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Past students help honor director

Gerald Hartley holds the plaque he received Saturday, surrounded by Reunion Committee members, from left, top row, Kathleen Blair, Richard Ellis, Bill Anderson; 2nd Row: Joan Polzin, Carol Miyamoto, Berne Indahl, Lois Berg, and, front row, Connie Christman, Sandy Riebe, and Laurie Dolan. Courtesy of John D. Brown (Courtesy of John D. Brown / The Spokesman-Review)
Joan Polzin Correspondent
Gerald Hartley holds the plaque he received Saturday, surrounded by Reunion Committee members, from left, top row, Kathleen Blair, Richard Ellis, Bill Anderson; 2nd Row: Joan Polzin, Carol Miyamoto, Berne Indahl, Lois Berg, and, front row, Connie Christman, Sandy Riebe, and Laurie Dolan. Courtesy of John D. Brown (Courtesy of John D. Brown / The Spokesman-Review)

Lewis and Clark’s most well-known choral director, Gerald Hartley, was honored Saturday night with a reunion of approximately 70 singers from across the United States.

Each singer was a former member of Mr. Harley’s elite singing group, the “Tiger Tones.” The occasion commemorated the 25th anniversary of Hartley’s retirement in 1982. Attending the Saturday night Gala were Tiger Tones from the first ensemble of 1962 up through the 1982 final ensemble.

Each year’s ensemble of Tiger Tones was selected by Hartley from the LC Choir and varied from eight to 15 performers. Besides singing in school concerts the group served as a public relations vehicle performing for service club luncheons, dinners and community events such as the Lilac Festival. Tiger Tones sang popular tunes and songs from musicals.

Many of the Tiger Tones are still singing in choral groups or professionally.

The highlight of the evening’s song selections was the performance of “The Builders,” a composition of Hartley’s, written in 1961 with words from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem by the same name. The song has been performed at LC’s graduation ceremonies for the last 46 years. A truly stirring rendition was heard last night by some of Hartley’s family, friends, and former Lewis and Clark teachers.

Hartley is a Spokane native, graduating from North Central High School. He served in the Coast Guard during World War II and received his musical training at the University of Washington. He is the son of Fred Hartley, a longtime, well-known Spokane musician whose orchestras played in the dining rooms of the Davenport Hotel in the ‘20s and early ‘30s, as well as over KHQ radio through the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. Both Hartleys were members of the Spokane Symphony, playing in the first concert when the group was organized in 1945.

Gerald Hartley, 86, taught 32 years in Spokane School District 81.

Saturday night’s musical event demonstrated Hartley’s influence on his students. They have traveled from near and far to pay tribute to their mentor in a commencement ceremony. Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire issued Dec. 8, 2007, as Gerald Stone Hartley Statewide Day of Honor for … teaching music to thousands of students … who have learned the love of music through his patience and guidance … inspired creativity, imagination and discipline … through his dedication, mentorship, and grace instilled his love of music as one of the great arts and as a source of enrichment … composed The Builders … created Tiger Tones, who entertained the Spokane community … and because he possesses the sharpest and clearest memory for names and faces of any music teacher in the state.

A commemorative plaque was presented to Hartley and displayed at LC. It is rare indeed to see such an outpouring of respect and gratitude from students, but it happened Saturday evening at Spokane’s oldest and most recognized high school.

Hats off to Gerald Hartley and all that he has built.