Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2015 | Page 15

Performing Arts
Ode to a treasured teacher
When retired music teacher Lawrence “Lonny” F.
Woodward passed away in April this year after living
with ALS, many people stepped forward to talk about his
legacy of teaching music at Thornton Academy and how
it touched their lives. Camille Saucier ’88 and others
organized a concert in his honor on campus.
One of those was Michelle Snow ’87 who reflected on
why he was special to her. “Mr. Woodward is responsible
for inspiring me to be a musician and a teacher. He
actively encouraged me as a pianist and provided me
with opportunities to learn skills I have used ever since. I
was lucky to take over his position when he retired from
Thornton Academy, an opportunity that profoundly
influenced the course of my career. He was a huge
support to me in that role and was always a cheerleader
for me and for the program.
“I now work as Director of Music K-12 in the Westbrook
Schools and direct the Westbrook High School Choirs, a
job I love. Without Mr. Woodward and the support and
challenges he gave me in high school, it is highly unlikely
that I would have pursued music as a career.
“I am so grateful to have known him and learned

Jazz choir during Woodward’s
final year at Thornton.
from him. He cared immensely for his students and was
proud of them, and it showed. He continued to support
and encourage us even long after we had graduated.
He was an incredibly witty, intelligent, talented, and
generous individual who made huge impacts in the lives of
thousands of people.
“I was unable to attend the concert. But the memorial
service at TA was really special and revealed the many ways
he influenced so many people. The stories about him are
legendary and endless. He was a treasure.”
Celeste (Nadeau) Baranyi ’84, Radio Show Host at WBLM
concurred with Michelle Snow, “When I entered Mr.

Arts teacher David
Hanright said, “We
are going to use a
steampunk theme as
the style for Tempest.
A combination of
Victorian and modern
punk, it’s a style that
has been around for
a long time. It applies
a steam industrial
revolution technology
appearance to the
costuming and setting.
It suits Prospero
because he has power
over technology and
he’s a wizard. It’s
another way to interest
the over 60 students in
the production.”

Woodward’s Music Appreciation class I already
had a love for music, but he taught me a true
appreciation. Mr. Woodward deconstructed
Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Thunder Road’ and during
that class I fell in love with the imagery as he
recited each line with passion. Whenever I
play ‘Thunder Road’ at WBLM I’m sent back
to the music room, I’m 17 and ‘Woody’ is
talking about how Mary’s dress waves, with his
eyes closed.
“Jazz Choir with Mr. Woodward was my
introduction to the microphone. He was so
supportive and enthusiastic and I never would
have had the confidence to go into radio if I
hadn’t had the experience that I had with him.”

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