EDUCATOR REALIZES DREAM TO JOIN MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR

Alma Schrader School's loss of a teacher is the gain of a singer for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Pat Long, who has taught music at the Cape Girardeau elementary school for the past 20 years, will retire Friday. But her retirement won't be a quiet one in Florida.

Long has been chosen as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and will move to Salt Lake City, Utah, when the school year ends.

"It would have just remained a dream if my husband hadn't encouraged me," Long said. "He suggested that I try out and let whether or not I retired be the deciding factor.

"The stage was set this was the time to do it. The governor signed a retirement plan that lets you retire early with no penalty, and the school has been encouraging early retirement because of the budget crunch."

David Giles, the principal at Alma Schrader, said the retirement incentive plan is a "one-time" offer.

"If we're going to offer incentive to lose our finest, most experienced teachers, it's a hurtful thing," Giles said. "But it lets the younger, less experienced teachers continue employment with our institution."

Giles said Long would be missed at Alma Schrader, but the choir will be lucky to get her. "Salt Lake City will be a more humane place this summer," he said.

Long said she had dreamed of being a member of the prestigious choir since she and her husband joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 11 years ago.

"It's been in the back of my mind for some time," Long said. "So I thought I'd try out."

When long called to set up an audition date, she was asked what her voice classification was, and she said probably first or second alto. The choir representative said that there were already plenty of people with that range in the choir, but that Long was welcome to try out anyway.

Long auditioned for the Choir in Salt Lake City on March 12, and was told immediately that she would be an asset to the group. For the tryout, she sang a selection from "Messiah" and a hymn. She will begin performing with the choir in April.

Singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which is over 100 years old, is voluntary for the members, but the choir pays travel expenses and provides members' wardrobes, Long said.

As a member of the choir, Long will perform with them all over. She said the choir just returned from Russia and plans a trip to the holy land this Christmas.

Although Long has been in and directed other vocal groups, including Choral Union in Cape Girardeau, she believes being a part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be a richer experience than her involvement with other choirs.

"I chose it because of the feeling of unity," Long said. "We have the same basic beliefs.

"It would be a deeper experience with kindred spirits, and being able to advance musically is certainly evident."

Long said the choir will admit only people between the ages of 30 and 55, and everyone must retire at age 60.

Her future retirement from the choir will end five years of professional singing, while her retirement at Alma Schrader ends 28 years of teaching.

"We're of course going to miss her," said Giles. "She is very highly respected. She is polite and elegant with children as well as adults. She lives a humane life.

"When you think of music at the elementary level, it's hard not to see Mrs. Long's face pop into your mental image of what a music teacher should be."

Although Long said she is going to miss teaching, she is not dreading retirement. "I'm looking forward to it," Long said, "but I'll miss it; I'll miss the staff and I'll miss the kids.

"It's nice to have something to retire to."

Giles said, "We're fortunate to have known her."