Principal, Student, and Teacher Comments
Rick Watson
I remember my first music teacher in grade school, Miriam Burkholder. She loved music and was an advocate of good music instruction, influencing not only students and teachers but the community in general. With her strong personality and skillful teaching, she enhanced the cultural arts experience in the Henderson of the 1940’s and 50’s. She led the classroom teachers and students in great outdoor programs of song and dance that all of the Henderson old timers fondly remember. She was one of the people that inspired our small town and made us proud of our schools.
I remember that my first principal, Bill Wallin, who hired me as a young teacher and mentored me as a young principal at Diskin Elementary, also supported a key role for music instruction in the school curriculum. He also mentored me during my seven and a half years at Wasden Elementary. Mr. Wallin believed that every day should begin with music and that music set the tone for the day. He urged his teachers to use music, rhythm, and motion as tools for managing the school routine and that such management was a successful form of positive behavior management.
He taught the importance of integrating music with the whole school curriculum. He believed that music programs were well worth the time they required even in the face of high stakes testing. He found money in the budget to supply instruments for teaching, learning, and performance. He enjoyed the music at school and it showed. He honored the music specialists at his school and he sought out professional musicians in the community who enriched the music experience of his students. He was one of a number of educators in Clark County who set the stage for the model music instruction program that the children of Southern Nevada enjoy today.
Susan B. Brand
For anybody really listening with their heart, there is a symphony of sounds in an elementary school. There is the sound of the brakes on the school bus early in the morning, calls of children to their friends already on the playground, the sound of bouncing balls and slaps of the jump ropes on the tarmac, the whistles of those supervising and the clunk of classroom doors opening, and teachers greeting their students when the bell rings. And then…murmurs and settling-down-sounds as another school day begins. It’s a magic time as the sounds inside the classrooms begin to take over the beginnings of a new day.
Over the years, the one class that every child looked forward to was music. This was because music was somewhere they could all do well. A simple formula…every child could sing, every child could play an instrument, could succeed. What more could an educator ask? And for that matter, what more could any student or their parents ask? In all the years I was a principal, I never heard one child say that music class was boring. Not one.
For the school leader’s part, the situation was optimal. Here was something that kids loved doing, that parents loved watching their kids do, and an activity that brought the entire school community together. It was within this process that I had one of the most satisfying experiences of my career. I was new to the school and did not yet know much of the school community. Elementary schools did not often have choir robes in their supply room so a group of PTA sewing moms and I decided to get some sheets donated and make them. I brought my ancient Singer sewing machine, they brought their lovely lightweight portables, and we set up the conference room for a sewing factory. Choir capes were made, other teachers helped by helping make large red bows for the neckline of the capes, and very soon we had choir capes for our Christmas program and a school community that embraced the work of the staff. It was a glorious program and the multipurpose room was filled to overflowing with our school community…all because music truly brings all hands on deck.
Student Comments
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Music gets a twinkle in my eye and a jump in my feet.
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This year in music, I learned that I like instruments. My favorite instrument is my imagination.
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I felt so prod when Mrs. Brown chose me to be in the Orff Festival. It was a highlight of my elementary school years.
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Music is a big part of my life and I couldn’t live without it.
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The thought that I got to see my musician dad watch me play his favorite instrument made me so proud!
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In college I plan to further my music education by getting a minor degree in music.
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Music inspires me and helps me figure things out.
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I love music. It gives off a vibe: happy, sad, or in love…
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Music has taught me to never give up, because if you work hard, you will succeed.
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I enjoy music because it calms me down, gets me active, shows my emotions, tells me who I am inside…
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I am thankful to Mrs. T – Peggy Thompson. She is responsible for my career. -Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons
Teacher Comments
Mary Ashcraft was very touched by the appreciation stated by one student: “You took 30-36 students and made them into stars…and, someday when I get famous and get an award, I will remember to thank you.”
Geri Bedrosian remembers one day when music was held outside under a tree as in antiquity. The children were happy, engaged, and making music; she learned she was resourceful.
Samantha Giancola Behm had Nancy Poupard-Cantatore as her elementary music instructor. Nancy inspired her to choose a music teaching career. It is so much fun that it seems as if she never works a day in her life.
Marilyn Brown was a teacher with special magic. She is remembered for both her high standards and her humility. She treated every child and teacher as special.
Debbie Cenna as well as Barbi Wilson grew up and taught in the elementary Orff program. They both completed their schooling at Park Elementary, Fremont Middle School, and Las Vegas High School.
Kay Christenson joined the District staff in 1980 after completing her credential in music therapy. It was the first time that Variety School and Helen J. Stewart had a therapist. Those children loved music; Kay was like the Pied Piper when she walked down the hall with her guitar.
Buddy Collier remembers arriving in Las Vegas on a very hot July day in 1988. At first, everything in Las Vegas seemed to be a challenge - especially the weather. The folk dancing at the Orff Chapter meetings helped him feel involved and happy. He thinks he is still here 27 years later due to those in-services.
Sue DeHart was working with kindergarten students on a nursery rhyme. As she finished teaching the rhyme, one of the boys raised his hand and exclaimed, “I remember that one from my childhood.”
Liz Goodman was Antoinette Bifulco’s music teacher at Frank Kim Elementary School. She taught Antoinette at the Orff Festival to work hard and appreciate being challenged with music. She inspired Antoinette to become a CCSD Middle School Choral Teacher.
Kathryn (Kass) Gutherie began her career as a classroom teacher, but soon fell in love with music. She will always be grateful for those who had the foresight to form the Orff Association. Especially useful were Sue Mueller, Randy DeLelles and Jeff Kriske, Gloria Lawson, Melinda Morse, Phyllis Weikert, Jos Wuytack… And, of course, there was always the steadiness of Sue Morrow, Eldine Stevens, Ray Barnes, and Bonita Cervelloni.
Debbie Jefferson is famous for her perfect ear, her distinctive Gospel piano style, and her willingness to share her family’s musical traditions.
Patti Johns and Sue Morrow hit it off from the start! Her sense of humor, love of purple, fierce devotion to her music teachers, and determination to get an Orff program into every elementary school in the district were renowned in the CCSD.
Carol Meckstroth tells of her phone conversation with Sue Morrow in Kettering, Ohio on a Tuesday evening in late August, 1979. Sue asked if there was any way Carol could be in Las Vegas by Thursday? Sue also asked about her Orff training. No? No problem – she’d get me hooked up with training. Sue told me not to worry about sheets, pots and pans, or a place to stay. Her hospitality convinced Carol to leave everything and everyone in Ohio and move to Las Vegas.
Kathleen Platt tells of a happy memory when she had a class of students with cognitive disabilities (MCS) mainstreamed with a class of general education students. The students performed “Five Little Monkeys” at the end-of-year concert. As the students were returning to their seats, David from the MCS class ran to his teacher, threw his arms around her, and exclaimed, “I did it!” It was the first time in four years that David had put words together to form a sentence.
Kathryn Rodriguez sang her first solo, The Seven Joys of Mary, under the direction of Miss Sue Morrow and Mrs. Burkholder. Miss Sue’s example and dedication to music for children inspired Kathryn to become a music teacher.
Charlie Steele was a local Paradise Elementary student who found his niche both in playing performances on the Strip and in teaching elementary music in Las Vegas. Even after retirement, Charlie is often seen “working the lights” in Ham Hall for the Elementary Music Orff Festival.
When Peggy Thompson arrived in Las Vegas from San Diego, she was offered a rural school position at three K-8 schools teaching Music, P.E., Jr. High classroom, Library, and Economics. Four years later, she accepted a position at Gray Elementary for the rest of her career. After retiring, she became the first contracted mentor to new music teachers – a position that she held for five years.
Jan Townsend came from Arkansas over a three day weekend to interview with Sue Morrow at her home on a Sunday afternoon. The first question she asked was, “Do you have any Orff Levels?” Fortunately, she had two. Jan remembers that Sue did not back down from administrators when she was defending HER music teachers and their needs.
Diana Volker’s first assignment was as an itinerant music specialist. Four half days were at Pittman and the other half of the day at Adcock. The remaining day she would meet the car pool and go to Sandy Valley and Goodsprings. To be truthful, she found it a bit overwhelming.
Sheila Bonnell Williams was one of the teachers who saw thirty-three years of program development from 1975-2008. She describes her journey as joyful and full of accomplishment. Now she watches all the beginning teachers come with that same eagerness and excitement.
Sue Zupanic signed her contract at the Riverside Hotel/Casino in Laughlin from where she interviewed for a Laughlin assignment to teach physical education and music for the 1986-87 school year. One day as she was teaching basketball skills at Laughlin Elementary, she noticed that all the students were lined up on the sidewalk yelling. At the far end of the playground, there were two dozen tarantulas marching across the playground toward the class. PE class was over. Sue still relates her five years in Laughlin and her eighteen years at Wasden Elementary as most memorable.