Errol Weiss Schlabach

Errol Weiss Schlabach, 75, passed away on August 19, 2018 at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire from complications of pneumonia, surrounded by the people who loved him, mostly my mom, Loren, Ian and I.

As a proud daughter, I would like to share my dad's accomplishments throughout his life, as this is what his life was about - feeling and living the music.

My father was born August 31, 1942 in Canton, Ohio to Elmer Garrison Schlabach and Esta Corrine Schlabach; he was their only child. Growing up he attended Bellestone Grade School and then Perry High School.

His passion and love of music began at the young age of nine when he started playing the clarinet. Within a few years, he had his own band, "The Four Sharps" and was playing gigs at many local Canton events and social organizations. He played with the Perry High School band, and after reading through some of his yearbooks, it is evident that his peers recognized his true talent and looked up to him for his ability to play his "horns". After high school, my dad attended Kent State University and ultimately earned a bachelor's degree in Flute and Theory and a master's degree in Composition from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Following graduate school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and became one of the two chief arrangers for concert and string groups for the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. My dad also became principle arranger for the dance band and combo groups, where he would perform clarinet, flute, oboe, English horn, and saxophone
In 1972, he was asked to be the principle arranger and composer for "The President's Own" United States Marine Band and Orchestra. During this time, he wrote all arrangements for the White House Orchestra and String Quarter, Brass Ensemble, and played all dance and entertainment functions at the White House with a trio or 7-piece group. One story I remember him sharing the most was when the Queen of England attended a White House function. As she entered the ballroom, the band, unknowingly performing a "set", began playing "The Lady is a Tramp". This was obviously unintentional; however, this story continues to make me smile. He was honorably discharged from the United State Marine Corps in 1976.

My dad performed with the Kennedy Center Orchestra for a year, arranged an entire album for the Annapolis Brass Quintet (Spirit of Christmas), and composed a complete program for the jazz band at the Montreux Jazz Festival. As a result, he was awarded an expense paid trip to the festival and performed as a soloist with this band on a State Department tour through Germany, Belgium, and France. He also was a principal woodwindist at Walt Disney World and wrote a complete arrangement library for the Orlando Symphony Pops Orchestra. He later lived in Las Vegas where he performed in the Tropicana Casino Orchestra, Aladdin Hotel, and with the Las Vegas Symphony.

He returned to Ohio in the early 80's and became band director at Ashland College (now University) in Ashland, OH. It was there that he met my mother, and in 1985 they were married. They moved to Boston, MA and then Hempstead, NY. During this time, he continued to be prolific in performance, arrangements, and compositions. He especially loved his time performing with The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Louis Panacciulli, and being commissioned for work by his long-time friend and mentor, Buddy DeFranco.

A few years after my birth, we all moved to Bexley, OH where my dad continued to follow his dreams and passions by playing in the Jimmy Dorsey band, being the Artist-in Residence at the Bexley United Methodist Church, and as a member of the wonderful Rick Brunetto Big Band. He was also a clarinet and saxophone instructor at Denison University.
In 2003, we moved to the Plymouth, NH area and my father continued his work, with greater emphasis on compositions and arrangements. He wished he could have performed more during his time in New Hampshire, as he loved to perform, but unfortunately, New Hampshire is a difficult region for a professional woodwind musician to be heard.

My father's accomplishments are many and his achievements with music are great. His life was dedicated to being the best musician, arranger, composer, and father. He was more than a wonderful man; he was my wonderful Dad.

He is survived by his: wife, June Louise Schlabach; daughter, Corrine Frances Schlabach and her fiancé Ian MacDonald; Mother-in-Law, Frances Schacher; Sisters, Carol (Larrel) Berg; Julie (Rod) Flinn; Brothers, Dick, Jim, and Tom Schacher; Corrine's best friend and Errol's "2nd daughter", Loren Hughes; many cousins Frances Gonter-Gross, (Charles) and daughter Danielle (Drew) Myers; Geof Gonter (Kelly) and daughters Abby Gonter-Bek and Amanda Gonter; Gerry Domer (Virgil), son Michael Domer and daughter Melissa Zahnder; Sue Gonter-Dray and sons Alex, Christopher and Nik; Larry Miller, Rena Troyer (Red); Rita Grasselli; Claretta Price, Lorla Cihon, Doris Kimball, and Earl Walter, as well as many personal and supportive friends.

I'd like to thank Concord Hospital for taking care of my father in his last weeks, and I'd specifically like to acknowledge Tiffany, Monica, and Jen. Tiffany, because of you my father was able to give his last performance on the piano that you arranged to be brought up to his room. I wish I would have been there to attend his performance, but I know he was very happy to perform for the pulmonary floor. And to Monica and Jen, thank you for being with us during my Dad's last day, your compassion and empathy helped to comfort us all.

Dad, I hope you're up there playing your heart out with the greats, as this is where you belong, with the best of the best. I miss you with all my heart and look forward to the time where we will meet again. More, more.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Sugarcreek United Methodist Church, 212 N Broadway, Sugarcreek, OH.