When I was in high school marching band (no, I never went to band camp, but I did play flute), we were practicing marching on the football field and it was a brutally hot September. I remember I was wearing my favorite jeans--tight with red stitching and a cute red leather western belt and red t-shirt. This was 9th grade. The year was 1980. Fashion - it's more important than you might think...
We marched military style, which was a great point of pride with us - movements had to be extremely crisp and clean, every turn done with mathematic precision so you didn't end up getting your chocolate in someone else's peanut butter. Or vice versa. All our competitors had switched to the easier, more gimmicky corps style, which had flags, rifle twirling, mostly brass instruments and cheese, glorious cheese! Pa-Tooey. Anyway, we were the best, and we were the best while doing the absolute hardest style. Oh, I'm sounding nerdy, aren't I?
Anyway, that fateful day the band director yelled "Forward: 1, 2, 3---BAND! HALT!" It's funny that I heard him give the order to halt even though everything was black, but I didn't know why. I had fallen out and was on the ground, passed out from the heat. Next thing I knew, I was laying on my back on the football field, looking up, some wiseass was humming "taps" in the background(funny!), and Steve Pike, the jr hi band director, was unbuckling my belt. Ew. I mean, he was ANCIENT, like, 30, and this was slightly at odds with my imaginings of being undressed by a male, at that point, and far too public for my taste. Fortunately, no mouth-to-mouth was required.
Mr. Pike sent someone to the field house for ice, and I spent a really dull remainder of the practice sitting with a pack of ice on the back of my neck. I was fine, really!
Anyway, Mr. Pike is the guy in the middle of the picture, below, and the lady sitting in front of him is Carole King, songwriter extraordinaire. Mr. Pike is an inspiring Mr. Holland-type music teacher. He now works with inner-city jr. high kids in the Los Angeles area, and I've no doubt he's utterly changed and even saved some lives by giving these children a creative outlet and a proper introduction to various forms of music. He was one of the finest music professionals I've ever met, including all in the professional sphere I've dealt with in my pursuit of an operatic career.
Mr. Pike is one of those rare people with the technical skill of the finest musicians in the world, yet who sublimate their wish to perform to their wish to introduce others to the buoyant properties of making music. That is why I can remember him fondly, even though he did embarrass the crap out of me by unbuckling my belt in front of absolutely everyone.
9 comments:
That is so lovely. And how odd that at supper last night we were just discussing what makes a great teacher. Mr Pike is right up there, despite his penchance for CPR.
Eva's drama teacher is on the list as well, as he offers a safe haven to all the misfits in school. And his own personal story is inspirational as well.
He's a lovely person, and genuinely nice. He could be making a lot more money somewhere else, but obviously committed himself to finding the greatest need and working to fulfill that. I was lucky to have him for the one year - 8th grade. Good for Eva for having one like him. Besides, the misfits are always more interesting.
Hello Phlegm! <--- it seems wrong to greet you that way! ;o)
Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my photos...it's very much appreciated.
You've got a great looking blog here...I'll be sure to pop in and check it out.
Cheers!
It's easy to tell the good teachers from the bad ones: We still remember the good ones. :)
Everybody knows that the first thing you're supposed to do when you come across an unconscious hottie is unbuckle her belt.
Yeah, CPR baby! lmao!
Thanks Dave - seems odd to say "Hello Phlegm" because we're all usually saying goodbye to phlegm, yeah? Glad you like my blog, and yes, your photos are spectacular and masterfully done. Everyone click on Dave's link to see great photographs.
tam - very true. I'm glad I was lucky enough to have several very good ones.
dick - *L* I was hot alright! I wonder how far he would have taken that (unzipped the britches? Unpeeled them? If I hadn't come to so quickly.
I'd rather have Mr. Pike unbuckling my pants than my creepy, disgusting gym teacher. I passed out one day after running in the heat and when I came to, he had picked me up and was carrying me across the field. I immediately started yelling "No, that's ok! I'm ok! Put me down!" I get the skeeves just thinking of it now...
This is an odd valentine. But a valentine, no matter how reluctant.
o.g. - *L* Yeah, I suppose I'd rather it were Mr. Pike unbuckling my pants than any gym teacher I ever had. EW. We can't help it if we're irresistable when we are unconscious, can we?
lj - yeah, an odd one. :o) Love the red/orange of your avatar pic, btw.
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