Musicians’ Corner Q&A
Meet Ted and Debbie Krocheski!
Instruments: Ted - Euphonium, Debbie - Clarinet
Carlisle Town Band members since: 2022
Occupation
TED: I have an eclectic work history. My experiences include working as a laborer in a scrap metal yard, public school instrumental music teacher, Coca-Cola delivery man, church choir director and organist, computer programmer, appliance salesman, IT manager (WMAR-TV, Baltimore, 24 years), private teacher and instrument repair technician. Now, I am actively RETIRED!
DEBBIE: Between college and retirement I have worked in a bank, taught public school instrumental music for three years, been a stay-at-home mom, home schooled for 10 years, helped run a band for homeschoolers, coached small woodwind ensembles of homeschoolers, taught group guitar, strings, and wind classes as well as History, Geography, Government and Economics classes for various homeschool co-operatives, played in the pit for various community musical productions in the Baltimore area and finished working by spending 15 years in retail and management for Menchey Music.
Education
TED: Bachelor of Science, Music Education, University of Maryland, 1978; certificate in computer programming from a now-defunct business school, 1983; certificate in Band Instrument Repair, Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical, 2014
DEBBIE: Bachelor of Music, Clarinet Performance and Bachelor of Science, Music Education, University of Maryland, 1978. I also have a Certificate in Violin Repair from Minnesota State College Southeast Technical. Repair school was our big adventure after Ted retired from IT work. I told folks we would either return together because we still liked and loved each other or we would return separately. We’re still together and enjoy it more each day. I never did any repair work but the whole experience was fabulous. We cemented in our minds just what was really important in life: God, family and friends.
How old were you when you started learning to play an instrument? How did you decide which one was best for you?
TED: I was 9 years old when, after two-plus years of badgering my parents, they bought a piano and I had four years of lessons. When I was 12, the Catholic school I attended started a band program. I was intrigued by the trombone and started in seventh grade. The next year, our family moved and I went to public school. I had never seen things like baritones, tubas, bassoons and low clarinets before. I was fascinated. I started playing tuba in ninth grade. In tenth grade, my high school band director thought I would play better on euphonium. That's where I stayed for the next 50+ years.
DEBBIE: I began my music education with piano lessons in first grade. By fourth grade I hated it! I told my father I would play any other instrument available. He handed me his clarinet as my only other option because it was already paid for. I was the only beginner with a professional, wood instrument.
What was the most difficult part of learning your instrument?
TED: Practicing. I HATE practicing by myself. I love rehearsing with groups and working on music with others, but I still struggle with the discipline of "wood-shedding."
DEBBIE: The most difficult part of playing for me was articulation, which took years to master.
Which ensembles did you join in school? Do you have a favorite performance memory from those years?
TED: High school: Concert band, brass ensemble, clarinet choir (I played contra-alto clarinet), and concert choir. I also was fortunate to play in the pit for school musicals. High School highlights: Going to Mexico City with our band and choir to perform. The band performed at the conservatory and the choir was nationally televised while performing at the National Cathedral in Mexico City. I also played in a regional honors band that performed at the Kennedy Center.
College: If there was a band, I played in it. If anyone wanted to put together a small group, I would play. I just liked to play. Any concert was a highlight. We played interesting and challenging music.
DEBBIE: Throughout school I played in various bands, orchestras, small ensembles, and sang in choruses. My most memorable performances were from high school. As a member of a small, select choir I had the opportunity to perform in both the Washington National Cathedral and the Kennedy Center.
Do you play any other instruments?
TED: These days, I play trombone and tuba on a regular basis. I try to play piano, organ, and bass clarinet.
DEBBIE: I also play the bass clarinet.
What were your most rewarding experiences as a music educator?
TED: Working with autistic students and watching them grow as young musicians. Music IS therapy for a host of problems. Playing at the White House with the homeschooler band that my children were in; teaching group piano to adults who just wanted to experience the joy of playing.
DEBBIE: My most rewarding experiences as an educator were playing with the Home School Band at the White House, and seeing the sparkle in student’s eyes when they finally mastered a difficult task or understood a difficult concept.
After my short stint teaching public school, I put the clarinet on a shelf for twenty years and focused on raising children. When the youngest started high school, I started practicing again.
Why did you join the Carlisle Town Band?
TED: Kathy Miller (horn section) asked Debbie and me to play a gig with the band at Boiling Springs High School because they needed a few more people. We met Dave Rohrer that day and after playing under his leadership, we thought we should see about playing with the band. It was another evening out of the house, but we stay out of trouble that way.
DEBBIE: After we both retired, we had free time to fill up. Kathy Miller asked us to play a summer concert at Boiling Springs high school because they were very short on clarinets. We enjoyed it and stayed.
What are your favorite memories of performing with the band?
TED: This is the first band that I have played in that was blessed with a resident composer/arranger. Dave Kammerer is a treasure and his music is always fun and interesting to play. I am a bit biased because he always gives the euphonium parts special attention. We are also blessed with Dave Rohrer's leadership and musicality. I am constantly awed by the level of expertise that this band possesses in its members. It is true joy to be a part of this band!
DEBBIE: My favorite memories with the band are seeing all the smiling faces in the audience at the end of each concert.
Why is it important for you to keep playing music?
TED: Music has been an integral and essential part of my life. I was brought up in the church, so hymn-singing was the basis of my musical experience. It has affected every aspect of my life; my relationships, career choice(s), marriage (Debbie and I met in college and were married three months after graduation), and my overall health. I want to play and sing as long as I have breath. When we sit idle, we die. I enjoy living!
DEBBIE: I keep playing because it keeps my aging joints moving, my mind working, and because I enjoy practicing to master challenging music. I do not like to be bored.
Do you have other hobbies/activities outside the Carlisle Town Band?
TED: Debbie and I also play in the Shippensburg (tuba) and the Singer bands (I recently switched to trombone for this group). We started a choir that I direct at the church we currently attend. I try to keep my bride of forty-eight years happy. She is like Mary Poppins... Practically Perfect in every way! Enjoying our grandchildren! Biking on rail trails and walking/hiking in the many state parks that Pennsylvania is blessed with. Visiting and sampling at the various wineries in and out of the area. We are NEVER BORED!
DEBBIE: We enjoy biking on rail trails and old canal tow paths and hiking in the state parks. We started keeping chickens a few years ago. I have a 50’ x 50’ vegetable garden. Each year I try at least one new vegetable just to see what happens. I never know what will do well any given year so it’s always a surprise. Several years ago we had a room added to our house and I was allowed to be the unpaid apprentice. I acquired and learned to safely use a number of saws. I also learned to hang drywall, cut and attach trim, caulk, lay laminate floor, level concrete and more. We also play in two other bands (Shippensburg and Singer) and I sing in the church choir that Ted directs. We have three young grandchildren and I like to go visit every couple weeks to tire them out before returning home. We used to ride motorcycles but after the arrival of grandchildren, decided we wanted to stay alive.