Albert Norcia

The first day of school, Mr. Norcia said, “I like to paraphrase Will Rogers, who said “I never met a man I didn't like.' by saying 'I never met a student I didn't like.'” He sure lived that.

His were the happiest classes in Babcock Jr. High, in chorus class. I remember in particular our singing Lochinvar, “con brio.” We could let it all hang out in that auditorium.

You know what our first homework from him was? We were to go home and when we lay down in the bed, we had to lie on our backs and put our hands on our stomachs..... and breathe. (Boy that was a tough one!) Breathe like a baby, from the belly. That's where we sing from.

You know I still do. It starts from a big, strong diaphragm, and every note ends with an “ung” (as in “Laaah-ng”)