OXFORD – Every so often, two individuals come together in order to accomplish something amazing.
For 93-year-old Joe Renton, that something is passing down the love of music he has maintained all of his life. For 10-year-old Cora Van Kingsley, it’s learning to play the trumpet from a talented teacher and making the gift her own.
Renton, currently residing in Sidney, began playing trumpet when he was 17 and living in New York City. When he was drafted into the army in 1941, he brought his love of music with him and was selected to form a 60-piece band for the 102nd infantry division.
Unfortunately, almost as soon as the band was formed it was disbanded and the members, along with thousands of others, were sent overseas. Renton spent the next five years engaged in combat across Europe, even losing half his hearing to the war.
Despite the loss, as soon as the war began its decline, Renton re-formed the band and played for the victorious troops, accompanying great performers such as Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.
Renton returned home safely and in 1991 moved to Sidney, where he has been teaching music, free of charge, to interested children in Sidney, Afton and Bainbridge ever since.
“Music is our passion ... I want to bring enjoyment to people,” he said. Renton explained that many of his students have gone on to play or teach music professionally, one even graduating with a Ph.D. from Duke University.
Van Kingsley, also from Sidney, picked up the trumpet one year ago and began taking lessons with Renton last June.
“Cora is very good ... she’s an excellent student because she listens and she practices,” said Renton. “To play the trumpet, you have to be a very forward person, you can’t hide it ... it takes a lot of confidence to get up and play in front of people alone.”
Van Kingsley recently tested that confidence when she played for a gathered crowd at the Veterans’ Home in Oxford on Veterans Day. According to Van Kingsley, her repertoire included Taps, God Bless America, and Amazing Grace.
“I was very pleased and proud,” said Renton. He went on to describe a very special talent that the young girl displayed which involved performing a solo while using a hula-hoop. According to Renton, seeing it for the first time “was breath-taking.”
Van Kingsley said she plans on continuing lessons with Renton which he explained to be in the “old European style.”
“They come and sit down with cookies and milk and have a conversation before they even start to play,” said Renton’s wife Barbara. “It’s a different model then most people are used to.”
Despite the difference in style, for Van Kingsley the joy is in learning and, like her teacher, wants to bring joy through her music.
Barbara and Joe Renton currently play with The Fabulous Moonlighters, located in Greene, and perform regularly around the greater Greene area.
“If you live here, you want to be involved,” said Renton.