The Life and Legacy of Don and Nadina Baird: Part 2
A Legacy of Music, Love, Family and Faith
As told by the children of Don and Nadina Baird
The musical heritage of the children of Don and Nadina Baird is truly astounding. Don and Nadina were blessed with three amazing children; Leslie, Steve and Janie. As you read in the previous story, you might recall the memories shared concerning Don and Nadina’s musical background and their immense talent. No doubt that legacy has been passed down to multiple generations.
In the Baird household there was never the expectation that the kids would be in band; the expectation was, “What instrument are you going to play?” It was never a decision they had to make as they always assumed they would get to play an instrument. Band was never forced upon the Baird children, it was something they always wanted to do. Don often said, “Is it a hard decision to choose to eat three meals a day?”, meaning it was not a hard decision to choose band.
Leslie began her journey on clarinet the summer before her sixth grade year when Don brought home a clarinet. He taught her enough to go to band camp, even though she had never played before. Leslie didn’t have to audition and was placed in the lowest band (affectionately called the “Twirler Band” by many). Her clarinet teacher was Eldon Sonnenburg and by the second week Leslie had moved up two chairs. Leslie was also a member of the Texas All-State band her sophomore and senior years. Her junior year she was very sick for three weeks prior to the audition in Lubbock and had hardly gotten out of bed. Don came up to her room and asked her if she was going to audition. He said, “If you don’t try, how do you know you won’t make it?” Leslie threw up in the car on the way down. She did not make the band, but she did try. Leslie went on to attend West Texas State University for her Bachelors and Masters.
Steve, incredibly, made All-State four times on French Horn! He not only made the band but the orchestra as well. He was an exceptionally gifted musician! Steve’s college adventures took him to Texas Christian University on a scholarship. In Nadina’s words, he enjoyed college a little too much and found himself on probation by his third semester. Don made the decision for Steve to move back home to Canyon, go to WT and study music. And, “he was going to like it!” Steve made the Dean’s list after only one semester and earned his Bachelors from WT six years after graduation from high school. His mom said he didn’t skimp on the parties.
Janie began her instrumental journey on oboe. After attending numerous symphony rehearsals in which her parents were playing she decided on the oboe. In seventh grade, Don brought home a reel to reel tape so he and Janie could play trios. He recorded himself playing two parts and Janie would play the third part. Don made reeds for Janie as he had made them for his students in Odessa. They were so good that May & Duncan in Odessa sold them! After hearing Janie practice one day Don went into the next room and told Nadina, “She is going to be good!' Sadly, he passed away during Janie’s 8th grade year and never saw his comment come exceedingly true! He also never knew that she could belt it out on tenor sax in the WT jazz bands. Janie made the All-State Band and Orchestra an incredible three times. She also attended Interlochen in the summer of 1983. Janie received her Bachelors from WT and her Masters from New Mexico State University.
Don was a loving husband, father, friend and teacher. He was the “dad" of the neighborhood with children often knocking on the Baird family door to see if “your dad” could come out and play. They had a basketball goal in their driveway and Don was also known to play sandlot baseball with the neighborhood kids. Don was also popular at band camp dances. Students would always ask the Baird kids if their dad was coming to the dance. The kids loved him!
Leslie, Steve and Janie all went on to have successful careers in teaching and in performing. Leslie taught band, color guard, elementary music and in the elementary classroom. She also plays piano, organ, harp and clarinet. She has been active as an accompanist and in her church music programs. Steve held band directing jobs in Edinburg, Tulia and Canyon before becoming the “road guy” for Jents Music. He returned to Canyon to teach. Steve played lots of gigs on trombone around the area. You knew if Steve was around you were always going to have a good time! It was always a delight having Steve walk through your band hall door. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a joke to leave you in stitches as he left. He was a great friend to all who knew him. He was known to play a mean trombone on jazz gigs in the area. He, sadly, died of a heart attack on January 3, 2011 at the age of 52. Janie enjoyed a 28 year career as a band director, color guard instructor, elementary music teacher and sharing an elementary classroom with her sister, Leslie. Janie was also principal oboe in the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for 27 years. Incidentally, Leslie and Janie were both awarded Outstanding Bandswoman of the WT Band in their respective graduating years.
The Baird household was one of love, laughter and faith. Don was the epitome of a family man. All summers, after band camp, would find the Baird family on a camping trip. Memorable trips included going to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Taos, Canada, South Dakota and Colorado. Camping trips were appealing for the Baird family as there were no phones, radios or television. This time was a sacred time! Don never taught in the summers other than band camp. He used his band camp paycheck for the family vacations. The Baird’s would often gather to play Baroque music on recorders, using wire music stands and often switching parts. Don always played the loudest! Don was very adventurous playing paddleball, golf and racquetball and his motto was always, “Higher and faster!”
Don had purchased a sailboat from clarinet professor Rowie Durden. One particular winter Buffalo Lake had been frozen. Around the first of April the weather was warming up and Don decided to take Leslie and Steve out on the lake. There was still ice floating on the lake and the sailboat would bump up against it. There was absolutely no wind and somehow the boat capsized and they were all scared. Turns out the water was only waist deep! Leslie came home telling her mom they had a great time but asked her, “ What does crap mean? Nadina immediately called out, “Doooooooonnnnnnnnn????”
Don was a man of faith. He was the choir director and Nadina was the organist at the First Christian Church in Canyon. Don suffered his first heart attack on January 13, 1972. Six days later he had a quadruple bypass, a new surgery that they had never heard of before then. He endured a long recovery. Upon returning to church he told the congregation he wanted to give his testimony. He told the congregation, “When you pray for me I feel it!” As he spoke, Leslie, who was 17 and in the choir, was sobbing. When church was over and the choir members were changing out of their robes, a fellow choir member approached Leslie, took her by the shoulder and said, “Don’t be ashamed to cry because that man is worth crying for!”
Don led his family with love and faith and by example. He imparted the joy of living and modeling a good marriage. Both of his daughters made sure they married a man with the qualities Don had. He always interacted with kindness, humor and was always smiling. He could be heard in the halls of the music department whistling and twirling his keys. He wanted everyone to be their very best and live up to their potential. He was never arrogant and always uplifted people. He interacted with those he knew with kindness. He deeply cared about every student. He was the ultimate professional and always had a great attitude. He exhibited the impact of teaching through music. He wanted those he knew to try to be the best they could be and to reach their potential.
These are lessons that Don’s family have taken along with them through life and imparted to hundreds of students and their own children and grandchildren. These are the lessons his students have taken with them. These are the lessons those of us who never knew him can learn and live by. An extraordinary legacy from an extraordinary man!
Stay tuned for Part 3. An interview with Don and Nadina’s son-in-laws, Russ Blanchard and Anthony Sanchez, along with more words of wisdom and life lessons from Mr. Baird.
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Both articles were extremely well done. My memories of the Baird Family are Sweet!! I look forward to the follow up article. Be Blessed!!