Diane Muffitt

“About 15 years ago, as I was winding down my psychotherapy practice, I went to a concert at my town's middle school. Many of the musicians were adults learning a new instrument, so did I dare join? The conductor, Diane Muffitt, assured all of us in the audience that anyone can learn to play and enjoy playing in a band.

I picked saxophone - and I struggled mightily with it. I was committed to not quitting, so there I was. Diane believed you had to ‘do your best,’ and that became my motto. I learned to tolerate the frustration that is part of the learning process. I understood how important it was to be on time (Diane: ‘If you're on time you're late,’ because there's assembling your instrument taking your seat and warming up). I could barely believe the change in myself!!

There was much more to me than I knew, if I was willing to work hard and believe in myself. Thank you, Diane!”

- Francine Sasso

Diane Muffitt, who retired after 38 years of leading middle school bands, is seated in the front row, at the far left. Next to her is the author of this post, Francine Sasso, and other members of the Sudbury Valley New Horizons Band, which Diane created for adults who haven’t played in years (decades) or who never had the opportunity to try an instrument.