Allan was a highly respected and loved faculty member at York High School during my tenure there during the late 60s and 70s. His bands and band students learned so much from his, and he was proud of them, their growth, and accomplishments. My wife, Lucy, and I really enjoyed being a part of his wedding. Allan and I enjoyed many, many golf rounds at Newport News City golf course while he was a faculty member at York High. Allan lived and loved music and left a wonderful legacy for his students to emulate.

Allan was the best in the World as a grade school and high school band director.
He is forever in my mind and always will be.

What a wonderful person. My Wright was the most compassionate role model. I will forever be thankful for his steadfast guidance 96-99.  I alway knew when Mr. Wright was going to be out sick (on the most beautiful days) when I saw him picking up my neighbor for golf. His command of music has yet to be surpassed by any director I have had since. I would like to thank him for: The Holton Farkas French horn fleet, Four Scottish Dances, Liturgical Dances, Hobbits, Loc Ness, Toronto and DC Grand Championships, but most of all for the kindness he showed me and the countless others in his care.  

I will never forget the day Mr. Wright kicked me out of band class for the day. Back then I was young, ignorant of real life things and joking asked a student if he got his shirt from the Salvation Army and I did not know what the Salvation Army was back then. So for a good reason, I was taken out of class that day. He was a tremendous teacher of life !!! 
I miss him dearly and will always look up to him.
Larry A. Rogers Class of 1970 Band class

Allan Wright was like a dad to me at Shenandoah. You always wanted to make him proud. I got that pleasure when just a few decades later I was playing a gig not far from him & Pat. I looked up to see him standing there smiling and digging the music. ❤️❤️❤️

I met Allan, Pat and Perry in the fall of 1986 when  my wife was hired as an English teacher at LHS in Williamsburg where both Pat and Allan  worked too.  They pretty much adopted Jan while I was at sea with the Navy. Our friendship flourished over the years as we completed my time in the Navy. The four of us made several trips to NYC over the years, even to Malaga, Spain once over a Spring Break. Allan loved to play golf and just loved all sports in general. We visited Pat and Allan this past December just before leaving town for Christmas. Pat, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m going to miss Allan’s sense of humor and our many animated discussions about so many topics. He was a great friend and a super human being. Rest In Peace Allan and may the Lord be with you always.

Dear Pat, Perry and family - We were so sorry to hear of Allan's passing.  We know this is a very difficult time for you.  Pat, you and Allan were an inspiration to so many -- with your shared musical abilities.  We enjoyed the entertainment so very much.  However, since neither of us possesses musical ability, we knew you in other ways--the college student ministry at Walnut Hills, golf, and humor!  I can just see Allan laughing as he threw his head back!  Thanks for so many memories -- especially for our shared Christian walk at Walnut Hills.  Allan is remembered by many and touched so many lives with his music and ministry.  Sincerely, Anne & Bill Wilson 

I had the opportunity to work with Allen for number of years at Lafayette High School.  I, as athletic director and Allen as the band director often had natural conflicts with sharing the kids, games, etc.   I will say without hesitation that Allen was the best at coming up with solutions that were always in the best interest of the kids.  From a working standpoint, Allen was absolutely the best to work with.  I remember that he would often stop in my office just to chitchat and I always enjoyed his company.  A good friend and a good working partner he was.  Allen was not only an outstanding leader of the music department and his kids but more importantly a good friend who you could always trust.  Rest in Peace Allen.  You will always be remember as one of the GOOD GUYS.  

First let me extend sincere condolences the family of Alan Wright.  I am truly saddened and sorry for your loss.

I only knew Alan for a few years and I knew him as Mr. Wright.  I was just an teenager who tried to play the trumpet, but as the band director at York High School, Alan took us to new places musically.  Our concert and marching bands began to win competitions.  Perfection was always the goal.  He had such a positive influence on a large number of us in those bands, but it was the stage band where we were really taken to new heights.  Without doubt, the stage band was the formative experience of my high school years.  I will be forever grateful to Alan Wright for creating that experience.  

Absolutely loved this family. We had so many great times together when we were neighbors. Pat, we are so sorry for your great loss. 

Between Allan Wright and Vera Rathkamp music was the focus of my life during those very influential years at YHS. Mr. Wright’s demand for excellence careened us into some of the most rewarding experiences. Celebrating the life legacy he has passed on to so many! What a day of rejoicing our reunion will be. May comfort and peace carry those who loved him till we meet again!

Remember Mr. Wright as such an inspiring teacher, and how he loved his trumpet and his students. 
As a Majorette at York , I marched to his great choices of music, which inspired us all. 
Also , remember Miss Crymes and the wonderful speech teacher she was, and how her eyes lit up when she saw Mr. Wright. 
So happy, they enjoyed life together, all these years. 
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sheri Spencer Hubbard

Hi Mrs. Wright. This is Angie Wright, I had your Drama classes at Tabb and in later years you were a customer at my post office.  I offer you my sincere condolences on the passing of Mr. Wright. May God give you comfort during this difficult time.

My sincerest condolences to Pat, Perry and all of Allan’s family. I’ll always remember Mr. Wright as a good soul that gave hundreds of kids the gift of music, trusted us and took us on trips where the band shined in competitions. Mr. Wright’s band class was the one high school class that actually dissipated some of that nervous energy of high school and formed so many lasting friendships. I’ve played in VT’s jazz orchestra and several rock bands since, thanks to Mr. Wright. What a great person. 

Allan Wright was the most influential adult in my life. He was the reason why I decided to get a music education degree from Berklee College of music, I wanted to be just like him. I was in the 1972 York High jazz band that went to the Montreux Jazz Festival and we won second place in high school band competition. The band that beat us was a performing arts band from Chicago. This is truly a testament to what an amazing teacher, mentor and person he was. I had the opportunity some years ago to volunteer at Lafayette high school to help Alan with his jazz band, to this day I would say it was a highlight of my life. To be able to teach alongside Alan was a dream come true. We also had the chance to play golf together and we both shared the same passion for jazz and golf. He was by far one of the coolest guys I knew. When I was in high school he drove a Corvette, was dating Pat who was the cutest teacher at the school and he was a phenomenal trumpet player. I now find myself at 63 still playing my saxophone and now volunteering at Jamestown high school working with their jazz band. Thank you Allan for all you did for me and so many others. 

Dear Pat and Perry I cannot imagine your sense of loss. I pray you know there are many people that are praying for you in this time. God bless you and keep you. 

Mr. Wright was an exceptional person in so many ways.  He made such an impact on so many of us, and I am sure I am not alone in passing my experience along and encourage the next generation to take up a musical instrument and actively participate in band.  Beyond the music though, Mr. Wright was always there to encourage all of us to do our best.   I have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for him, and I know his legacy will continue.  Mrs. Wright and Perry you are in my thoughts, and I hope you will celebrate his life and be comforted by all of us who will pass along the many life lessons we learned from Mr. Wright.  

My sincerest condolences to Pat and Perry. I would like to share with you what Allan meant to me. I was a member of the YHS concert band, marching band and stage band from 1971- 1973. At that time, playing music was the only thing keeping me going, my lifeline. Allan was like a beacon of light in the darkness. His passion for music excellence and his compassion for his students gave me a sense of stability and security. He demanded your best, when you fell short he let you know. This fact made me a better musician and person. I credit him with preparing me for a successful twenty year career as a military musician. To this day I still strive to achieve the level of excellence he instilled in us. If the measure of a man is in how much he is loved and respected, then Allan was a giant among men - and always will be.






I remember Allan Wright, first as fellow faculty member at York High back in the late 1960s. He was well respected by his peers, the administration, and most importantly his students. To say that his students reached their potentials individually and collectively is not an exaggeration! On Friday nights at Bailey Field, his bands sounded as good as they looked during their routines. And they won a gazillion competitive awards during his tenure!  Concerts in the auditorium would often feature his trumpet-playing brilliance.
	Secondly, I remember Allan as a good friend and golf partner. We played many fun rounds at Newport News Golf Course. My wife and I were in Allan and Pat’s wedding that was held on a beautiful farm site in central Virginia.
	When Allan left York High School to accept a position with Shenandoah Music Conservatory, we never re-connected. It is gratifying to know that we were good friends and colleagues during some exciting times at York High School. 
Leadership is about making positive differences for others, to aid in individual growth and development of individuals and teams. Allan Wright cared passionately about his craft and about seeing his students achieve personal bests. Mr. Wright was a giver in life! The legacy he leaves will continue to resonate through others for generations to come. My heartfelt sympathy and love go to his family at this most difficult of times.


I am very deeply saddened by Allan's passing. He guided me through all years in the York High school marching and concert bands. I met him when he first came to Magruder Elementary school. He came in when I was in 7th grade and took over from there. When I got to York High, I knew I was in for a great musical career. He got us to make a record in my 
Junior year in the concert band and he made you play to perfection, which was a good thing. He guided us to be picked as the best marching band in the East Coast in our Junior and Senior years where we topped every band from Fla. to Maine. Without a doubt  the best trumpet player ever in my book. He is the only band director I had who knew how to play every.. single note... of every... instrument !!!!!! I remember when he kicked me out of band class one day,  ( not literally ) for a good reason and I know why and did. I still loved the man anyway. After I graduated, I went home several years later, and got to see him in one the parades with the other high school band he was directing...... He recognized me on the side of the road and we shook hands. I will dearly miss him and will never forget him and his love of music......... and his students........ Forever. And with his dedication, to getting me to be the best I can, I am still playing drums to this day some 53 years later. My condolences to his wife Pat and family.


I’m very sorry to hear of Mr. Wright’s passing.  I have so many happy high school band memories with him.  He taught me what being a serious musician was all about.  He was well respected and well liked by his students, and we all learned fast not to piss him off, lol!

My prayers go out to his family.  May they find peace during this difficult time.  God bless.

Allan was a true friend.  We enjoyed playing golf together and I will miss him very much.  I pray that his family will find peace and understanding as they look to our Lord for comfort.   George Talley

Sorry to learn of Mr. Wright’s passing.  Like many others here, I too had the privilege of having him as my band director in the YHS Falcon marching and concert bands.  As drum major, I worked closely with him as he planned and developed our performances.  He was a gentle and confident leader who was always encouraging us to give our best.  Playing bass clarinet in concert band, I credit him as well for the  exposure to truly great music and composers that have enriched my life in all the years following high school.  For all that music has meant to me in my life,  I owe a debt of gratitude to Allan Wright.

I will miss the times with the band at York.  You
Taught us well.  You were the best trumpet player around.  Stage band was always fun.and
Your solos were amazing.

GODSPEED

Jerald

What amazing memories I have from high school band (percussion). Mr. Wright contributed to saving my life by pushing me to be the best at something I loved so dearly. To the family, thank you for sharing him with us. He poured so much into us. He made us better and he will never be forgotten. 

Thank you Mr. Wright for giving me a second chance to be in the LHS band 1996-1997...there was some up and down with the percussion but overall I knew you meant well!  May you Rest In Peace. 

So sorry to hear of Allan’s passing.  My daughter Jen loved having Allan as her band director at Lafayette ,and I will never forget the love and friendship he had with my deceased husband Pat.  The two of them would go and play golf every chance they got.  I’m not sure but I think they would even go at sunrise so early mornings.   They were great pals. We will keep the family in our prayers.

So sorry for your loss. Cherish your memories 🌺🌺🌺

So many great memories i had in high school were from my time in band with him. Sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family, and rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Allan. Most of my memories of high school are tied to my time in the York High Band program. He was my first band director at Seaford Elementary. Being who he was made me want to continue in the band programs. My three years with him at York High were the best. He was the coolest He was encouraging and wasn't shy about letting you know when you screwed up. To this day he is still my biggest musical influence. I'm happy we stayed in touch, although too infrequently. I was thrilled when he and Pat came to a Milsap show a few years ago. I could go on a long time with great memories, but not find a bad one to write. I pray that Pat and Perry find peace and comfort during this unbelievably difficult time.

Heartbroken to hear of Mr. Wright's passing. The knowledge that he instilled in us was second to none. His love of music and teaching is one of the main reasons I became a Band Director...hope I did him justice.
Thank you Big Al for the example you set for so many of us. Rest easy sir...

What a tragic loss. Mr Wright was my 6th grade band director in 1964 and then my band director for 5 years at York High School. He was so "cool" with everything, patient with our playing mistakes yet encouraging and not punitive in helping us be our best, both as music students and as people. He gave us so many opportunities that I'm not sure band students always get nowadawys: the (l - o - n - g) Shenandoah Apple Blossom Parade in Winchester, the Cherry Blossom Parade in DC, All District and All Regional Bands, and incredibly advanced modern music theory course often not even available in colleges. He instilled so much for us the love and appreciation of music (of all types) that many of us found irresistible to pass on to our kids and grandkids. "Big Al" - truly one of a kind. 

I am so sorry to hear of Allan Wright passing. He was band director at York High School when I was a majorette 1968 & 1969. 

I'm sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Wright, the former Band Director of York High School  Falcon Band.    He was my first Band teacher when I was in 7th Grade at Grafton Bethel School.,  1964-65 school year.      Then at York High School 10th thru 12th grade, 1967-70.   Here's a photo from the York High Yearbook 1968.  

Nathan Smith.

I am shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Allan Wright. I am grateful to Allan for being the most influential teacher in my life. I am sorry that I did not contact him and tell him so as the years progressed. The last time we spoke was in the early 1970’s when I was a few years out of York High School, but I have thought of him often over the decades.
I was in 10th grade at York High in 1966, when Allan became our new band director. Allan let me trade my bass clarinet for a beautiful school owned Selmer Mark VI baritone sax. He showed me the fingerings and gave me the horn to practice over the summer. I have been a baritone player ever since and still play my own Mark VI today.
Allan was a great teacher because he loved learning and led by example. He took the Berklee College of Music arranging course and then organized it into an elective course at York High my senior year. Our stage band rehearsals were after school Wednesday nights.  Allan played with the band, lifting the music and all of us to his level. It was exciting and inspiring.
There was always good music playing on Allan's band room sound system: Pat Williams’ Shades, the latest Buddy Rich album, or the new Chicago Transit Authority record. He would play gigs or go hear other musicians play and report back to us, his students, “Joe Jones played the coolest substitution on Here’s That Rainy Day, a flat two seven, like this,”  then he would play it.
Great memories of a great musician, teacher and friend, rest in peace Allan Wright.


Mr. Wright taught me my first year of band in 1965 at Grafton Bethel Elementary and then at  York High School from 1970 to 1972. He always kept us on the straight and narrow and we respected him for that. We had a reunion of our 1972 Stage Band this past April and I told him how, for me, High School was Band and then everything else, to which he replied, "That's how its supposed to be".  He was a great musician and teacher, and I will miss him very much.

So saddened by his passing.  The last time I saw him was about eight years ago when I hired him to direct the All-District Jazz Festival held at Woodgrove HS. Watching him in front of that band brought back a flood of wonderful memories. I remember watching him work the band, trumpet in his left hand, coffee in his right, replacing the cigarette he used to have at Shenandoah. I owe him so much. He added me to the jazz faculty when the jazz program was first getting started. He became a dear friend and mentor like so many others have mentioned. Those of us who played in his jazz ensemble, were truly blessed. Playing his arrangements like The Count Has Time, and Cherokee, and having Pat sing with the band were amazing times. I have a few old concert recordings we did. Treasured memories.  I believe Alan taught us one more lesson, “Don’t wait to go see old friends and to tell them how much you care for them.”  RIP my friend. 

Allan was band director when I came to York High. I learned so much from him in Concert Band, Marching Band, and Stage Band. I’ll never forget the Stage Band trip to Montreux,  Switzerland, and I’m so glad that we had a band reunion with him this past April.  Pat, I’ll always remember you and Allan when you were dating. You were so happy together, and it was such a blessing to me to see the two of you still just crazy about each other so many years later.  You and Perry are in my prayers for the comfort that only God can give. 

What a shock to learn of Allan's passing.  He was my first cousin and we shared a love of music.  Allan was 5 years older than me, but I was always impressed by his mastery of the trumpet.  He is going to be missed.

To know Big Al was a privilege and a blessing. I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was responsible for so many people developing into well rounded young men and women, myself included. The gift of his laughter and his music will always be with us, as he is a part of what each of us are today. Memories like carrying him on our shoulders in Toronto will be with us forever. Truly a one of a kind mentor who will be missed.

My heart goes out to Pat and Perry.

I wàs shocked to learn of Allan's passing.  I have known him and his family since he was six years old, and he was the star of my high school band.  We have interacted several times over the course of our careers, most notably his playing first chair in the 1965 All-Student Band USA European Tour, and his jazz ensemble performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival.  His magnificent talent has been an inspiration to several generations of young musicians.  He will be missed.


Allan Wright was my band director in high school and before that he taught me when I was learning to play flute in middle school. I'm so sad to hear that he is gone. He was such an influence on so many of us during some very formative years. An incredibly gifted musician, teacher and so much more who will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to Pat and the rest of his family.

OBITUARY

Allan Wright

May 12, 1942 – December 30, 2019

Nelsen Williamsburg

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