Barbara Spiri retired as head of the Music Department at Penn Hills School District but her gift of music has multiplied to build a fellowship of singers , musicians and music education teachers that reaches far beyond the local community .
After having retired in 2015 , in November 2021 , Spiri was inducted into the Penn Hills Arts and Music Hall of Fame , known as PHAME . Among her former students are musicians and singers who have worked professionally in New York , and at least 12 music education teachers — including her son Douglas who teaches in the Rockwood Area School District .
In addition to teaching music for 29 years , Spiri is also the founder of the Eastern Area Youth Chorale ( EAYC ). Former member Alicia Danenberg shared her thoughts on the experience of participating in the choir .
“ EAYC allowed me to build strong relationships and strong musical awareness ,” she recalled . “ I had the privilege , pleasure and opportunity to travel the world — looking back on those experiences as a 30-something ... wow ! What kid gets to say they went to Italy their sophomore year of high school ? I never understood the impact or the plan Mrs . Spiri had behind those experiences when we were young . From singing for Maria Von Trapp at the Von Trapp Family Lodge , to singing in a Mass at the Vatican , to South Africa , I see many of those experiences differently as an adult . And I can see now why my dad would say how incredible it was to have these opportunities .”
Spiri learned the language of music at an early age and saw firsthand how it could change people and circumstances .
She began playing the piano in second grade and was also in the choir in middle and high school at Penn Hills . When it came time for college , music was an easy choice as she selected Music Education with a Choral Emphasis as her major at Thiel College in Greenville , PA .
Her parents were supportive of her choice to follow a musical path , but her father did harbor some reservations . He had chosen a very practical career as an engineer . And young Barbara had many options as valedictorian of her Penn Hills graduating class of 1972 . But he must have seen that his daughter had both passion and talent and gave his support to her college choice with one caveat . He told her that he was happy with it as long as she didn ’ t try to move off to New York after college to “ try to make it .”
Her mother , who is now 94 , has been a source of unwavering support . “ From the very beginning , she always attended all my performances ,” says Spiri . And true to form , her mother was also in the audience when she was inducted into PHAME on Nov . 13 .
Her induction ceremony was part of PHAME ’ s gala event , “ Keepin ’ the Music Alive ,” and celebrated 60 years of musical theater in Penn Hills . It was especially apropos on this special evening since she had founded the alumni group , the Penn Hills Music Alumni ( PMHA ), in 1993 , which is made up of students who have participated in the musicals throughout the years .
She was both grateful and humbled to be awarded the honor and included in a group of many of her former teachers and mentors who had inspired her throughout the years .
Spiri ’ s also grateful to her husband and children who have always been supportive . Her daughter , Julia , has courageously persevered with cerebral palsy , and as a child needed some extra attention . Her husband , Paul , was able to work from home in order to offer the extra care needed , which allowed her to continue to teach . Because of their willingness to share her time with the community , Spiri has been able to influence the lives of thousands of children in a positive way .
She continues to volunteer her time to help with musical productions at Penn Hills and teaches private voice and piano lessons .
“ My daylight job was teaching . But I feel very lucky that I was able to work with the same kids for more than just one year ,” says Spiri . “ Some of the kids were with me from the third grade through high school . And I got to know them on a personal level as well as the parents .”
The extended time she has had with her students has allowed her to teach them not just about music , but about life as well . n
PENN HILLS ❘ SPRING 2022 13