In Memory Of Cue Herndon

Oct

In Memory Of Cue Herndon

Posted on October 11th, 2007 in Life and Family, Music by Fred McKinnon

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Hey Everyone -

This week I heard of the passing of a wonderful lady who has influenced my life in tremendous ways. Her name was Cue Herndon, and she was from my hometown, McRae, GA.

How was “Misses Herndon” (Mrs. Robert Herndon, mind you) such an incredible impact on me? Well, maybe she’s impacted your life in a way you didn’t realize. If you have been blessed by the music that comes from my hands, you’ve felt the touch of Cue Herndon. Cue was my piano teacher. From 1st Grade through my Senior year of High School. She was the organist for First United Methodist Church in McRae, GA for as long as I remember. She taught me how to play hymns. She let me play piano in church.

That’s right – a dozen years of pouring into me. Most kids don’t survive piano lessons very long. I didn’t just survive. I loved it. Truth be told, I didn’t always practice what I was “supposed to”. Now that I’ve taught piano lessons “off and on” for years … I’m often amused that today’s kids use the same tricks and tactics I used to explain away why they didn’t practice, or to “trick” us into thinking we don’t understand the music.

I have three specific memories of Cue that mark me the most:

1. her saying I was too young, but accepting me anyway just out of Kindergarten. I started just a couple of weeks before the recital, so my task was to hand out programs. My next recital was the infamous “Windshield Wiper Rock”, which with half of my teeth gone in my mouth, I pronounced (with much gusto and pride, I might add) “I shall play … Win-Shiper Rock” … and I didn’t understand why that fellowship hall laughed so loud. Seems like we were in the “Fellowship Hall” because the church had burned.

2. her saying that the “Prelude in C#m by Rachmaninoff” was too difficult for me. I don’t know if this was “strategy” or not, but I went home and learned it over the Summer, and later played it at my audition for Georgia Southern University where I not only was accepted into the School of Music, but was given a Scholarship.

3. with no doubt, my fondest memory is the incredible treat that Cue gave us once per year … maybe TWICE if we were REALLY LUCKY. She’d play the Widor. The what? The Widor Toccata on the pipe organ. Nobody played the Widor like Cue. Nobody. She wasn’t afraid to pull ALL THE STOPS and let it rip on the end. For many years, I was the lucky kid who got to sit by her on that wooden organ bench, feet dangling, and turn the pages. When it was Widor time, it was serious. Those fingers flew like fire. Her stern stare on those pages and quick nod of the head meant “turn that page now!”.

Cue didn’t fit the mold of the stereotype piano teacher. She didn’t beat your hand with a ruler. I don’t remember her losing her temper. She was soft spoken and gentle. I understand that after I left for college she eventually changed her method and begin teaching some “group” lessons in a studio. I’m so glad I got the 1-on-1 time at that grand piano.

I’d like to compose a tribute. We’ll see if that will happen. But for now my tribute is this. The Widor Tocatta. Not sure who the artist is, it’s from some Bridal Collection.

Condition of Listening:
You cannot … absolutely CANNOT listen to this piece quietly. You MUST turn up your volume, or just don’t waste my time. (grin).

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Cue Temple Herndon -MCRAE- Funeral services for Cue Herndon will be at 11A.M., Friday at McRae United Methodist Church with burial in Telfair Memorial Gardens. Visitation 6:00 to 9:00 P.M., Thursday. -Contributions: McRae United Methodist Church Piano Fund, P.O. Box 8, McRae, GA 31055. -Vaughn Funeral Home of McRae has charge of arrangements. Published in The Telegraph on 10/11/2007.

Did you know Cue? Someone like her? Share your story.
Fred

Daddy

I listened! And when my eyes started “sweating” I didn’t try to stop it. Our community has lost a lovely, gifted lady – a lady in the true sense of the word! We’ll all miss her tremendously! By the way, did you know she helped me as I was writing my thesis by reading and correcting my verbage?
Sis

I’ll have to confess that I had tears even before I got to the Widor, but listening to that and seeing in my mind’s eye Cue Herndon’s head bobbing up and down and those focused eyes… well, let’s just say I had to reach for the kleenex box! Thanks for putting this out there, Fred. And thank you, God, for the life of Cue Herndon. May she rest wtih you in Heaven!
http://fortcarolinechristianchurch.com/Default.aspx FreedbyJC

Our condolences are with you and her family…

Never met her but I love her through the love you have expressed in your words and in your music. Your gifts honor her teaching …she sings – and plays with the angels.

Although she will be missed, her spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of her students and those blessed enough to hear them play.

You’re so right …the Widor is a perfect tribute.

Thank you for sharing your memories of this special lady with us…
Teressa Jackson

I had the honor of knowing “Misses” Herndon. Her music came from her soul, placed there as a gift from God. Her love of books and children were gifts as well.

The last time I saw Miss Cue was years ago when we were in grad classes at GC. I was pregnant and she treated me like a mother hen. Not a surprise, as she was such a sweet and loving person.

Happy Homecoming, Misses Cue!
http://www.fredmckinnon.com Fred McKinnon

Dad, I had no idea – but not surprised. She was a true servant.

Susan (Sis) – glad it stirred you, as it did me. What a heritage we have. How blessed we are, DAD …. to have parents who brought us up in church, with those memories.

FreedbyJC – thanks for your words. Knowing you’ve loved the music means you loved her heart and what she did. God bless you.
http://www.fredmckinnon.com Fred McKinnon

Teressa,
Thanks for the post … awesome to hear from another person out there in “blog world” that was impacted as well!

Fred
Mom

Thank you, Fred, for taking advantage of your wonderful memory ability and taking me down ‘memory lane’ this morning! Don’t know if you knew this or not but I remember that Cue grew up in Hartwell, GA – where Boom-Pa was born and grew up! The Widor is a piece to hold on to, for sure.
Robert McKinnon

Fred, I have thought about that piece for years and never knew a recording was out there. I forgot how powerful it was. A warning, though: if you knew Miss Cue, don’t listen to this at work! It was a little embarrassing when I was seen with wet cheeks! I will never forget her.
I had not heard she was gone, but (sniff) I’ll bet the first thing the Lord asked of her was to play.
Robert McKinnon

Forgot to mention that I don’t think you’ll have a hard time coming up with a tribute to her. I know your heart has always been full towards her. Thanks again!
http://ordinary-radical.blogspot.com russ

Beautiful tribute post and what an intense toccata! I can imagine Cue, even though I’ve never seen nor met her. Thanks for sharing your memories!

Looking forward to hearing your composed tribute, Fred.
Celese McKinnon

Fred,

Thanks for taking the time to do this. We need to slow down and remember the people that have had an impact on our lives. Cue was someone that is supposed to be playing the piano and the organ at our church forever.
She will be missed so much but she will live in our hearts forever.
Diana Stanley Smith

Fred,
Wonderful tribute! I was blessed to be able to hear Cue almost every Sunday since I can remember until she became sick. She was a truly patient, loving and gifted person. I will miss her! Keep up your work. You are spreading her legacy in all you do!
Diana Stanley Smith
http://4whatitsworth.wordpress.com/ Shannon Lewis

I’m sorry to hear of your loss. She sounds like a great person, and I loved reading it. I wonder, as an organist, if she ever tipped you off on some old “George Weckman” vinyl? He recorded a slew of organ records back in the 60′s that were at one time fairly popular.

Anyway, I hope you’re dealing with this well, and I look forward to seeing and hearing you tonight!
Sandy Bennett

This memorial tribute is a wonderful way to celebrate her life, and it was a life worth celebrating.

My first remembrance of Cue is when she played the piano for our youth choir at McRae UMC, “The Good News Singers”. Her life was a life of service. She played for the “Gospel Reflections” which I was blessed to be a part of. I wonder how many knew that she was a wonderful seamstress. She made our matching outfits for our debut performance. Later, I was blessed to have Cue play for the youth choir, “Friends Inc” that was formed in 1990. Cue was a part of McRae UMC’s first choir tour. I also was honored to play each Sunday for McRae UMC, Cue at the organ and me at the piano. She was an icon at McRae UMC.
The most wonderful thing for me as a musician was I could just show up to sing and be fully confident that Cue was prepared. And she always was.

I write this at the time of her Memorial Service and my thoughts go to the countless funerals that I sat on the steps beside the organ and sang as Cue played. I remember a funeral that we did when a rain/lightening storm occurred. “Because He Lives” was the song. At the end of the 2nd verse the power flickered. The organ powered down. We never missed a beat. I continued to sing the 3rd verse as Cue frantically reprogramed the organ. I’m not sure I have ever seen her move as quickly as she did to reset the organ, but somehow she did. When I got to the chorus, Cue picked right back up at the organ and played with enthusiam and pride with a bit of relief. At the end of the song we both just looked at each other and sighed a huge relief. One would have thought that was our plan all along. When the organ stopped and the vocal continued I think it is much like our passing in death. There’s a quiet presence when we leave here. When we got to the chorus and Cue resumed at the organ one could hear all of heaven rejoicing and celebrating the life that had come home. Today I hear all of heaven celebrating and rejoicing. Without a doubt Cue Herndon’s life here and in eternity is a life worth celebrating. I will miss my friend.

Fred, I shared with Robert last night that you had established this tribute. I also sent him the web address. He was so blessed and honored that you did this for his beloved Cue. Thank you for allowing all of us to honor her memory.
http://www.fredmckinnon.com Fred McKinnon

Sandy,

Thanks so much for this wonderful tribute. I appreciate your telling Mr. H about it, and I think Celese mentioned it, too. Hopefully he’ll be able to take some time and read not only my remarks, but yours and so many others. I’ve gotten emails from several people in McRae that I’ve not heard from since I left, so I’m assuming that people must be “hearing” about this site and the tribute. I’m happy about that – the more people that know, the more people that can post their own “remembrance”.

Great hearing from you!
Fred
Kim Bronw

Fred,
This is a beautiful tribute. I myself can still hear her fingers making beautiful music. I don’t think I have heard her play since my wedding day. She was a blessing to so many and will be sadly missed. Thanks for keeping her memory alive.

Kim
http://billychia.com Billy Chia

Yeah man, I cranked to organ. It was tight.
Vicki Howard Hussey

Fred,
I only took piano from Miss Cue for a short time. During that time, she tried desperately to UNDO what another teacher had instilled in me. By that, I mean the other teacher was not quiet as precise with her teaching methods as Miss Cue. But thru her patience and kindness, I relearned things the correct way. The one memory that sticks out in my mind about that time is of a Christmas recital. And for those of you who do not know what kind of person Miss Cue was, this may help. I think I was in 4th or 5th grade and VERY shy. My piece for the recital was the last one to be played and was a medley of Christmas music including “We wish you a merry Christmas” among other excerpts. When I went up to that Grand Piano and sat down,…my mind went blank. I placed my fingers on the keys and promptly hit the WRONG keys. I did this not once, not twice but three times. By this time, I just wanted the floor to open up and eat me alive. As I became very embarrassed and frustrated with myself, I saw this head peaking at me over the railing around the piano with a quiet reassurance “you can do this” and a smile of encouragement. So, I sat there for a second and when I placed my hands over those keys, it was as if Miss Cue herself was standing behind me guiding my hands onto the correct keys. Once I hit those correct keys and the music starting flowing, the rest of the piece went just as planned. When I was finished, I went down to the center to bow (as Miss Cue had instructed us all to do), she smiled at me as if to say “I am so proud of you. You did a great job!”. Just as if I had not blundered the end of her Christmas recital at all. I think that alone shows her heart and the kind spirit she exhibited to everyone around her. I will never forget her quiet support that day.

Since then, I have grown up and become a teacher. I came back to McRae to have my family and by chance had the opportunity to work with Miss Cue in the school system. I found that same quiet,supportive lady who cared deeply for her job and those she worked with. I found out quickly, if you went to her for ANY reason, you could rest assured that whatever you had asked of her, she would do her best to make sure it was taken care of. We will miss her greatly and keep her precious family in our prayers. Heaven certainly made a tremendous gain on October 9th.
Welcome home, Miss Cue, welcome home.

Vicki
Bobby Nelson

Fred,

Thanks so much for this wonderful tribute to Cue.

I have lost one of the finest professional colleagues I have ever worked with. As you know, a choir director depends greatly upon his accompanist and I was blessed to have Cue in that position. I NEVER had to worry about the music at all and could devote my full attention to the choir.

There are four things that stand out to me about Cue:
1. She loved God.
2. She loved her family.
3. She loved music and the opportunity to share it with others.
4. She loved the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church and being the Organist and Pianist for the church.

Cue served in this positon for over 30 years. I had the privilege and honor of serving with her for over 18 years. The choir and I have great love and respect for her and she will be greatly missed.

Thanks again,
Bobby Nelson
Pamela Selph Newberry

Fred,
This was a wonderful way to pay tribute to Cue. She not only impacted your life for your entire school career but she did mine as well. There were many times that I wished I didn’t have to go to another lesson or another recital but she made it all worth it. I can still hear that one player recite her selection, “I shall play the Happy Birthday Suite… Arranged by Misses Herndon”.
I had the opportunity to work with Cue for 11 years after college and she came through for me at my wedding when my pianist and vocalist got sick at the last minute. She was truely a blessing and an inspiration to everyone that she came in contact with. Thanks for doing this for her.
Pam
Betty & Allison Allen

My heart hurts and tears flow when I remember Cue and all that she meant to us over the years. She used well the wonderful gift that God gave her. Thanks for doing this in memory of Cue and for sharing it with us. Betty and Allsion Allen
Betty & Allison Allen

Cue will be missed and remembered by all of us.
Dudley Marchant

Yes, I had the honor of listening to her every Sunday morning. She and I would come to the church about the same time every Sunday. I would be getting the sound equipment setup and checked then she would be getting her music together, and setting up the organ, then playing..
She was Awesome! My daughter and her daughter grew up together and are best friends. So this was like part of my family. She left a void, here in this world, but this is not our home. We are only preparing for the time we do go home. Cue just got to go a little earlier than we did.
Johnnie Temple Blair

My life has been blessed in many ways, but having Cue as a sister and friend has been one of the most profound blessings a person could ask for. In our younger years, Cue was a great role model for her younger brother and sisters, and in our adult lives, she was a source of wisdom and guidance for us. The accomplishments she made in her music ministry and in her professional education career have been an inspiration to me, even though I don’t come close to being as accomplished as she was!
I thank God for Cue, for her Christian love, her sweet spirit, and for the blessing of having her as sister. She was precious to me, and I miss her.
Marian Hearn

Cue was a blessing to all of us. I taught school with Cue. She worked well with all the teachers. Cue was a fine lady and she will be missed by all. What a sweet sweet lady she was.
Julia Temple Mansfield

Thank you, Fred, for the beautiful & touching tribute to Cue. As sister Johnnie stated, she was our source of much wisdom & guidance during our growing-up years & also as adults. When I retired from teaching school in 2001 & decided to teach piano, she gave me so much great advice & encouragement. I visited her the weekend of her piano recital to get some tips on how to conduct a rehearsal & recital. I was awed by her poise & calm demeanor even when several students forgot their pieces during the rehearsal. All she said was “Go home & practice if you didn’t play your piece well.” The next day at the recital all of her students played beautifully! She has been my role model as I attempt to emulate her professional & calm manner at my students’ piano recitals! Although many miles separated us & we didn’t get to see one another very often, I will miss our conversations on the phone, especially about teaching piano & chuckling with her about some of the excuses our students have for not practicing! Cue has been & will continue to be my inspiration as I strive to be not only a better organist & piano teacher, but more importantly, a better person. I loved & respected her & will miss her so much.
Brian Hunt

Fred,

Thank you so much for such a wonderful tribute to such a wonderful lady. Like you, I had the privilege of taking piano lessons from Cue for a number of years and then had the awesome privilege of playing with her each and every Sunday at McRae UMC. She at the organ and me at the piano. Our favorite times were the times we would show up on Sunday morning and “throw something together” and the congregation would love it. One of the many things that I remember her saying was “as long as it’s loud, they’ll love it.” So, on Friday, as I had the difficult task of playing the organ for her funeral, as I came to the last chorus of “Because He Lives,” I changed the stop to Full Organ and let it rip. I couldn’t help but think she was looking down and smiling, thinking, yes, it’s loud, and they love it! As I hit the last chord, my eyes were so full of tears I couldn’t see the notes, but I knew in my heart I was doing it for her and the Glory of God. My life has been blessed by knowing Cue, learning from her and working with her. She was a true icon not only at McRae UMC but in McRae and surrounding areas. She will definitely be missed! Thanks again for such a wonderful tribute!
Priscilla Garrison

Hi Fred–What a nice tribute to Cue. The school system has lost such a wonderful person.A person that you knew would make the right decisions, whatever the circumstances
As your 3rd grade teacher, It’s also great to know what you are doing and where you are.
Robert Herndon

Fred,

Thank you for recognizing Cue in such a nice way. I am so proud others saw in her the same qualities as I saw in her. I knew her well–I am her husband. I would like to share part of the tribute to her that I shared with many friends and relatives the day after she died.

The first time I met Cue some 38 years ago, it was love a first sight. I thought she was the best looking person I had ever seen. I was only looking on the outside. She turned out to be just as beautiful on the inside. I never heard her raise her voice in anger, and she was always wise beyond years.

Her church and the school system were her loves outside her family. It was always a joy to see her when she got together with her siblings and parents. She enjoyed them so much. She worked so hard for the school system and loved every minute of it.

Music was her special love. I donâ€™t believe I have ever seen a better musician. She could play anything on sight. The choir time was her time. It seemed to pump her up every week. She was always telling me some tale about what happened there.

Her children. Merry and Bradley, were her number one priority. She showed them an inner strength and outward toughness that will serve them well throughout their lives. The three grand children were something special. Caleb will wonder where his â€œNanaâ€ is when he gets here tonight [written Wednesday, October 10, 2007]. I know he will ask Jesus to take special care of her when he says his prayers at night. Colby and Carson, of course, are too young to remember her. This is a great tragedy for them.

My heart is broken, but I will always remember Cue and her love for me. She put up with a lot, but she was that kind of person.

I apologize for taking up so much space. A book could be written. Maybe I’ll do that one day.
Karen Cheek

Thanks for such a magnificent
piece of music.I know the angels must be listening to Cue now.Our hearts and prays go to the family.I know her presence
will be missed.She was a wonderful child of God.
Pingback: FredMcKinnon.Com » Blog Archive » October Stats
Tommy Drake

Fred – I just came across this memorial to Cue and am quite touched by the response from her friends and students, as well as from her husband, Robert. I remember well the recital you wrote about. The old organ that the church had at the time (a Hammond) survived the fire (unfortunately) and was moved to the fellowship hall while the church was being rebuilt. I don’t remember what I played that night, but I remember the evening well.
I had later had a “crash and burn” of my own at a Christmas recital. I was to play some organ arrangement of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer which had some swingy/tricky parts. Tina Seay (a friend and fellow pupil) was to turn pages. Somewhere along the way I dropped a few notes, Tina snickered, I began to giggle, and it was downhill all the way until the final horrific chord! Mrs. Herdon never quite let me live that one down until she and I shared a similar experience together…

At the request of a bride (I won’t mention who) she was to play the Bach g minor fugue at a big “important” wedding. By this time I was in college but I came home to be her console assistant for the event of the decade. Thankfully the Hammond had been replaced by a nice new Allen digital organ which she was justifiably quite pleased about.  About halfway through the piece she dropped a few notes and we began to chuckle…and well the rest is history. I’m not even sure that the last chord was g monor! “Rudolph” was never mentioned again!

I also remember when she learned the fomous Toccata from the Fifth Symphony of Widor (about the time the new organ at the church was installed). I had never seen so much black ink on a sheet of music in my life – up and down the keyboards with the right hand, repeating chords in the left hand and double pedaling – and one section with the left hand crossing over the right with the repeating chords high at the top of the Great manual. Mind you, all of this was happening at one hundred miles-per hour and that determnined look of hers – as if she was driving a busload of expectant mothers through rush hour traffic in Atlanta!  I think I had the honor of being the first page turner when she debuted that piece in McRae. At the last few crashing chords she hit the Sforzando toe stud which turned on just about every stop of the organ and a bright red indicator light at the right side of the console. I imagine that first time the congregation must have wondered what just happened, but it kind of evolved into her theme song and everyone began to look forward to those “High Holy Days” – especially Easter when they knew the famous Widor Toccata was going to be the postlude.

I can honestly say that she was and still is a major influence my professional life for the last thirty five years. Sometimes in our lessons she taught, and other times she listened to me go on and on about organs I had either seen or read about.  After high school I studied organ seriously in college, and continue to work in the music business to this day.  When I would visit McRae she always wanted to hear what I was doing, where I had been working, and what organs I had either played lately or had designed and installed in various churches around the country. I was very proud on one visit to give her a copy of The American Organist magazine that featured a cover story about one of my installations. Every time I play that darn Bach fugue (I finally had to learn it) I think of her and smile at the wonderful memory -as well as many others- that we shared.

Cue was a grand lady in the truest sense of the word. A kind and gentle mentor, an
excellent musician, an honest critic (when she had to be) and a real friend.

Thank you for posting this tribute. I’m just sorry that it took me a few years to find it.

FredMcKinnon.Com

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