Students, Parents Pay Tribute to Eastern Middle School Music Teacher

Updated 1:40 a.m.:

For 11 years Steven Allen taught music in Grenwich Public Schools and his infectious love for music and striving to have students perform their best, earned him a legion of loyal students and fans.

Current and former students, and their parents, reeled from the shocking news that Mr. Allen died Wednesday morning, apparently at his own hand, according to Greenwich Police. At the time of his death, Mr. Allen taught orchestra at Eastern Middle School in Riverside, a position he assumed after teaching at the Old Greenwich School.

"We need to remember him for who he was and how many kids he helped. He was a true gem," said Pam Speer, whose son studied with Mr. Allen for several years, beginning at Old Greenwich School, and then at Eastern Middle School.

Speer added, "This man’s praises need to be shouted from the rooftop, truly a wonderful educator and human being." Speer, whose son continues to play the violin in college, added, "How welcoming he was to all students who wanted to play in the orchestra. It didn’t matter whether you were first chair or last chair, he always so encouraging to the students ... he pushed kids to perform to the best of their ability."

Patrice Anibal, whose daughters were students of Mr. Allen's, said one daughter also began her string studies with him at Old Greenwich School, continuing at Eastern and "came back a lot to visit him while in the high school." Her daughter was excited when Mr. Allen asked her to help chaperone his students' annual trip to Six Flags park in Massachusetts where they were perennial top-scorers in the adjudication.

In a statement released Thursday, Greenwich Public School officials said, "As part of the EMS music faculty team, the program has grown substantially, with over 70 percent of the school’s students participating. Mr. Allen was known for his expert direction. Often reaching beyond the standard middle school repertoire, Mr. Allen directed his students on pieces that are more traditionally taught at the high school level and/or custom arranging pieces that resulted in inspiring performances."

Eastern Middle School Principal Ralph Mayo sent an e-mail to parents Wednesday night alerting them to Mr. Allen's passing and that counselors would help students cope with the news on Thursday. Police and emergency personnel were sent Mr. Allen's Cos Cob home Wednesday morning after he failed to report to work.

According to parents, the saxophone-playing teacher also was a long-time member of the Sound Beach Community Band in Old Greenwich.

Anibal also said, "He was just so enthusiastic. He always had a smile on face, I don’t think I ever saw him upset. He was always so positive - he’d stay after school, come in early, his goal was to produce great musicians and be enthusiastic. He did it. ... I’m at a loss at how to understand at what happened. It's awfully hard  to explain to the kids."

Mr. Allen's love of music and high standards instilled a love of music for all of his students, Anibal said. "I can think of at least 10 kids who went on to study music in college because of him."

One student wrote on Greenwich Patch, "I miss Mr. Allen and he was a great teacher. I cried today for him as he is now passed away. I play the cello and I was going to quit but then Mr. Allen taught me something. Mr. Allen taught me that if you love something, never quit and stick with what you love. No matter how good or bad you are you need to continue."

Original story:

The popular Eastern Middle School orchestra teacher Steven R. Allen has died, according to officials.

Greenwich Police said they and Greenwich Emergency Medical Service were called to Allen's apartment on Valley Road in Cos Cob after co-workers at the school in Riverside reported he "failed to report for work in the morning" on Wednesday.

"Upon entry into the residence, officers and medical personnel found that
the lone resident of the apartment there was deceased.  Detectives responded to the scene and commenced an investigation," police said in a press release issued Thursday morning by Capt. Mark Marino, commander of the Greenwich Police detective division.

Eastern Middle School Principal Ralph Mayo announced Mr. Allen's passing in an e-mail to parents Wednesday night. And Thursday, several parents fondly remembered Mr. Allen's devotion to his students and music, and the passion for music he inspired in them.

"I have some very sad news to share with you. As some of you may know, Steve Allen, our Orchestra teacher and conductor, has been absent for the past few days in ill health. Sadly, we received the news this morning that he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly" Mayo wrote.

"This is a great loss to Eastern Middle School and the entire Greenwich Public School community," Mayo wrote. He also said, "We have a plan to share this information with our students (Thursday). (Thursday), support staff will visit each Advisor Base to share a brief statement with the students and we will also have a staff member attend each of the orchestra classes. Our guidance and counseling staff will be available throughout the day as students need someone to talk with privately."

According to police, "Preliminary investigation has revealed that the resident suffered what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A weapon recovered at the scene was registered to the deceased." Police also said, "Failing health conditions may have caused the deceased to become despondent."

Eastern parents expressed shock at the news of Mr. Allen's passing.

"He is, was an absolutely wonderful educator," said Pam Speer. "He was kind, gentle, most importantly, always inclusive, he always welcomed children into his orchestras regardless of their ability. He made them feel they were a truly valued member of the emsemble. He was encouraging. He helped so many students. He pushed kids to perform to the best of their abilities." Speer son's Will, now a student at Williams College, continues the violin studies he began under Mr. Allen's tutelage at Old Greenwich School and continued when the teacher transferred to EMS.

Another parent, Diane Sperduti said her two daughters also studied with Mr. Allen. "He was very kind and inspiring to my daughter Molly. She only took violin so she could be in his class. He was very encouraging. Because of him she stuck with it."

Speer added, "We need to remember him for who he was and how many kids he helped. He was a true gem. This man’s praises need to be shouted from the rooftop - he truly was a wonderful educator and human being."

An autopsy is to be performed by the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner.

Greenwich Public School officials have not answered a message seeking comment.

Writer Leslie Yager contributed to this report.

Greenwich Patch will update this story as details become available.