Remembering Steve Prosser

I grew up with Steve in Altoona, Pa.
We were both budding jazz pianists and enjoyed playing in local groups. Steve was part of our gang of musicians that hung out – many, many laughs with him. A genuine wit.
We lost touch when we both got serious about school.
I have some old tapes of him that I’ll have to dig up.

R.I.P. Steve. You enriched all of our lives.

DV

I never knew Steve that well but he always had a nice smile when we would see each other in the hallways at school. I will miss him. Steve

One of my dearest friends and best life teachers, Steve Prosser has passed on. He was one of the most brilliant and huge-hearted people I have ever been blessed to know. in the classroom, he didn’t just focus on the brightest and most attentive students, but gave just as much unwavering love and support to the most mischievous and challenging of the bunch. He always motivated with humor and individually-tailored learning styles, never fear. As a friend, he was ever-ready for a coffee, so inquisitive, with a Papa Bear kind of support. As a musician, he was simply brilliant. For me, he singlehandedly taught me the way in which I listen to, view, and analyze music. These last few weeks it seemed that although Steve’s optimism remained, some of his signature light had left. I hope that Steve, wherever you are, you are shining brighter than ever. Hope we meet again someday, play some beautiful music, and share a cosmic coffee. ♥

I remember Steve as a brilliant musician and a warm and gracious person. I had the pleasure of doing Berklee workshops and auditions with him and Russ Hoffman in 2007. My father was dying of cancer at the time and Steve’s sense of humor kept me in good spirits throughout the trip. I am grateful to him for that. There were many hysterical moments and many great educational moments working with Steve and Russ and the students in Tokyo. He will be sorely missed.
RIP Steve

In comparing all the Berklee publications for a new syllabus, I couldn’t find one better than Steve Prossers. His intellect was (is ) superior . That was (is) obvious anytime you were fortunate to get his “take” on a question or opinion. I didn’t know that he was ill.I will be looking forward to our getting together to remember him

When I began teaching at Berklee in January 1996, I was housed for a few years in the Ear Training Center. Steve had his office there and was an extraordinarily welcoming presence, taking an interest in what I was doing and helping me to feel at home among my musician-colleagues.

I’ve known Steve since he was a Berklee student. Later, as a faculty member, he “handed” a course he taught, HM219 “Vocal Survey” to me. We shared a love of softball games, union woes and lastly politicial insights. I’ll think of him every Xmas when I hang the crocheted ornament made by his mom.

Some alumna who are coming to town for his Memorial Concert in May will be staying at my home – so please keep me apprised of preparations.

Dear Steve, Rest in Peace

Joyce Lucia

When I first started teaching at Berklee, Steve was one of the people who showed me the ropes of teaching Ear Training. I will always remember his incisive wit and irreverent sense of humor.

He will be missed.

The words “unique” and “complex” just begin to describe Steve Prosser.
Steve was one of the most talented and intelligent people I’ve ever met. I wish I could have sat in on some of his classes to see how he imparted his distinctive methods to his students because the love and respect that I’ve heard from them is truly impressive.

He could engage you in almost any topic, from the Patriots, to the Civil War, to the history and architecture of the Back Bay. To say his musical expertise was wide-ranging is an understatement. He could understand and participate in a Gene Puerling jazz arrangement just as easily as a score by Charles Ives.
His imprint on the Ear Training department is indelible. Most of the current faculty in the department were originally hired by Steve, and the talent and camaraderie in that department is among the best in the school. To me, that is one of Steve’s most important legacies.

Berklee, and the world, has lost an “irreplaceable” musical force. His amazing musical talent and his ability to teach his unique methods can not be replaced. It can only be remembered. Rest in peace my friend.

Steve Prosser inspired me as a pianist, a singer, a composer, a boss, and a friend. There are so many complex feelings and issues that arise when contemplating his passing, feelings and issues that I and my colleagues will spend the next few months discussing and working through.

Steve hired me, and by doing so had faith in my abilities, more than even I had, information he gleaned mainly from hearing me play and having a musical discussion or two with me. His mentorship (if you read his faculty bio, he talks about Socratic method), which consisted mainly of asking me pertinent questions and hipping me to great music, made me a better teacher.

I used to love to debate politics with Steve. We differed on some points, agreed on others, but I always learned something. I even contemplated going to Law School, just so I could fare better in an argument with Steve over constitutional law, but that is not enough of a reason to go to Law School, to check off the box “to win an argument with Stevo.”

The overwhelming sadness sets in when I think about what we have lost, how this might have been prevented. He and I even debated this issue, after the Virginia Tech shootings, and should they be a call for more gun control (I thought yes, he thought no, and offered compelling evidence, which I would accept from few others). How much is too much to intervene when friends deal with health issues? Is the culture of higher education sometimes so toxic that good, inspiring, brilliant mentors become crestfallen when their efforts to advocate for faculty and curriculum are thwarted? Steve was not perfect, and none of us are, but sometimes I feel (I have said it in private, and will say it again in public) that the battles and indignities he suffered as he fought for his educational and artistic vision eventually took their toll on him.

I always think of Steve when I hear the quote “The Man who feels cries when he ponders existence, but the thinking man laughs.” Steve LOVED debate even more than he loved being right. He told me he loved to read Ann Coulter’s daily column as much as Rachel Maddow’s. Seriously. Steve was a great thinker, but also felt emotions deeply. Perhaps (even contrary to what Steve might advise me) we should try to use his passing as some kind of wake-up call, to increase the level of civility we use with one another, to treasure each other in the musical and intellectual communities, even as we disagree with one another, and to put aside our differences to remember what our common goals are.

He still called me Igg.
He remembered my wife’s name after not seeing her for 20 years while laying in the hospital just after his accident.
His smile filled even the largest of rooms.
There were so many sides to Steve any one person could not find them all.
He was an excellent singer, writer, arranger, and softball player.
I’ll miss you, my friend, hold a spot for me!
…Igg

In our lives, there will always be people who will hold a special place, for all they have given- their example, support, wisdom, friendship, kindness, respect etc. Recently, I found out that one of those special people, Steve Prosser, passed away. I was in one of Steve’s first Berklee Ear Training classes back in 1979. It didn’t come easy and I worked very hard to do well in ET, but Steve was able to see my potential and he was always a source of encouragement and support. By having a teacher like him, it taught me how to be that kind of teacher to my own students. I learned not only ET from him, but I learned the true meaning of being a mentor and a teacher and the responsibility that holds. We have always been in touch since those Berkee days, always answering my questions as a musician and teacher. I introduced him to my husband David as well, they became friends and he has known my daughter, Lydia since she was born. He and I would talk ET concepts and he’d set her up with headphones at his keyboard in his office while we worked. Later he became her teacher at Berklee. I am so grateful she took my advice and studied with the master of all masters! As far as being a teacher and musician, Steve was “top shelf” all the way. No one could make a point or lay out a concept or idea about music like he could. He was brilliant (a lawyer as well) and he had a unique way that made him relate to people very special, whether as a teacher or a friend. One thing I am so happy about is the fact that the last book he wrote, Intervallic Ear Training for Musicians, did get published by a company I distribute for. His concepts and ideas needed to be documented and I feel like had this not been accomplished, it would have been a great loss. So I am glad that he had the strength and determination to complete it. Steve, you will be so missed by me, David and Lydia. You were a true inspiration and friend of this family. A true friend to the point, where in the midst of your own health issues, you assured David and me that Lydia, new to Boston at the time, could call you if she was in need of anything especially if there was ever an emergency. That was you, Steve. A person who sincerely gave care and comfort to others. I thank you for believing in me always and instilling in me by example what it means to be a performer, teacher and overall human being. Steve, RIP and may your lowest note always remain with you. Big hug and love from all the Liebmans.

RIP! With all due respect to Steve Prosser and his students, where’s the memorial thought(s) out to legendary Jazz musician and former student at Berklee, tenor David S Ware, who passed away very recently of kidney failure? If it happened and I missed it, I apologize, but this newsletter was received on 10/22 with enough time I think to take note of it to all of you.

I had Steve for a rhythmic dictation class he was wonderful, kind and always smiling. Such an amazing talent I loved his performances with Bob Stoloff. Steve was a gifted musician and a special teacher and human being. My prayers go out to him and his family at this time.

I knew Steve since our days together as Berklee students starting in the late 70’s.

He was one of the most interesting people I’ve known, and I carry his memory with me.

We used to listen to Bartok, Ives, Singers Unlimited, and Wild Man Fischer.

I learned a lot from Steve.

I had Steve as my Performance Ear Training teacher back in 1990 & 1991, or rather… “he had me.” I made very good grades at Berklee, but not in his class. He would not tolerate mediocrity, and had high expectations of me, much higher than I had for myself. In essence, he taught (or retaught me) pitch. He is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had in my life, and knew A LOT about a lot things (he even advised me via Facebook how to take care of my ailing back a couple of years ago – AND IT WORKED!!). LOL.

Along with you all, I am missing him.

Shalom, my Friend.

I took two advanced ear training courses with Steve at Berklee and after experiencing more than 7 years worth of music school curriculum, Steve is absolutely at the top of my list of most inspiring professors. A person could learn a semesters worth of knowledge just by talking to him for a few minutes. I remember he told me that he wrote out a tune every day while he ate lunch. That always amazed me for some reason. No doubt he’s directing the jazz choir of angels up there. Love you Steve.