As governor, I applaud your many contributions to strengthening fine arts education, particularly music education, in our state. Studies have shown that music and other fine arts advance students' emotional, intellectual, and social development, and help them stay interested and engaged in school and succeed academically. Your lifelong dedication and commitment to high-quality music education has certainly made a positive difference in the lives of our children, and in the lives of countless other people.
Gary R. Herbert
Governor of Utah
Mr. Hill was one of my band and orchestra teachers at Orem High School. Not only did he teach my regular band and orchestra classes, but he also led our award-winning jazz band. His enthusiasm and love of all styles of music was contagious and all of us found ourselves endeavoring to raise our own standard of musicianship to his high level. As I now make my living as a professional composer and performer, I attribute much of my success to the lessons learned under the baton of Larry Hill.
Kurt Bestor
Composer
Performer
"We are so fortunate to have teachers like you. Your band's performance at the education fair was superb. It is obvious your students love music because you do. I wish we could clone you and put you in every junior high in the district."
Linda Campbell
Board of Education Member
"I commend you on this fine [band] program. I would have to go a long way to find any greater in terms of teachability, discipline, response, and well-ingrained musicianship skills for this level. I only wish I had this quality of a feeder program at my last assignment."
Brad Collins
Substitute Teacher
"You have great rapport with all of your students. You are focused on performance and success for every student. I really enjoyed visiting your class and observing such a masterful demonstration of quality teaching."
James W. McCoy
Lakeridge Junior High Principal
"I attended the Lakeridge Junior High band concert Thursday night. It was absolutely thrilling. Each of the bands played so well and I enjoyed all the music they played. What a marvelous teacher you are!! I am so grateful that my grandchildren have had the opportunity to have had you as their teacher. They all love you and respect you so much and so do I. I had tears in my eyes most of the evening. My very best to you and thank you for all the years you've spent in teaching music. You will be remembered!!"
Jerry Elison
Grandfather
High School Drama Teacher
Mr. Hill,
I'll come to your funeral.
High praise from an 8th-grade boy
"You're my hero! You obviously know something the rest of us don't know."
Randy Mott, Pleasant Grove Jr. High band director (after a band festival)
I just finished converting this book into a website and now have an almost uncontrollable urge to become a band director.
Tyler Hill
Son