This morning around 6 a.m., Western Oklahoma lost its most passionate advocate for musical students.
My first musical experience and piano lesson with Dr. Jim Breckenridge came at only 9 or 10 years of age. As a participant in the annual piano contest at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, I played for him in the second round. Typically, contest judges don't say much of anything after you play; typically, they smile and nod toward the door. Immediately, he had me turn and face him. Even from behind his desk, he seemed gigantic; tall, lean, and with personality to fill the concert hall of that old music building in the center of campus.
I had only heard stories of how effortlessly he played. When others spoke of him, there was an aura of respect and awe. But he did not play a single note for me. He asked me how long I had been playing, if I enjoyed the piano. He told me I was very gifted for my age, and that there is responsibility with that. He warned me that the final round would seem nerve-racking: top competition, performing in front of a hundred people, playing a 9' Grand with keys weighted much heavier than my 1940s upright at home. But in it all, Dr. B eased my nerves. He said that I had put in the work, the only thing left to do was play the piece I wanted to play. "Relish that moment," I remember him saying.
In college, our lessons would consist of arguments over the amount of rubato use in a phrase, over the mood certain tempos would emit. I would pull a piece one way, and he would remind me that Bach wasn't into Romantic stuff. He introduced me to 20th Century piano music and helped me discover the thrill of creating a musical moment out of dissonant junk. After playing a Ginastera piece, I once asked Dr. B if I could play the ending differently, not expecting a positive remark. Instead, he told me that roughly forty years prior, he had asked the composer the same question, and the composer said "yes"! I'll never forget that moment.
My roommate and I would go to him with questions about the philosophy of music. We spoke of the nature of talent, work ethic, and the personality of music. We'd ask how to reconcile personal life with the integrity of a work. Dr. Breckenridge never failed to inspire us with the knowledge that music is the most powerful force without agenda.
Dr. B had a consistent way about him. He was always taking far-away trips to perform. He played solo and in a variety of duets and chamber groups. His piano at home was a prize-possession. During the ice storm of 2001, he stayed home, draped the hallways, and kept the fire going to keep the piano from drying out. A dedicated smoker, I can still see him outside the music building, straight-legged, one hand in pocket, standing on his toes to take a drag. He suffered from lung cancer, and had 2/3 of one lung removed in the mid-2000s.
I used to believe that I had a closer bond with Jim than other students did, but eventually realized that he made each of us feel that way. Ask anyone who had a lesson, a class, or even a conversation with him. The zeal for each detail - the excitement when a student gets it right. Your musical/personal progress was important. No one wanted you to succeed more than Dr. B, and he constantly showed that.
Jim Breckenridge showed me what it meant to be a teacher of music and a student of life. Spending his entire career at SWOSU, I asked why talent such as his stayed in Western Oklahoma. He told me that Western Oklahoma deserved it as much or more than any other place. I fully believe him. The last time we spoke, he said he was so proud of what I what was doing with my life. I am proud to have been his pupil.
 
Below is his official 2007 biography:
Pianist James Breckenridge is recognized internationally for his concerts, workshops, lectures and master classes.  Adept as both a soloist and chamber pianist, Dr. Breckenridge has performed in thirty-six states within the continental United States as well as in international locations in Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Russia and the Far East. His appearances have often been coupled with pedagogy workshops and/or student master classes. Critics and colleagues have given him rave reviews not only as a pianist but also as “...a skillful teacher with wonderful ears who readily offers solutions and with further possibilities for technical and musical discoveries.” (Rostov, Russia 1993).
     Breckenridge began piano study at the age of thirteen as a student of Eunice Eubanks and in 1963 won the Allied Arts Competition in his native Alabama.  In 1967, he received the Bachelor of Music degree from Maryville College (Tennessee) where he studied with Sallie W. Schoen, artist-in-residence. Breckenridge holds the Master of Music degree from Northwestern University (Illinois) where he studied with artist-in-residence, Gui Mombaerts.  He completed the Doctor of Music degree at the American Conservatory of Music (Illinois) as a student of Alice Angermann. He has done extensive study and coaching with several major artists including Aldo Mancinelli, Bruno Glade, Wanda Paul, and Marilyn Taggart.
    The 2000 recipient of the SWOSU Bernhardt Academic Excellence award for exceptional achievements in teaching, scholarship and service, Dr. Breckenridge has served on the music faculty at Southwestern Oklahoma State University for forty years.  He is currently Full Professor of Piano, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies, teaches advanced performance and pedagogy and is the teacher of many prize-winning pianists in competitions across the U.S. A vast majority of his former students have successfully pursued careers in music education and performance in the U.S. and abroad. He has been instrumental in curriculum development for keyboard degree programs as well as other music curricula including new, specialized course offerings on the graduate level. He is the founder/director of the SWOSU National Piano Camp held during the summer to which students from across the U.S. are attracted. He serves as chairman for two major state-wide keyboard competitions held annually on the campus. He is founder/director of the Oklahoma Beethoven Society a state association of the National Beethoven Society for Pianists. In 1996 Breckenridge directed the Inaugural Festival of the Oklahoma Beethoven Society which brought to the SWOSU campus twenty-one internationally renowned pianists from around the world for three days of concerts and various musical activities. The immediate cultural success of the 1996 event established the foundation for the society’s expanded second festival held in April of 2000. Planning is currently underway for the third festival to be held in April of 2009 involving forty pianists as well as university students, faculty and community personnel.
    During his tenure in Oklahoma, Breckenridge has been an active member of several state and national professional organizations. An Honorary Life member of Oklahoma Music Teachers Association, he has held every state office of OMTA including its Presidency (1990-1994). Additionally, Breckenridge has served as the Collegiate Audition Chairman for the South Central Division of the Music Teachers National Association, as a member of the MTNA Ad Hoc Committee for review and revision of the national certification program (1996-1998), is currently a member of the Young Artist Committee of the National Piano Pedagogy Conference, is a faculty member of the American College of Musicians, the Suzuki Association of America, and an Honorary Life member of the National Beethoven Society for Pianists. In April of 2005, Breckenridge was recognized by MTNA as an MTNA National Foundation Fellow during the MTNA National Conference in Seattle.
    In February of 2007, Dr. Breckenridge was awarded the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in College/University Teaching by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Nominated by the SWOSU Faculty Senate, this award is given annually to a college or university professor who exemplifies excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.
Dr. Breckenridge received the award in May at a gala foundation ceremony televised from the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
    Dr. Breckenridge is in constant demand as an adjudicator, clinician, and pedagogue as well as performer. He has adjudicated local, state and national keyboard competitions across the U.S. He presents an average of ten to fifteen workshops and clinics annually throughout the U.S. and abroad. During the academic year he is often “on the road” over weekends to various locations nationwide to conduct master classes with students and teachers. For the past eleven years, his summer months have found him teaching and performing at various national and international music festivals held in the U.S. He is a permanent member of the faculty for week-long festivals held in Illinois, Minnesota, and Vermont. Additionally, he has served on festival faculties in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Florida and Washington, DC. During the current season (2006-2007) he will make professional appearances as pedagogue and/or performer in Minnesota, Illinois, Vermont, Washington, Oregon and Missouri.
    In addition to his professional endeavors, Dr. Breckenridge is an avid reader, an adventurous traveler and a member of several civic associations.

Dear friend,

I want to personally thank you for your support and work over the course of my campaign. It is because of you that we built such a fine coalition of people across District 57. Unfortunately, the final tally did not go our way.

Out of 3054 votes cast in the Democratic primary, we lost by 66; 49% to 51%. However, I am proud to say that we ran the campaign we wanted to run, rooted in hard work and pragmatic solutions for our community issues.

Working our way up as an underdog candidate, we did what many said we could not. We out-worked and out-strategized an opponent that out-spent us 3 to 1 and almost pulled it off.

You worked for this campaign because you believed not only in me, but in the principles of common sense, compassion, and effective, pragmatic government for which I have stood. We cannot quit on our vision of a better Oklahoma.

I want you to know that I am unfazed in my fervor for the advancement of Western Oklahoma. It is vital that we continue to strive for a better investment in our future through infrastructure development, family farming, healthcare partnerships, and funding for our children's education.

It has been an honor to be your candidate for State House of Representatives.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Jared Deck

Jared Deck for State House - Primary Day - Tuesday, July 29

Dear friends,

Over the past seven months, I have been working to earn the trust of hardworking people all over Western Oklahoma - trust in my ability to listen, lead, and represent us at the Capitol - to relate a new vision of responsibility and progress for our communities.

Today is the day to bring our work to fruition.

I plan on being the first to vote at my hometown precinct in Thomas for the Democratic Primary. I encourage you to vote early and to help drive the vote by reminding your friends and colleagues.

With your support, your voice, and your vote, we can win today and again in November. Now is the time to for each of us to do the honor that this great country affords us and vote.

Thank you for your belief in my campaign. Your vote is an investment in the long-term success of our communities. Today, we can choose to move forward with public service that will lead us through the 21st century.

Sincerely,

Jared Deck

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association, (OPEA) announced their endorsement of Jared Deck of Thomas.  Deck is a candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 57.

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OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley complimented Deck on his knowledge and commitment to state employees.  "Jared understands the importance of quality state services provided by a quality workforce made up of committed state employees," he said.  "His understanding of the ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Veterans Center and the services state employees provide to our states veterans and his commitment to quality roads and bridges provided by the dedicated employees in the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will be a critical component to making Western Oklahoma a better place for families to live and businesses to grow."

 

Jared Deck is a life-long District 57 resident and a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Raised in a small business and family farm, Deck has a myriad of work experience in industries including agriculture, oil & gas, manufacturing, and small independent business ownership.

 

"State employees throughout District 57 are happy to have Jared on the ticket and look forward to working with him in moving District 57 and Oklahoma forward," concluded Zearley.

Jared Deck for State House

Dear Friends,

First, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has donated time and resources to this campaign. Thanks to you, we are building momentum as primary season rolls around.

For months, I have been working to build a foundation of support. Thursday night, we will show why my message of economic growth, farm support, quality healthcare, and a commitment to education is resonating across the District.

You are invited to attend a reception for my campaign Thursday, 4:30pm, at the law office of Julie Strong - 525 N. 6th - in Clinton. Attorney General Drew Edmondson will be attending and I hope you will too.

Later that evening, Custer County Democrats will host a Candidate Forum at the Frisco Center in Clinton, 7pm. Attorney General Edmondson will be the featured speaker, and Representative James Covey will be honored for his tenure of service. Then, I will face off with my primary opponent in a Q & A Forum over the issues facing Western Oklahoma.

Join us in forming a team of support for these events!

I need your support to show the opposition that Western Oklahoma needs a leader who will work for working families, fight for the rights of children in need of medical care and quality education, and who possesses the character to listen to all sides of the issues and make the best common sense decision for District 57.

Thank you for your commitment!

Jared Deck

Jared Deck for State House
www.jareddeck.com
PO Box 188
Thomas, OK 73669
580.302.0802
jared@jareddeck.com

Announcing the release of our website

www.jareddeck.com

Check it out!

Deck To Run for House District 57

Jared Deck of Thomas, announced today that he is a candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 57. Deck is committed to making Western Oklahoma a better place for families to live and businesses to grow.

Jared Deck is a life-long District 57 resident and a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Raised in a small business and family farm, Deck has a myriad of work experience in industries including agriculture, oil & gas, manufacturing, and small independent business ownership.

 

"Our community needs to continue developing a greater infrastructure for economic growth, persistent conservation efforts, better access to medical care, and a commitment to education. With common sense, compassion, and a pragmatic sensibility, I will advocate for all citizens of District 57 and raise the bar for the future of Western Oklahoma," said Deck in reference to issues that are of primary importance to the area.

Deck says, "There is tremendous growth in our district. We must work to sustain this by reinforcing our infrastructure and building a diverse economy. From roads and bridges to fire, health, and educational services, District 57 must be the leader in Western Oklahoma."

Deck's civic involvement has included appointee to the Oklahoma State Youth Suicide Prevention Council, volunteer for Teenline Oklahoma - a call program sponsored by Department of Mental Health SAS, and Youth & Family Services Mentor in Canadian, Blaine, and Major counties. He also serves as chair of Custer County Democrats.

Deck currently serves as a music minister at Bethany Baptist Church and also as a private music instructor.

For more information on Jared Deck and his candidacy for House District 57 call 580-302-0802 or email jared@jareddeck.com or www.jareddeck.com

 Weatherford Daily News- 01.19.2008 - Michelle Seeber

Jared Deck, 28 years old of Thomas, thinks he is the person for the state representative's seat in District 57. Deck said he is running because "I feel I need to give back to the community any way I can."

He already is giving back to the community.

The private music teacher and music minister of Bethany Baptist Church in Clinton has served as volunteer for suicide prevention and with the Department of Mental Health dealing with teenagers in crisis. He also has worked for Youth and Family Services as a mentor/tutor for Blaine, Major and Canadian Counties.

For his platform, he thinks providing infrastructure for growth is important. "We can support and supplement the tremendous growth we've already seen in oil and gas," he said.

"Managing the family business and being a member of the community, I've lived through much of what everyone else has today."