White Plains Families Dedicate Benches in Honor of William Eckfeld
Last week White Plains High School parents dedicated two outdoor benches in honor of William (Bill) Eckfeld, a remarkably talented and dedicated educator who retired last June.
The benches have been placed in front of the school auditorium entrance.
Eckfeld served for 26 years as Music Teacher and Orchestra Director for the White Plains High School Symphony and Concert Orchestras. He began teaching at the school in 1987, with a string program of little over a dozen students, which has grown to over 200 musicians in four orchestras.
Eckfeld led his Honors String Ensemble to the New York State School Music Association’s (NYSSMA) major festivals numerous times, and the Honors String Ensemble has been awarded multiple Level VI Gold Medals (the highest level), including Gold With Distinction in 2013 and 2012.
During his career Eckfeld was named President of the Greater Westchester Youth Orchestras Association, Guest Conductor of the Westchester Elementary All-County Orchestra, and President of the Westchester County School Music Association.
Prior to entering the field of music education, he was a member of the bass sections of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
Eckfeld’s Retirement Parent Committee led a farewell to him and celebration of his devotion to the music program on June 4th, at his final concert. They have donated the two benches and the White Plains High School PTA has provided the plantings, which accompany them. The inscription on one bench, “May you always carry beautiful music with you in your heart” is a direct quote from Eckfeld, which was published in the 2013 “Oracle,” the High School yearbook.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
