Longtime Penn Hills musical coordinator to be inducted into Hall of PHAME

Barbara Spiri can only say she is grateful as she enters the Penn Hills Arts and Music Education’s Hall of Fame on Nov. 13.

The induction will be happening during PHAME’s gala event,”Keepin’ the Music Alive,” at 7 p.m. at the Penn Hills High School auditorium. The event will be celebrating 60 years of musical theater in Penn Hills. The department started doing musicals in 1963.

“Some of my mentors are already in the Hall of Fame, and to be in there with them is very special to me,” Spiri said.

The event will feature performances from current students, the Penn Hills Musical Alumni and the Eastern Area Youth Chorale Alumni (Spiri’s community choir). Some performances will showcase a series of scenes from musicals that Spiri helped to produce over the years. The EAYC will sing some of their favorite numbers. A reception will follow.

Inductees chosen are from Penn Hills or made their career there, Spiri said.

Spiri, a 1972 graduate, taught music at Penn Hills for more than 29 years before retiring in 2015. She was the musical coordinator for 13 years. She helped create the PHMA with a revue honoring the schools’ 30 years of musicals. She is also the founder and artistic director of EAYC.

“A lot of people don’t like what they do, but I was very blessed to love what I do,” she said.

Ben Blinn, who is spearheading the event, has known Spiri for a long time. She was his music teacher when he was in first grade. Despite working on her level, she is still “Mrs. Spiri” to him.

“It has been a unique experience. For pretty much my whole life, she has been my teacher,” he said.

Blinn hopes the event leaves an impact on the new generation receiving the baton to carry on the school’s theater legacy.

“It is really important for kids to see what the art culture has been at Penn Hills as we are passing it to the new generation,” he said.

As Spiri continues to be a helping hand as a volunteer for the theater department, she hopes it continues to thrive.

“I want more people to be aware of what we do here. We want people to come to the plays and support the band and orchestra,” she said.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit phameonline.org.