If you were privileged to attend the Christmas Program at Good Pine Middle School this past December, you may have noticed a small, petite choir director with her back to the audience, arms and body poised to lead and her utmost attention focused on the young singers in front of her. Classroom teacher, church pianist and music connoisseur Paulette Welch gave her all to her students for this annual performance and in turn, they gave their all to the audience. It was inspiring. It was riveting. It was unforgettable.

Mrs. Welch, a thirty- three-year veteran teacher, has made plans to retire from public education at the conclusion of this school year, but until that time arrives, she continues to cultivate a love and appreciation for all things music in her classroom students. In addition to directing the school choir, she sponsors the GPMS Music Club which meets twice each month. She even incorporates music into the instructional learning process during the math intervention classes she teaches.

“I enjoy it,” she explained. “I would not say that I am a great singer or a great talent, but I love to play (the piano). I lead the kids in the programs, and I sing with my kids. Do I want to sing solos? Nobody would want to hear me!”

Desiring to give her students “a little touch of music” to garner their interests and cultivate their personal musical talents is her focus. She finds less opportunities for students to encounter music, musical instruments and singing in church choirs today than in prior years; but once they do encounter it, it evokes an appreciation not found in other interests.

“Some students really seem to have an interest in music, and I want them to enjoy it. We sing, I teach them to read notes and we use handbells and rhythm instruments during our Music Club meetings,” she said. “This gives them a little touch of music – not for just now – to make them want to learn more.”

A lover of music from her childhood, Mrs. Welch started taking piano lessons as a young eight-year-old girl from the late Mrs. Ruby Poland, who taught many fingers to expertly caress a keyboard. After years of lessons, she once attempted to quit, but her mom made an intervention phone call to Mrs. Poland. The conversation ended with Mom agreeing to have her daughter at the music teacher’s home – on time- for the next scheduled lesson.

“I’m so thankful that she saw something in me and wouldn’t let me quit,” she confessed, perhaps explaining her passion for passing the love of music along to her many students. Her persistence and dedication to practice, led her to the position of church pianist at East Jena Baptist Church from 1994-2021. It was during some of those years that she continued to learn and glean from the tutorship of her own childhood children’s choir director, Mrs. Bettye Walker, who played the keyboard while she accompanied on the piano. Today, she plays for the praise team and children’s ensemble at Searcy Baptist Church.

Understanding the value of music in her life pushes Mrs. Welch to share that love and passion with today’s generations. While children learn to do many things in life such as play ball, learn jujitsu, participate in cheering and a variety of other activities, many of them will grow up and cease these same activities. If they learn to play a musical instrument, sing for pleasure or to enjoy music, it will obviously stay with them throughout their lifetimes.

She explains it like this: “I remember singing with my mama. She passed away twenty- three years ago, but I can still hear her singing. Sometimes other things leave you, but music just stays.”

She’s hoping her efforts at GPMS with her schoolkids will do just that – provide them with talents, joys and a world of music that will stick with them, soothe them and provide memories that are comforting and encouraging throughout their lifetimes. The recent Christmas program included soloists and a father/daughter performance wherein Mr. Travis Glenn played the banjo and accompanied his daughter, Audrey, while she sang “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Many of the students had never seen anyone play a banjo and their awe was evident. She’s hoping that’s a memory students will keep.

“I love walking down the halls to hear my students singing the songs we have been working on,” she shared. “Parents often tell me they are singing the songs we learn at home. I know this is not just something the kids are having to do but are enjoying it.”

After retirement, Mrs. Welch hopes to teach piano lessons and possibly even begin a summer music program to give more children the opportunity to experience music.

“I started with limited musical ability, but with practice and dedication, God then increased my talent. We (including her students) can take what we’re given, use it, and see where it leads,” she concluded.

Mrs. Welch wants to give that same opportunity to the youth of our community. Perhaps she, like her early mentors, can inspire future musicians, singers and teachers. Whatever the outcome, she is opening up the world of music to many who otherwise might not have access to it without her.