THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512020156
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: WHO WILL LEAD OUR SCHOOLS?
SOURCE: PROFILES BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
James Reeves' parents didn't get very much schooling; his father went through third grade, his mother through fifth.
``But they had a deep respect for education,'' Reeves said. ``From a little boy, I was going to college. That's all they beat into my brain.''
The oldest of five children, he never dreamed music would become his passion. He skipped some of the piano lessons his mother ordered him to attend.
But then a couple of swank bands, which played for parades and funerals, caught his eye. He thought it would be glamorous if he could join them. They let him play the tuba.
When he got to college, he continued playing for a band and singing for the chorus. Eventually he became a music major.
The string bass became his lifelong instrument after he taught himself how to play it so he could join a dance band that needed a string bass player.
During his career, he spent days teaching at Norfolk State University and nights playing at area clubs.
The large string bass sits silent in his home now, braced against the wall behind the front door. An operation for carpal tunnel syndrome in his hands has made it painful for Reeves to play.
But the disability has not affected his other passion - education. City Council appointed him to the School Board in 1993.
``I've always been an advocate for education,'' he said. ``My parents instilled that in me.''
At first, Reeves didn't think he'd want to defend his seat in the city's first School Board elections.
``But I felt I would let people down, if I didn't,'' he said.
Reeves said he is happy with the direction in which the school system is headed.
``I think we have a good school system,'' he said. ``And we need to keep going the way we're going.''
James M. Reeves Sr.
Age: 76
Occupation: Retired music professor, Norfolk State University
Born: Norfolk
Years in Chesapeake: 35
Residence: Deep Creek
Family: Wife, Lucille; children, Beverly Lawton, 48, James Jr., 51, and Sandra Fenner, 53
Education: Bachelor's degree in public school music, Virginia State College, 1941; master's degree in music education, Columbia University, New York City, 1958; certificate of advanced standing, Columbia University, 1964; doctorate in musical arts, Catholic University of America, 1980
Community Service: School Board member since 1993; tutor at Young Park Elementary School in Norfolk; former trustee and choir director, First Baptist Church, Norfolk
Official endorsements: Chesapeake Education Association
How to reach: 487-2773
Major campaign issues: Improve curriculum so it meets Virginia's educational standards; promote safe schools; increase the number of students passing the state's Literacy Passport Test, and improve other test scores; provide adequate staff training; broaden the use of technology in schools ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
James M. Reeves taught at Norfolk State and played at area clubs.
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION CANDIDATES CHESAPEAKE SCHOOLS
PROFILE by CNB