Interview: A Moment with Paul Alexander

Posted by alexthio on Jun 3, 2009 in Latest News, Spotlight | 1 comment

Article by Alex Thio

I’ve always counted it a joy and privilege to be part of the Sycamore Schools family. A little more than 10 years ago, I stepped into the Sycamore Junior High school as a ‘gig pianist’ for a holiday concert Linda Gartner was conducting. Who would have known that 10 years later I would still be a pianist for the choirs, and loving it?

I’ve come to know many wonderful people at Sycamore Schools, and one individual who never fails to amaze me is Paul Alexander. Paul  has been part of the SCSS since its inception, though now he has ‘graduated’ to the ranks of Choir Member!

Here’s a little interview with the person we all know fondly as “Mister Alexander”:

AT: SCSS has had the pleasure of having you along their past tours as a Staff Chaperone. THIS time, you’re part of the choir! Tell us how you came to this decision, and your experiences thus far as a choir member.

PA: Two years the group was warming up in one of the many spectacular cathedrals in Europe (I think it was St. Nicolas in Prague) and I whispered to Mrs. Gartner that I would love to be up there singing with the group.  Well…..this year she gave me the chance!  when she asked me if I was interested in singing, I hesitated for about 3 nanoseconds, and said, “Yes!”

I have sung in various choirs for years including the May Festival Chorus, the Wittenberg Chapel Choir, and many years in my church choir, but have not done so for about 15 years.  Lately, I have been more on the instrumental side as a guitarist and bass player.  So the pipes were a bit rusty, but they are coming around (hopefully!).

I will have to say that when this choir has mastered a passage, it blows me away!  It will be the finest group I have ever sung with, and I feel honored to be a part of the group and hope to make us all proud!

AT: We hear you’re a Math Wizard. Do you think Math is as challenging as Music?

PA: Not surprisingly, music is all mathematical.  It is all based on mathematical intervals and ratios.  In college I studied the physics of music and actually wrote a score of music purely mathematically with no idea how it would sound.  When my music professor played it on the pipe organ, we were all was amazed.  I wish I still had the piece!  P.S.–I’m not really a math wizard!

AT: Everyone knows “Mister Alexander” always has a joke to tell. Go ahead – tell us one!

PA: My “jokes” are all ad-libbed and spontaneous.  I think words are funny.  I won’t be on the mic so much this trip because I can’t compete with Shecky Patel!  I do tell my math students about the acorn who woke up one morning and said, “Gee, I’m a tree!”  ………Wait for it!

AT: We also hear that you just completed your 36th year of teaching! Tell us a little more what the near future holds for you.

PA: I just completed my 36th year at Sycamore, and truthfully, I wish there were more ahead, but it is time for me to find a new calling.  I am so grateful for the opportunities and adventures that teaching at Sycamore has afforded me.  Working with such high quality people was a blessing.  I learned a lot from a lot of talented people over the 36 years.

I have a lot of volunteer work that I am interested in (including some here in Cincinnati, and some in South Africa).  I also hope to do some more musical things including managing and promoting the band I play in, and writing and arranging some original music.  And, of course, I hope to keep in close touch with my friends at Sycamore.

Paul Alexander just completed his 36th year of teaching at Sycamore Junior High School. In addition to teaching math and science, Mr. Alexander has also coached basketball, golf and cross country. Staying young at heart, Mr. Alexander enjoys biking, golf, skiing, running, basketball, and softball. He is also skilled in playing the guitar, bass and banjo – and is a member of the Alex Thio Trio + One, a combo of musicians (including his son, Ben) that performs with the Sycamore Junior High Choir concerts. Eating is another passion of Mr. Alexander’s – and claims that this is what he does best.

Mr. Alexander has accompanied Linda Gartner and the SCSS for all of the past three Europe tours. For him, each of these tours have been ‘uniquely magical’. Among the cities he has visited in the past with the SCSS, his favorites have been Salzburg, Rothenburg, and Prague.