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Albany Times Union, NY
Jan 9 2015
David Bournazian, Mohonasen's renowned music teacher and band leader, dies
By Brittany Horn
In David Bournazian's 41-year tenure at Mohonasen Central School
District, his office was rarely empty.
Students would pack into the music director's office at the far end of
the school over the lunch hour, talking to him and waiting to hear
Bournazian's well-known refrain, "Attitude is the key to success."
"There would be 40 kids in there eating lunch with him at a time when
teachers are saying they can't reach the kids," said John Murray, a
longtime friend, student and fellow band staff member. "It didn't
matter what year or generation they were. It happened all the time."
Editor's note: Read a remembrance from Mike Guzzo, Mohonasen Class of
1995, who invites readers to share their memories of "B."
Bournazian, who died at his home at the age of 86 Thursday, leaves
behind a strong musical career and an even greater legacy of success
with Mohonasen students. Since the announcement of his father's death,
his son, George Bournazian, said he has received upwards of 800 emails
from former students and friends offering condolences and quoting his
father. The longtime educator is survived by his two sons, George
Bournazian, of Cary, N.C., and Jacob Bournazian, of Washington, D.C.,
and four grandchildren.
But the community that will remember him stretches far beyond the
confines of family, George Bournazian said.
In April 2014, alumni of the Mohonasen jazz band returned from various
locations around the country for a "Tribute Concert to Mr. B" that
packed the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady Church to capacity.
Current and former students, their parents, band bus drivers, friends
and family all came to see what would be Bournazian's last show.
George Bournazian remembers that night vividly, as former band members
-- most not professional musicians, he added -- spent less than 24 hours
preparing for a concert expected to last about an hour and a half and
performed at the standard his father expected. True to form, the
concert stretched from 7:30 p.m. until 10:15 p.m., and yet, no one was
moving from their seats, George Bournazian said.
"Dad turned to the audience and said 'You know, there's this one tune
we didn't get a chance to rehearse at all. What do you say we find out
how good these guys are?' " George Bournazian said, laughing. They
finished the song, and then a few more encores before a saxophone
player called up The Stockade Inn and asked the staff to stay open
late for the huge crowd.
"No one wanted to go home yet," George Bournazian said. His father and
brother didn't return home from "the high school reunion on steroids"
until about 1:30 a.m. that night.
Though his musical talents and expertise are what many will remember
him for, George said it's impossible to forget the kindness and
compassion his father showed to students of all walks of life. He said
it wasn't uncommon for a student to spend a Friday or Saturday night
hanging out with Bournazian's family, especially if Bournazian
believed a kid was "heading down the wrong road."
His compassion and spirit drew people to him like a magnet, his son said.
"Dad always had a way of getting the best out of anybody," he said.
"He didn't treat his kids any differently either. It was tremendous."
The family will receive visitors from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday at
the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, 255 Spring Ave., Troy and
will hold a memorial service at 10 a.m. Monday at the church. The
family asks that memorial donations be made to Holy Cross Armenian
Apostolic Church or the David Bournazian Memorial Scholarship Fund,
which provides support for two Mohonasen Central School District
seniors to study music privately.
Bournazian originally funded the scholarship with his own money in
order to help local students with natural talent pursue their musical
careers.
"He was old school," Murray said, "and old school is alright."
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/David-Bournazian-Mohonasen-s-renowned-music-6004045.php
Jan 9 2015
David Bournazian, Mohonasen's renowned music teacher and band leader, dies
By Brittany Horn
In David Bournazian's 41-year tenure at Mohonasen Central School
District, his office was rarely empty.
Students would pack into the music director's office at the far end of
the school over the lunch hour, talking to him and waiting to hear
Bournazian's well-known refrain, "Attitude is the key to success."
"There would be 40 kids in there eating lunch with him at a time when
teachers are saying they can't reach the kids," said John Murray, a
longtime friend, student and fellow band staff member. "It didn't
matter what year or generation they were. It happened all the time."
Editor's note: Read a remembrance from Mike Guzzo, Mohonasen Class of
1995, who invites readers to share their memories of "B."
Bournazian, who died at his home at the age of 86 Thursday, leaves
behind a strong musical career and an even greater legacy of success
with Mohonasen students. Since the announcement of his father's death,
his son, George Bournazian, said he has received upwards of 800 emails
from former students and friends offering condolences and quoting his
father. The longtime educator is survived by his two sons, George
Bournazian, of Cary, N.C., and Jacob Bournazian, of Washington, D.C.,
and four grandchildren.
But the community that will remember him stretches far beyond the
confines of family, George Bournazian said.
In April 2014, alumni of the Mohonasen jazz band returned from various
locations around the country for a "Tribute Concert to Mr. B" that
packed the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady Church to capacity.
Current and former students, their parents, band bus drivers, friends
and family all came to see what would be Bournazian's last show.
George Bournazian remembers that night vividly, as former band members
-- most not professional musicians, he added -- spent less than 24 hours
preparing for a concert expected to last about an hour and a half and
performed at the standard his father expected. True to form, the
concert stretched from 7:30 p.m. until 10:15 p.m., and yet, no one was
moving from their seats, George Bournazian said.
"Dad turned to the audience and said 'You know, there's this one tune
we didn't get a chance to rehearse at all. What do you say we find out
how good these guys are?' " George Bournazian said, laughing. They
finished the song, and then a few more encores before a saxophone
player called up The Stockade Inn and asked the staff to stay open
late for the huge crowd.
"No one wanted to go home yet," George Bournazian said. His father and
brother didn't return home from "the high school reunion on steroids"
until about 1:30 a.m. that night.
Though his musical talents and expertise are what many will remember
him for, George said it's impossible to forget the kindness and
compassion his father showed to students of all walks of life. He said
it wasn't uncommon for a student to spend a Friday or Saturday night
hanging out with Bournazian's family, especially if Bournazian
believed a kid was "heading down the wrong road."
His compassion and spirit drew people to him like a magnet, his son said.
"Dad always had a way of getting the best out of anybody," he said.
"He didn't treat his kids any differently either. It was tremendous."
The family will receive visitors from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday at
the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, 255 Spring Ave., Troy and
will hold a memorial service at 10 a.m. Monday at the church. The
family asks that memorial donations be made to Holy Cross Armenian
Apostolic Church or the David Bournazian Memorial Scholarship Fund,
which provides support for two Mohonasen Central School District
seniors to study music privately.
Bournazian originally funded the scholarship with his own money in
order to help local students with natural talent pursue their musical
careers.
"He was old school," Murray said, "and old school is alright."
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/David-Bournazian-Mohonasen-s-renowned-music-6004045.php