Mr. Robert Smith, a teacher with a passion......

Seventh and Eighth grade at Gray School was a big deal in the 60's and 70's. As a seventh grader you were on your way to being one of the Top Guns in the building. Seventh grade students began to change classes. Reading and Math were taught as leveled classes so all teachers taught these subjects at the same time of day. But teachers also taught in specialized areas of English, Science, History, Art and Music. Mr. Smith taught Art and Music to all 6 sections of the 7th and 8th Grade classes. When you walked into Room 106, it was hard to tell where the art ended and the music began. Projects of all kinds were stacked throughout the room along with all of the supplies needed to create. Boxes and containers stored: paint, chalk, charcoals, paper, fabrics, yarns, foil, batik, silk screening materials, block printing, costumes, and backdrops. An old sewing machine sat near a window, while an upright piano anchored one corner of the room . When you arrived for art, you got to work. It was just an understanding that Mr. Smith had with his students. While students worked on art projects, Mr. Smith would move through the room providing feedback and encouragement. The newest Beatles record would be playing in the background. This made Mr. Smith a very cool teacher.

Yet, art was only half Mr. Smith's responsibility. Mr. Smith also was the music teacher. As the music teacher Mr. Smith taught music classes to all students in seventh and eighth grade. He directed the Gray School Chorus and directed and produced two big shows a year: a Christmas choral and a spring operetta. Additionally he supported monthly music assemblies for other grades at the school.

So while some students were working on individual art projects, other students were developing props, backdrops, programs and other items for upcoming theatrical productions. Students at Gray School learned to use a wide variety of materials to develop a complete stage production. The end result: the Gymnasium was turned into an Opera House complete with large backdrops hanging high from the gym ceiling all the way to the gym floor. Even with this activity going on the hallways were always filled with art work too. Somehow Mr. Smith got it all done.

While the room was churning with art in every corner, music was happening. As the music teacher, Mr. Smith recruited students for the schools 7th and 8th Grade Chorus. You didn't turn Mr. Smith down, if he selected you, you were in. Mr. Smith auditioned everyone. Every student was considered a potential singer. If you were timid he would discover you. If you were too cool or reluctant, it didn't matter. He selected students during the fall as they sang during biweekly music classes. By the time the Chorus was assembled, ninety 7th and 8th grade students were selected to sing in the Gray School Chorus.

The Chorus met during school hours. I remember there were study hours a couple of days a week. During those study hours, students in the Chorus would gather in Mr. Smith's classroom to work on music. The Chorus sang in almost every school assembly, for special events, sometimes the Chorus traveled to sing but the highlight of the year was the spring musical. While attending Gray School students got to see Mr. Smith's productions of Emil and the Night Visitors, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, Cinderella along with Musical Reviews. As an audience member, I couldn't wait for my turn in the Gray School Chorus. My turn to be on stage came in 1968. That year Mr. Smith created a Musical Review called Bits and Pieces. The first half of the production was similar to TV Variety Shows that were popular in the 60's. The second half of the evening we performed the Musical, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. Most of the big parts went to Eighth graders but the part of Snoopy went to a seventh grader, Larry Lindberg. For this event the Chorus wore sweatshirts with Peanuts Characters on them. The girls wore skirts or culottes with net stocking that matched their sweatshirts. It was a great time.

In 1969, Mr. Smith chose the operetta, Robin Hood. Mr. Smith selected the lead performers from the Chorus. I was both sscared and thrilled to be chosen for the part of Maid Marian. Larry Lindberg played the role of Robin Hood. Donna Timmerman played Annabelle and Dennis Pokorny played Allen-a-dale. Randy Stockwell was the Sheriff of Nottingham and Ellen Severson played the part of Dame Durden. Other students with parts included Lauris Freidenfelds as Little John, Jeff Huber as Will and Kevin Bartko as King Richard and George Koehler as Guy of Gillingham.

Robin Hood was a big production. It required medieval costumes for 90+ students. Everyone in the Chorus was asked to donate yards of fabric produce the costumes. Throughout the spring, Mr. Smith sat at the sewing machine every spare minute he had. Meanwhile a crew of volunteers sewed costumes at home. By dress rehearsal, every girl had a floor length dress that was a reversible wrap around that allowed for costume changes. The boys wore dressed as Robin's merry men complete with tights!

While the sewing machines were going, a core group of students painted huge backdrops of the Sherwood Forest. I marveled at the trees that came to life in these larger than life paintings. Peter Jennings spent hours painting landscapes that looked real. The backdrops were hung from the gymnasium ceiling and acted as wings to conceal the 90+ students in the chorus. The stage was part of the set too, serving as a far away castle complete with an upper deck and risers to create access.

Two performances were planned, an afternoon matinee for the school to see and an evening performance for parents and the community. On the day of the performance the Chorus the story of Robin Hood was brought to life. Mr. Smith made sure that everyone knew their marks and understood stage protocol. Nothing was left to chance. Everyone knew their entrances, lines and how to participate appropriately between scenes.

Mr. Smith was truly an Artist in residence. Music was his passion. For Mr. Smith music and art were not just subjects to be taught. For you see, when Mr. Smith was not teaching, he used his baritone voice to perform in the Chorus of the Lyric Opera. Mr. Smith created an environment where art flourished.

Dawn, Lisa, Cheryl & Debbie

Alan A Dale and Annabelle