Dr. Wheeler: 22 Years of Transforming Music

After 22 years of teaching music at Stuyvesant, Assistant Principal of Music, Art, and Technology Dr. Raymond Wheeler has announced his retirement. He began teaching in 1997, later becoming the assistant principal of his department. He currently teaches concert and symphonic band. Dr. Wheeler is looking forward to drinking coffee at a reasonable hour and going on a cruise with his wife and their friends.

Dr. Wheeler takes pride in the Stuyvesant music community's development over the last two decades. In 1997, there were only three performing ensembles. Today, there are 12 ensembles. “My biggest thing here was to get the performing ensembles to absolutely reach their peak of whatever talent is available, whatever that can be, without being overburdened—now that’s a tricky thing to do,” Dr. Wheeler said.

He is also proud of the teachers within his department. “It’s a first-rate faculty. The quality we have here would be [the envy] of many universities,” he said. Dr. Wheeler is confident he is leaving Stuyvesant in the hands of talented and experienced teachers.

Many students are sad to see him go. “Without him, it’s going to feel really different in band,” junior Yae-Eun Kim said. She fondly recalls chatting with Dr. Wheeler on the M20 bus about concert band and music on the way back from school.

“I’m sad that he is retiring,” Kim said. “[I’m going to] miss him a lot because he’s a great conductor and a great teacher. He knows his stuff. He also knows a lot about concert band and the concert experience.”

Dr. Wheeler has a reputation for being a funny and relaxed teacher among his students, and when asked about what she would miss most about Dr. Wheeler, Kim said, “His jokes. During band he would roast almost every section, especially the percussion. His favorite line is: ‘Of course the percussion aren’t paying attention, like they’re percussion.’”

Junior Rohit Roy agrees that he would miss Dr. Wheeler’s jokes. “The laughter we shared with and because of him will be missed most of all,” he said in an e-mail interview.

Roy has had Dr. Wheeler for concert band for the past two years. “[Dr. Wheeler has] been at Stuy for so long, and he will surely be missed by everyone: students, teachers, and faculty. He was a fresh presence in such a tense environment like Stuy, and he brought a smile to all of our faces,” Roy said. “Back when Dr. Wheeler still used to conduct, I would look forward to band. He inspired students to have fun in the class while actually playing music and learning how to play instruments.”

While Dr. Wheeler is looking forward to retirement, he will miss being a part of the Stuyvesant community. “I’ve stayed here for so long, and I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done. That’s [including] students, faculty, and support from other administrators. You don’t put in 50 years in something that you don’t enjoy doing, you just don’t,” Dr. Wheeler said. “Now is the time, though, for me to begin to shift, to start looking toward other adventures.”

When asked about his upcoming retirement plans, Dr. Wheeler mentioned traveling, reading, and spending time with his grandchildren. However, he also hopes to continue to conduct and play music. “I play in some community groups just to have fun playing. I will also play at a very high level with other professional musicians to keep it fresh,” he said.

While Dr. Wheeler understands that most Stuyvesant students will not major in music, he wants them to incorporate music somewhere in their future lives, regardless of what profession they ultimately pursue. “Music can be a part of your life. You don’t have to be a professional musician,” Dr. Wheeler said. “Enjoy life. You only go around once. Enjoy what you’re doing.”