Marcia Waite
I was thinking about my wonderful High school band experiences in Maquoketa in the '70s, and looked up Mr. Cornelius online. So sad to learn of his passing. I just wanted to post that it was so great to to have trained with him. I'll always remember that he gave me a shiny school trumpet to replace my horrible old cornet, and that inspired me to work hard to achieve the lead spot in the trumpet section. I coincidentally ended up marrying a school band director in the '90s and I shared many funny stories about 'Corny' with him. I lost him to cancer in 2010, also. But I still have a trumpeter - my son is a great trumpet player and heads to High School in July. Hoping to create many more band memories, and Mr. Cornelius will always be among my favorite memories!
Marcia Waite - MCHS '76

