The Observation Deck

My dad, Robert Rice, has been invited to conduct the combined groups at the last "old" Harding Middle School concert on May 17th.

Dad is a Lakewood Schools Staff Hall of Famer, and a 25 year Lakewood teacher who worked primarily at Harding. Before coming to Lakewood, Dad also worked many years in the Pennsylvania schools.

The composition that he will direct will be "The Harding March"; composed by Dad years ago for that school.

Dad taught in Lakewood from 1958-1983.

Congrats Bob Rice!


Mark Allan Crnolatas

Just a quick reminder that this upcoming Thursday, Dad will be directing THE HARDING MARCH at the old school's final concert!

I know he would enjoy seeing some of his former students.

Thursday will be "Robert Rice Day" in Lakewood too.

Dad will be 88 on his next birthday. He continues to write music and love learning.

Hope to see you all on Thursday!

Gary--- Exact time and location please? Stan

Hi Stan!

7:30 pm, I understand, at the Harding Gym!

Hope to see you!

Gary

Update to the Harding Concert schedule!

It is at 7:30 pm this upcoming Thursday, and is open to the public.

Donations are $2.00 at the door. $1.00 for senior citizens. These are suggested donations only.

This will be at Harding School.

There will be a Proclamation, naming that day "Robert Rice Day" in Lakewood.

Dad would be delighted to see any former students that evening.

Come one and come all!

Congratulations Mr. Rice! I wish I lived a little closer and could attend this important event. For those not in the know, Bob Rice was a tireless and exceptional educator whose patience and knowledge were much appreciated by decades of music students. Especially those, like me, who were not exceptionally gifted but really wanted to play. Some of my greatest memories of Harding (we called it a Jr. High in those days) were from the band room. Later at LHS, I got to know his son Gary in both band, orchestra, and Troop 512 and even the now famous Chef Geoff (man could he improvise and play the high notes). But musically there was no one more important in my life than Bob Rice. Although now limited to some guitar strumming, finger-picking, and off-key singing; the retained knowledge to read music and understand chord structures imparted by Mr. Rice may be one of the greatest gifts to come out of my education at Lakewood schools. Thanks Mr. Rice, sorry I couldn’t be there to celebrate “Robert Rice Dayâ€Â￾.

Bob,

From the bottom of his heart, Dad thanks you for your posting! He will miss seeing you this evening, as will I! Troop 512? Great memories! Remember the Silver Moccasin Trail?

It is my understanding that this will indeed be a great evening tonight!

Again, all are welcome to attend!

Some of you may remember Dad's famous "Electric Baton" This illuminated precursor to Darth's light saber was used for the Harding Finales, and will be donated back from Dad to the present director Brian Griebel and the Harding Music Department tonight as a "passing of the torch", so to speak...

Dad rehearsed with the Harding students yesterday, and they sound GREAT!

Come join us tonight for a magic evening!

Gary,
I had a delightful time with you and your dad on his birthday and hope to attend tonight. I've got another child's concert to attend at Horace Mann, but hope to swing by Harding afterward. If I miss you, please give your dad my best and send along a photo to my office email!!

Teresa Andreani

Bob and Gary,

My apologies for us not being able to come see the show etc. You do know we would have been there had we been able. I owe Bob bigtime as it is, for years of support and positive influence, but for being a great friend, period. I'll make it up to you in some way.

Mark Allan Crnolatas

To everyone who came last night, thanks for helping Dad to celebrate a wonderful event!

In addition to a Mayoral Proclamation from Lakewood Mayor Thomas George's office naming yesterday "Robert Rice Day", Dad also received Congressional recognition from Congressman Dennis Kucinich's office.

To all of the 'Deck's former Robert Rice students:

Whether you were there last night or not, you were certainly there in Dad's heart. He thinks the world of all of you.

The band did an outstanding job! Present director Brian Griebel has done an outstanding job keeping the flame of music burning brightly at Harding.

Some of you may remember Dad's famous "electric baton" that lit up as he directed. He passed that on to Brian last night in a touching "passing the torch" ceremony.

Dad wants me to thank you all for helping to make Lakewood the special place that it is.

I've just posted a photo essay of Dad's wonderful experience.

You may find it here:

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... ing-school

As I remember, and if I'm not mistaken, it was during that time I was in the dance band at Harding, that Mr. Rice brought out the lit baton for the first time, to conduct the band at some of the dances since they were held in the gym at Harding and the lights had to be turned down for the dances. This way we could see the conducting. Problem solved.

I wonder if George Lucas was there sometime, creating the "light saber".

Great pics Gary. Thanks from all of us who missed being there in person.

Mark Allan Crnolatas

Thanks for your kind words, Mark.

I passed them along to Dad and he was thrilled. We all have to get together socially one day soon.

Actually, that baton's best usage was during the concert finale, when the lights dimmed and the combined groups joined together.

Dad is delighted to have been able to "pass the torch", so to speak down the line to Brian. We found that old baton not long ago. Dad had purchased it through the mail from a Cleveland music store. The shipping postage seems to have been 12 cents, according to the stamps on the box.

Unfortunately, the date could not be discerned.

Dear friends,

Harding School will be having closing ceremonies on June 2nd at noon, followed later in the afternoon by Horace Mann's and Emerson's.

Dad has been invited back on Saturday, as well. He and I hope that old friends and former students will have the opportunity to join the closing ceremonies at Harding. A 2 hour window of opportunity will exist where visitors can walk through the school.

Hoping to see you there!