Beloved choir director remembered for shaping lives

To the students in Dr. Lawrence Ingram’s choir class, he was Pop.

A veteran music educator, Ingram made a positive mark on the lives of the students he worked with in his career spanning more than 41 years.

Sadly, Ingram died Saturday.

He was currently working at West Orange-Stark High School and was planning to take his students on a trip out of state as was his tradition.

West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District issued a statement via Facebook:

“With deep sorrow, we regret to inform you that we have lost a wonderful and committed member of our Mustang family, Dr. Lawrence Ingram, WOSHS Choir Director. He touched the lives of so many with his gift of beautiful music. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Motown, music and more

Port Arthur Independent School District Trustee Taylor Getwood saw Ingram first as his sixth grade choir teacher then later as a mentor then as a friend post high school graduation.

Ingram introduced the music of Motown to his students among other styles.

The students who studied under his tutelage learned of musical history, of Black art, motivating them and confirming they too can do the same thing, Getwood said.

“It was in a way only he could have done, by showing us and encouraging us that we could do it in such a way.  It’s indescribable,” he said.

Ingram led his students on what Getwood called “world tours” where they performed in Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, showcasing their talents while exposing them to places they might never have seen.

He cultivated them with Gospel style of music and choral music; they sang at the Lincoln Memorial his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner; the national anthem at a Houston Rockets game, and much more.

Getwood’s annual Motown musical show was actually Ingram’s concept, he said.

Getwood became emotional while speaking of his longtime friend. The Motown show was created to give Getwood a platform because Ingram believed in him and wanted him to know how proud he was.

“To be honest, it really was his show. He put people in charge to make sure the show was a success and I did what I could to sell tickets and have a great time. IT really was his show,” he said.

Getwood has been part of a number of musical and acting productions that have toured the country.

Adrienne Lott, PAISD director of communication services, first met Ingram I 2002 when she was teaching television production at Ozen Magnet High School in Beaumont Independent School District. They both moved to PAISD around the same time with Ingram becoming Memorial High School choir director and Lot becoming school counselor at Memorial Ninth Grade Academy.

Lott’s youngest brother became one of Ingram’s choir students at Ozen upon her recommendation based on Ingram’s reputation for touring high quality choirs across the country, on platforms as big as the former BET music variety show “106 and Park,” she said.

“Dr. Ingram was beloved by many students for pushing them beyond their own musical expectations; because to him, their talents had no boundaries,” she said. “No matter if you wanted to sing, play an instrument or direct a choir, he showed students throughout our region how to do so and how to be nationally recognized for doing so.”

Memorial High School Marching Heat Band Director Alex Frazier said Ingram was an educator who truly loved working with his students.

“I saw him take shy, timid, and doubtful students and transform them into confident vocalist who radiated pride and joy for their craft,” Frazier said. “He was a colleague who always greeted you with a smile and a laugh, and who never hesitated to stop what he was doing to pray for you if it was needed. In the Arts we often hear that the show must go on, but he truly will be a tough act to follow. Rest well my friend.”

Services for Ingram had not been announced as of Tuesday morning.

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