I was getting ready to post the obit below and happened to look at the "Oneida" forum.  Frannie Lindsay and Garry Adair commented about this teacher in January.  Some people you cannot forget, no matter how hard you try.  I dreaded his class.

 Lawrence Stephen Pivacek, 79, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at his home in Rotterdam. Born in Schenectady, Lawrence was the son of the late Frederick and Mary (Kopach) Pivacek. Lawrence was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School. He earned a B.A. at SUNY Potsdam (Crane School of Music) and a master's degree from Union College. Lawrence had a 40+ year career as a music educator in the Schenectady City School District. During his tenure, he developed advanced music programs for his students that were highly recognized at the local and national levels including a special performance coordinated with Jean Kennedy Smith for the Kennedy Foundation. In addition to his music education career, he was a high school football coach for the school district; conducted performances at The Light Opera Company in Schenectady, NY, and he was one of the founders of the SAAC. Lawrence was also an exceptional custom builder and designer. He was a skilled craftsman who passionately created elaborate stained glass windows & doors, custom wood cabinetry, and restored delicate Victorian wicker furnishings to their original beauty. His detailed craftsmanship and designs can be found throughout the greater Capital District region in residential and commercial buildings, and in the homes of the most avid antique enthusiasts. Lawrence was preceded by his sisters, Connie Marnell and Dorothy Robson; and his brother, Frederick "Bud" Pivacek. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 56 years, Margaret (Clement) Pivacek; his children, Larry (Cindy) Pivacek, Christian (Maureen) Pivacek, Andrew Pivacek, Trisitan (John) McCann, and Meg (Gary) Signor; his sister, Babara (John) Frese; his sisters-in-law, Marie (Leslie, deceased) Gardner and Ann (Raymond) Cuomo; 11 cherished grandchildren; and wonderful nieces and nephews. A prayer service will take place at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave. in Rotterdam on Friday, July 8th at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 806 Union St. in Schenectady. Calling hours will be held Thursday evening at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment will be in St. Cyril and Method Cemetery in Rotterdam. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lawrence's name can be made to Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144. To leave a special message for Lawrence's family, visit www.demarcostonefuneralhome.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailygazette/obituary.aspx?n=lawrence-stephen-pivacek&pid=180568426&fhid=8189#sthash.vLcwBbwP.dpuf

I remember Larry Pivacek vividly. He liked to strike a pose as a tough guy in a suit. I still remember the first music class in seventh grade in the Oneida audiorium He walked in through the swinging doors adjacent to the stage, head bowed, and then looked up. The first thing he did was look at one student (I remember the student's name but I'll omit it here), who had a reputation as a "hood." He pointed at the student and said, "I've heard all about you, and all of it's bad." Pivacek then pivoted and walked back toward the stage, his back turned to the class. As he did so, the student stood up and gave Pivacek the finger, with a dramatic gesture. I remember being stunned that a student would do something like that in a class. It may have been the first time I had ever seen somebody flip someone off. I was already a little anxious about the transition to junior high school. I remember thinking that I'm not in elementary school any more, and I almost wish I was back in the less threatening surroundings of Zoller School. Pivacek was nothing like Mrs. Fergerson, Diane's mother, who was the music teacher at Zoller! Pivacek's personality was also so different than the other Oneida music teacher, George McLaughlin, which made Pivacek seem all the more surly. But Pivacek was good at what he did, and he was actually a nice guy. I can even remember singing Beatles songs in his classes in early 1964 ("I Want to Hold Your Hand"). He might have been intimidating at first, but he was a good teacher with high standards. He probably affected lots of students, like me, during his career--and for the better.

Was there anything more petriying than having to stand and sing quartets or duets?

Band was similar and especially challenging when just learning. Sat beside Paul Santuli in the same boat.