NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - A year to the date of her late husband’s passing, Pam Mayfield stood on the stage at Niceville High School, her arms full of his most prized possession. Her voice shook with tearful pride as she presented a modest, but clearly outstanding musician, 17-year-old Danny Walley, with a legacy. He was not expecting to receive a gift of that caliber.

By giving her late husband’s tuba, nicknamed "Cherv," to Walley, Mayfield said she was carrying on all David Cook Mayfield stood for: a world class musician with a strong dedication to his band students. Mayfield was a beloved teacher and widely respected for his talent, as well as his unassuming and giving character. The last two years of his career, he was assistant band director at NHS.

Receiving the tuba at the conclusion of a NHS band concert, held Thursday, May 11, stunned the boy, for it was portentous, a pivotal moment. It identifies Walley as possessing the attributes associated with aspiring musicians, and foretells a promising future.

Walley auditioned this year for the National Honor Band of America, a tough competition. Nine tubists reauditioned, and Walley made first chair. Walley was also principal tuba for the 11th- and 12th-grade State Orchestra in Florida. Elected student vice president of NHS Band for 2007, he also performs in NHS’s impressive band, Wind Ensemble. "As rated by the Bands of America organization, he’s basically the number one tuba in the US," said NHS band director Daniel Wooten.

And now he’s received Pam Mayfield’s amazing gift. "Tubas rock!" she exclaimed, before handing Cherv over. The instrument is a rare Cerveny, produced in Czechoslovakia prior to WWII.

About 500 people witnessed the event. Many fought tears.

Niceville resident and band parent, Anne Barbero, cried. "It was unexpected. You could tell that it was a very special thing to do," said Barbero. Pam Mayfield made sure the tuba didn’t go to a school, or a museum, but to an individual, she said. "It was very meaningful."

"Oh man, it’s one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had. I’ve always had a huge amount of respect for Mr. Mayfield," said Walley. "He didn’t have to get angry at anyone, he somehow got students to do what he wanted, and he was a great player.

"To play on the horn he thought so much of, I don’t even know how to say it, it’s awesome."

Walley began playing tuba in sixth grade at Ruckel Middle School, learning from band director Barry Mullins. Before Mullins retired, he told incoming director Eddie Steadman that Walley was a natural. "It was obvious right from the start," said Mullins, who is now assistant band director at NHS. By the time Walley entered seventh grade, he made first chair All County, an auspicious achievement. Mayfield judged tubas at the All County auditions, and heard Walley’s remarkable performances. A connection grew.

"I remember Mr. Steadman telling me about Mr. Mayfield," said Walley. Mayfield would finish a day teaching middle school in Crestview, and then drive to Ruckel to give him lessons.

"My mom [Emma Walley] tried for five minutes to give him money, but he wouldn’t take it," he recalls. "I think it was all about the music for him."

In fact, Mayfield cared deeply about kids, not just music. In his obituary, he listed the NHS band as among his survivors. "They were his family," said Mullins in a prior interview.

Steadman recalls the time Mayfield hand-delivered sheet music from his library. It was Antonio Capuzzi’s piece, "Andante and Rondo," said Steadman. "He walked in and said, ‘This is the solo that Danny needs to play for the next audition.’" Steadman respected Mayfield, a lifelong friend, for fostering young talent despite heavy demands on his valuable time, teaching as well as performing with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and Perdido Brass. "He was a prince of a guy. Incredibly funny, and there’s rarely a day goes by that I don’t think of something he did, or said, that made me laugh." On his desk at Ruckel, Steadman keeps a picture of the two of them, and said, "It will stay there the rest of my career."

Wooten said Mayfield’s considerate dedication to students was well-known and believes it is apropos and honorable of Pam Mayfield to bestow the tuba to Walley. "It’s a remarkable gift of love. Absolutely Danny was surprised, touched in a way he didn’t expect." With the tuba comes a huge vote of confidence, a moment that comes into full focus, said Wooten. "It pushes him out into an artistic body of water he wasn’t expecting, but is certainly prepared for," Wooten added.

People once showed Mayfield that same kindness, said Wooten. Caring teachers want to recreate those moments that happened to them for their own students. Mentors realize the critical part they play in young musician’s lives, he said.

NHS drum major and incoming senior Callie Pitman said, "Danny’s worked extremely hard to become the musician he is, and Mr. Mayfield did respect him, very much."

Danny’s parents, Emma and Rich Walley, Bluewater Bay residents, said the night he received Mayfield’s tuba, Danny sat out on the porch playing it until nearly midnight. "We ran him out, so as not to wake our grandson [William, only ten weeks old]. No neighbors, thank goodness, knocked on the door," said Emma Walley.