Meet Cave Junction’s T. Lund: A man of music and motorcycles
T Lund in his shop (Photos by Illinois Valley News)
From our weekly issue dated December 19, 2007
T. Lund, easily recognized by his long, white, fluffy hair -- and known as “T” -- has been recognized for his outstanding work with children and adults through music education.
He graduated from Southern Oregon University (SOU) at Ashland, earning a bachelor’s degree in music conducting, and an Oregon teaching license. He is also a graduate and founder of the American Band College Program at SOU, which now has more than 400 ABC Masters graduates from around the country.
He received the coveted Mr. Holland’s Opus Award for outstanding Music Education in 2003. It’s a national award, and he is the only music teacher west of the Mississippi, so far to receive it.
He received this award in Carnegie Hall on Valentine’s Day 2003 from Richard Dryfus, the actor from the movie of the same name, and New York Pops Music Director Skitch Henderson during the Pop’s Valentines Concert in New York City.
He was selected Most Distinguished Alumnus of SOU in 2003. He also has been honored as Oregon State Grange Teacher of the Year, and Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He has received the Asset Builder’s Award for “Responsibility” from the Josephine County commissioners, and recognized for his outstanding work in the community from the citizens of Selma.
He continues as a volunteer mentor for children in Three Rivers School District. He is a member of the Ashland City Band and other musical groups around the Rogue Valley; manages the stage for the Ashland Chamber Music Workshop two-week summer program at SOU, and is a staff member of the annual Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, all for more than 19 years.
“T” is originally from Long Beach, Calif. He attended elementary through high school there. He spent his military time playing trombone in the 433rd U.S. Army Band during the Vietnam era, then went to work for the city of Long Beach in 1968.
He medically retired from the city of Long Beach in 1981 after a serious motorcycle accident. He was a motorcycle mechanic for the police department until then. He continues as an active motorcyclist and mechanic.
“T” moved to Southern Oregon with his wife, Sandi, and daughters Shari Kaye, Carie Lyn, and Teri Jo in July 1981. “T” and Sandi now have 10 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, with more on the way.
His philosophy of music education is the development of “lifetime” players.
“Playing music requires discipline and commitment, and therefore the reason many people quit playing after high school,” he said. “Life begins to get in the way, and we forget how much we loved making music.
“We need to find the time to remember and make the time again for our love of making music,” he said.
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