By Melody Coleman
Former BYU musician and instructor Ralph Laycock passed away early last week in Provo from leukemia effects.
“He has been an exemplar, friend, colleague, teacher and mentor to thousands,” said BYU professor K. Newel Dayley. “His work has influenced and blessed thousands, even millions, more.”
Laycock joined the BYU faculty in 1953 and taught and conducted music at BYU for 32 years. He founded the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra and also conducted the Chamber Orchestra and Concert Band.
“He lived a life of consecrated, joyful service that enabled him to leave this life prepared to continue on the path of happiness,” Dayley said.
Dayley first met Laycock nearly 50 years ago while Dayley was in high school. Laycock soon became his teacher at BYU and colleague after graduation.
“His directness and candor demanded attention,” Dayley said. “The intensity of his rehearsal techniques and the elegance of his conducting skill were stimulating and energizing. His musical understanding was captivating.”
A passionate musician, Laycock loved his BYU students and was devoted to helping them become contributors in the music world, said his daughter Elizabeth Farnsworth.
JoLane Jolley, Laycock”s daughter, said she remembers hearing her father often say, ”I love to get up in the morning and go to my job.”
Laycock left major impressions that were not just limited to BYU but to The Utah Valley Symphony, which he conducted and the Provo Municipal Band where he arranged music and entertained Utah residents for about 20 years at Pioneer Park on Sunday evenings.
“Music was in every fiber of his being,” Farnsworth said.
Laycock”s passion for music began on his farm in Canada where he was raised. After the daily chores were finished, the Laycock family would play music and sing. His father influenced his music the most; he played the clarinet and flute for silent movies in town, Farnsworth said.
Laycock was diagnosed with leukemia early this year. His five daughters took care of him for the last months.
“He never complained,” Farnsworth said. ” He was optimistic and good tempered.”
Laycock died April 4, 2006, at the age of 86.
“He had no fear,” Dayley said. ” He was prepared to move on, to enjoy the next phase of an eternal journey. He had no regrets, only a bit of wonderment about the challenges that might be ahead and those who might greet and assist him there.”
He graduated from BYU in 1942 and married Lucy Tanner in the Logan Temple. In 1948 he received a master”s degree in orchestral conducting from the Julliard School of Music; he completed his doctorate at the University of Southern California in 1969.
Laycock is survived by his wife Lucy and his five daughters; JoLane Jolley, Linda Findlay, Claudia Laycock, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Kathryn Little and 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
