PHS delivers final tribute to former band director; new song to bring new traditions

PERRYVILLE, Mo., (KBSI)- The final piece to a touching tribute for former band director Eric Seibel,

“You know, you just can’t replace…there’s a hole, and tonight was, is very emotional, but very rewarding.” Says, Bill Fischer.

Hundreds of students past and present, families and friends who knew and loved former band director Eric Seibel gathered together to hear for the first time, a song written for and about the beloved music instructor.

The song ‘Good Morning’ was commissioned from donations to the band after Seibel passed away in June of 2023, leaving behind a legacy and many who loved him.

Jerry Childers, band director for Perryville High School, took great care in finding a way in preserving Seibel’s memory.

Childer’s says, “He really cared about the kids, he loved being around the students even after retiring and all.”

‘Good Morning’ was composed by Dr. John Prescott, who is a professor at Missouri State University, he intertwined two of Seibel’s favorite pieces, the school fight song and ‘Lord Thee I Love with All My Heart’.

“I could tell that this needed to be kind of a heroic piece in many ways.”

Seibel was known for his way of greeting people, no matter the time of day, with a hearty ‘Good Morning!’ for which the song received its title.

Childers says, “When I think of ‘Good Morning’ I think of a new day, a new start.”

Eric Seibel worked for the school district alongside Bill Fischer for nearly thirty years. Creating a brotherly type of bond between the two of them.

“We worked together for thirty years, and we shared the joy and frustration of teaching.”

Mr. Fischer shared the good–

“Mr. Seibel had many talents, one of them was, driving a bus, and if you ever rode on a bus with Mr. Seibel, you knew he was a sensational curb jumper.”

And the hard times when it came to his time spent with Mr. Seibel–

“When my wife was very ill in the hospital, up in St. Louis, I never had to worry about a sub or lesson plans, he just took care of it. What he didn’t tell me, was that he was also having major health issues with his kidneys, he never told me, I think he figured I had enough on my plate, it was something I could never repay. So, I tried to pay it forward.”

Mr. Fischer encourages everyone who knew Mr. Seibel to pay the same kindness forward.

Jerry Childers is now hoping the new composition will be able to make an appearance at graduation time for years to come.

Something Perryville High Principal, Shadrick Shafer appreciates as well, he says, “This is just another opportunity for the community of Perry County, and the educators to show how invested we are in our future, with our kids, it’s not just about academics and sports, the fine arts touch kids in a way that’s kind of indescribable sometimes, and to get to experience that together is amazing.”

Mr. Seibel’s wife, Janet Seibel says she is incredibly moved by the song and the devotion everyone has shown him.

The district hopes the song will be well known among students and alum.