Performances + Events
A collection of tributes from the NEC community to beloved faculty member John Heiss.
Read John Heiss’ official obituary in the Boston Globe here.
“There are knowledgeable professors who possess great passion for their craft and teaching, making a positive impact in the student’s experience. Professor Heiss had this in him, combined with an unparalleled kind heart and desire to ignite the same passion for music and history in his students. In the pandemic, he kept teaching and even having phone calls to support his students. His classes were never boring. He filled them with the knowledge you needed plus funny stories you would never find in the books. What a treat it was to be your student.” —Aida De Moya
“My condolences to John’s family. I had the distinct pleasure of working with John during my time at NEC on a performance of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire, which remains a career highlight! His insight, expertise, passion, and gentle manner made it an illuminating and transformative experience. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing.” —Laura McLean MMus ‘11
“Even before I took his class I knew about Mr. Heiss. His influence was legendary. The first thing he did in class was play the first chord of Beethoven 1st symphony and ask students to identify it. I recognized it immediately. NEC offered us many wonderful experiences and opportunities but his class was a gift. Perfectly wrapped and expertly delivers by Mr. Heiss. At every turn, a discovery. The stories were wonderful too. A most humble man with an amazing aura. Hi son Frank, whom I knew from my work with the YPO, always humanized his father with stories. He told us about how he knew that his electric razor needed batteries when the pitch flattened to a B flat. LOL. It is because of Mr. Heiss that I discovered New England through Charles Ives. I can say today that I know all 114 songs and have visited all of the places that inspired those works in New England. He ignited my passion for new sounds. Not to mention his own works. Particularly Songs of Nature, which I had the honor of performing 30 years ago. To say that he was an excellent musician is stating the obvious…but not everyone can be a wonderful human being. He was that and more. My condolences to the family. To dear Frank, hugs. My deepest condolences and warmest regards.” —Carmen M.Santos ‘ 91
“I knew John Heiss, from 1969, when I joined Community Boating club. I knew nothing of his musician and teaching life. He was a sailing friend and an important person in the Community Sailing organization. Later in my Boston life I discovered NEC, and found out how important John was to your community. A great loss to all of us.” —Leslie A Miller
“John and his wife Arlene competed for many years as skipper and crew in dinghy sailing races held Sunday mornings at Community Boating on the Charles. They were clearly one of the top boats and won way more than their share of races and series (months-long collections of races). I didn’t get around to asking him what he did for a living and I never heard him mention music, so during the time I raced I wasn’t aware of his musical reputation, nor his association with NEC. Maybe I should have surmised that this professor among the sailing buoys might be a professor in his working life.” —Mark Sashihara
“John was an influence on me right at the get-go at NEC. Contemporary ensemble had a piece for seven saxophones I was chosen to play bass saxophone. The instrument was rented from Ray Burns. John’s precision and interpretation were amazing and influential. You didn’t have to be one of Jon‘s students to interact with him and benefit from his vast knowledge. I was just 16 but he treated me and the rest of us as professionals for three concert tour around Massachusetts. Thank you John.” —Rob Scheps BM 1986
“John was an exceptional teacher, composer and friend. It was an honor to edit several of his works for publication. But most of all I remember his analysis class when I was a grad student. It was one of the highlights of the academic part of my time at NEC. He was always a joy to work with.” —David Murray (BM ’81, MM ’87)
“One of the few most memorable teachers I’ve met in my life. His class on Stravinsky and Schoenberg was an eye and ear opening experience. Deepest condolences to his family.” —David Gold MM Jazz Studies ‘96
“Because of you – I got to perform in the glorious Jordan Hall numerous times as an NEC student, collaborate with some of the best musicians around, and work with some of the most phenomenal composers of our time. I am forever grateful for all the incredible coachings, and stories. I cherish all the wonderful performances under your leadership with the Contemporary Ensemble (from John Greer’s Red, Red Heart, John Harison’s Abu Grain, to Joan Tower’s Petroushkates, plus many many more!). These performances shaped my expereinces as a student at NEC during my masters and doctorate. Thank you for believing in me.” —Patricia Au
“John’s reputation preceded him: I knew about his legendary status at NEC always already, long before signing up for his renown Schoenberg/Ives class. I remember bringing in the latest books on Ives (in particular); John would borrow them, and then return to class a week later with a short book report, holding the relevant book in his hand. I remember somehow having John’s ID in my possession, so I could take books out of the library for him (perhaps he didn’t have the time, and, I worked in the library, briefly). I remember his magical ear that could hear everything; his deep love for everything about Ives (and how he conveyed that to all of us). His generosity (generally, but especially in all things music); his true passion for music, and the joy he so obviously felt from it: indeed joy and love (and concurrently, rational thought) emanated from his very being.” —Adam Berenson ’97
“It was my great pleasure and honor to work with John, as a member of Tapestry, on a piece he composed for our vocal ensemble. Love’s Apocalypse is a setting of a text by Rumi that he dedicated to his wife Arlene. I share it today as a lovely memory of his music. https://youtu.be/io8r1YFQdtE” —Cristi Catt, faculty Contemporary Musical Arts: Voice
“Before I met John, I didn’t know that all pianos are not tuned alike. His sense of pitch was so acute. I think of John as a musical genius and master sail boat racer with a heart as big as his talent.” —Arlene Lieberman
“In the spring of 1986, I rode one of the earliest subways in from Somerville to New England Conservatory to camp outside the registrar’s office and reserve a space in John Heiss’s extremely popular Ives, Schoenberg, and Stravinsky class for the next academic year. The course proved to be exponentially more valuable than the trouble. I appreciated how Professor Heiss connected so much of the 20th century music and people discussed in that seminar to the then-current Boston (St. Gaudens’s bronze relief sculpture, Stravinsky’s Hemenway Street Apartment, etc), and I was always impressed by his sonic imagination in his compositions for multiple flutes. My favorite memory might be the solo recital he performed in the fall of 1986 after his beloved Red Sox had avoided elimination in game 5 against the California Angels in the American League Championship Series with a miraculous late-inning comeback (RIP Dave Henderson). At the beginning, Professor Heiss entered Jordan Hall and said, “I want to apologize for starting late, but I just witnessed an unbelievable baseball game!”, to which the audience cheered heartily, and he held his flute aloft in triumph. Thank you, Mr. Heiss.” —David Sanford (M.M. 1987)
“I enjoyed his class very much in the 1960’s.” —Roger Jannotta MM, Graduate 1976
“I am so sorry to hear of the death of my first flute and theory teacher, John Heiss. We have been in touch over my lifetime of music- since the age of 12 (1965) when he was the Flute and Theory teacher at a summer Music Camp that I attended, Columbus Boy Choir and Instrumental Camp. I was so fortunate to have been taught by him at such an important time of my musical development. He was able to guide me going forward from the very beginning and was an immensely supportive mentor over all these many years. He cared so very deeply. The many comments from his students over a period of more than 50 years at New England Conservatory also speak so clearly about his profound teaching and immense influence. I am sending my heartfelt sympathies to his beloved daughter, Laura, and her family. He was so proud of you all. Rest in peace, my friend. ❤️” —Andrea Kapell Loewy, Summer Contemporary Flute Chamber Music Class/Heiss
“John Heiss was as generous as he was selfless towards his students, which often made me think and feel that if God walked amongst us, then John must have been who He chose to walk with.
His peaceful departure leaves many of us in the NEC community with a profound sense of loss, especially string players and flutists for whom he held a special place in his heart, but also composers and contemporary arts practitioners. He always had something touching to say to composers and I’ll never quite forget his kind words after my orchestra reading, new music concerts or in the faculty mailroom. He touched me, and so many of us, in the simplest of words, which really was all was needed some days to turn the tide around.
John was a professor that was easily worshipped, to the point of heresy some would say, but it wasn’t hard to worship somebody who had such an endless love of music and teaching. He was in perfect company with equally passionate and dedicated faculty members.
To borrow fellow student Elias Daniel Medina’s words: ‘no one walked away from him not feeling a little better and knowing a little more about life or music.’ And indeed, everyone who walked with John felt a little wiser, and more hopeful for what’s to come.
Goodbye Professor Heiss, thank you for the rich musical treasure and legacy you’ve left us to carry. Have a beautiful walk – we’ll see you at a concert sooner or later, up there.” —Bosba Panh ’2019 BM Composition (Gandolfi, Schaphorst)
“John was one of a kind, a great musician, composer, teacher, researcher, mentor and true gentleman. Many fond memories. RIP dear John.” —Michael Rossi, M.M. 1986, D.M.A. 1995 (jazz studies)
“John Heiss embodied the music he so passionately taught. His classes demonstrated the pinnacle of what I strive for in my own lectures – total mastery of the theoretical, aural, and historic context of the composers and compositions. Added to that was John’s knack for story-telling, and his anecdotes about Igor Stravinsky were engaging, and at times humorous in a way that made his classes flow like a great book. I will never forget this wonderful human. He inspires me to be better, to this day.” —Jonathan Dimond (GD ’95, MM ’06)
“John was a ray of sunshine and a constant inspiration. He was so generous to students and colleagues alike, and I was always happy to have a conversation with him.” —Frances Conover Fitch, MMus 1976; Conservator faculty 1980-95; Prep faculty 1995-present
“John Heiss was one of the most influential people in my life. I spent four happy years learning from him in Contemporary Ensemble, music history classes, and many hours of chamber ensemble coaching. I am so sad to hear he has passed away. He taught me to listen and think, as well as so much about the technical aspects of performing within a space and understanding that the details matter, but also just being present and aware of what is going on around me. My condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the legions of former students. I know he will be missed!” —Penny Ward Marcus, NEC class of 82
“John Heiss and I met when we were both studying in New York: he at Columbia and I at Juilliard. He was a seeker! His eyes always shone with discovery and he was already amassing a huge treasure of wisdom to share with all of us through the many years that followed. I have watched his life’s journey with awe and gratitude, and I know that his voice will continue to resonate in our hearts and minds, urging us to remain seekers, too.” —Paula Robison Donna Hieken Flute Chair, NEC
“I write this as John’s student and currently as president of The Charles Ives Society, for which John was a pivotal member of the Board.
Heiss’ “Ives, Schoenberg, and Stravinsky” and “Interpretive Analysis” classes are legendary among generations of musicians. His sincerity and emotional involvement in the classroom was affecting and effective. He led the Contemporary Music ensemble and NEC composers concerts in memorable concerts that fed directly into my first professional work in Boston – work that took on a life of its own that has not stopped – thanks to John. His passion and insightfulness was compelling on a gut emotional level that overrode existential worries of crafting an identity in the music world. It was just intuitively right and freeing to play the music of Ives and the contemporaries John advocated. His keen ears and cheerful demeanor were always a bright light and he was the center of my musical home at NEC.
For the Ives Society, John was the force behind a pivotal grant that led to the publication of the Critical Edition and Performance Editions of Ives’ 4th Symphony – a mammoth project for which new software had to be created and over which several scholars, including Gunther Schuller, collaborated for thirty years. Because of John’s stewardship orchestras can and do now easily access the complications inherent in Ives’ 4th Symphony and other works. He was a cherished colleague and we will miss him.” —Donald Berman MM ’88
“John Heiss was one-of-a-kind. A teacher of music. A teacher of life. One of the best there ever was. His lessons were passionate, memorable and meaningful and will live within the lives of thousands. He will be missed dearly.” —Erin Amendola ‘95 ‘97
“Mr. Heiss’s class was one of the highlights of my time at NEC. His excitement and love of 20th century music was a delight and opened a door in my music appreciation that has never closed.” —Maria Caswell, class of 1979
“If I’m completely honest, I don’t remember very many of my teachers at NEC. John Heiss is one of the few who I remember clearly — his joy, curiosity, and forthright yet empathetic manner made any subject he touched fascinating. I never would have guessed that music theory would become a favorite class, but I looked forward to every hour spent with him.” —Charys Schuler, Class of ‘91
“He was gentle, accomplished and shared his enthusiasm for music and excellence with us and for us to encourage and spur our growth as artists and scholars.” —Stanley Sagov NEC ’73 jazz piano
“Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures but I’m so grateful for the time I had with John Heiss at NEC. He was one of the most joyful & humble teachers and people I have ever met, radiating simple enthusiam and thoughtfulness. His theory class was the first time I had been in a theory class where he communicated so eloquently why each chord in a great piece of music had meaning and always at the keyboard. I loved that we brought our own solo pieces into the classroom to perform so that he help us communicate the structure of a work. And he was so supportive attending all of our school concerts. What a wonderful man and life he lived. RIP.” —Cecilia Huerta-Lauf (MM Cello Performance ’09)
“John Heiss truly showed me the way to appreciate the performance of contemporary music and was a great and gentle educator. I will miss him greatly.” —Bunny Shilakowsky (aka Harris) NEC Bach Mus ’77
“I’ve known John Heiss since the 1960’s. I was honored to substitute teach for him for the Schoenberg-Stravinsky course when he was ill a few years back. He was a person of unfailing integrity and his contributions as a composer, teacher and author were immense. At times like these we are reminded that our time on earth is limited but John’s legacy will last for many generations.” —Herman Weiss
“It is hard to overstate the impact of John Heiss on my life in music. I arrived at NEC fairly ignorant of the world I was entering. When it came to 20th century music, I was particularly lacking in knowledge.
When the music history survey got to the 20th century, I hit the jackpot having John Heiss as my guide. Suddenly, I was able to hear the consonance in the dissonance and the power of the gesture. With his encyclopedic knowledge, first hand accounts, brilliant delivery and absolute conviction, he taught us to celebrate that musical language was finally freed from the confines of what the aristocratic society of the past found palatable. When I found that I could take more focussed classes on Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Ives and Bartok, I could not sign up fast enough.
John taught me to be curious when hearing something unfamiliar and gave me the tools to deconstruct and decode it. He instilled in me a love of Ives and Schoenberg which some of my colleagues will never understand. Each time I travel to my family home in PA, I get giddy when driving through Danbury, CT imagining Ives and his father having a blast.
In my professional career which is still centered in Boston, occasional interactions reminded me that the ears of the “pitch doctor” have no equal in this mortal realm. Before I resigned from the Boston Philharmonic, he coached us on Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments and Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra. He was able to quickly find the perfect intervals within what seem to most as a dissonant cluster, tune them and create clarity, transparency and blinding brilliance. This ability seemed superhuman to those who had not experienced him at NEC. A true master.
When Marjorie asked me to conduct a Rite of Spring winds brass percussion sectional for the NEC orchestra, I was delighted to do so. The day before, she called to say “John will be there.” and I said “What the hell do you need me for then!?” But that was one of the most enjoyable moments I remember with John. I relived my own introduction to this great masterpiece with the students as I conducted and watched his miraculous ears at work.
I have been fortunate enough to send several students to my alma mater and they each got the same directives “take solfege with Larry Scripp and every class John Heiss offers.” A testament to the impact of John on my career is the frame in my UMass office containing photos of my most influential teachers. There you will find my jr. high band director, all of my trumpet teachers and John. The rest did wonderful things for my ability to play the trumpet, but John paved the path to a career primarily in new music.
When performing an adventurous new concerto commissioned for me at an International Trumpet Guild Conference nearly 20 years ago, a noted soloist whom I looked up to as a mentor asked “Where did you learn to do that?! I know ‘so and so’ didn’t teach you that.” (referring to one of my trumpet teachers) Nope, that was John Heiss. Thanks so much John. Rest in Peace.” —Eric Berlin, class of 1991
“To this day, my ability to accurately play 3 against 4 is because John Heiss offered this simple solution: PASS the GOD-damned BUT-ter. It works!! (Start together on PASS, then capitalized syllables are the triplets.).” —Karen Harvey BM ’81, MM ’83
“John wrote a piece for my senior recital and played with me in the performance. But I’ll never forget taking a placement exam for ear training class Freshman year, and he was writing out a Bach coral with all four parts while listening with us to a recording! He could hear all four parts and wrote them on the staffs. I never would have thought that was possible! He just continued to expand the boarders of my ability to listen and hear everything at once. Double stops on FLUTE? Yes! Thank you so much Mr. Heiss. RIP.” —Jonathon Landell – B Mus, flute – 1968
“John Heiss taught by telling stories, referring to so many luminaries by first name, and had such a fluent understanding of how composers were influenced and motivated to create music. He made contemporary classical music personal and his legacy is unforgettable.” —Peter Layton, Class of 2005
“I will never forget John’s classes about Charles Ives – his passion and dedication to teaching were inspiring. He took us, the whole class, boat sailing with his wife- that is one of the fondest memories I will have from him.” —Sara Serpa (alumni)
“I joined the NEC faculty in 1985 as a very junior member of the theory and composition departments. John was instantly my friend and champion, and this warmth and generosity continued for my sixteen years on Huntington Avenue. We had especially wonderful times sailing with Arlene! There was nothing more phenomenal than his attention to detail, combined with the natural and complete love he had for music and for musicians. He was one of a kind.” —Alan Fletcher, faculty 1985-2001, Dean of the College and Provost
“How could you describe a person like John Heiss? Probably the best classroom teacher of any subject i ever had . He was able to take a complicated subject like 20th Century music and make it accessible and fun. Not so many teachers like that in a Conservatory, or anywhere. Dressed like an educated custodian. A humane, caring person. Mr. Detail. Don’t try to slide even a tiny imperfection past his ears or eyes. I could go on… Rest in Peace Maestro!” —Nicholas Underhill MM Piano 1978
“John Heiss was my first composition teacher. He laid the groundwork for my life in music ;without him. I am certain that my career would’ have turned out quite differently. He was an extraordinarily kind, compassionate, and brilliant man, with a wonderful sense of humor. In the many years after I had studied with him, I sent him generations of students who had first studied with me in New York . They always came back to me with the same sense of amazement and gratitude that I myself felt during my studies with him. I remember those long walks to his house on Hancock Street in Auburndale, Massachusetts, and the anticipation that I felt knowing that I was receiving a great gift. He will be deeply missed.” —Richard Danielpour ( NEC Graduate , BM . 1980 )
“John Heiss enlightened me to Varese in my first coaching with him. I learned to listen to every nuance of color and sound, also in every other composer. He was encouraging and helped me have the confidence which I needed at the time. His ears confounded me. I had him coach me on the Berio Sequenza 5. He brought out many profound details in this piece. In his class, the way he would teach and model to us how to listen to music was brilliant. I came away absolutely loving every piece of music he taught. His excitement was contagious!! I’ll never forget him, he meant so much to me.” —Julie Josephson BM trombone -1985, AD-1987
“In my years studying flute at NEC I was often impressed by this top scientist of the flute world. Though I never took a class with him he was an important figure in my introduction to contemporary flute techniques. He once asked me to play for his students, and when he realized I could not flutter-tongue he tried to teach me on the spot, later saying in his warm way that he had never seen anyone turn so red in the face. Another time he knocked on my practice room door and asked me how I was fingering a certain high trill, made a note and thanked me. His ears and mind were always open. Later I had the honor of performing his flute trio at the National Flute Association convention in Philadelphia. John was a warm, modest and friendly presence, and a one of a kind flutist/composer/educator.” —Edward Schultz BM 1976
“John Heiss taught me to really, deeply listen. He taught me that the fine detail work is where we make music really come to life. He taught me that we’re not so far removed from our musical heroes in time or space. They are rightfully exalted, but none of us are standing that far away from them. We all belong. Mostly when I think of John Heiss I think of his brilliance, but even more so his gentle demeanor, his unwavering enthusiasm, and his generosity. Wearing a baseball cap today in your honor, Mr. Heiss.” —Jill Jaques ‘00, ‘03
“My memories of John are of a man characterized by an ineffable kindness and friendliness. One of my fondest memories of him was of his teaching an orchestration class I took as an NEC student. Of special interest to me was his explanation of the Harmonic Series in connection with harmonics on string, brass, and other wind instruments, and of course he illustrated the flute multiphonics for which he was justly renowned. He also explained the “math” of equal temperament in a crystal clear way, and he really knew his stuff! (I remember him whistling 12-tone rows offhand with pinpoint accuracy). And of course it wasn’t really about math, it was all in the service of increasing his fellows’ awareness, understanding, and enjoyment of music. I aspire to be like him as a teacher, and I will miss him. My condolences to his family and loved ones.” —Stephen Savage, NEC Prep Theory Faculty
“John was one of the greatest influences in my life, a teacher, a mentor, a friend, an examplar.” —Peter Torvik MM 1983
“What a magnificent mentor, and cheerleader for contemporary music. I’m so grateful as an undergrad composition student to have had his patient, thorough, really clear teaching in instrumentation, and he systematically drove through the details of every single imaginable instrument. And he was a great guy: always helpful, supportive, friendly.” —NEC ’76 (comp, vla)
“A wonderful mentor, whose depth of knowledge inspired his students beyond what they imagined they were capable of accomplishing.” —Rachel Cox, 1993
“There is so much to say about John Heiss, it’s hard where to begin. He had such an incredible impact on my time at NEC especially during my Master’s. One of my very fond memories is working with him on a piece for brass quintet. He was truly a master of his craft, and an inspiration to so many. He will be dearly missed.” —Bryce Gillett, BM ‘15 & MM ‘17
“John Heiss was one of the finest teachers I ever had the privilege of studying with. Mr. Heiss was the epitome of a true educator: modeling passionate life-long intellectual and artistic engagement with the material he taught, and bringing pure positivity and support to his students. His course on Charles Ives, and his Composition Seminar, were some of my favorite experiences as an undergraduate at NEC. He also granted me an interview at his home in Newton in 2012, which I filmed to create an interactive documentary exploring his relationship to the music of Ives. Thank you, John Heiss, for your gifts to several decades of generations of NEC students. You will be missed.” —Nell Shaw Cohen, B.M. in Composition, 2012
“There is not a higher tier which exists of which I can put John on, & this single story which only took 1 minute will give explanation – Once before his composition class began, Ran Blake, one of the Greatest Chord Substitution Minds the world has Ever seen, was leaving the class which he had just finished teaching in the side off-shoot building of St. Botolph. Ran saw John, sat down at a piano, and began playing “Laura”, one of Ran’s favorites.
John, to my astonishment as I thought he was only legendary for his skills as a straight Classical musician, sat down at the Other piano, and began to achieve something I felt was impossible then, and still do today; Answer Ran Blake’s already extremely advanced substitutions. Shockingly, I was the only student paying attention, as all were talking and rustling between classes. I of course did not yet have the mental capacity to understand what chords were being flown around between them, other than some upper structure triadic ideas, and the Stravinsky Double-Diminished styled chords, being played around like legos in a toy box. But what John was playing in this musically dangerous call and response creation chess game with Ran Blake, it somehow all made sense. Fitting like a Finish glove. Moreover, the way John watched Ran, was as if he was peering into his soul; which was believable, since trying to figure out what Ran is playing already requires the Most elite of ear skill, let alone figure out what he will play & use Next, then furthermore be able to analytically and harmonically Answer yourself, what is being played, all within less than 1 second. It is Super Human.
I at the time, nor myself today, nor almost Any musician today not named Jacob Collier or Ran himself, would have the capability to transcribe what John played here. It seemed as if he used notes that did not exist, which is also believable since Ran is always living on the edge of Harmony as it is. At the time, it was the Most Incredible minute of music I had Ever heard, and with all the moments I have had in my career listening to and playing with legends in the field, that moment with John & Ran, Still is to this day. When “Laura” finished, I ran up to both of them to triumphantly explain how they Absolutely Needed to make a duo record; or at least an improvised duo concert. But alas, neither ever occurred. Along with this side skill of his, John Heiss had what I call “The Tape Recording Ability”, the rarest of naturally born skills, which means the ability to hear an Entire Symphony Orchestra, and write down what every part was playing As it was happening. It is no wonder Stravinsky called him “His Ears”.
John to me, deserves to be in the pantheon of the All-Time Legends of music, from Mozart to Chopin, Art Tatum to Keith Jarrett, to Wynton Marsalis & Alma Deutscher today. He was also, of course, an Incredibly kind & down to earth man, who was additionally a Massive Red Sox fan, and knowing that they won 4 World Series this century, more than any other team, all of which he could enjoy, warms my heart for his happiness. It was one of the Great acquisitions of NEC’s history to have him, and I long to see many events, moments, & physical items named after him.” —Cory Pesaturo, Accordion (Class of 2013)
“I knew Mr. Heiss for one year (1967-68) and I believe he was pretty new to NEC then. I found him welcoming, intellectually super-interesting, and a fine teacher. I took his Orchestration class that year. I wish I had known him longer and better! I think of him as a particularly fine combination of mind and heart, also generosity.” —Sally Buffington, NEC ’68
“John’s keen analytical intellect and insight always lead to a deeper love for whatever was the object of scrutiny. Music, of course. I’ve never heard anyone else discuss the workings of pitch relationships in a Schoenberg piece with the same affect that we’re accustomed to use in talking about Mozart. I raced with him once on the Charles and it was something of the same experience – clear thinking and thorough enjoyment of the workings of wind, tiller and sail. I once found him at Fenway Park, sitting alone with binoculars and a notepad. I greeted him and asked what he was doing. “Charting pitches.” I offered that I liked to just sit back and enjoy the game. He laughed. “I don’t know how anyone enjoys the game without charting pitches.” A generous, focused, friend and mentor.” —Eric Benjamin, ’76 and ’88.
“John Heiss’ class Interpretive Analysis changed my appreciation of music theory. Growing up I disliked theory, and in undergrad I was ambivalent to it, but in Heiss’ class I saw the practical applications of music theory for performers. To this day, I use what I learned to inform my interpretation of repertoire and as a foundation for my teaching. Helping my students play in a way that lets the audience “get their ears around the music,” in Heiss’ phrase, and using theory as a tool to help students understand how to make interpretive decisions have become essential ingredients in my teaching. I am forever indebted to John Heiss’ instruction, incredibly grateful that somehow I landed in that class in my first semester of grad school, and immensely thankful for John Heiss’ legacy!” —Debbie Grohman, MM 1987, clarinet
“An inspiration as a music superfan and educator. Thank you so much for work that touched multiple generations of NEC students.” —Steve (NEC M.M. Jazz Performance 2010)
“John Heiss had an incredible mind, and was an incredibly kind human being. I’ll never forget driving home for Christmas, and receiving a call from
