“Miss” Nonnie’s house of music

It was “Miss” Nonie Vincent who taught a couple of generations of children to play the piano in the small town of Barnwell from the late 1930s until the mid-1960s. Perhaps her students’ love of music was birthed in the very house ­located at the current address of 290 Main Street.

Those of us who grew up in our hometown were purely lucky; our memories remain real. Everyone was most welcome to partake of the study of music which was “a gift” that could be compared with sports “at the keyboard!” This teacher was always supportive while encouraging students to explore, experience, and express this enrichment which was accessible and ­affordable.

Please join me in honoring the memory of the late Mrs. Leonora (“Miss” Nonie) Best Vincent as one of Barnwell’s professionals who greatly influenced children and young adults for a couple of generations with her own personal talents coupled with her positive outlook. It was she who detected her students’ underlying talents and spurred them onward to achieve success far beyond their wildest dreams.

This writing will impart to you, our readers, a style visibly resembling the workings of a patchwork quilt. Sadly, several of these entries were obtained from obituary listings, yet completely worthy of being recognized. Hopefully, the end result will convince you that Barnwell’s “Miss” Nonie was a treasure beyond compare, a lady to be acknowledged, admired, appreciated, and certainly to be remembered . . . in writing for the very first time.

Thinking back, my sister, the late Etta Holland Mixon, two years and two months my senior, began taking piano lessons from “Miss” Nonie when she was a second grader. I never heard her complain about having to practice because she seemed to be quite comfortable sitting on the piano bench hours on end. Following high school, Etta’s time at the keyboard was for her pleasure only. Then, in her seventies, her interest in piano peaked once more when asking Barnwell’s Kaye Pattillo to give her ­piano lessons. It was delightful to park in her driveway hearing “Shall We Gather at the River” sounding forth from Freddy’s office. Somehow, she thought that playing once again would make her best friend Tibby happy, too. Etta passed away October 10, 2021, forever missed and loved by her former first grade students plus countless friends in Barnwell and at the river.

Piano lessons with “Miss” Nonie prepared these young children for life itself in many ways. Each learned the importance of being punctual. Priscilla Rountree Heiting recently told me that when she was a little behind time leaving home, she peddled her bicycle just as fast as she could. There was “Miss” Nonie already standing at the front door awaiting her arrival. This girl’s bike literally kissed the ground because there was no time to use the kickstand! She had made it, but was out of breath.

The late John Perry (Sonny) Reed appeared to be a natural at the keyboard early on. We all noticed that he had lots of rhythm, and he loved hearing his teacher say the word pronounced “gawjuss.” In “Miss” Nonie’s piano recitals, he and Winston Morris would perform dueling ­pianos across from Sylvia Hogg and Paula Ruth Rountree. Baby grand pianos from Augusta, Ga., were furnished for such recitals. During his high school years, Sonny was often found at the piano for various musical undertakings. Later on, he and Kay Carter would travel to ­Columbia College for ­organ lessons from Tibby Plyler. Having graduated from Barnwell High School (BHS)in 1959, piano was his ­chosen profession. He received his undergraduate work at Anderson College and the University of South Carolina. Later, Sonny received his master of church music degree from Erskine Theological Seminary. He taught music and drama in the Barnwell public schools, as well as, Hammond Academy in Columbia. Our friend taught piano and church music for many years at Anderson University. Sonny was the organist in several churches while lastly at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Walhalla he was a founding member and teacher at the Oconee Conservatory of Fine Arts. Our friend is remembered for his quiet, quick wit, pleasing personality, being a great dancer and always the best dresser. Our “Sonny” graduated to heaven November 12, 2021.

So, quite a few youngsters purposefully arrived a bit early for their lessons hoping to secure a seat in the swing on the front porch. John Mole refused to change his lesson schedule simply because he looked forward to seeing that pretty girl, Ann Christopher, whose piano lesson was an hour before his. At any rate, arriving early may allow you to meet someone outside of Barnwell, and perhaps make new friends. In its day, this was socializing at its finest!

Sylvia Hogg Gilmore offered this info. “At this particular piano recital, I had to memorize a piece that was eight pages long. Having presented the first two pages, my mind went totally blank. I sat there, I stood, bowed and left the stage. ‘Miss’ Nonie was upset. Yet, who was overcome with laughter? Winston Morris. There he was laughing his head off while sitting on the steps at the back door of the auditorium.” According to Sylvia, Winston was laughing uncontrollably when he dared her to go back on that stage.

Regaining her composure, while turning on her heels, this young girl took the dare and rendered the performance of her life without a hitch. Not one mistake was made. In the audience, Barnwell’s band director, Loy Wagner, was seated next to Sylvia’s parents, James and Ethel Hogg. Above the resounding applause from the audience, they heard Mr. Wagner exclaim, “That girl of yours has real guts!” “Miss” Nonie had gifted her students to be liberated; to express themselves. In this case, it paid off! Sylvia graduated from BHS in 1959 and entered the field of education. She currently resides in North Carolina.

Milton Turner was kind enough to furnish the following: “When I was a little boy starting school, my parents thought that I might like to take piano lessons. I agreed to do so. They did not want me to take less than three years. ”Miss” Nonie was the piano teacher.

“She was (had to be) very patient with me. I did learn basic music to be able to understand how things are put together. I got to where I was thinking for a boy taking piano lessons was like a sissy, so I balked many times during my lessons. However, I guess I learned despite my bad attitude before the end of my third year. I remember a recital where I had to play Schubert’s Serenade, a beautiful piano piece. I guess I passed the test. I also played Hungarian Rhapsody; that was harder for me.

My musical background with “Miss” Nonie allowed me to join the band for six years under Loy Wagner. Her patience and teaching me ­music led me to enjoy music all of my life, which I still do. With an older sister (about 5 years) playing the piano, I learned to enjoy classical music from the world’s musical artists.” Milton graduated from Barnwell High School in 1960 and pursued a career in sales: medical, commercial radio, etc. Milt and his wife Rachel have resided in Charleston since 1979.

Winston Morris graciously submitted the following: “Well, I don’t know whether to thank or blame ‘Miss’ ­Nonie for my being in the ­music business for over 60 years total now. I left BHS in 1959, been teaching ever since even as an undergraduate working with high school kids.”

There was a little store (Mr. Croft’s) on Franklin Street across from “Miss” Nonie’s, and I always tried to get to my piano lessons early so I could pop in the store and grab a penny candy treat of some kind. Then, I liked sitting on her porch in nice weather or in the living room in the fall/winter.

I started piano lessons with her in the second grade and continued through high school. I think I did receive more than one “knuckle slap” with the ruler when I messed up. My appreciation of all music styles goes back to learning “Bumble Boogie” to “Warshaw concerto.” “Miss” Nonie was, as they say, one of a kind.

“On any subsequent visits to Barnwell and driving by her house always produces a huge smile. I am smiling now, more than 60 years after my last lesson with her, just remembering her.”

R. Winston Morris retired July 31, 2022, as professor of music, emeritus at Tennessee Tech University.

Just for the record, I asked Winston how many times his tuba ensemble played at Carnegie Hall. Guess he can’t count that high ‘cause he emailed me a recording of their appearance on PBS. Winston’s musical accomplishments have been acknowledged worldwide yet he remains the same ole friend from Marlboro Aven­ue. My fondest memories remain of his returning home to honor his mother, Evelyn Morris, with several concerts. Winston and his wife Ellen currently reside in Cooke­ville, Tennessee.

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Webb also became a student of “Miss” Nonie at an early age. Here, like fellow students, she was taught and allowed to “explore,” “experience” and to “express” herself through her music. Her piano lessons continued until she graduated from BHS in 1958. Following her graduation from Furman University, Gwen received her master’s degree from USC and was an educator her entire career in Salley and Ridge Spring. Gwen also taught in summer school to educate the children of Ridge Spring’s seasonal workers. She was an active church member and Bible study leader. After her retirement as a teacher, she continued her ministry as a music leader at Oak Grove Baptist Church and then at Mt. Ebal Baptist Church. Our friend passed away December 24, 2021, yet her love of music lives on through her students.

Sylvia Jo (Tibby) Plyler to this day holds so much love and appreciation for the opportunities given to the children of Barnwell in their growing up years. Over and over, Tibby expresses her gratitude for “the gift” of being able to learn piano and life lessons when children are young and encouraged to perhaps “pay attention,” focus. There was always a feeling of support and encouragement from, not only “Miss” Nonie, but also from the entire community. This gift of enrichment possibly holds former students spellbound to this very day. We call it “being blessed.”

Tibby and my sister Etta were the very best of friends, so I can’t remember when Tibby wasn’t seated at the piano. Her parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Allen P. Plyler, longtime residents of Barnwell. According to her, when she heard their next-door neighbor Georgia Foy playing the piano, this young girl decided that was what she wanted to be able to do. And she did. Tibby served as an accompanist for the Barnwell High School chorus under the direction of Susan Barnwell’s 70-voice chorus until she became a BHS grad of the class of ‘57.

In 1961, Tibby graduated from Columbia College with a bachelor’s degree in piano and organ pedagogy. Leaving Columbia, she went to Cincinnati earning her master’s of music degree in organ performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1963. Her musical accomplishments are far reaching as a professor of opera and vocal accompaniment. According to Etta, Tibby has mastered several languages in order to instruct/accompany the artists. Today, Tibby resides in Cincinnati.

Last, but certainly not least, we offer a tip of the hat to one of “Miss” Nonie’s most deserving students, Kay Carter, daughter of the late Ralph and Verna Mae Carter. From birth, it was quite apparent that this baby had a birth defect, but not a disability. I mention this info because this fact never once hampered this girl’s capabilities, nor did it dampen her spirits. At an early age, Kay, too, began taking piano lessons from “Miss” Nonie.

Kay was recognized as an outstanding student who became a BHS grad in 1961. Later, she graduated from Columbia College and received a master’s in music from the University of South Carolina. Kay enjoyed a lengthy career of teaching music and serving as the choral director at Chapin High School. For many years, this lady was the organist at Chapin United Methodist Church. She was active in the community and served as musical director for organizations including Workshop Theatre. Kay is remembered for her musical talent and her wonderful sense of humor. Kay Carter Pagett passed away November 18, 2016.

Barnwell’s “Miss” Nonie furnished the youth of this small town a welcoming, afford­able opportunity to explore, to stimulate responsibility, to be exposed to the newness the world had to ­offer, to experience the wonders of learning, and to express themselves with the freedom of a child. All too often the student is only ­eager to please their teacher. However, the student must be taught and encouraged to be liberated, to master self-expression.

Thank you for joining this writer in becoming aware of the enormous difference this one lady, Mrs. Leonora (“Miss” Nonie) Best Vincent, made in the lives of many. She was laid to rest in 1985. Some six decades ago, I took a course in music appreciation. So, now I know, and I appreciate.