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Russ Baird was almost fresh out of college when he walked through the doors at Port Perry High School in 1971 to begin his teaching ca- reer as head of the school’s music department. Over the next decade the popu- lar young man taught and influ- enced hundreds of students, but when opportunity came calling, he made the tough decision to leave PPHS to advance his career. Focus On Scugog caught up with Russ recently in Langley, Brit- ish Columbia, where he lives with his wife Deidre and two you daughters, Elizabeth, 5, and Alex- andra, 4 years of age. Russ says that the drive to his B.C. school reminds him of the Port Perry area. On his way to D.W. Poppy Secondary, he passes fields of cows and horses and compares the commute to driving along Old Simcoe Road south of town, towards the ridges. A lot has happened to Russ since he left Port Perry, but he still has fond memories of the eleven years he spent here, and to this day keeps in touch with many of his former colleagues. “There were so many master 5 ea BY J. PETER HVIDSTEN eoccce Russ Baird . just loves to make music teachers and outstanding commu- nicators,” he said, as he rhymed off names like John Barton, Mike McGill, Charles White, Paul Arcu- lus, Gail Chellew as just a few of those he admired. There are far too many to mention, but others who left a lasting memory include Talia Moore, Peter Chellew, John Rodway and Stan LeFort. “| was honoured to be given the opportunity to teach at PPHS by principal Grant MacDonald, and was aware of the high standards set by Grace Hastings and Peter Chellew,” he said. When he began teaching, he said he felt a huge responsibility to Sustain the great music programs which were already in place, while striving to set even higher goals. Some of his proudest accom- plishments were the successes of. the Girls Ensemble, Senior Con- cert Band, Jazzmerize and the production of Trial By Jury. After a sterling career at Port Perry, Russ headed down the road to Oshawa to teach at O'Neill Col- legiate. The move to O'Neill didn’t break his ties with Port Perry, as he continued to live in the town un- til 1996. He also kept in constant contact with Charles White and Peter Chellew, conducting work- shops and organizing a series of concerts at Town Hall 1873. After 15 years years teaching in Oshawa, Russ left O'Neill Col- legiate and accepted a teaching wl LIBERTY Tax SERVICE” be PRECISE = ACCURATE - GUARANTEED Certified Tax Preparers i 44500 Simcoe St., Unit 12, Port Perry, ON 905-985-5700 focus@observerpub.ca position in B.C. He said the move was brought about partially by what he called “a deterioration in funding to schools and the social welfare system in Ontario under the Harris goverment,” but also. because he was excited about a new teaching opportunity. He arrived in B.C. only to find that the school in which he was going to teach was almost a rep- lica of PPHS in size, although the community was a little more of a country setting. Once again his roots to Port Perry came into play. A couple of years ago he contacted Charles. White and the two former col- leagues collaborated in a very successful exchange of music students. He’s been teaching mu- sic in the Langley school for the past eight years. Like all teachers, Russ is very proud of the remarkable achieve- ments of some of his former stu- dents. He noted Bev Foster, Ste- ven Hanson, Mary McKelvey and Peter Smith who have gone on to successful careers in music, and others who have excelled in other fields. “| hope they recall their high school years as being more re- warding because of their involve- ment in music,” he concluded. Drop us a line if there’s someone you'd like us to contact for this feature. All submissions va be filed for future consi ember fo provide name, current cress, phone number and email, if possible... and send to: focus@observerpub.ca MOW LIKE A PRO. HUB INTERNATIONAL EQUIPMENT LTD. 14795 Hwy. 12, Port Perry 905-982-1500 + 866-882-5271 12 Golden Mile Rd., Lindsay 705-324-6136 « 800-267-8665 Focus On Scugog 21