I found this letter from my mom that she wrote after my choir professor died and regarding a concert I did senior year.  She is so awesome!

It is with profound sorrow and deep gratitude that I write this. I am the mother of one of Bruce's students and I was touched very deeply by all that Bruce did for my son, Christopher Torres, '03. When someone cares about your son or daughter, is kind to him, supports him, encourages him, stands up for him, coaches him, believes in him and in his abilities, and gives him the chance to use his talents, you just LOVE that person!! I felt a special and close bond with Bruce because he did all of this, and more, for my son during his years at Holy Cross and especially during this past school year.
I had spoken to Bruce occasionally during Chris's first three years, usually after concerts, thanking him for the beautiful music, but this past year, I had the opportunity to get to know Bruce better through some conversations via phone, e-mail, and in person. I guess you could say that circumstances brought us together, and I am so grateful for the time that I was privileged to share with Bruce.

Chris was a member and Officer of the College Choir and also a member of the Chamber Singers. I attended as many concerts as I possibly could (it's a long trip from California!) and I was there for every Family Weekend Concert, the Consortium Concert, and several others in the springtime each year. I can hardly express the joy that this beautiful music brought to me, and, I am sure, to all of Bruce's audiences. We have all been touched.

Last October, Bruce gave Chris an opportunity he may never have again. He asked him to play the piano solo in Beethoven's Choral Fantasy for the Family Weekend Concert. This would have been wonderful in itself, but as circumstances played out, obstacles were deliberately thrown in the path of this performance, so that when the Concert actually took place, it was even more wonderful than could have been anticipated - it was a victory of sorts! And it was the first time that I had seen a
standing ovation in the middle of a Family Weekend Concert!

Through all of the uncertainty during the difficult months preceeding the concert last Fall, I learned what kind of a person Bruce Miller really was. He could have backed down under pressure and not performed the Choral Fantasy. But he did not. He was a professor who truly CARED about his students. They came first. He was on their side. He cared about giving students a chance to use their talents. He was willing to make sacrifices for them, so that they could succeed. When my son was left to teach himself the Beethoven piano solo, Bruce gave up precious time out of his busy schedule to help Chris with the piece.

Bruce BELIEVED in his students and in their potential and their abilities. When faced with opposition, Bruce said to me, : "I would never have asked Chris to play if I did not KNOW that he could do it." This kind of belief in the students inspires and encourages them. Bruce stood up for Chris. He backed him up all the way. I felt that he truly went "above and beyond" in his support of this one student, and I can only imagine how many, many other students over all of Bruce's years at Holy Cross have also felt his support and faith and encouragement.

As a parent, nothing means more than to know that your son or daughter has a teacher who is kind, caring, inspiring, supportive, and encouraging. Bruce was all of these. And, on top of that, our sons and daughters received the most excellent musical training!

I am so glad that I told Bruce that I would be forever grateful for all that he did for Chris and especially for giving him that wonderful opportunity. I thanked him for believing in Chris. I had the chance to tell Bruce how much it meant to me as a parent. And on the day before Graduation this past May, Chris took me up to Hogan 514 and Bruce and Chris and I took some time to reminisce about all that had taken place this year. And I thanked him again.

I pray that Bruce will be rewarded abundantly in heaven for the love and care that he bestowed on our children during his years at Holy Cross. His legacy will live on in them.

Thank you once again, Bruce. Rest in peace. You will be so missed.

From a grateful parent,

Sharon Ferguson