Honoring a Legacy Through Music

At the Spring Grove Area Middle School Spring Concert, high school student Bryan Myers paid a moving tribute to retiring music teacher

Mrs. Susan Gross, through an original song he composed just for her. Inspired by The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Bryan’s song tells the story of how much Mrs. Gross has given to her students, her school, and the entire community through a lifetime of music.

While the book carries a bittersweet tone, Bryan’s composition takes a more joyful path, celebrating the lasting legacy Mrs. Gross leaves behind after 35 years of service in the Spring Grove Area School District. His music reflects an appreciation for, inspiration from, and the powerful impact a single educator can have on countless lives.

Bryan was joined on stage by fellow student musicians Lucas Buhrman and Julia Tackett, who helped bring the song to life during the concert performance. The tribute was a heartfelt moment in the program, honoring not only Mrs. Gross’s remarkable career but also the enduring connections she fostered through music. A job well done to Bryan for using his impressive talent to compose such a meaningful and original piece.