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I attended a funeral today that got me thinking about musical lineages. Doris Hoffman, choir and bell director at the Flushing United Methodist Church for 33 years, died at the age of 92. We celebrated her life today at a service that included the Centrum Choir comprised of 23 current and former members, the choir that for the past five years I have been privileged to direct.

Much was stated about Doris’ musical ability, her attention to detail, her rather strict rehearsal etiquette that inspired respect from the members, as well as the fact that she made wonderful pies and was a gracious hostess when she entertained the choir and bell members in her home. David Priestap was organist for a number of years at FUMC while Doris was director. He spoke of her musical influence that allowed him to grow as a choir director. David was the choral director at Swartz Creek High School while I was a student there. I never sang in his choirs—I was a band geek at the time—but I heard and enjoyed them many times, and my Brother 2 Brother singing partner, Richard Kerry Thompson, was a student of David Priestap. Swartz Creek Center Stage, under the direction of Richard’s mother, Katie, has seen a number of the Thomspon clan and many other students influenced by David Priestap in its productions. I have been fortunate to serve as music director for a number of these productions. So part of Doris Hoffman lives on, through David Priestap, in Center Stage, in many SCHS choir graduates, and in Brother 2 Brother.

Doris’ daughter, Christie Dover, continues the legacy begun by her mother at Flushing UMC and has added her own gifts over many years of service as organist, Praise Chorus, and Praise Band director. It has been a joy to collaborate with her, as a musical colleague and as a friend, at the church and in Center Stage productions. In her quiet way, and with a style that leaves little room for nonsense—probably similar to her mother’s—Christie has helped to mold me into the musician I am today. Part of Doris lives on through Christie in the hymns, praise songs, and anthems of the church music ensembles.

Over my years of directing at Flushing UMC, I have heard stories from choir and handbell members who have sung and rung under Doris’ direction. They speak fondly of her gifts and how much she taught them. This is evidenced in the quality of music they are able to offer today. I can build on a solid foundation laid by a gifted musician and devoted Christ-follower. Music, for Doris, was not for the glory of self, but the glory of God. Music was a gift, an offering to God, and, as such, was to be the best that could be offered. This theology of bringing the best continues in the ethos of those who sing and those who ring today. The rehearsals may be less serious—due to the nature of the current director—but the desire for excellence remains a standard. Part of Doris lives on in the members of the music program.

 I was only blessed to meet Doris a couple times. By the time I began at Flushing, she had retired and was in failing health. Her lineage, however, has had a direct impact because it has impacted others who have, in turn, impacted me. I owe a debt of gratitude to Doris Hoffman for shaping me into the person and musician I am today. This begs the question of what kind of personal and musical influence I am on others. I hope, at least in part, that I can be like Doris. I hope, when people look back on my life, that they will say I helped to shape their love of music. I also hope that when people experience the music that comes through me, they also catch—if only in a small way—a glimpse of God, for I believe that the Divine resides at the heart of beauty and of love that epitomizes great music. Then Doris, and all the musicians who have gone before her, will continue to live on through my generation and the generations to follow. The lineage will be unbroken.