“The theme this week will be dreams,” announced Br. Pedro Haering, C.S.C. “For the program Friday, I'm choosing songs whose titles all contain the word dream.”
May 2002 marked the thirteenth anniversary of Br. Pedro’s inaugural radio broadcast over WSND-FM, the cramped but effective volunteer- and student-operated radio station housed high in the tower of O’Shaughnessy Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. What began as a temporary fill-in slot between classical music programs during the summer holidays in 1989 soon became full time and has expanded in air time more than once over the years.
When younger, Br. Pedro was known as an exceptionally efficient teacher of mathematics, an astute religious superior, principal and supervisor, and a caring director of the brothers’ skilled care facility at Notre Dame. Cities benefiting over the years from his presence were South Bend, Indianapolis, Akron and Cleveland. Now in retirement, Brother’s broadcasting–an activity that demands more preparation time than his professional positions did–stems from a lifelong hobby and unusually keen interest in both the sounds and the thoughts expressed in the popular music that has so affected our culture.
In “Words and Music Remembered” on Friday nights from 8:00 till midnight, and in “Performers of Our Time” on Sunday evenings from 7:00 till 10:00, Br. Pedro draws from his massive collection of discs, tapes and records and his incredible knowledge and memory of literally thousands of recordings to provide entertainment for those who enjoy hearing music they loved in their youth–the thirties, forties or fifties, and even the non-rock popular classics of the sixties and seventies. From phone calls, letters, and the ever increasing attendance at his semi-annual live big band dances in the Joyce Athletic and Convocation Center on campus, Br. Pedro knows he has a wide audience in the northern Indiana-southern Michigan area covered by WSND-FM.
Largely comprised of big band sounds from the likes of Glenn Miller, Harry James, Benny Goodman and others, and of individual vocal and instrumental performers, combos, and choruses, the offerings recall the days of “easy listening,” of catchy melodies, of swing, the jitter-bug, sock hops, mixers, balls, and cotillions with tuxes, gowns, boutonnieres and corsages. On Sundays Br. Pedro takes requests for selections. He has found this an increasingly popular option for listeners, almost to the point of his having at times to neglect the “performer of our time” featured that evening.
Br. Pedro has prepared each program personally and, until health considerations curtailed his mobility somewhat, never repeated any program aired previously. His ingeniously creative themes seem limitless in imaginative programming. The dream theme is but one example. He may feature programs whose selections are all based on colors, temperature, certain calendar years or seasonal celebrations; or he may focus on a single vocalist, composer, arranger, lyricist, orchestra or instrumentalist, or an especially effective team of composer and lyricist such as Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.
A striking reality, peripheral at first but now central to his approach, is that Br. Pedro’s programs have become a ministry of service to his audience. Many tune in faithfully, seeking a perhaps nostalgic return to earlier years in their lives, to memories that renew or energize them, or help to cement relationships.
Br. Pedro knows that his programs affect many deeply. For example, a dying woman requested all fifteen of Br. Pedro’s recordings by Russ Columbo, one each week. Just before the fifteenth week, the woman’s daughter called saying her mother had died. By pure coincidence the final song’s title was “Auf Wiedersehen,” and Br. Pedro played it as a personal tribute to the woman’s memory.
On another occasion an elderly man called Br. Pedro to tell him he had to outlive him because the gentleman simply could not do without the program. It brought back so many memories of loved ones now deceased. Six months later, the man himself passed away.
Br. Pedro, scanning an obituary in the newspaper, was surprised to find that a deceased man’s relatives noted in the column his interest and enjoyment of the program in his later years.
Another gentleman telephoned during one of the broadcasts, obviously in tears. Br. Pedro asked if there was anything he could do. The man replied that he had thought he would never again hear the particular song Brother had just played, one that held great significance for the man. It was a stirring and memorable moment for him. Such incidents highlight the intangible value of the programs to individuals, especially among the elderly.
Br. Pedro believes that nothing–except perhaps Scripture–is more intimately connected with such a wide variety of people, places and events impacting a person’s life than popular music. He sees younger people coming back to the riches found in earlier expressions of popular sounds and lyrics, many of the newer forms being forged from the same essentials. Despite his limitations, Br. Pedro intends to continue, with the help of willing associates, his ministry of music as long as he is able. “At my age,” he says, “one can make no promises,” but if the obvious joy and energy evident in the man are any indication as he talks about, prepares and hosts–even if by tape–his two programs, he will be heard by listeners in northern Indiana and southern Michigan for years to come, and the “sound of music ministry” will continue to sing through the night, stirring memories and helping to heal many wounded hearts.
