Carol
Rhodes Brummett
1930 - 1985
When
Carol was a small child, my dad once held her feet in his
large hands to warm them. She loved reminiscing with her
friends and would ask him if he remembered. Before television,
families gathered to entertain themselves on Saturday nights.
At one of those parties, she had told him her feet were
cold.
My first recollection of Carol was at a Collegian concert
in Pontiac. She wore a dark full-length formal gown. Her
auburn red hair hung to her shoulders. The director proudly
introduced her as his accompanist; said she was an accomplished
pianist... had perfect pitch and that she was from Holly.
She seldom took her eyes off him as she played. 
She
became Miss Rhodes to us at Adelphian, and she gave some
of her students humorous nicknames. She said babies know
how to breathe naturally, that it takes breath control
to effectively sustain a note and that we could learn
something from them. She would show her students how to
drop their jaw and relax for preferable tone quality.
Milton Draper came to her music studio to see a friend.
He walked about tapping pipes and other objects with a
spoon, asking what pitch she heard. Her responses were
confirmed on the piano. Yes, God had given Miss Rhodes
perfect pitch.She was a master conductor. She would credit
Melvin Davis by saying, "What I know about conducting,
I learned from him." Master conductors are gifted.
They know what they want. Equally important, they know
how to communicate what they want, and they don't settle
for mediocrity. She believed that music must be memorized
to be performed well. The primary purpose of her musical
ministry was to bring honor and praise to her Creator
and Savior.
She spent hours working with individuals and smaller groups.
She scheduled appointments for them to perform at various
functions and churches. She was goal oriented, highly
energized and motivated; not unlike one who recognizes
life is short...that what one does, one must do well and
quickly.
Although Michigan, for many reasons, was special, she
was well-known in California, and gave of herself unreservedly.
Her last assignment was at Redlands Junior Academy. Junior
academy choirs are not typically renown. However, her
Redlanaires were uniquely superb!
In 1979, Carol realized that several of her former students
from Adelphian had migrated to California. She organized
them into a choir and called them the Carolaires. At her
demise, the choir continued and, in her honor, changed
its name to the Carol Brummett Chorale. Her son, Geoffrey
Brummett, is its director today.
In the fall of 1983, Carol was diagnosed with cancer.
Prognosis was not good. At the appropriate time, the family
rented a hospital bed and made room for it in their living
room. They were determined that she would pass to her
rest in the quietness of her home and in the bosom of
her family. However, not before hundreds of her friends
came by to be with her again. They sang favorite songs
and thanked her for the wonderful and enriching times
she had given them. She encouraged them to be faithful
and quietly spoke of the fellowship to be enjoyed in the
earth made new.
Family and close friends attended her funeral service.
Afterwards, they gathered around her casket. For more
than an hour, they reminisced and sang hymns before leaving.
The next day, a memorial service was held for her in the
Loma Linda University Church. The sanctuary was packed.
How fitting that this Adelphian, Class of '57, 40th Anniversary
Year Book be dedicated to the memory of our class sponsor,
Carol Rhodes Brummett; student, teacher, alumnus of Adelphian
Academy; Christian musician, teacher, leader and faithful
friend; loving wife and mother.
Her significant and professional contribution to the church's
music education program is indeed note-worthy and commendable.
Her personal commitment and dedication to its youth will
not soon be forgotten.
–Bud Racine
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