Good day, Trinity community!
I have a special post to share with you today. Teresa Disbrow is coming in to play clarinet during this Sunday’s service. And while you may not know that name, it is a name with which Grace and I grew up together, and a person who helped shape our lives.
Teresa Disbrow was a music teacher with Toledo Public Schools. And where Grace and I first were in band. And to be a part of band, you had to come to Band Preview Day. Grace was in a grade ahead of me, so while we did not do band preview day at the same time, and did not play the same instruments, we both had a similar experience.
During Band Preview Day, parents would shuffle their interested (or not so interested) kids to the high school. (At this time in history, it was the old Bowsher High School, which was at the location the current Beverly elementary school is now. Anyway- back to the story.) You entered through a small side door that led directly to the band and choir room, existing in the same classroom suite area, right across from the theatre. Walking into the band room, I experienced some new sensations; like the smell of valve oil, and the wafting of brass instruments stored in the corners of the room. It was a huge room, and filled with chairs paired with music stands on platforms, making it look like a mini music arena, professional and majestic for my little eyes. Sign me up, Mom!
I walked in thinking I would like to play percussion. I wanted to hold drumsticks and hit things. I thought they were cool, especially the four drum thing that people played in marching band (which I learned was called a Quad, which you can listen to here… if you’d like!) Alas, something else was in store for me.
Wonderfully, this Band Preview Day included being able to try out a couple different instruments. Down the line I went. I could produce sound on most things, but what most impressive to the teachers was being able to make sound on a brass instrument. With the encouragement of my mother to the teachers, she assured them I needed a challenge, and the teachers went and found this other brass instrument previously stored away, interested to see if I could make sound on it. They were sure that this one would be challenging to play, and required a good ear. For me, this idea of it being a “hard” instrument was a huge draw. I am certainly a person who has always fallen in love with things immediately when they are perceived as challenging. It is a well known fact about me too… a fact about me my parents (and friends, and Kelly) use to manipulate me to this day. With love.
I was handed a French horn. I made a sound. And off I went, committed to my new, hard instrument.
Mrs. Disbrow was our 5th grade band director all the way through 8th grade. She had high expectations, and an immense work ethic. Band at that time happened early in the morning at Byrnedale Junior High at 7 am, and afterwards the kids were all bussed back to our home schools for the rest of our days in school… and Mrs. Disbrow on to the rest of her day as the middle school band director.
It was through Mrs.Disbrow, her teaching, and band that I met friends I would have for a long time. She also instilled in me a certain love for music. She was incredibly encouraging while holding us to high standards as kids and budding musicians. She was constantly putting in extra time- putting together smaller ensembles to compete in local competitions, finding cool music to play (she always had good stuff) and tried to introduce us to different outside opportunities, like the newly formed Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra. Mrs. Disbrow was a master with our age group- she treated us enough like adults that we could trust her, and knew we were still kids at the same time. And, she always lead with her wonderful sense of humor.
My fondest memory emblazoned forever in my mind took place in 7th grade band class. We were learning about phrasing and the importance of dynamics (and for those of you who are not familiar with those terms, at the highest level, phrasing is how the notes line up together one by one, and how you go about connecting them, and dynamics refer to the intention behind them, sometimes referred to as loud or soft.) She was attempting to reach us by using an analogy, comparing the different sections of music to different parts of a delicious taco. So, as the band would start to play a new section, she would call out a new section of the taco. Lettuce, the meat… all of it. And right before the big, wonderful, climatic moment of the piece, she called out “EXTRA CHEESY!” and the room erupted in laughter. She couldn’t get us back after that. Thankfully, the bell rang moments later.
My approach to teaching music to the choir, and other musical ensembles I’m working with, leading with joy and humor, is all a “play” in Teresa’s playbook… a page I didn’t know at the time would be so impactful. No one is perfect every day, but leading with joy and humor was something Mrs. Disbrow nailed almost every time. She was safe. And good. And without her, I am confident I would not be where I am today.
So, thank you, Mrs. Disbrow, for all your work, and for loving music enough to teach it to rowdy kids. The world is better place because you are in it.
Have wonderful weeks, everyone. See you Sunday!
Chelsie