After six years at Pyle, chorus teacher Thomas Liddle is leaving to take on a new challenge: rebuilding the choral program at Takoma Park Middle School from the ground up.

“There is nothing about Pyle that I don’t like, so this was a very hard decision,” Liddle said.  “I am going to miss the students, staff, parents and community of Pyle very much.”

Even though Liddle enjoyed teaching at Pyle, he is ready to join Takoma Park’s program as chorus teacher because of the challenges presented by its limited music program and because it’s much closer to his home, he said.

Due to declining enrollment, the choral program at Takoma Park shut down several years ago.  The school is pleased to welcome both Liddle and his music program that he will be restarting, Takoma Park principal Mildred Charley-Greene said.

While Liddle’s colleagues and students respect his decision to accept this opportunity, they’re sad to see him go, Pyle principal Jennifer Webster said.

“He’s a great asset to have on staff, but I’m excited for him,” she said.
Liddle started his musical education career in 2005 as a student teacher to Whitman chorus director Jeffery Davidson.  After working as a long-term substitute at Lois P. Rockwell Elementary in Damascus and a full-time teacher at Galway Elementary in Silver Spring, Liddle began teaching at Pyle in 2007.  He taught classes in general music, guitar and chorus.

While Liddle likes the variety of classes, his favorite class to teach is chorus.

“I really enjoy working with a group of people to create music together and the community sense of thrill during a great performance,” he said.

The most important part of Liddle’s legacy has been preparing students for the Whitman music department, chorus substitute and piano accompanist Sandy Lederman said.

“It’s clear his teaching has made a lasting impact in our community,” she said.

Students also appreciate Liddle’s instruction and the dedication he shows in the classroom.

“Mr. Liddle was the person who made me love singing,” sophomore Harrison Guh said.  “Without him, I wouldn’t be the musician I am today.”

The Pyle administration recently hired Westland Middle School’s current chorus teacher Margret Ware to replace Liddle.  Her relationship with kids is similar to Liddle’s, which makes her a good fit for Pyle, Webster said.

Liddle is confident that the music program at Pyle will continue to thrive without him.

“The students are going to have a great opportunity to keep those aspects of chorus alive with the new choral teacher,” he said.  “I encourage them to keep that community spirit and passion for music alive with her.”