For the 2019 State Finals, the Graham family will present three $700 scholarships to a senior "most valuable player" in each division, in memory of Mr. Graham's service to the State Jazz Festival as its long time coordinator. Directors will be sent a nomination form before the finals.
In Memoriam: Richard A. "Dick" Graham
NJAJE remembers Mr. Graham as an educator and leader that inspired the spirit of our organization. May his memory be for a blessing and a comfort to all who mourn him.
Richard Graham served in the US Army National Guard. He was the former Instrumental Music Director and later served as substitute teacher at Overbrook High School in Pine Hill, NJ. During his long career in music education, he won numerous awards with his marching and jazz bands. Richard took his award-winning marching bands to Disney World to perform in the Magic Kingdom Parade for over 10 years. In the early 1970’s New Jersey began to form its own chapter of the National Association for Jazz Education. Richard was one of the chapters original members. He later was elected to the State Board as Secretary and then later as President. In 1990 he won the Outstanding Jazz Educator Award and in 2003 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, both from the Association. He was the only educator to receive an honorary life membership in the organization. After retiring from teaching, he became the NJ State Jazz Festival Chair. The NJ Association for Jazz Education named the Richard A. Graham Sight Reading Award, to pay tribute to him, and to the fact that his band consistently won the sight reading award.
Throughout the 1980’s, Richard led the Overbrook High School Jazz Band to numerous state championships in the New Jersey State Jazz Festival, as well as being a finalist in the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Band Festival (the largest one-day high school jazz festival in the world.) He won the Distinguished Educator award from NJMEA in 2015.
Richard was a member of the Clementon Lions and was coordinator of the Leo Club at Overbrook High School.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Sunday, October 28th from 3-6pm and Monday, October 29th from 8:30-9:30am at the ORAL L. WOOSTER FUNERAL HOME, 51 Park Blvd, Clementon, NJ 08021. A funeral procession will pass Overbrook High School at 10am before proceeding to the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning at 11am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Lawrence Church, 135 N. White Horse Pike, Lindenwold, NJ 08021. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Overbrook Music Boosters Association. Share memories at:
http://www.oralwoosterfuneralhome.com/
Throughout the 1980’s, Richard led the Overbrook High School Jazz Band to numerous state championships in the New Jersey State Jazz Festival, as well as being a finalist in the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Band Festival (the largest one-day high school jazz festival in the world.) He won the Distinguished Educator award from NJMEA in 2015.
Richard was a member of the Clementon Lions and was coordinator of the Leo Club at Overbrook High School.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Sunday, October 28th from 3-6pm and Monday, October 29th from 8:30-9:30am at the ORAL L. WOOSTER FUNERAL HOME, 51 Park Blvd, Clementon, NJ 08021. A funeral procession will pass Overbrook High School at 10am before proceeding to the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning at 11am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Lawrence Church, 135 N. White Horse Pike, Lindenwold, NJ 08021. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Overbrook Music Boosters Association. Share memories at:
http://www.oralwoosterfuneralhome.com/