By Heidi Glaus
St. Clair, MO (KSDK) - If music really is what life sounds like, Paul and Elaine Swofford have created one very sweet melody over the last 30 years.
"There were two openings and we applied for it and had our fingers crossed," explained Paul Swofford.
So in 1982 right out of college, the couple moved to St. Clair and started teaching band together.
"It's pretty easy to do you just let her do what she wants to do and don't question it and it works out," Paul added.
One look at the wall and you can see things have worked out really, really well.
"These don't belong to us, these are the students," Elaine said referring to a wall full of trophies.
Which means all of these trophies will stay, even though the Swoffords have decided it's time for their swan song.
"Telling them was extremely difficult because I mean they're like my kids, so see yeah," Elaine said with a tears forming.
"There was tons of tears. You just grow up loving them," explained Kelly Barns, a senior in the band.
Obviously the Swoffords have taught more than flats and formations, scales and sharps.
"It's a lot more than band. They're like second parents at school pretty much," added Michael Drewel, another student.
Parents who want nothing but the best for their children and to be honest are so humble they would rather we just talk about the kids and their success.
"In fact, this whole thing makes me a little uncomfortable," Elaine pointed out.
So as the Swoffords fade out of the St. Clair classroom, the music will play on as a reflection of this incredibly talented husband and wife team.
"We just did our job, they ask us to be band directors and that's what we did," Elaine said.
KSDK