For 36 years Delaina Oberman inspired students at the Flint School of Performing Arts to march to the beat of their own drum (though she often quipped that they are “percussionists, not drummers!”). And each of the young percussionists she mentored would agree that she taught them much more than music. She prepared them for the rhythm of life.
“She was always a presence

in my life,” says Alyssa Smith, Delaina’s former student and colleague. “My parents have even joked that she had as much impact raising me as they did. She influenced every part of our life experience and the way we approach things, even outside of music.”

Her colleagues, too, reveled in Delaina’s generous spirit and love of her craft. “As a colleague, she was a consummate pro, always prepared and ready to contribute. As a friend, she was loyal to a fault. If you needed her, she would be there, no questions asked,” reflects Dr. Townes Miller, Delaina’s close friend and colleague.

Miller was one of few by Delaina’s side in her final days, along with Delaina’s best friend of 25 years, Kathleen Sheehy. “She seemed to always know when I needed help and was always there,” says Sheehy. “Delaina loved people and took time to know them, their struggles and likes. She took time — isn’t that the most precious gift?”

“Did you know that since I arrived in Flint in 2010, Delaina never missed any of my concerts. Even if it meant she had to reschedule her students, she was there in the audience — or better yet, we were on stage together,” adds Miller, a music professor at Mott Community College. “She never once complained about the unseen work of rescheduling; she just
did it.”

“Reschedule” is the key word, though, not “cancel.” Delaina’s concern for her students and the consistency of their education was vital, and she worked tirelessly to support them. “For her students, she was a role model. Someone they could look up to but also confide in. Her students were her life’s mission,” says Miller.

“She was a force,” adds Smith, who was inspired by Delaina to pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music. “You could always tell that she cared about her students. She cared about their learning. And she cared
about them.”

If there was ever any question that her students cared for her in return, their overwhelming presence at Delaina’s funeral in March would have answered it. Students she amassed over nearly 40 years of teaching, along with a lifetime of friends and colleagues, showed up in droves to pay their respects. And each would likely agree with Miller that her unexpected passing did not leave time to prepare a proper goodbye. “She left us far too soon,” says Miller. “There is still so much that can be said through music.”

That’s why Miller and Smith, along with former colleague and student Rob Krantz assembled a committee to organize a fitting farewell, including a musical celebration proportional to her impact.

On August 2 and 3, the committee will host a Legacy Celebration for Delaina at FIM J. Dallas Dort Music Center. Not only is the event an opportunity for a lifetime of friends and students to gather in Delaina’s memory, but it will showcase two new percussion pieces commissioned to honor her into the future.

The weekend of memories and music-making will kick off on Friday, August 2 with an alumni gathering and an afternoon of rehearsals for the newly commissioned works, which will be performed by Delaina’s former students and colleagues. The celebration and performances will take place on Saturday and are open to all who wish to attend.

One of the new pieces, a percussion ensemble for intermediate or advanced players, was composed by Delaina’s own Montrose High School band director, Mack Pittard. “I spent some time reflecting on what Delaina was like as a person and a student,” says Pittard, “and I conjured a piece that was both serious and humorous, like her.”

The most important part of the process was choosing the right title, he admits. The sextet for marimba and vibraphone is titled, “Staying Out of Trouble,” in homage to one of Delaina’s favorite sendoffs — “Stay out of trouble!” she’d often say in addition to her goodbyes.

The second new work, a collection of five percussion solos for beginner or intermediate level, was commissioned to Nathan Daughtrey, a favorite composer of Delaina’s during her time directing the Exclamation! percussion ensemble at FSPA.

“We’d love it if the pieces were published and available to future generations of students,” says Smith of Daughtrey’s solo collection. “There is not a lot of multi-percussion music composed for this level and it would be such a gift to fill this gap in the current repertoire.” The gift to future musicians would also be a final gift for this special teacher.

“My hope is to continue Delaina’s legacy through music. By commissioning a work in her memory, it will ensure that percussionists will ask ‘who was she?’” says Miller. “Delaina will continue to influence future percussion students and teachers.”

In addition to new repertoire, Delaina will also continue to influence future FSPA percussionists through a new scholarship fund named in her honor.

All those who knew and loved Delaina are invited to commemorate her at the event in August, where Smith is most looking forward to gathering with fellow students who shared a special bond with their former teacher and each other.

“There have been so many friendships formed because of her,” Smith says. “I am still close to many friends because of our time together in percussion ensembles. We bonded because of Delaina, and it will be such a nice way to honor her; spending time together making music and talking about memories.

“She wanted to make sure that music would not only be part of our lives,
but that we would truly appreciate it,” she says.

FIM looks forward to joining in the celebration as we continue to cherish the many years Delaina chose to spend with us. Her presence in our halls will be missed for years to come.