OT: Passing of MMB composer John Stout
John Stout, composer and arranger for the Michigan Marching band for over thirty years, passed away Tuesday. Michigan Stadium announcer Carl Grapentine wrote:
"There are no words. There just aren't. And yet we all try. I have known John for 40 years and it doesn't seem fair that he's not here anymore. Today isn't a day for looking ahead. It's not even a day for comforting. We all need to grieve first. But when the time comes to think about legacies and lasting contributions and comforting thoughts, I know that the very best things about John's life--his family and his art--will endure."
John's arrangements always seemed to have a "brightness" to them that, in my humble opinion, made the MMB sound just a bit better than whatever other band was in the stadium. He was truly a gifted musician. He was also a successful entrepreneur, creating a software company that is doing very well. A man of many talents.
I hope John's doing great, wherever is next.
I'd heard he'd been ill, but this was unexpected. Sad news. Incredibly nice guy, and an absolute cornerstone of the MMB community.
Here's an obituary from his company, Stout Systems:
http://www.stoutsystems.com/articles/john-w-stout-president-and-founder…
We are friends of the Stout family, and love them all. He was such a wonderful person. We'll miss him, and our hearts today are with Gail and the kids.
John was diagnosed with cancer in June and had been fighting it ever since. Last week, his wife Gail threw him a 60th birthday party, and they received some surprise guests - 200 members of the Michigan Marching Band, who showed up and gave him an impromptu concert. That's John in the middle, in his wheelchair, surrounded by the band members. He got to hear "The Victors" one more time.
to sing The Yellow and Blue. Nice Pic, BH82! :-D
I didn't know John, but his wife Gail and I were Dexter School classmates from K-12.
Regrets and prayers to Gail and her family.
Truly a great man who I had the honor of calling friend. I was there for his first marching band composition and had the privilege of playing countless others. Condolences to Gail and her family. RIP John. Yuba!
in Bloomfield Hills (Andover) back in the mid-70's. He was 2 years ahead of me. But recall going to an honors assembly when in 10th grade where he was given a major music achievement award. He was already quite a protege in composing and arranging music by 1975. My sympathy is with his wife and family.
I too went to Bloomfield Hills Andover (Go Barons!) and played in the band with John. He was a year behind me, I think, but was already composing and arranging. We played his arrangements in the marching band and his original compositions in the concert band. He also played the bassoon which is a very difficult task. He was an incredibly talented individual with a broad scope of interests beyond music. A true genius and great guy. I am so sorry to hear of John's death and send my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
I didn't know him personally, but everyone who did know him speaks very highly of him.
It's kind of sad that our old school is gone. But the new high school on the same site is pretty nice looking (other than the purple-tinted brick), at least when I walked into the entrance/lobby area one day.
Yes it is sad the old place is gone, and the old nickname. I guess Barons sounds too snooty. Oh, well. I have not been inside the new place - I'm sure it is a significant upgrade. I was a 73 grad of Andover and have mostly fond memories of school and growing up in that area back in the day. John was really a remarkable guy. I saw him only a few times after high school but to do what he was doing in terms of composing and arranging when he was in 10th grade is amazing.
John was also a football fanatic. He coached the women's IM team for MMB back in the day and kept meticulous stats. He also starred as Professor Brown in the band's Back to the Future show. As noted above, he was incredibly talented and hard working, as well as fun and kind and genuine.
right now. He basically was the arranger for the MMB when I was a student, and pretty much most of the time afterward. My thoughts to Gail and his family. And dammit, the Rocky Horror Halftime Show would have been hilarious....
MMB Posted the video of their surprise visit to John's birthday party. Worth a watch.
https://www.facebook.com/Michigan.Marching.Band/videos/10154963436316136/?hc_ref=SEARCH
John is a dear friend, who epitomizes the true Michigan Man: a talented, disciplined, strong leader, commited to excellence and 'paying it forward.' Even more so, his was a true love match with his wife, Gail. From their meeting in 1978, through their wedding, the birth of two amazing children, building a business and a courageous 10 month struggle against cancer, their love and devotion never wavered. He was my family, he was the Marching Band's family, he was family to all who love and honor the Maize and Blue. A true loss to us all.
The Statement issued this morning by the MMB:
It is with sadness that we share with the Michigan Marching Band (MMB) family and University community the passing of a true Michigan Man, John W. Stout, who lost his battle with cancer on April 4, 2017. As we reflect on our lives, we often ask: “Did I make the lives of those I touched a little bit better?” For John Stout (BM ‘79, MM ‘81), the answer is a resounding and unequivocal yes!
John was an artist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and a consummate gentleman. His passion for music and the arts started early in life. By age 15 he wrote large scale works for band and orchestra. At age 21, he began to publish his music with commercial publishers. Throughout his career, John composed and arranged more than 500 works for chamber ensemble, orchestra, symphonic band, wind ensemble, as well as film and television scores. John was the recipient of a number of grants, awards, and commissions (including one from the Boston Pops Orchestra).
John’s arrangements have been the cornerstone of the MMB’s halftime performances for over 35 years. As a student at the University of Michigan, John studied with Leslie Bassett, William Bolcom, and William Albright. A bassoonist, and tenor saxophonist in the MMB, John also holds the distinction of being the Marching Band’s first Donald R. Shepherd Scholarship recipient, awarded in 1978. This annual award is given to select upper class members of the MMB who have made exemplary contributions to the band throughout their time in the ensemble. There have now been more than 360 recipients of this honor.
Being the first Donald R. Shepherd Scholarship recipient inspired John and his wife Gail (BA ‘81) to become active philanthropists within the Ann Arbor arts community and beyond. The Stouts established the Stout Family Marching Band Scholarship in 2004, which honors musical excellence and a strong commitment to the MMB. Both John and Gail have served as members of the Michigan Marching Band’s Elbel Club committee, co-chairs of the MMB’s Victors for Michigan Development Committee, members of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance campaign advisory committee, and members of the University Musical Society’s Ambassador and Board of Directors.
As an entrepreneur, John founded Stout Systems in 1993; an award-winning company that provides expert level software, web and embedded systems development consulting and staffing services. During his years as an independent consultant, John established a track record of providing cutting-edge technology to clients. As a result, John was named the “Overall Winner” of Corp! Magazine’s 2013 “Entrepreneurs of Distinction” award.
John is survived by his beloved Gail (née Ferguson), his wife of 35 years; his children Michael (Amber) and Lauren; and his mother Mary Louise Stout (née Copley). He was the kind brother of Susan L. Hammer (Tony) and Steven C. Stout (Colleen).
John’s devotion, care, and concern for the well-being of the University of Michigan Band Program has been inspirational and unforgettable. Through his many arrangements and compositions, we will be constantly reminded of John’s belief in arts education and the importance of music in our culture. Through his philanthropy, we will always be reminded of his love and support. We have lost a valiant victor who will be forever missed by those who had the honor and privilege to know him.
I have been out of the band loop for quite a while now and didn't know John was sick. This is very sad news.
John was a great guy and one of the major cogs of the Marching Band for the last several decades.
About the only good story I have about him is that he once stood in for me in an impromptu section photo at the Rose Parade. I had pre-parade, um, digestive issues and was in the porta-potty (trust me, you don't want issues DURING the parade!) and he was holding my saxophone for me. Having been a sax in the band himself, the section asked him to stand in for me in the group photo. It was a bummer missing the group photo, but, especially now with his passing, I'm honored to have that photo of him.
RIP John. You were one of the good ones.
I'm so sad to hear that John passed away. He was an intergral part of the Michigan Band family, an incredibly talented composer and arranger, and a fun guy to be around. He really knew how to write powerful arrangements that fit the MMB's instrumentation to a tee -- he knew how to make a good band sound even better. And wow, could he write a show closer (Unchained Melody in the 90/91 Gator Bowl, old-timers?).
I'm glad I reached out to him four or five years ago to tell him that when I was trying to figure out how to play Auld Lang Syne on the piano on New Year's Eve, it was his band arrangement of it (from the 89/90 Rose Bowl) that I kept hearing in my head. He was tickled to hear that his arrangement was so mentally sticky, and it was fun to reconnect with him.
Besides the music, I'll remember John's sense of humor. Dude cracked me up. The Words of Stout that pop to mind are what he said to me at one point during the '91 Notre Dame game (the Grbac-to-Howard game) as I was preparing to make the stadium rounds during the 3rd quarter with the Fanfare Band: "Jeff, if you get a chance, do me a favor and punch that fucking leprechaun."
Well said, my friend. RIP and Go Blue, John.
John had an hilarious sense of humor. I remember him telling a story on the first day of MMB "hell week" about a time when a bee was flying around in his pant leg while he was standing at attention. He dead-panned it perfectly. One of the best-told stories I've ever heard.