Dearest Chuck,
I don’t even know where to begin. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how quickly the past four years have flown by. All along the way you have stood by me providing support as a mentor, colleague and friend. I have come to see you as a second father, helping me grow into a better musician and person. Thank you. Every week I have looked forward to an hour in your studio where I could forget about everything but sharing our passion for music. I’m so happy I’ve been able to spend so much time with you. You have given me the greatest gift of music.
Love, Belinda Wu, Alto saxophone soloist with the GVYMA Symphonic Wind Orchestra
Dear Chuck,
Thank you so much for your very thoughtful message to Cameron! Of all the teachers Cameron has ever had, you are simply the best and we cannot thank you enough for all the care and instruction you have provided him.
Woon Ai Tsang
Dear Chuck,
You are such an inspiration and we have never had a similar connection with another teacher ever. The connection with you is special to Kriday and to our family. Thank you for being such an inspiration. You will always remain Kriday’s amazing, fun and loving mentor. Thank you for helping him on his musical journey.
Jay Arvind
Dear Chuck,
I have never met a more dedicated and inspiring teacher in my life, and I want to make sure you are always my kids music teacher!
Christian Duhme, Biology Teacher, St Georges School
Hello Chuck!
Tony told me that you were going to coach the BC Honour Wind Ensemble today and that you would be there to guide him and help him. I am very touched. Thank you, Chuck! Thank you very much for your professionalism, your love for music, and your dedication to Tony. As a mother, I am so glad that my son has such a good teacher as you. You are his lucky god! Thank you, Chuck!
Have a great day!
Summer Ziqinshang
Dear Chuck,
My family is so lucky that we met you. The visit to Backun Musical Services begins a new chapter in John’s life story. John has tried the clarinet that Mr. Backun worked on with the new bell and barrel we chose together. The sound is so melodious. Mr. Backun gave him some new parts and a kind letter full of encouragement from Mary Backun. You not only taught him to learn the clarinet but also guided him to a different world. Thank you, my dear Chuck. Have a good weekend.
All the best,
Mike and John Li
Dear Chuck
One of the best things that ever happened to me was when I first knocked on your studio door. I still recall how enthralled I was to even be in your studio. Then I heard you demonstrating how to properly play the low F to correct my infamous straying right pinkie finger. Taken by the sweep of the beauty of the instrument, your fingers did an effortless dance that let out a melody with which I was instantly enraptured. I was in love with the clarinet!
Your studio became an abode of reprieve and placidity. A whole new world opened up for me. It was unlike anything else I had ever encountered. It was empowering. I felt like I could accomplish anything. And I still feel that way, but in an amplified form of the sentiment.
To this day, with my clarinet in hand, I am armed for anything that dares hinder me in my pursuits and aspirations.
Your grateful student,
Jiwon Yu, Winner: Most Musical Performance, Kiwanis Festival 2016
Chuck,
I like your exercises very much and agree with your approach – like Heifetz and you I am a great believer in super slow practice to train muscle memory. Your exercises are unique and I shall share them with my top professional students with your permission. You have helped me and all your fellow teachers and their students.
Leslie Craven, Principal Clarinet, Welsh National Opera, retired
Guest Principal Clarinet: Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, London Musici
Thank you so much for all you have done for Alexander this term. You have been a truly amazing teacher and we all feel so privileged to have come to know you. Your enthusiasm, professionalism and sincerity are remarkable. Thank you for your attention to detail and how far you have come with Alexander in such a short period of time.
Thank you!
Isabelle and Tony Booth
Chuck, you are an incredible musician and teacher! I was beyond honoured when you returned to our school when I took over as department head. Your contributions to the program are valued and appreciated.
Dr. Dean Markel, Head of Music, St George’s School
Thanks again for sharing your great knowledge of all things related to clarinet & sax performance, mouthpieces, ligatures, and reeds. You are providing a wonderful service to the Canadian Winds readership.
Tim Maloney, Editor, Canadian Winds Magazine
Chuck Currie is the epitome of the professional musician.
Marlin Wolfe, Conductor Emeritus, Vancouver Island Symphony
Chuck’s enthusiasm and talent as a musician and teacher is infectious. His students can’t help but be motivated to excel. Since he began teaching the students at St. George’s we have been blessed with a new breed of sensitive, talented and confident saxophonists. I would recommend him as a teacher to anyone interested in learning any single reed instrument.
Marc Crompton, Director of Bands, St. George’s School
Chuck Currie is an extraordinarily gifted and sensitive teacher, one who nurtures not merely the musical talents of his students, but their character development as well. Indeed, Chuck has distinguished himself from all other music instructors our family has encountered over the course of more than a decade of work. For Chuck, integrity and hard work come first, and he communicates this in gentle yet demanding ways. Chuck, whose musicianship is legendary, has been an inspiring teacher; for nearly four years, Chuck has helped our son grow by teaching him how to listen, to play, and to appreciate the importance of self-discipline. In doing all of this, music has become what it should be: loving and fun. It is not an understatement to affirm that Chuck Currie is Vancouver’s premier music teacher.
Prof. Paul Krause
Department of History
The University of British Columbia
Thank you so much for all your help from Delta City Blues all the way back to the basics. I feel that my time studying with you has not only made me a better player, but a better person as well. Many thanks for your help testing out horns, too.
Kirk Alexander
I have known Chuck Currie for many years and have found him to be one of the warmest, most enthusiastic and energetic people I have come across! These qualities transcend across to his teaching and his students cannot help but be infused with a love for music. Chuck is a natural both as a player and as a teacher.
Mary Backun
Principal Clarinet: Vancouver Opera Orchestra, Abbotsford Symphony Orchestra,
Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble
It could be very intimidating to continue to learn each week from someone as musically talented as Chuck Currie, but his teaching skills and personality create an amazing learning environment. Chuck has the ability to bring out the best of musical talents in each and every one of his students. I am as honored to be one of his students as I am in awe of his talents.
Dr. Ed MacMurdo
You have been and continue to be a wonderful teacher and a great influence and inspiration for Jessica, and we count ourselves very fortunate that Scott MacLennan recommended you to us. You have greatly enriched her experience of music; she always comes away from her lessons with new ideas and enthusiasm.
Susan Firus
I’ve been taking lessons with Chuck for several months and I am repeatedly impressed by his inexhaustible enthusiasm.
His enthusiasm and optimism turn frustrating obstacles into positive challenges and he routinely highlights the improvements that I have made as a student. I look forward to our sessions and have been motivated to take more time out of my rigorous schedule to devote to practice.
Chuck has the ability to instruct without insult, and through his positive energy, makes the student feel better about his/her abilities, even when faced with a problem. I heartily recommend him to anyone, young or old, looking to either learn or re-learn to play an instrument.
Dustin Lippert, PhD Biology
University of British Columbia Forestry Research
I talked to Michael about the lesson yesterday. Both of us think that the supplemental second lesson will be very helpful for him, in addition to the standard format lesson. It’s a great idea to play duets and sight read with you. It’s really good for Michael, and we really want to say thank you, because we know that you do your very best, make every possible effort for Michael. Michael is lucky to have such a great teacher.
Thanks so much,
Linda Xu