Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum John v.d. Brook Obituary

I am saddened to have to post this.. John van der Brook used to be very active on the forum, but had to curtail his activity due to his illness.

John Van Der Brook Obituary

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Sad news. I'm glad I read the Piano Teacher's Forum (although I'm not a teacher) so I was able to read many of John's interesting posts.

This hits hard, even having known of his illness. I have always had a high respect for John as a teacher and musician and well as a human being. He was supportive and helpful, especially during times of doubt and I learned from his input. He once said that his goal in PW was especially to help new teachers who were just starting out. Maybe the teachers here can pick up the baton and carry on the work of helping and supporting each other, as a tribute - a thing they are already doing.

So sorry to hear this. He was a pillar of the teachers forum.

John was a great inspiration to the many teachers who visited this forum. His wisdom and candor will be missed.

Very sad to hear. John was a beacon of common sense, vast knowledge, and integrity on these forums.
He will be missed, and condolences to his family and students.

Always enjoyed his posts and philosophy of teaching. I wondered why he wasn't around. RIP

May his memory be for a blessing.

Although we miss his posting, we can read his long forum archive:
http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/userposts/id/15526/view/posts/page/1.html

John provided a wealth of information here on PW. I really appreciate the time he spent on these forums giving advice to me a newbie piano mom. I had wondered why in the 2015-2016 school year, he had not returned as his "footprint" here was definitely missed.

Sending kind wishes and condolences to his family and friends that may check PW.

I am saddened to see this announcement.
John was always here to give good advice, and often was the voice of reason when folks got riled up over something.

He will be missed.
Condolences to his family.

John was a gentleman and a very kind person.

When he was first diagnosed a couple years ago, he sent me a PM. In it he told me of his condition and sadly, he knew it was terminal from the start. Yet his concern was not for himself. He still wanted to come on here and help others. but he was concerned that either pain or medication would make him less patient with others. I think that speaks volumes about the man.

I exchanged messages with him in January and he had not been doing well. He had hopes of making it to see his 49th wedding anniversary this month, but he didn't make it.

I know I will miss him. I do not remember him ever being anything but helpful to everyone.

A crackerjack piano teacher, so we could tell from his posts. Thanks to PW I met John and his wife once, at a music teacher congress. He was just what I expected: friendly, intelligent, opinionated, funny, and a real "grizzled vet" of a studio teacher.

He was very realistic about his colon cancer, but his wife implored me to get screened regularly - wise words for all of us over fifty years of age.

John will be missed, but leaves a legacy of students in the Pacific Northwest. A fine fellow.

I'll miss you, John. Thanks for sharing your kindness and wisdom with us.

I am so sorry. He was among the best. I went to his website recently just to see how was doing. In the pictures of his piano students they were always beaming! And while his website doesn't say, I knew he hadn't been around and it probably wouldn't be long. Rest in Peace.

John, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have made this world a better place through your music, through your students and through the wisdom you shared on this forum.

Rest in peace.

Oh my...

I met with John, I think in two occasions, but I can very well remember the first one, when we met in Frankfurt. He was visiting the musikmesse and so was I and we arranged to meet, have lunch together and discuss music.

The quality of this man was extremely evident from wherever you look at him! His posts, his remarks, etc...

He will be missed! My condolences to the family!

I knew he was sick but I didn't know how gravely. He made me think of Minnesota Marty and how didactic and patronizing they both could be but I always valued both of theirs contribution. John's contribution here was so valuable especially as someone else said, to the newer teachers and the teachers who didn't know how to view their studios as businesses instead of a hobby they charged for. There were so many times when I thought, "I may not always like him as a forum member, but I wish he could be my piano teacher." Like Marty in the Piano Forum, the teacher's forum will always be little empty without him.

Kurt

So sorry to hear this. John was someone whose posts I always took special care to read and whose advice I always gave special credence. He has been such an integral part of the Piano Teachers Forum and will be greatly missed.

So sorry to hear this. John's posts conveyed a strength of character rarely encountered, and he was so generous with his wisdom. He will be sorely missed.