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“I call it brain candy. It helps you get
away from the daily life that may be
strife or stress-filled. It's an interesting
way of getting away without going any-
where,” the teacher said.
He doesn't have a favorite composer,
liking classical, jazz andmore. “There's
so much out there these days,”
Rumbell said, recalling being in high
school and getting hooked playing a B
flat symphony for band by German
composer Paul Hindemith.
“There's a lot you take with you,”
including problem-solving, teamwork,
personal discipline, and leadership.
“So there are leadership opportuni-
ties within the band that can transfer
to theworld of work,”Rumbell said.
Away from the school district, he's
played at the Fisher, Fox, Meadow
Brook, DTE Energy Music Theatre,
Orchestra Hall, and Hill Auditorium.
“A wonderful place to play,” he said of
OrchestraHall.
He's recorded and worked with
Julie Andrews, Ray Bolger (who was in
“The Wizard of Oz”), Sammy Davis Jr.
and others.
“But that's my other life. It's great
fun,” he said of teaching. “Sort of see
the light go on.We have a great number
of talented students.”
Rumbell's arranged and composed
music for his students: “And that's been
very gratifying.”
He's been married to Mary for 40
years and the couple has two sons,
John, 37, andDan, 32.
