by Jack Grimm, Jr.
Plano, Texas, USA
It was the summer of 1965 in the small town of Plano, Texas, north of Dallas. Our family was new to town, and we knew no one. This was our third move since leaving eastern Ohio three years before.
My brother, sister, and I were the new kids on the block, and I was small for my age. I wasn’t into sports and my name, Jack, fueled the nursery rhymes that many kids used against me. I was out of most social dealings of a small-town seventh grader, and thus had to prove myself over and over.
Then came the new school year. For a while, I thought my face had a target that said “Punch Here.” But I found my niche in third period the second day. I didn’t know Mom had signed me up for choir, but it was OK because I liked music. Our teacher, Richard J. Winters, was also new to town and to teaching. He was in his 40s, just starting his choir-directing career.
He was a tough guy, a former Marine, and I immediately recognized he loved both kids and music. Our first day, he told us what he wanted for us and from us. Most kids in class were interested in being cool. I was interested in making music. We each took a turn beside the piano, where Mrs. Fineout accompanied us. It was intimidating singing in front of the class, but I did it. The revelation: I was a tenor. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I was proud of Mr. Winters’ compliments.
As he heard us sing, we saw genuine excitement in his demeanor. At the end of vocal testing, he rearranged us into seating for our parts. He declared, “You are going to be a great choir!” Through many contests, our choir proved not just good, but among the best in Texas.
I had found my home and my passion: music. I also found courage to pursue sports because the “Punch Here” target was gone.
Mr. Winters encouraged us to compete in solo and ensemble contests, to try out for musicals, and to be proud of our musical talents. He instilled in us a desire to do great things — to start our own groups and even rehearse on our own. He allowed us to be human and make mistakes. One of his famous lines was, “If you are going to make a mistake, make it a good one.”
He was like a father to us in so many ways. With his encouragement, many of us went into the arts in college, and some of us are actors, musicians, writers, and songwriters. I had gained confidence to pursue my two careers as a professional graphic artist and as a studio musician, singer, and songwriter. When we had a reunion for Mr. Winters, “his” kids came from around the world to honor him. We told him what an impact he had had on each of us. Mr. Winters, you taught us how to be champions.
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I believe any time there is a story about an adult ( parent,teacher or friend) who encourages a child, that is a good story. If anyone lets children know they are valued and have talents they have become heroic. It seems that finding good in children is not always a priority. Terrific story.
This story reminds me of the high school choir I was in back in the 1950s. Our director, who was a tradition, herself, at that school, had decided to leave at the end of the year and go teach in Greenland! Just before graduation, the entire choir met at the director’s house. We stood around the walls of her living room and sang all the special choral arrangements that each year’s choir learned and performed. We sang our hearts out, because we wanted to see that look on her face when we raised the roof with that unified sound of 40 voices that we strove for.
At the end of the “concert,” most of us were crying, including the director.
Instilling an appreciation of the arts: music, drama, visual arts and dance, allows for the development of an appreciation of beauty. A focus on participating in art or just enjoying it as a bystander is a form of prayer. This is a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.
I believe this is him: https://obits.dallasnews.com/us/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/name/richard-winters-obituary?id=23592688