It was another "things to wake you up on the job" moment for me today at Ellis Piano when this very sweet, humble lady came back to the music counter and said, "Hi, I'm Martha Mier!" I was speechless for several seconds then shouted, "Are you serious?!" Well, I knew she was because I recognized her face after a few seconds. I walked out from behind the counter so that I could run over and give her a great big hug.
Martha Mier is a world-renowned composer of educational piano music and needs no introduction to the piano pedagogy world. I have sold and taught her music for many years; in fact, I had just put a batch of her books out on the shelf to sell not too long before she entered our store this morning.
To help you understand how important she is to music education, this would be like Nick Saban popping in unannounced to watch your high school football team practice. As one Birmingham piano teacher said, "She is the queen!" If her name is on the cover of the composition, teachers will buy it without even checking out the music itself.
Martha just happened to be in the area today with her daughter-in-law and decided to pay us a visit. She said she has fond memories of Ellis Piano from when she came and did a teacher's workshop many years ago, before my time here.
Martha also told me that she had officially retired from composing and teaching, but still loves to get out and and interact with people. Her warm, friendly personality is part of the reason she has always been such a huge success in her field and loved by so many.
I was serious when I told her that her surprise visit had made my whole month! It was also a thrill to have her take a look at MY compositions and say, "Let's get a picture of me holding YOUR music!" I was honored and most happy to oblige as she showed off my elementary piano piece called "The Squeaky-Squawky Carousel."
As the lyrics from the 1981song by John Denver state, "Some days are diamonds, some days are stone." Today was definitely a diamond day!
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