Today I learned that my High School music teacher had passed away last November. She had had MS for many years but ultimately died of cancer. This caused me to return to memories of my teenage years - a miserable time except for the ray of light provided by a certain music teacher.
I was 14 when she came to our school. I had already taught myself to play the guitar and was on my way to becoming the next Joan Baez!! It was the latter part of the 60s, we all sang protest songs, put flowers in our hair and dreamed of going to San Francisco. I was a sorry depressed teenager, failing in school, with a miserable home life and few friends. The messages I received from every angle were ones of not reaching my potential; I didn't even know what that was, and had very little reason as so why should I aim for it.
She overheard me playing one day at recess and told me that she wanted to start a folk choir but needed someone to teach guitar. I agreed, as any excuse to play the guitar on school time was cool with me, and it meant that I had a reason to stay after school and delay going home.
She made music so much fun. She seemed genuinely interested in me and that in turn made me want to achieve. I was like a sponge that could never soak up enough water. My every spare minute was spent hanging around the music room. By 16 I could think of nothing else that I would rather do with my life than to be a music teacher just liked her. By 18 I had mastered the basics of the piano, the clarinet and the recorder, the latter of which has brought a lifetime of friends and enjoyment.
I spent 4 years in college following the music teacher dream. I loved my college years, and I did teach for 2 years, but it was not for me. My life took another direction and I have very few regrets. What she had given me was belief in myself, and with that the whole world was at my command. To instill good self-esteem in a child is the greatest gift that you can give them. I owe my life to a talented teacher who happened to cross my path. I am grateful that I had the chance to tell her as much in some brief correspondence that we exchanged a year or so ago.
I thank you Lynda P. from the bottom of my heart. Rest in peace.
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Thank you Jane for remembering my mother with such fondness. Nothing in this world gave her greater pleasure than seeing a spark of musical life and enthusiasm in a child and kindling it, watching it grow into a passion. She gave so much to so many people, not least to me, and yet sadly she often received so little from those around her who should have given her more support. Yet those years at the Convent were the most rewarding of her career and she reminisced of them very fondly, rather nostalgically, with me. How happy are we who can now pass on some of them positive energy and love of music that mum seemed to have in abundance! Damian P.
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