Gary Robert Hammond

Gary Robert Hammond was born in Los Angeles, CA on October 5, 1937. Gary graduated from Palm Springs High School in 1955 and joined the Army for 2 years where he was the lead trumpet player for the 49th Army Jazz Band stationed in Vicenza, Italy. His jazz band traveled all around Europe from 1956-1958. One of his major highlights was seeing Miles Davis play from just a few feet away while he was on furlough in Paris, France in 1957. Upon returning from Europe, Gary was recruited by the University of Washington (in Seattle) to play tennis on a full scholarship. The summer before he attended, he met the love of his life, Ann Elizabeth Hanzlik, while they both worked as summer camp counselors at Desert Sun School in Idyllwild, CA. Although Gary was enrolled in his first semester at University of Washington and Ann had begun her freshman year at Principia College in Elsah, IL, they knew they were destined to spend their life together and were married on Christmas Day 1958 when Gary was 21 and Ann was 18. Gary eventually finished his music and teaching degree (band and chorus) at San Diego State University in 1963. For the next 3O+ years Gary directed award-winning choirs at Lincoln Middle School and Vista High School in Vista, CA. In 1994, Gary retired from conducting choirs at Vista High and devoted himself full-time to an entrepreneurial venture that revolutionized the rapid learning of choral music for choirs all around the world. For 30 years, Hammond Music Service was known as a ground-breaking educational technology that helped choirs perform at a much higher level. Gary was a lifetime member of the American Choral Conductors Association and was a professional soloist with a gorgeous baritone voice. He was known for his generosity in the way he served others, his devotion to his church, where he served as soloist, and his humor and ready wit. He is remembered as a loving husband and father who went out of his way to support the hopes and dreams of his family. Gary is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ann, and their 4 children Gregory, Eric, Matthew, and Jennifer, as well as 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Tributes

Gary Robert Hammond

October 5, 1937 - October 30, 2022