As my musical skills under Mr. G.’s tutelage began to develop, I began to realize how unique and how professional this group was. There were a lot of lessons to learn, like “Your face must reflect the emotion of the song you are singing, You come here to learn, to grow, not to waste your time or mine, You are part of a unique organization that is the result of the hard work of choir members who were here before you, You are part of a tradition.”
We knew that we were at least as good as and probably better than most college groups in the area. I also knew that this is what I wanted to become: a school choir director like Mr. G., and a concert/church organist. After high school I would go to Grand Rapids Junior College, and then on to a university to earn a music degree.
While in the 11th grade I was given permission to participate in a “Work Study” program. It meant that all my classes, including “Acapella Choir,” were in the morning. I then took the city bus downtown to my job.
I was assigned to work in the Luggage Department of “Steketee’s,” a local department store. After just a few weeks I was asked to take over the store’s “Printing Department.” I was now in charge of printing all the sales and special promotion signs for the store. It was a promotion accompanied with a higher salary.
Mr. Stoutjesdijk, a member of Dad’s church, had become my mentor. He quite often, when he went fishing or hunting, asked me to join him and his two sons. I learned that he had a used car for sale. It was a 1940 Plymouth Business Coupe. I asked my parents if I could have their permission to purchase it. I reasoned that (1) now with my recent increase in salary at Steketee’s I could easily afford it, (2) It would make getting to work much easier, and (3) I reasoned it would mean that we would have an extra car available at home.
They gave their permission, and so, for $125, I was now the proud owner of a car.
I began to push the idea of continuing my education with the purpose of obtaining a music performance degree, but I began to encounter a lot of resistance from my parents. Becoming a professional musician was not in line with their religious thinking.
For them, the professional musician conjured up images of riotous living and sinful environments. Playing the organ in church on Sunday was considered necessary; but any ideas of making music for entertainment was “worldly” and to be prevented at all costs, especially for a minister’s son!
The next two years moved by quickly and soon I was beginning my senior year. My parents and I compromised after much debating and arguing about becoming a musician.
I would go back to The Netherlands for a couple of years. I would study organ privately and live with relatives. I would earn my own room and board working for my relatives who owned a large Tulip growing and export business.
I would learn the tulip business, with the intent of coming back to the U.S. and becoming a wholesale tulip bulb salesman for my Dutch relatives. It was sort of a compromise. I think they hoped that in two years I would forget my foolish dream of becoming a professional musician. Off I went to Holland.
Without my parents financial help, I knew that I could not afford my own schooling. I reasoned, after two years of professional organ study in The Netherlands, I might be in a better position to convince my parents to let me pursue my dream of a life in music.
After my high school graduation my mother and a couple of my siblings brought me to New York to board the S.S. Niewe Amsterdam, flagship of the Holland America Line, and I left for Holland. My uncle Gerrit and Aunt Bab met me at the dock, and soon we were on our way to Lisse. It was going to be my home town for the next two years.
The first letter that I received from home told me the alarming news that my sisters were using my car for “driving practice.” I, of course, envisioned a total wreck waiting for me when I returned home.
Needless to say I urged them to “Please sell my car immediately and send me the money.” Perhaps the original owner, Mr. Stoutjesdijk, would take the car back. Luckily the deal took place before my beloved chariot was ruined. I received the money, and it was enough to allow me to purchase a small German motorcycle, a D.K.W. I had wheels again.
I found an excellent organist/teacher near my aunt and uncle’s home. He was willing to take me on as a student. He was a concert organist and music director for an area symphonic orchestra and chorus. I had to audition for him and he felt that I showed promise, especially in the field of improvisation; the ability to instantaneously create musical compositions at the keyboard. I was thrilled, and began my weekly lessons on the organ in his church. He also allowed me to sit in on his orchestra and chorus rehearsals, and I learned how to read orchestra scores, and watch him conduct.
I was able to have someone tape me playing some of my mother’s favorite psalms, and I sent it to her for her birthday. My uncle and aunt, with whom I was boarding, rented a practice organ for me for their home. The two years flew by and then the time arrived for me to return home to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Back home in Grand Rapids, I made an attempt at becoming a tulip bulb salesman; but as I readily confessed, “My heart was not in it”. I lasted one year and made some sales but I was a “miserable” salesman, in more ways than one. I was finally able to convince my parents that I would start Grand Rapids Junior College, and take the first educational steps on my way to becoming a “teacher.” I soft pedaled the idea of a music degree and stressed the idea that I would be “just a classroom teacher.”
I won the argument and they gave in, and gave me their blessing, as well as their financial assistance. I applied at Grand Rapids Junior College, was accepted, and spent two glorious years studying and learning.
The school was not equipped to give private organ lessons, so I had to find my own teacher. I found an excellent organ teacher in Ben Lehn, organist/music director at Park Congregational Church.
The church had a magnificent four manual (four keyboard) pipe organ. It was the first time in my life that I had ever played such a large instrument! The church gave me permission to use the organ for practice whenever Mr. Lehn was not using it. Mr. Lehn was intrigued with my ability to improvise (to create musical compositions without previous planning or preparation).
EDITOR’S NOTE: Gerrit Lamain is a former Copper Country resident who served as a music professor at Suomi College. He has published a book, “Gerrit’s Notes: A compilation of essays,” which can be found on Amazon. His email address is gerrit.lamain@gmail.com.
On becoming a music teacher – Part II | News, Sports, Jobs - Daily Mining Gazette
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