayed with me because the question gave me insight into how Dean Stein led. He didn’t rule or dictate like other bosses I’d known. Quite the contrary. Dean Stein challenges, and he does so in a subtle way. I’m not sure that he even does it consciously because it flows so seamlessly from him. He has this masterful little trick that works to great effect: he asks a question. He does it in a low key, unpretentious way. And he allows us all to arrive at the answer in our own time. The question will seem simple, but it’s layered. One can answer on the spot but the answer will evolve in ones mind so the question will remain. You see, on that June afternoon, he wasn’t asking me “can you play that song that goes “Hey”? Oh, I heard those words, but I was to discover that the question was deeper and more nuanced. No, this is not a question requiring a verbal response. He was challenging me. He understood what the role of the band would be on campus and he was inquiring to see if I understood. He already saw, in a band not yet created, involvement, engagement, cheering, singing; pride. I had no idea, but he did. He challenged us then to write a story. Begin a tradition. Initiate a celebration. That day I heard 8 words, but over time, I heard a much deeper question, one to which I continually returned.

This band, these 200 students, these alumni, parents, guests and colleagues are here now and we exist as this entity because Dean Stein inspired, encouraged and, yes, created us. Yet we are a manifestation of but one of his many accomplishments. How many other Stony Brook people and groups are leading, inspiring and encouraging, the way this band does, because of the “Dean Stein” effect? He has been prodding and questioning generations of students and colleagues. And his questions have helped inspire his proteges to become, in turn, mentors. How far does 38 years of influence extend?

Last Monday evening, I encouraged band members to take the lessons of the “Hey Song” and use them in practice; in sectionals, in warmups etc. Band members, now you know the story of the “Hey Song” and what the playing of it represents to alumni and to our community.  I’m proud to say that you are living the lesson of Dean Stein; you created our story, our traditions, our celebrations which we now trace to one song, and to one man who inspired us, as is his way. We are proteges now, but we are future mentors. We will pass these stories of what it means to be in this band forward; to future band members, to the university and to our community. Dean Stein, you asked the questions and our answers became our guide. Thank you for sharing your many talents with us and with this great university.

It is my pleasure to present to Dean Jerrold Stein this token of our appreciation for his work in founding and nurturing the growth of this great band.