I’d like to tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a little boy who seemingly had all of the basic things in life. However, he just didn’t seem content. Aside from wanting to watch a lot of TV (something his mother tried hard to keep at a minimum), the boy just didn’t seem interested in anything even though he was a good student.

One day he brought home a permission slip from elementary school asking his mother to allow him to play an instrument in the band. The music teacher would attend once a week and teach the students how to play the instrument of their choice. The little boy said excitedly that he wanted to learn to play the saxophone. The mother rented the instrument and watched how he practiced almost every day. The mother was so pleased that she didn’t mind leaving work to attend the short concerts the school held occasionally. She saw her son become transformed. He went on to play saxophone in middle, high school, and college bands.

As time went on the young man moved from the saxophone to the clarinet to the piano. The piano became his main instrument. But that’s not all. He could sing, too. He grew up to be a well-known piano teacher, choir director, pianist and organist. His favorite activity as an educator was to prepare his school choirs for concerts. And his students always rose to the occasion.

In 2010, the choirs at Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr High School produced a CD called “A Legacy in Excellence.” The repertoire included several classical pieces and Ms. Valencia Howard, the choir director, knew who would be best to accompany them. What a legacy for that little boy whose passion for music had brought him to such heights!