A few days ago my brother, who lives in the Carolinas, sent me a newspaper clipping about my piano teacher who recently celebrated her 104th birthday. Rebecca Field Henslee is her name—and she’s still with us! The newspaper account stated she celebrated “with cake and ice cream” with family and friends. Calculating that she was born in 1910, I can’t begin to imagine the world events and inventions she has observed. In 1931, with degrees in both Latin and Music/Piano from Coker College, she furthered her studies in New York City and London, earning a Master’s Degree in Music/Piano. One yearbook described her as “An artist in the field of piano.”
I was no piano virtuoso. I dutifully practiced the piano and played in Ms. Henslee’s annual piano recitals, graduating to the level of “Humoresk” by Levine and “Waltz in B Minor” by Chopin. Alas, I now can barely stumble through Piano Lessons by James Bastien! Memo to myself: I must practice the piano. But instead of practicing, I find myself working on my writing, re-reading A Bell for Adano, swimming laps at the local YMCA, and thanks to the Wall Street Journal, the Internet and the media, exploring places like the Mideast, Nigeria, and Ukraine—not to mention other responsibilities.
Incidentally Ms. Henslee is Coker College’s oldest living alum, and I like knowing that because my mother also attended Coker College and also received her degree in piano. Instead of pursuing her music interest in NY or Europe, however, my mother became a homemaker who taught me to love books, writing, and to practice the piano.
So, one of my delights this summer is learning about my piano teacher’s 104th birthday. Another was attending the outdoor performance of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic 4th of July Pops Concert. Seated in my chair, surrounded by a patriotic and music loving crowd, a mild breeze and no mosquitoes, I relaxed and felt privileged to live in a community such as mine. To top things off, the next night I attended the Arena Theatre for a performance of “Company,” a musical in which one of my former students performed brilliantly as a singer and dancer. What a grand way to savor music, summer, and teacher/student memories. One thing, however, that would make it even better is if I could relive one summer afternoon several years ago when I and my daughter visited Ms. Henslee. We were in the Carolinas and learned she still lived in her own home. We stopped by, and she was delighted to see us. She invited us in and asked if we would like “a Fizz.” We weren’t quite sure what she meant by “a Fizz,” but we said, “Yes!” She mixed us a drink that truly was a refreshing "Fizz,” and we sat together and talked about family and friends. Neither I nor my daughter will forget that enchanting summer delight.
I was no piano virtuoso. I dutifully practiced the piano and played in Ms. Henslee’s annual piano recitals, graduating to the level of “Humoresk” by Levine and “Waltz in B Minor” by Chopin. Alas, I now can barely stumble through Piano Lessons by James Bastien! Memo to myself: I must practice the piano. But instead of practicing, I find myself working on my writing, re-reading A Bell for Adano, swimming laps at the local YMCA, and thanks to the Wall Street Journal, the Internet and the media, exploring places like the Mideast, Nigeria, and Ukraine—not to mention other responsibilities.
Incidentally Ms. Henslee is Coker College’s oldest living alum, and I like knowing that because my mother also attended Coker College and also received her degree in piano. Instead of pursuing her music interest in NY or Europe, however, my mother became a homemaker who taught me to love books, writing, and to practice the piano.
So, one of my delights this summer is learning about my piano teacher’s 104th birthday. Another was attending the outdoor performance of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic 4th of July Pops Concert. Seated in my chair, surrounded by a patriotic and music loving crowd, a mild breeze and no mosquitoes, I relaxed and felt privileged to live in a community such as mine. To top things off, the next night I attended the Arena Theatre for a performance of “Company,” a musical in which one of my former students performed brilliantly as a singer and dancer. What a grand way to savor music, summer, and teacher/student memories. One thing, however, that would make it even better is if I could relive one summer afternoon several years ago when I and my daughter visited Ms. Henslee. We were in the Carolinas and learned she still lived in her own home. We stopped by, and she was delighted to see us. She invited us in and asked if we would like “a Fizz.” We weren’t quite sure what she meant by “a Fizz,” but we said, “Yes!” She mixed us a drink that truly was a refreshing "Fizz,” and we sat together and talked about family and friends. Neither I nor my daughter will forget that enchanting summer delight.
RSS Feed
