By Laura Lane
Originally from Louisiana, Beauchamp played trumpet professionally at the Westbury Music Fair, on Broadway and in Manhattan clubs before taking his expertise to the East Meadow School District.
Never having intended on becoming an administrator, Beauchamp took over the director's position in 1991, granting the request of the district's then-music director Lynn Kurtz.
"My first love was for teaching, and I had no intention of being an administrator," Beauchamp said. "Once I accepted the position of director, I tried to bring leadership to the position, trusting in my staff to do their job. My role was to make their jobs easier, and as a result they have come up with many innovative programs."
Beauchamp said when he originally came to East Meadow he was impressed by how supportive the community was of music and the arts. It was unlike anything he experienced in other parts of Long Island.
He spoke of the enormous amount of help parents had given over the years in the Clarke Parents Music Association, a group of parents who foster support for Clarke's music programs by holding fund-raising events, which also provide scholarships for graduating seniors.
Not only was he successful as an administrator, but Beauchamp is also credited with starting the brass ensemble, a group of about 10 students who this year performed at EAB Plaza, and the jazz ensemble.
His staff described Beauchamp as a "southern gentleman" whose demeanor softened many rough spots, which sometimes included speaking to parents.
"Dr. Beauchamp handled all of the problems that parents had," said Steve Barbieri, the middle school band director. "He spoke to the parents as a parent, lending his advice, and most of the time he was successful."
Beauchamp is married and the father of a 28-year-old son. He said he brought his own knowledge of being a parent to his job, sometimes needing to remind a parent that a middle-school student was too young to make a certain decision.
"The kids at Clarke really are terrific," Beauchamp said. "You do get the apathetic ones sometimes and don't know you are reaching them, but since I told [the students] I was retiring, I got so many heartfelt letters from them on how I touched them. I didn't know I reached so many until I got those letters."
High School choral director Robin Hall worked with Beauchamp for 10 years. She said she was surprised when he announced he would be retiring and will miss him.
"He was very supportive and helpful to me so I could develop my programs and guided me when I needed any assistance," Hall said. "He always had a pleasant and encouraging demeanor and was very loved by his students. He often spoke to them about their lives and their plans for the future."
Beauchamp said he would use his retirement to spend more time with his wife and play the trumpet professionally once again. He plans to stay in the area.
"Retirement is not the end, but the start of a new chapter in my life. I will enjoy taking advantage of the culture of New York," he said.
