Passion and Joy

I just found out that my High School Music teacher passed away in June. There was a memorial for him on Sept. 16th. I am sad that I didn't know as I would have gone to grieve with the many people whose lives he touched. Here is my tribute to him as I wrote it on the In Memory Website that his daughter created.

My deepest sympathy to Susan and the children (who are all grown up now!). I cannot begin to imagine your grief as I sit here in my own small version of it.

Mr. David Humphrey was such a huge presence in my life at Poly. And not just in his stature! His passion was huge - his voice was huge - his joy when Kathryn was born was huge. I was fortunate enough to be there to experience it and I am so grateful.

In 1980 VAPA was a fledgling magnet program and a very small group of singers, including me, had the most extraordinary times with Mr. Humphrey. We had such excellent lessons in Music History and Music Theory. We would listen to amazing music together and have lengthy discussions about it. We would have off campus excursions which would probably get any teacher these days fired...donuts, Jack in the Box, Bunch a Lunch at Shakeys! I remember one rehearsal that he held at his home in Garden Grove...we had a potluck that night.

He had such a great sense of humor - the serious dead pan looks he could give and then break into an enormous smile! He could scare anyone, but he was such a softie at heart.

I loved singing for him. He gave me confidence I never knew. I truly was lifted in song. I remember when he would often sing with us, drowning out poor Kevin! I loved his big voice and have always remembered his analogy of a barrel filling with air in order to get the proper breath! I use that technique today when I need to relax!

He was my teacher for a third of my entire school day for 3 years running. The Choral Room was my second home and I was always there. Standing around the piano singing whatever someone chose to play...practicing in the sound proof rooms. It was joyful.

But not more joyful than when Kathryn was born on Dec. 2nd! I remember that birthday because of how happy Mr. Humphrey was. I had never before seen someone bursting with pride and awe and happiness. A beautiful moment I will never forget.

I am so glad that I was able to see him at the PACE reunion in 2005. It was wonderful to see him. I hope he knew how much he meant to me and so many other students. Someone like that will certainly be rewarded in heaven. I think I can hear him singing now.