His name was Ralph Houghton – and it is impossible to talk about the marvelous music program of the Kenosha public schools without talking about this incredible man.  In that rich history, he looms as a colossus – even though physically he was fairly short and completely ordinary-looking guy.   But in all of the ways that count the most, he was a gigantic force for good.   When he was appointed director of music for the Kenosha school district in 1956,  there were only 8 music teachers spread out over 17 different schools – a truly pathetic situation that Ralph was determined to change …. and he did!  It was under his energetic and innovative leadership that the music program in Kenosha grew into a powerhouse that was the envy of school districts throughout the region.

When I interviewed Ralph Houghton for the last time in 2007,  when he was honored by the Anderson Arts Center with their Lifetime Achievement Award,  I asked him about something that had long puzzled me – the fact that he had managed to achieve what he did in a city so thoroughly Blue Collar (which Kenosha very much was during Ralph’s 23 years as fine arts director).  What could possibly have led him to think that a factory town like Kenosha could be fertile ground for a spectacular music program?  His answer:  Ralph saw that Kenosha was a city filled with immigrants – Italians and Germans, primarily – and he knew that for many of those families, there was a deeply ingrained appreciation for the fine arts that could serve as the foundation for something truly splendid in music.  And he proved to be absolutely right about that!   And thanks to his impressive track record for bringing in splendid teachers, his assured and sensitive leadership of those teachers, and his effortless rapport with the public,  Ralph managed to build something truly extraordinary.   And although there has been some slight chipping away of what he fought so hard to construct,  much of what he built remains vibrant and strong.

Ralph also mentioned in the interview that at the time he was offered the position in Kenosha, he was a very happy and fulfilled music teacher in Racine – and both he and his family were reluctant to leave such a nice situation – even if the new job and new home would be right down the road.   It was a move that would be emotionally difficult for all of them.   Ralph said that if anything helped convince him that he should take the job, it was when he sat in the audience of Reuther High School’s beautiful auditorium in downtown Kenosha to experience a voice recital by the legendary contralto Marian Anderson.   He talked about what a moving experience it was- and also how impressed he was by that gorgeous performance space, which was far nicer than anything he had seen in Racine.  It was Reuther Auditorium itself that helped convince Ralph Houghton to take the position in Kenosha.    And the rest, as they say, was and is HISTORY.

This coming June 1st will mark the tenth anniversary of Ralph Houghton’s death at the age of 89.  Perhaps it was in anticipation of that anniversary that the decision was made by the school district to rename that aforementioned auditorium as the Ralph Houghton Performance Center-  and a concert this past Saturday night commemorated that renaming in a really beautiful way.  And given the fact that it was this beautiful auditorium that helped convince Ralph to come to Kenosha, what could have been more fitting than to celebrate this life and legacy in that same wonderful space where so many magnificent musical performances have taken place over the years.  The Houghton family put the program together- and there were so many things about it that perfectly embodied who Ralph Houghton was and what was important to him.  It celebrated music …. it celebrated students ….. and it celebrated teachers.   And it was well organized program of reasonable length- just the way Ralph would have wanted it.  He always had a terrific sense of how things should be done ….. not in a fussy,  micro-managing “no, we should use these napkins instead” way, but in a wise, measured, “let’s just be sure that we remember to…” kind of way.  One of his most significant gifts was the gift of understanding people and a very common sense approach to how things should be done.  I saw that played out countless times when I was emceeing performances at the Pennoyer Park Bandshell and various logistical questions would come up.  Ralph always knew what to do- and had this kind, easy-going yet firm way of guiding things to the best solution.   When I think about Ralph Houghton,  I most vividly remember- and most sorely miss- his calm, solid, reassuring presence that made you know that everything was going to be okay.  And I could tell that it was that very same calm practicality that guided the putting together of Saturday’s night program – which in lesser hands could have easily become a bloated 3 hour marathon.   Instead, it was a well-conceived, carefully calibrated program that was also a warm-hearted celebration of music and community.  It was wonderful in every way- just like Ralph Houghton himself.

Ralph’s son David, a former member of the City Council, was responsible for the show’s concept.  Ralph’s son Eric served as the evening’s affable emcee.   And Ralph’s son Steve, a professional percussionist,  lent his drumming brilliance to the opening act of the evening- a performance by the KUSD Alumni Big Band, a group that came together especially for this occasion and who rocked the house in truly spectacular fashion.

Then it was time for the KUSD Madrigal Singers, who are best known for their part in the annual Ye Olde English Christmas Feaste.   The original plan was for Kurt Chalgren, the longtime choral director at Tremper High School and the creator of the Feaste, to introduce the Madrigal Singers …. but unfortunately, he passed away in late March.   Ralph’s grandson John Anderson, the primary organizer of the concert and a former member of the Madrigal Singers, stepped in with a very gracious introduction that acknowledged the member’s of Kurt’s family who were there that night.  As for the singers,  they did a beautiful job both in how they sang and in how they carried themselves.  I’m sure that they made their co-directors … Polly Amborn, John Choi, and Brad Mann …. very proud indeed.

For the orchestral portion of the evening,  we were treated to a rousing performance by Kenosha’s Golden Strings – a strolling ensemble like none other.   And it was thrilling to have the group’s creator, the legendary Stan Nosal, on hand to introduce them and to reminisce about the man who hired him more than fifty years earlier.

The evening finished out with Kathy Ripley and the Tremper High School Wind Ensemble,  whose exciting performance concluded with a piece of music that meant the world to Ralph Houghton and was even played at his funeral, ten years ago- Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever.  The band was introduced by Robert Wells, one of the four men who has succeeded Ralph as fine arts coordinator of the district.  (The others were Larry Simons,  Tim Yontz, and the current coordinator, Scott Plank.)  Bob’s warm remarks about Ralph reminded me of a moving moment from our last interview, when we talked about how the great program that he had built had gone from strength to strength since his retirement- which was only possible because he took great pains to make sure that it wasn’t The Ralph Houghton Show.   It was never about him.  It was always about the kids.  And the teachers.  And the music.

The importance of Saturday’s night concert and the renaming of the Reuther Auditorium was really underscored for me several days earlier when the parent of someone singing on the concert asked me to explain who Ralph Houghton was.  This is a very active and involved parent,  but with absolutely no first-hand knowledge of who Ralph Houghton was or what he had done to help create the music program from which this parent’s child has derived such joy.  It occurred to me that enough years had elapsed that current students and their parents were very unlikely to know the name Ralph Houghton, let alone appreciate his important legacy.   That’s what made this recent gesture by the Kenosha School Board so appropriate- and so necessary.  We need to know the stories of the people who have come before us and who laid the groundwork for the blessings that we enjoy today.  We need to know who built the house in which we live …. and we need to know at least a little of the story of the energy and innovation and wisdom it took to get such a beautiful house built.   And maybe if we are more conscious of the builder’s tireless dedication,  we will do whatever we can to take care of that house,  so it can be passed down to those who come after us.