News & Features
August 2005

Plumbs create a musical legacy
By Philip Peirce

From left, Katherine Chabot, Bryan Plumb and Tyler Latour.

When I saw this picture last month, I was bemused by the absolute joy and enthusiasm that each of the individuals displayed. Shown, starting on the left, are Katherine Chabot, Bryan Plumb and Tyler Latour, with Tyler and Katherine holding their Tristan Plumb Trophy for excellence in music at the Brookfield Elementary School.

Bryan and Carol Plumb have been the source of this award since 1989; which was the 10-year anniversary of the death of their son, Tristan Matthew. The trophy and the plaque on which the names of the recipients are engraved were started as a tribute to their son who died in 1979 from complications from a kidney transplant. Tristan was a student in the first grade at Brookfield Elementary School then, when kidney problems called for a transplant.

In 1989, they donated to the elementary school some musical instruments purchased from funds given them from students, parents, fellow teachers and friends in memory of Tristan. In addition, the Plumbs started the awards program. They left the choice of recipient up to the music teacher who could do the evaluations and make the recommendations. When Eva Brown became music teacher, she enthusiastically fostered the concepts and requirements needed to earn the award in all the classes at the elementary school. As a music teacher himself, Bryan wanted to do more than acknowledge a great musician; he wanted to encourage students who displayed good citizenship in the school environment. Friendly, outgoing, always willing to help, and generally good-natured might be a good description of that type of student. Bryan is quite pleased with the work that Eva has done in this regard, and the award has become a prestigious event in the life of the school.

The remainder of the donated funds was given as scholarships to graduating seniors from Tantasqua Regional High School, starting in 1991, the year that Tristan would have graduated. As in the elementary school trophies, the criteria for the scholarship included their musical abilities, their citizenship in the school environment, and their financial need. The last requirement served to help those who might wish to continue in music, but have financial restrictions. In 2004, the last of the funds were depleted, the 25th anniversary of the loss of their son.

The Brookfield Citizen applauds the Plumbs for helping to foster excellence and citizenship in the young men and women of our town.