[Menvi-discuss] A truly instrumental lady

[STEPHANIE PIECK]

Bettye Krolick's monumental contributions to Braille music put her among the true giants of our time.

Her "Dictionary of Braille Music Signs" in two hardcover volumes (from American Printing House) was one of the first books about music I owned--and this even before I was reading the code very well, as I was working my way through the Jenkins Primer and John Thompson's "First Grade Book"--oh, how I HATED that piano book! Anyway, when I could bear those little pieces no more, I spent hours reading and rereading that dictionary, wondering what exactly a "Japanese samissen" felt like, or why Mr. Spanner had to come up with a different way of writing out figured bass.

Often, I looked at the author's name and was in awe of the kind of single-mindedness and dedication to excellence and detail that would make it possible for anyone to write a book on such an obscure topic.

I heard many stories about Mrs. Krolick over the years, and every one of them was positive. Even among those who disagreed with her, there was tremendous respect. How utterly fitting, then, that she would be one of the instrumental people behind codifying the international Braille music code.

I finally met her in person at a conference in California several years ago. She was a consummate lady.

I passed my old dictionary on to another blind musician overseas. Bettye Krolick truly understood the power that education and excellence could bring. She taught many how to transcribe music for the blind, and through them, we as blind musicians or educators have had an ever-expanding repertoire of resources to draw on. Her students continue her tradition of excellence and attention to precision and detail, and through their work, her legacy will continue.

I am absolutely certain that for those who knew her, her strong spirit will continue to serve as a touchstone and a source of inspiration.

For those who never met her, or who only knew her briefly or through the stories of others, may she also serve as an example that encourages us to pursue excellence over a lifetime through determination, passion, perseverance, and an uncompromising demand of the best we have to give. "Just good enough" is sometimes nowhere near good enough.

While Bettye will be deeply missed, she will undoubtedly never be forgotten.

Stephanie Pieck
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