Arlen R. Saylor, 86, long-time band director for Pottstown and Boyertown school districts, died Friday at Park House Providence Point, Royersford.
A graduate of Pottstown High School and West Chester University, Saylor’s musical accomplishments made him a distinguished community member and influential teacher.
Nicknamed “Mr. Marching Band,” Saylor was nominated for the Pottstown School District Alumni Honor Roll because of his many musical accomplishments. He began his career as a band director in Pottstown schools before taking a position that would span three decades as music director for Boyertown Area High School.
“It was always interesting things with Arlen. Music was always fun. He had high standards but we always had a good time,” said one of Saylor’s students and colleagues, Don Kuszyk. Kuszyk played under Saylor’s direction in the Pottstown Junior High School band and later played in several of Saylor’s other bands in addition to teaching with him in Boyertown schools until Saylor’s retirement.
“I was in his first band and my youngest was in what was probably his last band at Boyertown. He was just a unique individual and always very positive,” recalled Kuszyk. “He always challenged his group whether they were professional, semi-professional or amateur. I knew him most of my life as a teacher, colleague and friend.”
Saylor was the founder of the annual Boyertown tradition, Cavalcade of Bands, in addition to being the creator of the Boyertown Alumni Band, which he also served as president. Saylor was added to the Cavalcade Hall of Fame in 2007 for hosting the first Cavalcade of Bands competition in September 1959 as well as taking home three championships during his time as music director at Boyertown Area High School from 1955 to 1985. From 1966 to 1969, Saylor was also the director of the Sound of Brass, a 220-piece unit that provided half-time and pre-game music for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Saylor’s love of and dedication to music were the driving forces behind many of his accomplishments and those of his students.
Dennis Frey, another of Saylor’s students recalled the impact Saylor made on his life when he was drafted for the Vietnam War in 1965. As Frey was interviewed about his previous experience upon arriving at Fort Jackson, he told his interviewer that he had experience playing the trombone. He was then told that if he didn’t pass the audition, he would automatically be put in the infantry.
“I looked at him knowing I had Mr. Saylor as my teacher, and I knew that I would pass that audition,” said Frey.
Frey did pass the audition and ended up playing in the 282 Fort Jackson Army Band, much like his mentor, Saylor, who also served as a U.S. Army Band member during the Korean War.
Saylor’s students often attributed his strict teaching style and assertive nature to his time as an Army Band member.
“He commanded respect. You respect him period,” said Chris Allmendinger, president of Boyertown Area Schools Music League and former student of Saylor. “To this day I would never be able to call him Arlen. He will always be Mr. Saylor. I respected him immensely. He was very military in the band when he was director at Boyertown and he demanded precision. And he got precision.”
Allmendinger described playing trumpet next to Saylor in a 9/11 tribute concert as one of the most thrilling experiences of his life. Having shared a stand with Saylor, Allmendinger said, “That was the best moment I ever had and it was also the most terrifying moment I ever had.”
In addition to Saylor’s work in Boyertown Area School District, he also formed a band called Arlen Saylor Orchestra, which performed regularly at Sunnybrook Ballroom.
Though his musical accomplishments are innumerable, he will be remembered for his impact and inspiration as a teacher.
“Later on in life you realize what you have in a teacher,” said Frey, who is the current president of the Sounds of Sunnybrook Dance Band. “I had no formal education after high school. Mr. Saylor saw faith in me and what he knew of me in school and that was of value to him.”
A celebration of life for Arlen will be held at New Hanover United Methodist Church, 2211 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville, Pa. 19525 on Saturday Aug. 8 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., according to a Facebook post from Betty Saylor.
