Honoring the Life and Work of Sandy Feldstein: 1940 - 2007
BUENA PARK, Calif. As president of his own company, PlayinTime Productions, Inc., Sandy Feldstein combined a wealth of knowledge and success in both the business and music aspects of music publishing and music education. He held a doctorate from Columbia University, and his early experience in education included six years as professor of music education at the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam.
Born Saul Feldstein on September 7, 1940, the baby with the sandy-colored hair was quickly nicknamed "Sandy." "My mother used to say that my first three words were 'Mommy, Daddy, drum!,'" Feldstein said.
A prolific composer/arranger/author, Sandy published more than 600 musical compositions and books in all educational areas. ASCAP recognized his excellence by granting him an ASCAP Standard Award for Composition every year since 1964. Some of Feldstein's bestsellers include his Practical Theory books, a series of three volumes; his band methods, both the Yamaha Band Student (Alfred series) and the Yamaha Advantage; his Practical Dictionary of Musical Terms; and his Snare Drum Rudiment Dictionary. Among his numerous commissions, Sandy was most proud of being selected to compose the theme song for the Music Educators National Conference sesquicentennial celebration. The composition "America Takes Note!" was performed by thousands of school children during the years 1987 - 1988. Sandy was a close friend, artist and consultant to Yamaha for nearly 20 years. He served Yamaha in many ways, always adding just the right direction to countless projects.
Sandy maintained more than 30 years of publishing experience as an industry executive, having been the executive Vice President of Alfred Publishing, the President of Columbia Pictures Publications and Belwin Music Inc., the President of Warner Bros. Publications and the President of Carl Fischer Music before devoting his full time to his own company. He was actively involved in the music industry as past president of the Music Industry Council, the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and the National Association of Band Instrument Manufacturers. He was on the board of Music for All, the American Music Conference, the International Foundation for Music Research and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. He was also active in the International Music Products Association (NAMM), the Music Achievement Council and the MENC Foundation. Sandy was a 2005 inductee into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame and chaired the NARAS (Grammy) Educational Committee.
When interviewed for his induction into the PAS Hall of Fame, Sandy has this to say of his greatest successes, "I've had the opportunity to work with some talented people who are now in high positions in our industry in education and performance as well as manufacturing and publishing. I hope I've given them some inspiration, and maybe some information that has helped them be successful. And the same holds true for the artists I have collaborated with. When I work with someone on a book, I hope I have given the author some insights into the educational processes, into writing and into publishing, which will make his second book better and his third book better yet. I hope I have inspired musicians to want to give back by developing materials that will help others learn. No matter how big a star is as a performer, he or she still gets a certain joy out of seeing a book or a DVD in print."
To celebrate his life, the Feldstein family is establishing the Sandy Feldstein Music Education Fund. It is their hope that the generosity of those who loved their father and husband and those who love music will ultimately lead to a scholarship in his name. You may donate to the Sandy Feldstein Music Education Fund by going to this secured site link, http://secure.yourmembership.com/musicforall/donations/?id=1674.
 Sandy Feldstein: 1940 - 2007 |
A prolific composer/arranger/author, Sandy published more than 600 musical compositions and books in all educational areas. ASCAP recognized his excellence by granting him an ASCAP Standard Award for Composition every year since 1964. Some of Feldstein's bestsellers include his Practical Theory books, a series of three volumes; his band methods, both the Yamaha Band Student (Alfred series) and the Yamaha Advantage; his Practical Dictionary of Musical Terms; and his Snare Drum Rudiment Dictionary. Among his numerous commissions, Sandy was most proud of being selected to compose the theme song for the Music Educators National Conference sesquicentennial celebration. The composition "America Takes Note!" was performed by thousands of school children during the years 1987 - 1988. Sandy was a close friend, artist and consultant to Yamaha for nearly 20 years. He served Yamaha in many ways, always adding just the right direction to countless projects.
Sandy maintained more than 30 years of publishing experience as an industry executive, having been the executive Vice President of Alfred Publishing, the President of Columbia Pictures Publications and Belwin Music Inc., the President of Warner Bros. Publications and the President of Carl Fischer Music before devoting his full time to his own company. He was actively involved in the music industry as past president of the Music Industry Council, the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and the National Association of Band Instrument Manufacturers. He was on the board of Music for All, the American Music Conference, the International Foundation for Music Research and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. He was also active in the International Music Products Association (NAMM), the Music Achievement Council and the MENC Foundation. Sandy was a 2005 inductee into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame and chaired the NARAS (Grammy) Educational Committee.
When interviewed for his induction into the PAS Hall of Fame, Sandy has this to say of his greatest successes, "I've had the opportunity to work with some talented people who are now in high positions in our industry in education and performance as well as manufacturing and publishing. I hope I've given them some inspiration, and maybe some information that has helped them be successful. And the same holds true for the artists I have collaborated with. When I work with someone on a book, I hope I have given the author some insights into the educational processes, into writing and into publishing, which will make his second book better and his third book better yet. I hope I have inspired musicians to want to give back by developing materials that will help others learn. No matter how big a star is as a performer, he or she still gets a certain joy out of seeing a book or a DVD in print."
To celebrate his life, the Feldstein family is establishing the Sandy Feldstein Music Education Fund. It is their hope that the generosity of those who loved their father and husband and those who love music will ultimately lead to a scholarship in his name. You may donate to the Sandy Feldstein Music Education Fund by going to this secured site link, http://secure.yourmembership.com/musicforall/donations/?id=1674.