"Rich" Munro A Brief Autobiography Baby and Kid: Born: August 8, 1957 in Idaho Falls, Id., the youngest of three sons. 1st word: "No" 1st memory: Getting a mini-frosty mug of root beer with my family. Age 8: Played little league baseball. Got on base only twice, when the pitcher threw me for balls, and when a ball hit me.  Elementary School, 4th Grade Age 10: While having a tree climbing race with my friend, I fell down and shattered my hip. While I was bed-ridden in a body cast, I enjoyed drawing. Most importantly though, Mom bought me all 9 Symphonies of Beethoven, which began my love of Classical music.  Age 11: I loved practicing for my piano lessons and playing 'blues'. I would spend sometimes three or even four hours a day just improvising. In a piano recital, I forgot the middle part of my piece, so I just made up a bunch of stuff that sounded classical. To end the piece, I repeated the parts I knew. Only my teacher realized that I had messed up. Age 12: In Jr. High Band, I played the Trombone because it had a cool slide. At that time I also began private Trombone lessons from the High School Band Director, Mr. Earl Swenson, who was like a father to me. I practiced the Trombone and piano about 3-6 hours per week. Age 13: At this very difficult time in my family, being a musician sustained my self-esteem. TEENAGER   9th Grade: New Trombone for my 14th B-Day. I didn't know about Orchestra back then! If I had, this picture would show a stringed instrument instead of a brass one! Age 15: I played in my first of many Rock (and Jazz) Bands. Mom bought me a huge Hammond Organ with killer amp!  That's me on the far left. They made me hold a guitar because they were too lazy to help me move my Organ outside for this picture.  Playing a dance gig, 1974 Ages 14-18: In High School I loved Art and Music classes, painting scenery for the plays on the Stage Crew, and being the piano accompanist for the High School Orchestra. In my senior year I received some music awards and a music scholarship to Utah State University.  12th Grade, Music Sterling Scholar, Box Elder High, Class of 1975 YOUNG ADULT Majored in Music Education at USU. My Band Director, Dr. Max Dalby, and my Jazz Band Directror, Dr. Larry Smith shaped the rest of my musical life. Served a two year mission in California. Met the love of my life, Robyn Chamberlin. My first memory of her was seeing her play the Banjo with her family band. She looked beautiful with a big flower in her hair....whoa baby! Played Lead Trombone and Jazz Piano for the Crestmark Orchestra, a 40's Swing Era Big Band for 15 years. Played with great musicians in semi-professional rock and jazz groups. ADULT I've played in warm-up bands that performed at Colin Raye and Kenny Chesney concerts. Though is was forced to play conservatively, it was still very cool playing for stadium size audiences. Age 40: Completed my Masters Degree in Educational Counseling from the University of Phoenix and was an Elementary School Counselor for two years. Then I was a counselor of male teen drug addicts for 1 1/2 years. I missed teaching music so taught all music classes at Northwest Middle School in Salt Lake City, an amazing school. I left because a tenured teacher wanted my job. In 2006, I began teaching at South Jordan Middle. And now at 50-something years old, I am happily teaching amazing SoJo students. MY FAMILY 1981: I married my sweetheart, Robyn Chamberlin. Robyn received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Fine Art from USU. Her favorite medium is Oil Paint. I always loved how she smelled like Turpentine! We've been married for 28 years. Here's the link to her Artist Blog http://robynmunroartist.blogspot.com/  My sweetheart Robyn & I at our families' Island Park Cabin.  Robyn & I, Daughter's Wedding OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES Josephine "Jo" Bradbury & her husband Eric (Architect), and their daughter Irene Soleil Bradbury (13 months). Jo teaches Art at Viewmont High and Eric is an Architect with Vcbo Architecture in Salt Lake.     Jane "Janey" Mikel & Jared MacKnight. Janey is a Cosmetologist and Jared is the founder and CEO of "Investor's Hammer", a Construction Contracting and Home Building firm.      Evan James Munro (Junior @ U of U - Major: Graphic Illustration)  Nichola "Nickey" Irene Munro (Senior @ Weber High School)      A FAVORITE QUOTE: "To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility." - Thomas S. Monson FAVORITE RESTAURANT: "The Red Iguana"   |
Autobiography |