Musicians by any other name: a tribute to music students who pursued other careers

American Music Teacher, June-July, 2002 by Kathleen Rountree

If you tell anyone you're a musician, the next words from them usually will be, "Oh, I studied the piano (or clarinet, or guitar)," and then they will tell you the story of their own musical triumph or failure, including the saga of their fifth-grade performance of something memorable like "Glow Worm." But memorable is the correct word, after all, because that individual usually recalls many details of his experience as a musician, whether it lasted only a couple of years, or formed an essential part of his youth.

As a profession of teachers, we speak with great pride of the accomplishments of former students who have pursued careers as music teachers or performers. But, what of the ones who "got away"? Many of them went on to noteworthy, even spectacular careers, often including music as a vital part of their adult life. The lessons learned in music study obviously served them well--lessons of patience, of dedication, of attention to the smallest detail, of always striving for the highest level of achievement. Let's look in on some former music students, beginning with three who cite music as an important factor in their eventual achievement--election to the highest office in the land.

HARRY S TRUMAN
President of the United States,
1945-1953

The president who proposed America's first national health care plan would have been a musician, but he simply "wasn't good enough." In his own words, Harry Truman often said that, had a career as a musician been possible, he would never have become president.

His musical story is familiar: First, he studied with his mother, getting up each morning at 5:00 A.M. to practice two hours before going to school. At age 10 he began lessons with the "neighborhood piano teacher," Mrs. E.C. White, who herself had studied under famous pedagogue Theodore Leschetitzky. The other neighborhood boys teased Harry on the way to music lessons, but according to his lifelong friend, Charlie Ross, "He didn't lack spunk when he braved the jeers of the boys to go regularly to his music teacher, carrying his music roll."

His mother and teacher had visions of a life as a concert musician, but Harry quit lessons at age 15. Even during his presidency, however, he played and listened to piano music whenever possible, reportedly being especially fond of the works of Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin.

RICHARD M. NIXON
President of the United States,
1969-1974

"My mother felt that I had some aptitude for music. And when I was seven years old I started to take music lessons from my uncle on this Crown piano. I also learned to play the violin, the clarinet, the saxophone and the accordion. I've often thought, that if there had been a good rap group around in those days, I might have chosen a career in music instead of politics," Nixon said.

A photo log of Nixon's years in the White House reveals that he regularly included music in his activities, including a performance on the dulcimer at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1974 and serving as accompanist to singer Pearl Bailey at a White House performance that same year. In an atmosphere reminiscent of his childhood home, Nixon liked to play the piano with family and friends, often inviting guests to sing along with him on popular songs.

WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
President of the United States,
1993-2001

Who would have thought that the band major of the Hot Springs High School might one day be president of the United States? As a high school student, Bill Clinton was more interested in music than politics, reportedly practicing four hours a day on the saxophone. His diligence won him a place in the Arkansas All-State Band. The Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission includes an adorable photo of the young saxophonist in his marching band uniform at www.hotsr.com/files/standing/clinton.html.

Years later, in 1992, when his campaign for president was wavering, Clinton polished up his saxophone and his sunglasses for an appearance on the Arsenio Hall Show, an event that is often cited as a turning point in his popularity and his eventual win in the presidential race. He reportedly played the saxophone at several of the inaugural parties as well.

Today, the Shrine to Music Museum at the University of South Dakota includes an exhibit of the LA-42T Presidential Tenor Saxophone, an instrument presented to President Clinton in the White House in 1995. Pete LaPlaca, president of L.A. Sax, wrote about the day he took the saxophone to the White House: "The President's schedule was typically `tight,' yet he was able and insistent on spending more than the allocated time visiting with the South Dakota delegation.... It appeared that his keen interest in music and particularly his sax playing took a fairly high priority that Monday in the Oval Office of the White House." LaPlaca recounts that Clinton talked about saxophones for most of the meeting and played some jazz tunes on the instrument. About the President's skills, LaPlaca said, "To be completely honest, his playing was far better than I had heard on TV in the past. He played some great licks and appeared to be totally relaxed with the horn."