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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (June 30, 2017)
PAGE A8, KEIZERTIMES, JUNE 30, 2017 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM Claggett Creek maestro takes fi nal bow By DEREK WILEY Of the Keizertimes Claggett Creek Middle School’s only orchestra direc- tor has retired. Bruce Purdy, who came to the school when it opened 16 years ago, led his fi nal concert on June 8. “I personally have really enjoyed it here,” Purdy said. “I’ve had great students and the staff is exceptional. I’ve had two outstanding admin- istrators, Melissa Cole, who is now working for the state and my current administrator, Rob Schoepper, is by far the best guy I’ve ever worked for. When it comes to supporting a program and doing every- thing he can to make things happen, he’s your guy.” Purdy fi rst got the inkling to teach when a fl ute player in his high school orchestra said she thought he’d be good at it. He majored in bass and minored in violin at the Uni- versity of Montana. “I fi gured if I was strong on both ends, the middle would come together,” Purdy said. Teaching, instead of per- formance, would allow Purdy to pursue other interests, like playing bass guitar in a band. “I felt if I really devoted myself strictly to symphonic stuff then I would never get to do the other stuff that much,” Purdy said. “It was the path that allowed me to enjoy mu- sic to the fullest.” After starting out in Mon- tana and then moving to Arizona, Purdy went to Ste- phens Middle School when it opened in Salem and then fol- lowed principal Dave Cook to Claggett Creek. His fi rst ad- vanced orchestra had just nine students. This year, Claggett’s two orchestra’s had 70 stu- dents, playing three concerts as well as a Veteran’s Day as- sembly and fi eld trips to the local elementary schools. Purdy recently received a letter from a former student, Josephine Lim, who said ev- erything he ever hoped a kid would get out of his class. “I can say without a doubt in my mind that you’re the most hard working and dedi- cated teacher I have ever had or will ever have,” Lim wrote. “You did all that you could to see your students succeed and for that I thank you. You’ve impacted my life in ways that I can’t even comprehend. Music has and always will be a huge part of my life thanks to you. I feel so fortunate to have had you as my teacher for fi ve years of my orchestra career. I wouldn’t have had them any other way. “I had the honor of be- ing conducted by you when we played everything from Smooth Criminal to Irish Leg- end to Pavane. I still remem- ber when you told me that I was the fi rst person you ever let use your baton. Or when you asked me to cue in the the other sections for Fire in KEIZERTIMES/Derek Wiley Bruce Purdy directed his fi nal orchestra concert at Claggett Creek Middle School on June 8. He is retiring after 16 years. the Forge. There are too many good times we’ve shared and good things to say about you. “You’ve infl uenced the Salem-Keizer district’s mu- sic program by being a role model to all the other teach- ers. Your legacy will live on. I hope I have left a mark on your life as you have mine. I miss eating donuts after a suc- cessful concert (thank you for those, by the way). I miss how I could see all your hard work drip down your face in the form of sweat bands while conducting. And of course, I miss hearing ‘loosen your bowels and get ready to go. Northwest Civil War Council presents a CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT Camps, Battles and Demonstrations 4 DAYS: July 1 – July 4 Powerland Heritage Park in Brooks Gates Open at 9:00 am daily Admission is $12 for adults, Kids under 12 are FREE A living history event for the entire family. For info go to www.nwcwc.net Happy retirement, Mr. Purdy. You’ve earned it.” With all the changes at Claggett Creek, a seven-pe- riod day and new principal, Purdy thought it was a good time for him to leave as well. Purdy also wasn’t sure he could any longer give the po- sition everything he had. “I always go at a job 110 percent and the older you get you can start to see things in your mind that are a little bit harder for me,” Purdy said. “You have to think a little more and work a little harder. The energy in the tank is go- ing to start to dwindle. And I didn’t want to be a teacher who was coasting and you’re just doing the job and not re- ally doing it with passion and energy.” In retirement, Purdy said he plans to play more and teach private lessons. “I still want the one-on- one connection with kids and working on things,” he said. Purdy has also accepted a job as the bass instructor at Chemeketa Community Col- lege and wants to spend more time with his wife and grand- son. “She’s been so patient,” Purdy said. “She would be the fi rst one to tell you there’s a lot of hours spent on this job.” How to Retire and Live the Life You Want OC T. 1 – 4 • HALLMARK RESORT IN NEWPORT Ready to retire in 5 years or less? Then this retreat is for you! Plan the next chapter in your life — Take care of the necessary details while creating a roadmap to fulfi lling your retirement dreams! 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