Show Stopper

East Jay Middle School choral director Brenda Bergman is changing her tune.

After 30 years teaching general music and choir with the Jay School Corporation, she will retire in June.

“I know it’s time for me to go, but I will miss it a lot. I never wanted to be a teacher that hung on too long, that didn’t like my profession and the kids didn’t enjoy music. I think I’m doing the right thing,” Bergman said.

Her last performance directing 150 sixth, seventh and eighth grade choir students is Thursday. The patriotic inspired spring choral program begins at 7 p.m. at EJMS.

“I think (the spring program) is going to be very emotional for me. It has just really started hitting me the last couple of weeks, and I can tell sometimes in (class) I have to hold back tears once in a while,” Bergman said.

Bergman began teaching general music at EJMS in 1975.

Several years later, she accepted a choir position. At that time, there were about 15 choir members. Now Bergman said she has to turn some students away because all of her classes are full.

Until this school year, she worked half a day at the middle school and half a day at Jay County High School. This school year is the first time she has worked full time at the middle school.

“I have really got to know a lot of kids. Most of them that were in choir (at EJMS) went with me to the high school. So I had them for six years in a row. It seems like families tend to have all of their kids go through the choir. It’s going to be hard saying good-bye to all of those families,” the rural Portland resident said.

Before coming to Jay County, she taught for three years in the Shenandoah School Corporation in Middletown after graduating from Anderson University.

During that time, she met her husband David, who is in his 30th year teaching physical education and health at EJMS. They have three children, Mindy, 29, Jennifer, 27, both of Fishers, and Nicholas, 24, who lives in Chicago.

“He is not ready (to retire). That is just fine, but I am ready,” Bergman said. “When I was at the high school, we were doing 70 (performances) a year out there. Not counting the junior high shows ... It was hard to do all of that ... I wanted someone to come in with fresh ideas.”

Her plans for after the last day of school include spending time with her family especially her new granddaughter, Jenesis.

“I have never had the time to sit down and read like I want to read,” Bergman said, adding that she also plans to work more at her church, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Portland.

“I’m also going to take that house apart cleaning it and getting rid of things like I’ve never done before. I also told the kids I’m going to spend Mr. Bergman’s money now,” she added with a laugh.

Playing the piano and singing since age 6, she plans to continue being active in music as the choral director at her church. She also is involved in several singing groups there.

“Even outside school I’m still doing a lot of music things,” Bergman said. “Music has always been a part of my life. My mother and I used to travel together singing at different churches, revivals and stuff like that. After I went off to college, we no longer could do that.”

Besides taking piano lessons for 12 years, she also was involved in choir and musicals while attending South Whitley High School in the Whitko Community School Corporation.

“Music is a great way to vent your emotions, whether you are sad, happy or whatever. I think it can be something that takes you away from pressures when you are down and can bring you up again. It is a good release and good calming device for people. It is great in the schools because kids can take out all of that energy that they have,” Bergman said.

She also believes that music is a great way to teach students about community service.

“I have always taken kids to the local nursing homes (to perform). That has always been a love of mine,” Bergman said. “The kids love going there. Not only do we sing, but at the end we go around and shake hands and talk to (the residents). They have learned a lot through that. I think that it is something important that we have done.”

To the person that takes over as choir director at EJMS, her advice is to “Make sure they enjoy it as much as the kids enjoy it. And remember (the students) are learning here ... You have to be patient in teaching them and remember that they are kids. I did a lot of learning to what works and what didn’t work. They are wonderful, and they truly love music. When they love what they are doing, it makes my job easier.”[[In-content Ad]]