Unforgettable

This morning I heard on the radio ,"God Bless America" with Kate Smith belting it out as only she can do. And it always reminds me of a former student of mine named Kate who had never heard the famous Kate sing this song. So I brought in a CD and played it for my homeroom adding my own little embellishment as Kate Smith sang that patriotic song. Well, the 10 year old Kate beamed from ear to ear and her beautiful dark brown eyes laughed along with the great big smile that spread across her face. My Kate is a wonderful girl and the thought of her always brings back this very vivid memory,
The music teacher in my school is a wizard who gets kids excited about music. Every year, she builds into her budget the hiring of a 'musical performance' which the entire school attends in an assembly. Sometimes it is a sing-a-long, or audience participation kind of show. Other shows were the showcasing of excellent music. In any case, Diane [music teacher extraordinaire], would prepare the students for the impending gala by getting the children familiar with the songs of the artist. Posters would go up announcing the upcoming visit, and the kids would be readied for the assembly. They'd be singing the artist's songs and having a grand old time.
So, on the Friday morning of the much anticipated arrival of this well known [ to them ]band, I was sitting at my desk as kids came in and hung up their coats, put their lunch boxes away, and unpacked to begin the regular school day. All of a sudden, with enthusiasm that I wish I could describe, my buddy Kate comes flying thru the classroom door and shouts excitedly,
"Hey everybody! The 'Sons of Pitches 'are here!!
My initial inward 'ooph' was immediately followed by her words, "I just saw them!!"
Yep! You read it right. That was the name of the band! And I knew that...and the kids responded with excitement for today was the day that those 'Sons of Pitches' were gonna sing those songs that they had been learning. Wahoo!
The hiring of these very talented 4 young men singing harmony in perfect pitches...with an audience of 300 happy to be there...priceless!
Kate's explosive entrance into the classroom, "Hey everybody! Those Sons of Pitches are here!!
Unforgettable.