The Perfect Conductor

10/7/2023

There are those who teach subject matter and those who teach children.

For the 38 years that Beth Tracy held forth in Collegiate’s Lower School music department, she taught both, and she taught them every single day with dedication, excellence, and, best of all, love.

To Beth, humbly instilling an appreciation for music, coordinating productions, plays, and programs, and mentoring youngsters and colleagues was truly a sacred calling.

When she signed on back in 1979, her quarters were a nondescript rectangular cinderblock cubicle in old North Hall. She never complained, though, and thus began a career marked by diligence, poise, joy, and the uncanny ability to reach not just talented and gifted performers but the reluctant, less confident ones as well.

In 1996, Beth was appropriately honored with the Clarence B. Williams Award and, in 2016, the Lower School Craigie Award, both of which attest to the impact she made, the excellence she achieved, and the respect she commanded.

By the time she retired in 2017, she was truly revered among all with whom she shared the journey, for she had become a true Collegiate icon whose collaborative body of work included such time- and labor-intensive grade-level endeavors as American Mosaic (4th grade), Colonial Day (3rd grade), and States Fair (2nd grade), myriad holiday events, chapels, assemblies, and the understated moments when she quietly nurtured and guided students in ways that enabled them to find their voices and flourish.

Six years ago, Beth and her husband Jon pulled up stakes and moved to Bella Vista in north central Arkansas to be closer to their son Bart, Collegiate Class of 2004, his wife Amanda, and their sons John Parker and McCray. To the surprise of no one, she became involved in the life of the community while maintaining many of the connections she had developed during her years at Collegiate.

On Sept. 20, Beth passed away with her family at her side. In the days since, many grateful Collegiate families have reached out with stories of how Beth empowered their children, piqued their interest in music, gave them confidence, and changed their lives.

What follows is a compendium of thoughts and reflections of friends and colleagues who knew her well.

Beth’s unmatched talent, creativity, teaching style, and love for her students created a rich tapestry of music and the arts, a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
One of the things that always comes to mind when anybody who was lucky enough to collaborate with Beth thinks of her was her professionalism and amazing creativity.
Beth had the best ideas. She always knew either what song would fit perfectly with whatever we were doing or she would take an old standard and rewrite it. She would very graciously ask for our help, but we knew she didn’t need it.
Beth could have been a top lyricist on her own if she had decided that’s how she wanted to spend her career. Luckily, she chose to give to the children and her colleagues her incredible talent.
Beth was an amazing music teacher. She could take 100 children and have them do exactly what they needed to do by just the look on her face or the wave of her arm while she played the piano.
Beth put a sparkle in every performance.
Beth was a collaborator. Her lessons always connected with the curriculum. There’s not a child who can’t sing the “Fifty Nifty” (a States Fair staple). Beth taught every student at Collegiate to sing that, and they all still sing it, and they teach it to their children.
Those who worked with Beth hit the jackpot. She was a gem. She was a true friend. She poured her heart into everything she did.
Beth had talent, self-discipline, and an incredible work ethic. She took care of every detail. Her attitude was to always do what was best for the children.
Beth was dependable and consistent and had great personal integrity.
God now has the perfect conductor for His heavenly choir. ~Weldon Bradshaw

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