I wrote the following song in the summer of 2003. Take away the refrain, and it’s a poem: magic, aye? I’ve performed it in public twice. Earlier this spring, when I arrived at Springfield High for a good day of sub teaching, I was asked to take a note to the choir teacher, and I was happy for the chance to see where the choir rehearses these days. When I attended in the mid-60s, we had a large separate structure just outside the brick school building. I had many happy memories in that building. The band and orchestra also rehearsed there. Dan Sprecklemeyer looked like Dave Brubeck and had the humor of Calvin Trillin, Oscar Levant and Daniel Patrick Moynahan all combined. When I introduced myself to the current acappella directa, I explained the happy memories I had with Dan S. and was delighted to learn she had known him for two years before he retired. Last week, I dug out the following . . . and typed it to give a copy to her and another to the folks at the SHS office. Unfortunately, I was not called to sub teach there again this year, DANG IT! So I’m sharing it here. This may be a little too “inside” for you, but I hope you read it and like it. For lunch or dinner I will gladly come to your house with my guitar and sing it for you.
Acappella Choir
(dedicated to Daniel Sprecklemeyer, Springfield High School, Springfield, Illinois
(refrain) I never sang a solo in acappella choir
Though I wanted to in the very worst way.
Had to get myself a guitar to sing my joys and tribulations,
And as for now, I’m doing okay.
I was a lucky boy to know
Mr. Daniel Sprecklemeyer:
Acappella Choir leader,
Brilliant with the harmonies.
He was more than just a teacher.
He was laughing inspiration
With a song in his heart
Full of sweet melodies.
(refrain)
There was magic in the chorus,
Sweetly singing in the concerts.
I was just a first tenor,
But I was part of the team.
Every challenge in the music
Was a mountain that we conquered,
And the view from the summit
Was the answer to a dream.
(refrain)
All the Robert Shaw arrangements,
The premier of Lindsay’s “Congo,”
Mormon Tabernacle’s “Battle Hymn,”
Blake’s “Songs of Innocence.
Spring’s Mardi Gras production,
Paper snow, “Sleigh Ride” at Christmas,
Janet Boosinger’s great party,
Joys unknown before and since.
(refrain)
I was a kid without voice training –
Others had their private lessons –
And my voice was immature,
Like Nouveau Beaujolais.
When I had my chance to solo,
My voice crumbled like a Saltine.
Still I loved that mighty chorus,
And I do to this day.
(refrain)
— written by Job Conger
2:15 am, July 8, 2003
Live long . . . . . . and proper.
