Photo By Christopher Hurd | Teleky with his youngest son at the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Being able...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON -- Standing tight in formation on a hot June summer day in 2004 on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, then Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Edward Teleky and the rest of The United States Air Force Band waited for the arrival of former President Ronald Reagan’s remains.
Standing and playing at events like these are what made his job both challenging and rewarding.
“It was 90 degrees, but it felt like 120,” he said. “The sun was beating on you, and you’re out there for what feels like forever. But these are minor things. I mean, yeah, it was tough standing tight in the heat, but in the end, you get to be a part of history. It’s such an honor to be able to be something more than you ever thought you could be.”
Teleky’s dedication and love to help and teach others led him to be selected into the 2016 World Drum Corps Hall of Fame.
Growing up in Yorktown Heights, New York, he was surrounded by musical inspiration. He started playing the drums at a young age and got involved in parade groups.
As a part of his high school band, he got to see fellow New Yorker, Buddy Rich, a world famous American jazz drummer and bandleader, live.
“Getting to see him with my high school band was probably one of the biggest thrills I’ve ever had in my life,” he said, smiling. “It really motivated me, seeing how much he loved to make music.”
After high school, he went to The Juilliard School. Being a local kid, and getting into the world-renowned school, made it extra special for him.
At the school, he met music professors like Roland Kohloff who pushed him to be great.
“He really was a benchmark for me as far as playing,” Teleky said. “He always pushed me to get to the next level.”
After graduating, he spent time on Broadway working in theater. It was an exciting time for him, but it didn’t provide the type of job security he was looking for.
“On Broadway, it’s great when the show is running, but when the show closes, you’re out of work,” he said. “I was on unemployment twice. It was a struggle not knowing when you’re going to have that next paycheck.”
Wanting to get married and start a family, he looked for something stable. He talked to Ernie Schefflein, his high school band director, about trying for a position with the Air Force Band.
“I said ‘Ernie, 80 people are trying out, and they are only taking one person.’ His response was ‘you only need one spot.’”
That was true. He enlisted to join the Band in 1987.
“The Air Force Band opportunity allowed me to be able to do what I love — serve my country and raise a family,” he said with a smile. “It’s really unique.”
For the next 28 and a half years, he would work his way from ceremonial percussionist to assistant drum major to drum major and finally, chief of operations.
During his career, he worked to teach and mentor others in and out of the Air Force, often spending numerous hours of his time to help.
“He will give of himself to the point of where he will stay 'til 9 at night because he spent all day mentoring people,” said Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Patrick McDermott, who spent 13 years under Teleky. “That’s one of the lessons he taught me — how important it is to give people your time and give them the help, because without the people, what’s the point.”
In addition to his work with the band, he has been teaching civilian bands like the Santa Clara Vanguard, San Francisco Renegades and the Scrapers of Japan.
“My true passion has always been teaching,” he said. “The common bond throughout my whole career has been working with kids, teaching and being able to give back.”
It’s the giving-back he says that got him selected for the hall of fame. It’s an honor that Air Force Lt. Col. Donald Schofield, deputy commander of the 11th Operations Group, says is well deserved.
“He always has your best interests at heart, and when you’re talking to him, he makes you feel like you’re the most important person there. He’s very willing to give anything of himself in an effort to help you develop. He’s truly selfless.”
Throughout his career, he’s had the opportunity to do seven inaugurations, two papal visits, 14 Independence Day appearances on the NBC Today Show and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (where he got to perform with his youngest son).
“That was the most memorable moment to me,” he said beaming, “back in New York.” “My whole family went. I was home. That was number one for me.”
After retiring last October, he’s still teaching and helping the Band as the director of the 11th Operations Group operation cell as he gets ready for his induction into the hall of fame at a ceremony Sept. 2 in Rochester, New York.
“I’ve gotten to do things that I couldn’t even dream of doing,” he said. “Being at historic events, being a part of history through the Air Force, it’s been an unbelievable journey.”
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2016 17:47 |
| Story ID: | 202446 |
| Location: | YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY, US |
| Hometown: | YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Airman's passion leads to Drum Corps Hall of Fame, by Christopher Hurd, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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