Travis Timothy Shultz Memorial Scholarship

Tim died of melanoma at age 50. His memorial service was held in the gymnasium of the middle-school where he last taught, the only place large enough to accommodate 1,000 people. He had founded a trombone octet of other band teachers, and they played at the service with tears streaming down their faces. Judy, Tim’s sister, spoke at the service about being with him when he died in a clinic in Mexico. After the service, a man came up to her and gave her a lapel pin with crossed Mexican and U.S. flags. The man was a Mexican immigrant, and his son had a beautiful singing voice. Tim had believed in him, constantly encouraged him, and told him, in middle school, that he would sing in Carnegie Hall one day. The father wanted Tim’s family to know that the year before, his son had sung in Carnegie Hall.

Tim lived for his students and seemed to love the “screechy beginnings” of the middle school band each year. By the end of each year, the band gave an amazing performance that was flawless. His final performance was six months before he died. At the graveside service, members of his Oregon Army National Guard Band marched in playing “Saints” in New Orleans style, his favorite kind of performance. Two officers folded the flag they had carried in, and tucked his retired trumpet mouthpiece in its folds.

There could be no greater delight for Tim than to know that promising and talented students dreaming to become music educators are helped by his scholarship.

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