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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bettye Krolick's monumental contributions to
Braille music put her among the true giants of our time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Her "Dictionary of Braille Music Signs" in two
hardcover volumes (from American Printing House) was one of the first books
about music I owned--and this even before I was reading the code very well, as I
was working my way through the Jenkins Primer and John Thompson's "First Grade
Book"--oh, how I HATED that piano book! Anyway, when I could bear those little
pieces no more, I spent hours reading and rereading that dictionary, wondering
what exactly a "Japanese samissen" felt like, or why Mr. Spanner had to come up
with a different way of writing out figured bass.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Often, I looked at the author's name and was in awe
of the kind of single-mindedness and dedication to excellence and detail that
would make it possible for anyone to write a book on such an obscure
topic.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I heard many stories about Mrs. Krolick over the
years, and every one of them was positive. Even among those who disagreed with
her, there was tremendous respect. How utterly fitting, then, that she would be
one of the instrumental people behind codifying the international Braille music
code.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I finally met her in person at a conference in
California several years ago. She was a consummate lady.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I passed my old dictionary on to another blind
musician overseas. Bettye Krolick truly understood the power that education and
excellence could bring. She taught many how to transcribe music for the blind,
and through them, we as blind musicians or educators have had an ever-expanding
repertoire of resources to draw on. Her students continue her tradition of
excellence and attention to precision and detail, and through their work, her
legacy will continue.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am absolutely certain that for those who knew
her, her strong spirit will continue to serve as a touchstone and a source of
inspiration.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>For those who never met her, or who only knew her
briefly or through the stories of others, may she also serve as an example that
encourages us to pursue excellence over a lifetime through determination,
passion, perseverance, and an uncompromising demand of the best we have to give.
"Just good enough" is sometimes nowhere near good enough.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>While Bettye will be deeply missed, she will
undoubtedly never be forgotten.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Stephanie Pieck</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>