trevordayschool

Trevor Magazine Spring 2017-18

Issue link: https://trevordayschool.uberflip.com/i/1004948

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 53 of 57

T hree Alumni Faculty & Staff Mrs. Gloria Augustine—a glorious shining light. e world was made a better place by the fact that Mrs. Gloria Augustine was in it. She shared her many gifts—among them, her love of music and her love of teaching—and infused her students with that love. She didn't necessarily expect her students to conduct a symphony at Lincoln Center, but she wanted the magic and joy of music to be a part of her students' lives, always. She helped them understand and experience how the arts could enrich their lives, and each of her students carried this gift with them into their futures. Her students were blessed, because they were not only her students, but also her "children." I was one of many who were so blessed. She was my teacher when I was in elementary school. I remember moments, like so many precious photos: Halloween recitals (with little paper bags of candy), singing the song "H-A-double L-O-W-double E-N spells Halloween," and Gilbert and Gloria Augustine by Stacey Lightman '79 Sullivan productions (HMS Pinafore, e Mikado, and more). But one of the most indelible memories of those classroom days was learning the song "You'll Never Walk Alone." Perhaps at the time, I was too young to fully appreciate the inspiring power of its words, and yet the song stayed with me, as did its message of hope, faith, and courage. We remained in touch throughout the decades, through visits and wonderful phone conversations and holiday cards. I found my career in the performing arts, and shared with Mrs. Augustine my love and gratitude, knowing that those classroom lessons so many years ago were the seeds she had planted and encouraged to flourish. ere are so many beautiful, inspiring messages and memories of Mrs. Augustine that have been shared by her former students— truly a testament to the many, many lives she touched. She had a beautiful grace that always surrounded her and the ability to make each person with whom she came in contact feel valued. A living example of loving kindness. Simply put: She brought out the best in everyone. Margie Barab by Debby Keehn Black Margie Barab had already been a parent at e Day School for years when she began her work as a music educator with our youngest students. From 1985 to 2008, every Nursery, Pre-K, and Kindergarten student fell under her musical spell. "Grandma Magic" spirited groups of students into her musical story world from their classrooms. Little did they know that during these joyful sessions, they were receiving invaluable and carefully crafted learning experiences that laid the groundwork for the superb music education that every Trevor student receives. Deeply trained in the Orff system of music education, and a beloved instructor of other music educators, she introduced children to music theory, composition, performance, and even notation, without their even realizing it. In her class, children came to know that they were simply made of music—rhythm, tempo, volume, pitch, melody. Using their voices, their bodies, and simple percussion instruments, they made music, learned to listen to it and to each other, and basked in her fun-filled, respectful attention. At one point, I taught a Pre-K class in a classroom right next to Mrs. Barab's music room. Twice a week, the children 5 2 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 7 – 2 0 1 8

Articles in this issue

view archives of trevordayschool - Trevor Magazine Spring 2017-18