"Those were the good old days." Seems we've all spoken these words at one time or another. For the estimated 600+ musically-inclined students that attended Broad Ripple High School from 1954 through 1982 that were chosen to be Golden Singers, many high school days were "good old days" due to one common thread. That common thread was music teacher extraordinaire, Gene R. Poston (GRP).

Shhh! Don't tell Mr. Poston. A reunion and tribute party is being planned in his honor. The tribute is a secret (he thinks it's just a picnic) and will honor Gene Poston, as well as recognize BRHS music teachers Barbara Mueller and Lucinda Paul. So, if you were a BRHS Golden Singer (or worked backstage or played in the orchestra for the BRHS Golden Singers) during the 28 year Poston era, you are invited and encouraged to join fellow Golden Singers at the Golden Singer Reunion Pitch-in-Picnic/GRP Tribute from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2007. If you would like to attend, please register at www.goldensingers.com.

If you are a BRHS Golden Singer, please take a few minutes to call the Golden Singers that you know and inform them of the website. Current plans are to have a Members Only (including out of town spouses) gathering at a private residence on the north side of Indianapolis. However, if the website response is too significant, a different plan including all spouses and family members at a Broad Ripple Park shelter is possible. The extent of the website response will determine whether all spouses and family members will be included. There is also a possibility of a Friday (September 1) all-spouse and -family gathering at the BRHS auditorium where families would witness the returning Golden Singers once again, performing on stage under the direction of GRP. If interested in attending, please leave your e-mail or other contact information at the website immediately for further information and direction.

Gene R. Poston taught music and headed the Music Department at BRHS for 28 years from 1954-1982. The Golden Singers were the elite mixed singing group who, under Mr. Poston's direction, presented seasonal concerts, major works concerts, musical productions and many outside programs to the Indianapolis community representing BRHS. Mr. Poston has been acknowledged by Indiana music teachers as the Outstanding Hoosier Musician of the Year. Most importantly, Mr. Poston was highly revered for 28 years by his students and their families for his teaching proficiency, motivational aptitude, knowledge of music and theater and true devotion to his students.

In case that you do see this article, Mr. Poston, many thanks to you from all 600+ Golden Singers and music department participants for teaching the music, for the confidence building, for the many life lessons and for composing a piece of the high school experience we'll always remember as "the good old days".