Amid national acclaim for the AP Music program, and mounting excitement for Senior Spring recitals, the Andover music community has lost one of its most influential members. William B. Clift, former head of the Phillips Academy Music Department and namesake of Andover’s record library, died on April 7 at the age of 89. Mr. Clift was a member of the Phillips Academy community for 25 years, joining the faculty in 1956 and retiring in 1981. “He was truly a dedicated teacher and musician,” said Instructor in Music and Director of Performance William Thomas, who worked with Mr. Clift. Mr. Clift was Chair of the Music Department when Mr. Thomas came to Andover in 1974, and Mr. Thomas replaced Mr. Clift as the chair one year later. “He always expected great things from his students, and he made his rehearsals fun,” said Mr. Thomas. Mr. Clift also led the Phillips Academy marching band, which performed at athletic events and parades. Though the marching band eventually faded out of existence, it was once the pinnacle of the Andover music scene. “[The Marching Band] was very popular in that time,” recalled Mr. Thomas. “Mr. Clift always found ways to make music fun and interesting for the kids.” Mr. Clift was also involved in musical theater, directing several plays at PA. One year, he accompanied a group of Andover students to England to perform the musical “The Fantasticks.” Mr. Clift’s brass choir performed holiday contests in Boston at the Museum of Fine Arts. His bands also performed at Boston Red Sox games. When Mr. Clift retired in 1981, members of the faculty suggested that the record library in the then-newly-renovated Graves Hall be named in his honor. “It was [a great way] to honor him, and to honor his commitment,” said Mr. Thomas. Today, the William B. Clift Record library houses a vast collection of music on CD and record for the Andover community. The library also contains computer stations, with MIDI keyboards, acoustic guitars, and metronomes for students’ musical endeavors. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 2:00 PM in the Phillips Academy cemetery.
