I admit gleefully to my two greatest weaknesses: the piano and children. These are two inner weak points that I happily admit to. Over the years I have catered to my love affair with the piano with becoming a jazz pianist. I have also, over the years, raised several children however, my weakness in this respect has overcome me and not allowed me to rid myself of it.
I find it very ironic and I must say happily so, that Peel Regional School Board somehow has seen fit to honor me by naming a public school after me. In no words can I fully tell you what this has done for my affliction and affection for children. Realistically this has certainly been one of the great honors of my career. However, the powers that be somehow have seen fit to also cater to my human weakness by making it possible for me to be around and hopefully helpful to these young and inspiring creatures that we call children. It goes without saying that my first helping of joy came on the official opening day of the “Oscar Peterson Public School” in Mississauga.

After the official ceremony, which was attended by hordes of children and their parents, the children were called forward to sit in front of and around me in the foreground during the unveiling of the new Peel Regional School Board logo. It was during this ceremony that I was happily taken with one particular young man, perhaps of about six years of age, who, regardless of the rest of the crowd of youngsters, decided that he was going to seat himself between my legs during the ceremony. Various times he turned around to talk to me and it was during parts of these conversations that he queried me about my group. Nearing the end of our conversation, he informed me that he now intended to be the drummer within my group. All I could do was encourage him to ready himself for his new occupation. This he agreed that he would do, and proceeded to inform the rest of the children around him of his new position in my quartet. This is the kind of young and innocent intent and fervor that I enjoy from children. The whole ceremony was most overcoming, and I cannot fully describe here the unspeakable warmth and innocence that I felt amongst these wonderful youngsters, coupled with the intense honor that I felt was being bestowed on me.

I fully intend to make every attempt (itinerary permitting) to be there personally and musically for these wonderful youngsters that are hopefully entering not only the educational phase of their lives, but also the musical segment of that phase. This I am proud to publicly acclaim and intend to carry out my promise.

Noah Carreiro - My Future Drummer!

©2005 Oscar Peterson