Total Sound Alumni Share Memories of Connie Mack Perdue

The former students of, longtime choir director and music teacher at Gulf High School, were quick to share their thoughts on Facebook after he died this week.

Patch requested permission to republish some of them and got it, but so many came out to remember the teacher, who founded the Total Sound choral group, that we didn’t have to room to publish them all.

So, we’re posting an extra article with some of the memories from Total Sound alumni who wanted their thoughts shared.

Do you have memories of Connie Mack Perdue you would like to share? Post t in our comments section.

Tasha Gibson Lindsey

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mrs Perdue. Mr Perdue was the best of my high school career. Because of him and his love of music, he kept alive a group of amazing people who have become life long friends. All of us who were influenced by CMP have a similarity in us...placed there by Connie Mack himself. His kindness, his acceptance, his guidance, and mostly his compassion influenced so many. I am honored to have been a part of something SO amazing and Blessed to have had Mr. Perdue as a teacher, a mentor and friend. You are so loved Mr. Perdue....and will be missed. Thank you.

Steve Houser

We were all "his" kids from the minute we walked into the choir room for the first time. He was just that kind of man - he trusted you until you gave him reason not to, taught in a way to bring something alive inside you and bring it out, laugh, play, love, and share his life and family with us because we were part of his family. An awesome mentor, friend, and man. He's singing praises in person now, that's for sure, but I know I'll miss him and never forget him. Total Sound 74-75 and Love's Spirt in 74... played bass and dated - married- Vicky Alexander) BTW, anyone remember where the name came from???

Betsy Rizzuto

Had so many memories come flooding in today. My freshman year Perdue invited me to go to district choir, I had no idea about the tradition of going to Jeanne's for breakfast and had very little money just enough for toast Perdue paid for my food and never asked for anything in return. Just more thoughts on the type of man he was.

Kimber Tubman-Trotter

My thoughts and prayers go out The Perdue family!! What a wonderful man!! I think of him fondly and often. I heard the news tonight as Richie Silva and I were at band rehearsal going over, of all things, harmony parts. We owe our strong vocal foundation to Mr. Perdue and I have taken his lessons and confidence he gave me along with me during my 27 years as a professional singer. Let us celebrate his beautiful life!!!

Melyssa Harmer-Brown Us :"Hey Perdue! We dont want to go to math class..can we have a pass???"
Him: " Only if you practice!".....Us: "you bet!"...and then we all preceeded to lay on the floor, run around the choir room, and do pretty much ANYTHING but practice!...lol...how many times did we get out of class because of Perdue??? Good memories!

Erin LaVigne Concert choir, Total Sound, free period..... spent about 4hrs per day my senior year in that room with him. Also was a front office assistant so I would get Rich out of his 5th period class too. As for passes I think we all had one... I always wanted to laminate mine.

Myndee Washington

Last night something that I find amazing happened....23 years of Total Sound members gathered on the Total Sound site to reeminisce. Many hadnever gone to school together, or ever had the occasion to meet. The sentiments, however, were universal. Connie Perdue taught us about life, about being a good person, about love and loyalty and friendship. He also taught us to love music, in so many forms. His former students are performers, writers, directors, teachers. We have performed on Broadway, with large orchestras chorus, cut albums.

While there is a vocal ensemble at GHS, it is no longer as active as Total Sound. I had the great fortune to be in the first group of students who perfromed in New York City. We performed all over the county and state. I often tell people that we were GLEE, before there was a GLEE.

I went on to get a degree in music education and taught for 7 years. I am now a performer, director and costume designer in Hernando County.