Quite honestly, I could not tell you the names of most of my teachers; especially the ones from my early school year. But, there are two instructors that have had a lasting impression on me; not for what they taught in the classroom, but for what they taught about life itself.
Ironically, both of them were music teachers.
My first year of high school was at Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida. The band director was named John Blair. I had heard lots of stories about Mr. Blair and how if you messed up, you would much rather have your parents find out about than Mr. Blair. He demanded respect…for each other, elders, and stuff. You could leave anything in the band room and know that it would be there when you came back…including money sitting on the piano. He used to say that he didn’t care if anyone in his class ever learned a note of music; BUT they would learn some respect.
When I see a video of Eric Clapton and his very animated movements to keep time, it makes me think of Mr. Blair who never wanted to see any tapping feet. Toes inside the shoe were enough.
I used to laugh…well snicker…when class began and everyone tuned up. If someone was just a wee bit off, he would tell them that they were a “frog’s hair” sharp or flat. I never knew frogs had hairs.
But as tough as Mr. Blair could be; he also had a big heart. The brother of one of the band members died in a diving accident near the end of the school year. Mr. Blair cancelled the end of the year banquet and allowed everyone who wanted to go to the funeral…even though it was against school policy. He was also there.
The next year I was in a new city and at a new school after my Dad got promoted. Tallahassee may be the capital of Florida; but it is also a very old town…one that was founded long before the Civil War. Old habits and attitudes die hard and Tallahassee was a perfect example. New to town, we were outcasts to the “natives”. But I wasn’t the only one…
Rickards High School got a new band director – Bill Richardson. Mr. Richardson was a man of colour. The “natives” immediately hated him and showed no respect. Undaunted Mr. Richardson quickly let everyone know who was the boss. If he said be there at 7pm, you had better be there by 6:45pm. It became known as Eastern Richardson Time and you didn’t dare be late because he had no problem not letting you perform. Mr. Richardson would even check report cards to make sure your grades were good. Sluffing off was not allowed!
After two hard weeks of field practice – marching and learning how to perform on the football field – the band wanted to have a party. The school principal said no, it was against the rules. Mr. Richardson came to the rescue…
He told the principal that the band had been really bad and he was making them scrub down the band room…during the evening. Just to be prepared, there were several mops, brooms, and buckets standing by the door; and we had our party! No one would get out and dance…until the lights were turned out!
The state band competition in Orlando included a trip to Disney World.
Both of those teachers demanded a great deal of respect, but they also know how to reward their students for a job well done.