Music Education

BESIDES PAY raises, another new provision of a tentative contract between the Howard County school system and the teachers union is the extension of full health benefits for school employees in same-sex domestic partnerships. The union's general membership -- representing 4,000 teachers, guidance counselors and psychologists -- is expected to ratify the tentative agreement by tomorrow's deadline, said Joe Staub, president of the Howard County Education Association. If approved, school employees would join their counterparts in county government, who were extended the benefits last year under a policy change approved by the Robey administration.

Marian Jean Compello, a clarinet and music teacher, died of Parkinson's disease complications Sunday at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care. The Glen Arm resident was 69. Born Marian Jean Soffer in East St. Louis, Ill., she earned a bachelor of music degree at the University of Indiana at Bloomington and a master's in music education from what is now Towson University. She taught music in public schools in Smithville, Ind., before moving to Baltimore in 1966 and becoming band director at the city's Cherry Hill Junior High School.

Zenobia Martin Kendig, the retired director of vocal music at Western High School and a gardener, died of cancer Tuesday at her Lutherville home. She was 97. Born Zenobia Rockwood in Owatonna, Minn., she was a Northwestern University student when she met her future husband, Joseph Martin, an accountant. When he took a job at the old Western Electric Corp. Point Breeze plant, she left school, and they moved to Baltimore's Mount Washington. Mrs. Martin, who was a pianist, taught music from her Woodcrest Avenue home and led a Girl Scout troop at St. John's Episcopal Church in the 1930s.

For most aspiring musicians, the guitar is the symbol of cool. And for most angst-ridden teenagers all over the world, learning how to play the rock' n' roll catalyst is not always a simple task. That is why many Harford County residents have chosen longtime rock band frontman and guitarist-turned-teacher, Jim Bowley, as their teacher. Raised by a single mother who worked as a banker, Bowley, 45, graduated from Archbishop Curley High School, an all-boy school in Baltimore, in 1984 and then received a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University in music education in 1988.

Edward Charles Roberts, a veteran music teacher in city schools who was also a church organist, died of cancer Aug. 28 at St. Agnes HealthCare. The Catonsville resident was 73. Born and raised in Scranton, Pa., he graduated from what was then Mansfield State Teachers College in Mansfield, Pa. He later received a master's degree in music education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Mr. Roberts moved to Baltimore in 1953 and served in the Army for two years before becoming a Baltimore schools music teacher.

Carroll schools open tomorrow, Tuesday to make up snow days Carroll County public schools will be open tomorrow and Tuesday to make up for lost snow days. Schools were to have been closed tomorrow for Presidents Day and Tuesday for a professional day for elementary and middle schools, and conferences for high schools. The elementary and middle schools' professional day has been rescheduled for March 2. High schools will notify parents of changes in the conference schedule. The Carroll County Board of Education decided Wednesday to change the schedule because of the time lost to inclement weather.

Thomas Ryan Lawrence, who implemented vocal and instrumental music programs and instruction during more than 30 years as a Baltimore County teacher, died Thursday of heart failure at his Catonsville home. He was 86.Mr. Lawrence came to Catonsville High School from Missouri in 1938 to teach music classes when little music instruction was offered in the county schools."He was totally consumed with music education," said Donald Regier, who worked with Mr. Lawrence as the county's supervisor of vocal and general music.

Corridor transportation strategies talk Thursday The Corridor Transportation Corp. will present a "Moving Mid-Maryland: Baltimore-Washington Corridor Transportation Summit II" from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday at the BWI Marriott, 1743 W. Nursery Road, Linthicum. The summit will focus on strategies for regional cooperation, identifying and offering creative solutions, the potential of funding options and establishing achievable goals. The cost is $115 for a full day, $65 for the morning session (including breakfast)

Even after breaking up, the Bridge can't let fall pass by without taking a Baltimore stage. The roots-rock six-piece, which broke up last November after its annual Thanksgiving Eve headlining show at Rams Head Live, will reunite for one night only on Saturday at the Maryland Science Center (601 Light St.). Tickets, available here ($30 for 18+, $40 for 21+), are on sale now. Proceeds from the reunion show will go toward Believe in Music, a non-profit organization aiming to "uplift underprivileged Baltimore City students academically, culturally and spiritually" through music education, according to a press release.

We can't keep shutting out the young, oldHurrah for Donald Reuwer ("Glenwood residents decry proposed senior condos," Dec. 10). I know there are always people against any new development, but this time Don is right.As an employer and almost senior citizen, I think there is an invisible sign on every road leading into Howard County saying, "If you are young or too old to buy a big house, just drive through."The middle-aged people here see their kids move out of the county and their parents, with an eye to retirement, can't afford live here or may not be physically able to take care of a big house and yard, but want to keep their independence, be near their kids and grandkids and not live in a congested part of the county.