Grade-School Choir, in Three Takes

My grade-school music teacher—Sister C—organized a recital based on "The Music Man." She initially assigned me to the alto section. I learned the harmony to "Wells Fargo Wagon," and I memorized the lyrics of "Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little" ("Chaucer ... Rabelias ... Balzac!").

Midway through our preparations for the recital, Sister C decided I should not sing in the choir. She instead assigned me to be one of the accompanists for the concert. I never liked playing the piano, but Sister C decided that I was the person she needed. During the weeks leading up to the concert, my Dad dropped me off early each morning at the school's convent. There, Sister C oversaw my practices for about an hour before school started. Sister C generally was patient with me—even when she saw that I wasn't too happy at the keys.

Melrose Park, Illinois, March 1969. The choir sang in the church's basement, "Marian Hall." That was the space where the young priest conducted the Kumbayah-guitar-cool masses. It was also where the church hosted parish lunches and the school set up the annual science fair.

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Melrose Park, Illinois, March 1969. Sister C was one of the mod sisters who wore a modified habit.

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Melrose Park, Illinois, March 1969. We accompanists played to the side of the choir.