Longtime music educators Janet Seibel and Bill Fischer have been selected to serve as the grand marshals for Saturday’s Perryville High School homecoming parade.
The day’s homecoming festivities will begin with the parade, which will leave Perryville City Park at 10 a.m. with Mrs. Seibel and Mr. Fischer in the lead. Alumni and the community are invited to attend the Grand Marshal and Distinguished Alumnus Reception, a casual event being held from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Old Senior High School. At 11 am, a brief program will be held to present plaques to the grand marshals and distinguished alumnus plaques, after which refreshments will be served.
Janet Seibel
Seibel spent three decades as a music teacher in District 32 schools, teaching at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She and her late husband Eric, a music educator at District 32 and honored as this year’s Distinguished Alumnus, were married for 37 years. Their daughter Martha is an elementary music specialist at Concordia International School in Shanghai, China.
Seibel, who is originally from Providence, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1980 from Murray State University and a master of arts degree in music education in 1984 from Northeast State University (Truman). She joined the District 32 staff in 1987.
“There are too many good memories from my years at District 32 to name one favorite,” Seibel said. “I have many fond memories of the numerous Christmas programs that I have been involved with. Just to name a few — elementary school Christmas plays that included the entire student body; the City of Perryville Holiday Lighting with the elementary choir; other community Christmas performances for the elementary choir; and the PHS Madrigal Dinner with the elementary choir performing, and all of the years working with wonderful parents, and working behind the scenes of the Madrigal Dinner making sure the dinner and serving runs smoothly.”
After Seibel retired from Perryville Elementary in 2016, she continued volunteering in district schools, including with the annual Madrigal Dinner.
“It is important for me to continue to volunteer in the music department because I want to help students to grow musically and be successful in their musical experiences,” she said. “I also want to make a difference in their lives. It is important today for our youth to see how music can change their lives. Hopefully, I can set a good example and be an influence in their lives. It is fulfilling to see former students who have become successful in a music career. It makes me proud to say, ‘I had them as a student,’ ‘I was their accompanist for contest,’ or ‘he/she did their student teaching with me!’”
In addition to her volunteer work with the district’s music department, Seibel is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, where she is the accompanist for the adult choir and the men's choir, is a member of the bell choir, and chairperson for the stewardship board. She is the substitute organist at Immanuel and sometimes substitutes at other churches in the community. She also plays for weddings and/or funerals when needed and accompanies the Perry County Lutheran Chorale.
PHS choir director Taylor Davis said that Seibel epitomizes a giving educator.
“Janet Seibel is an integral part of the Perry County Music Department,” Ms. Davis said. “She puts her heart into everything she does, whether it be playing the piano for a concert, setting tables for the Madrigal Dinner, donating concert clothes for students in need, or giving feedback to young musicians. She carries herself with the utmost dignity, respect, professionalism, and musicianship. Janet is a blessing to all she encounters. I am honored to have her as my collaborative pianist and, more importantly, my mentor and friend.”
Those who know Seibel know she prefers to remain “behind the scenes.” She was surprised when asked to serve as one of this year’s parade grand marshals.
“To those who nominated me, I say ‘thank you,’” she said. “I am humbled and honored to be selected as a grand marshal. I do what I do because I love students, and I love helping them make music!”
Bill Fischer
Also having taught music at District 32 for 29 years, Fischer has had a career in education spanning 46 years — so far. He attended Northeast Missouri University (Truman), where he earned a bachelor of music education degree. He later attended Webster University, earning a master of arts degree in teaching with an emphasis in counseling. After teaching for two years in central Missouri, Fischer joined the District 32 staff in 1980 and served as the Perryville High School band director. Upon retiring in 2009, he took over the band director position at St. Vincent Schools, where he taught for seven more years.
“I continue to stay very active in the musical life of the community,” he said. “I teach band three days a week between St. Vincent and United in Christ Lutheran School in Frohna and continue to help out the PHS band program when needed.”
Fischer has a lifetime of great memories from his time at PHS.
“It is impossible to choose one favorite memory from 46 years of teaching,” he said. I have so many wonderful and fun memories wrapped up in the trips we took, the marching competitions we did, and all the activities that our students and parents participated in. It really was an extended family for me — a very good one! I was also very fortunate to work with several great staff members — Mr. Seibel, Mrs. Seibel, Mr. Edwards. I did not realize how fortunate I was at the time. Sometimes, when we are busy and working hard, we fail to see what is right in front of us. I thank them.
“Nowadays, in addition to teaching, I really enjoy seeing all the former students in the community who are successful in both their professional and personal lives. And perhaps my favorite thing is when they stop and say hello. I don’t always remember names or faces — please realize that some of my former students are now in their 60s and have changed a little — but I love hearing what they are up to and how they are doing, and I always enjoy a chance to reminisce.”
Fischer is a member of the St. Vincent parish and the Knights of Columbus. He is very active musically in the St. Vincent Church Choir and in the community, volunteering to play music for church services and other activities. He plays a major role in the production of the St. Vincent Musical Variety Show, which showcases great talent from around the community. He is involved with the St. Louis Recorder Society and is a playing member of the Stanhope Quintet, which performs at various functions.
According to Fischer, his family is very important to him.
“My wife Kathy passed away 20 years ago,” he said. “I miss her deeply. But she left me with three wonderful sons, Chris, Zach, and Joel.” Chris and his wife, Chelsea, live in Cleveland and have two young boys. Chris is a sound system engineer and travels on tour with popular music artists. His wife, Chelsea, is a teacher. Zach and his wife Shelley live in St. Charles and have two young children. Zach is a policeman in the St. Charles area, and Shelley works in the parks and recreation field. Joel and his husband Aaron live in the Maplewood area and are both teachers.
“Music is such an important aspect of education,” Fischer said. “It gives students a place to belong; it teaches leadership and problem-solving skills as well as how to be expressive. It is one of those activities that engages both sides of the brain at the same time, thus making kids smarter. In short, music is important for the kids. Teaching band is a big job. The staff and students always need community support, and I guess, above all, it is an activity that I really enjoy. I love to help and be a part of that group.”
PHS band director Jerry Childers noted that Fischer remains an important part of the school’s music program.
“Mr. Fischer is very deserving of the honor of grand marshal of the homecoming parade, he said. “He has made an impact on so many people as a music educator yet remains very humble in his attitude. I’m grateful to call Bill Fischer a great friend and mentor to me in my role as PHS band director.”
Humbled to be chosen to serve as grand marshal, Fischer said, “To any staff or students who were involved in my nomination, I am humbled and honored. Thank you for the memories, and thank you for the support.”
