A tribute to Sylvia Reid, HOD Music, PBHS, 1988-1997 by Dr Niel van der Watt
In the Staff Notes section of The Pretorian of 1997, the Headmaster, Mr Bill Schroder, wrote the following:
“We will regrettably be saying goodbye to Mrs Sylvia Reid who will be taking early retirement at the end of this year. She has been a member of our dynamic Music Department since January 1988. Her inestimable contribution to and control of a complex, potentially volatile and exciting department will be remembered for a long time as will the many pleasurable events produced by the various disciplines of this department under her leadership.”
There is also a tribute by the current writer in the same magazine which reads as follows:
“In the Music Department we have, on occasion, joked with our Head of Department, Sylvia H Reid, by singing Schubert’s song (to the Shakespeare poem): Who is Sylvia? Who indeed – “that Hea’en such grace would lend her?”
In ten years – since 1988 – we have not begun to fathom this.
What we do know is considerable: A teaching philosophy that includes and embraces, a work-ethic that inspires, an astounding compassion for human nature with all its flaws and an unshakeable loyalty to all who are deserving thereof. But this does not tell us who Sylvia is. Maybe if we could get two entire generations of boys together, whom she has taught at Boys High, they would be able to shed some light on the matter: Piano lessons, theory lessons, history of music, aural training, harmony, orchestra, choir, practical exams – of these they may or may not have pleasant memories – but will they tell us who Sylvia is?
How does one sum up ten years of endeavour? There is so little that is tangible, yet so much was accomplished, established and refined. I don’t know who Sylvia is, but behind her in the Music Department at Boys High, she leaves a portion of herself that has become part of the very fabric of the school. And all we can do, is say a humble goodbye and thank you. Thank you for teaching and sharing and guiding. Boys High will miss you.”
I am tempted to say no more, though much more could be said. I would have liked to quote Sylvia’s own words in the Music Report of the same year (p 65). But then I would have had to quote, also, the article from the 1994 Pretorian (p 59) entitled: “Music as a subject at secondary school – A non-elitist approach.” And so on…
It is Sylvia’s zest for life that we will remember. She had a passion for action, more than for words and philosophies. She was an ardent advocate for co-operation even across the most impossible of barriers. (How else were we friends?) Above all, she was brave, right through her life, and who can ask for more? Who is Sylvia? We still don’t know, but we salute her and thank her. Be well at rest.
Dr Niel van der Watt
Mentee, colleague and friend
