May 22, 2002
Noteworthy achievement
Margaret Hollyday retires after 30 years as school piano accompanist
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
With reams of awards and honors over the years, both for individuals and ensembles, the choral program at Traverse City West High School has put itself on the map, locally, nationally and internationally.
Quietly, calmly, and without fanfare, Margaret Hollyday, the accompanist for the program, has provided a foundation for these achievements.
Retiring at the end of this school year after three decades with the district, Hollyday will be sorely missed.
"I think that over the last 30 years, no one has had more of an impact on the choral program at the schools than Margaret Hollyday," said Russ Larimer, choral director at West High School. "She's the consistency over the last four directors."
Students, alumni, parents and staff honored Hollyday Thursday evening at the We Sing to Spring concert at the school. Dedicating a song to her, the assembled also took up a collection to provide a vacation nest egg, gathered written memories for a memory book and showered her with flowers.
Hollyday said it is really difficult to leave the choral program and the students, but she has decided she wants more time to herself. She will continue serving as the accompanist at Northwestern Michigan College and playing the organ at the Presbyterian Church.
"It has been really fun," said Hollyday, an Iowa native who studied music at the University of Michigan. "The kids work hard and are willing to do different things, a lot of it due to Russ' inspiration. I've seen them develop both musically and as people."
Larimer said that as a conductor, Hollyday is an invaluable asset, both personally and musically. After having worked with her for the last 15 years, he finds Hollyday a musical inspiration and he notes her uncanny ability to read his mind during rehearsals helps tremendously.
"She always knows where you are and where you are heading," he noted. "I really feel that as a conductor, the sky is the limit when she's behind the piano. With her, we can do anything - there's no music she can't do."
Although she eschews the spotlight, her serene presence and musical depth and breadth has helped and inspired many students. They note she always has a smile and quiet word of encouragement for everyone.
"One time my accompanist didn't show up and she stepped in ten minutes before I went on stage at a competition," said Myles Cornwell, a senior at West High School who will study voice and science next year at Carnagie Mellon University. "She's so talented, she can look at a piece of music and know how to play it, she can see in it what the composer was going for. She can keep track of six lines at a time and play wonderfully."
During her many trips to competitions with soloists, Hollyday provides a steady presence for the student singers. She has occasionally made musical adjustments if a singer unexpectedly alters tempo or has provided a word or two to a nervous soloist who temporarily blanked out.
"You try to calm them if they are nervous," she said. "But when they get on stage, it is amazing. There's been some great soloists over the years and the kids have pride in their ensembles."
Emily Lammers, a junior in the choral program, said Hollyday's soothing words helped her through her first solo competition this year.
"She just has this way of always making me feel good about myself because I get really nervous," Lammers said. "Because she is so experienced, just her telling me that I'll sound good and will be all right made me feel better."