Priest retired after 34 years teaching music

He started piano lessons against his will.

But that beginning in music led to a 34-year career in teaching.

The July 1, 1995, edition of The Commercial Review featured a story about Glen Priest, who was retiring after more than three decades teaching music for Jay School Corporation. Priest died this week at the age of 86.

Priest said he wasn’t interested in piano when his mother enrolled he and is brother in classes.

That quickly changed.

“I liked it,” said Priest, noting that he brother did not have the same reaction.

Priest went on to sing in the chorus at Earlham College, developing a passion for music and deciding to pursue a career in the field. He started teaching in Ridgeville in 1959 and came to Jay County a year later. He considered his years at Jay County High School as his most fulfilling.

“The kids knew they were doing some very good pieces well,” he said. “they were hyped about that and I was proud of them. They were proud of themselves. They made it fun.”

In celebration of the retirement, his former student who went on to become an assistant band director at JCHS Larry Harris and Priest’s daughter Linda Rodden organized a reunion concert of his former students at Bearcreek Farms.

“They made a tremendous choir,” Priest said. “I’d give anything to be able to prepare with them for a program. They practiced about a half hour and made a short but wonderful concert.”

Priest looked forward to traveling with his wife, retired JCHS English teacher Beverly Priest, and devoting more time to races go-karts and radio-controlled cars.

But he also knew he would miss his colleagues, especially noting then-JCHS band director Dave Humbert.

“I have the utmost respect and admiration for (JCHS band director) Dave Humbert and the work that he has done with the Patriot band over the years,” Priest said. “He was, and continues to be, a friend and an inspiration.”