Each of us has our favorite teacher or teachers from our grammar and high school years. For my dear wife of 60 years, Judy and I, it is most certainly Louise Simpson Baird who was the vocal music teacher at Hamilton High during our years there, and for MANY who were privileged to have been in her music room in the "tower" at Hamilton High, room 300. "Ouise" as she was known to all of us who loved her, was not only a Julliard educated music teacher who taught us how to sing in eight part harmony, she also introduced us to the beauty of Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, the militancy of Wagner, and the delightful music of Gilbert & Sullivan, Rudolph Friml, Rogers and Hart, Rogers and Hammerstein and so many others. She also taught both boys and girls about the meaning of life, exposing us to Kahlil Gibran,
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Saints. Augustine, Francis and others who opened the doors to the keys of the Kingdom. I created the graphic above as I recalled that we boys were exposed to Rudyard Kipling's "IF" for boys by this remarkable teacher.Louise Baird also planted in my psyche a quotation that I carry with me to this day. It is especially relevant to any man (or woman):
"The true test of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out."
TRULY WORDS TO LIVE BY!
Tommy
ReplyDeleteThis beautiful woman had a most profound influence in my life.From the very moment that I entered room 300 in the fall of 1947.Sitting on her piano, a small,lovely person. From the tome she asked my name began a love experience for the rest of my life. She taught so much more then music. Classiest women that ever lived.Let face it,she owns me.
Lee