An army of anxious teenagers armed with instruments, music stands and sheet music shuffle their feet on the ground in applause as the queen, dressed in black, steps onto her throne. The air is tense as she takes a last glance at her students around her, worries building in her mind. “Are they paying attention? Have we prepared enough?” But there’s no time to fret. It’s showtime, and all eyes are on her.

Baton in one hand, she then elegantly lifts her arms, causing instruments to rise and bows to sync quietly to their strings. Her arms follow a meticulous dance.

In response, a chorus of violins, violas, cellos and double basses harmonize. Like many times before, she relaxes as the music begins; it’s beautiful.

Orchestra Director Twinda Murry is a musician for life. She chose teaching, and it chose her. But, she never always wanted to teach school orchestra.

When Murry was in college, she initially trained to teach the Suzuki method of teaching, which preaches that musical ability is not innate. Like a language, teaching listening, repetition and imitation can help anyone, especially children, learn how to play an instrument. She aspired to open a Suzuki studio where she would teach kids that were taking private lessons. 

“Then as I got into the Suzuki program, I realized that only kids [whose] parents had some experience to know where to get lessons and had the means to get them lessons and an instrument would be able to participate,” Murry said. “To me, that’s an unfair advantage.”

So, she switched careers. Her first job as a school teacher was spent 11 years at an elementary school in Hazelwood School District, where she later also accepted an opportunity to teach at the high school as well. She then found another opportunity in the Rockwood School District, where she then taught orchestra for 6 years, growing the program in quantity and quality.

“Then at the time, I had two small children and I felt like I needed to step back from the craziness of being an orchestra director,” Mrs. Murry said. “So I quit for a year and the orchestra world came looking for me and that’s how I ended up here in Ladue.”

Although rejecting the initial offer first, Murry agreed to fill in for a Ladue teacher who left before the end of the year, teaching middle and elementary school orchestra part-time. Meanwhile, a friend recommended her for another part-time job at the Holy Trinity Catholic school. 

“Every student in that school had a chance to play violin, which most of them would never ever, ever have that opportunity,” Murry said. “The instruments were owned by the school; most of the kids couldn’t afford to get instruments of their own. So I felt very strongly that this was something that I needed to do.”

Teaching at Holy Trinity brought her incredible experiences, as she had the opportunity to meet numerous wonderful kids and families. However, after 7 years of part-time teaching there and in the Ladue District, the Ladue orchestra program expanded and she received an offer for a full time job. She has spent 18 years total teaching at Ladue, and does not regret it.

“So I had to let the other school go, which is very sad for me,” Murry said. “But again, it was time for a new challenge.”

Through the many years spent with Murry through the orchestra program, sophomore Audrey Raibley believes that Murry is a great conductor and organizer, holding the orchestra together while also adequately preparing everyone for important events like concerts, contests and the annual Kaleidoscope music festival. Her retirement this year wasn’t very surprising considering her many years in teaching, but many were downhearted.

“She’s really good at understanding that we have a lot going on as high schoolers,” Raibley said. “We’re gonna miss her a ton.”

The orchestra’s Associate Director Sarah Heuerman has known her for 3 years and best as her “partner in crime.” As for the person stepping into her role, she believes that Murry’s preparation has set them up for success. However, it’s definitely not pleasant to bid farewell.

“I’m sad because she has a wealth of knowledge,” Heuerman said. “But, I’m also happy that she’s going to have time for herself and more time for projects outside of school.”

Switching jobs this often is definitely not the stability the average person is looking for, yet Murry believes that changes in life are worth it. By opening herself to new opportunities with ambition, she discovered countless new people and memorable experiences.

“Take on something [new], even if it means seeking a new position altogether,” Murry said. “[Try to take on] different schools and different situations, [even] if it just means adding something [new] to what you’re already doing in your current job.”