‘I’ve seen thousands of kids graduate:’ Former Richmond music teacher has been playing organ at graduations for decades

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Richmond Public Schools (RPS) students walked across the graduation stage, they were accompanied by the beautiful flourish of an organ played by a former music teacher — just as graduates before them have for decades.

Diane Briggs-Bacon has been playing the organ at RPS graduations since 1996 -- meaning she's been accompanying graduates for almost 30 years.

She told 8News that her interest in music began as watching piano concerts on her television at a young age. She was then inspired not only by the organist at her childhood church, but by the woman who played at RPS' graduations for 45 years before her.

"I was just interested in doing what she was doing," she said, adding that it quickly became her dream.

Diane Briggs-Bacon, a former RPS music teacher, playing the organ for graduation as she has for decades. (Photo: 8News)

Diane Briggs-Bacon, a former RPS music teacher, playing the organ for graduation as she has for decades. (Photo: 8News)

Diane Briggs-Bacon, a former RPS music teacher, playing the organ for graduation as she has for decades. (Photo: 8News)

To that end, she started taking piano lessons at 5 years old, then organ lessons at 12 years old. Now, she gets to live her dream every year.

8News asked Briggs-Bacon what her favorite part about her job is.

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"Seeing all of the graduates graduate ... through the years, I've seen thousands of kids graduate," she said. "Just seeing [their] happiness, their [families,] their closeness, when they're ready to go across that stage."

Briggs-Bacon's passion for music doesn't stop there, as she taught Richmond students about it for 47 years -- which means some graduation ceremonies get to be even more special for her.

Diane Briggs-Bacon, a former RPS music teacher, playing the organ for graduation as she has for decades. (Photo: 8News)

Diane Briggs-Bacon, a former RPS music teacher, playing the organ for graduation as she has for decades. (Photo: 8News)

Diane Briggs-Bacon, a former RPS music teacher, playing the organ for graduation as she has for decades. (Photo: 8News)

"[I am] seeing [my former elementary students] graduate, and I am even seeing some of their children that have graduated, now," she said. "And that's really exciting to see -- the growth and the success of these students, especially when they go off to college and they get scholarships ... it's just an exciting time of year."

Even though she's retired from teaching, she continues to play for graduations. When asked why, Briggs-Bacon emphasized how happy doing this makes her, saying she looks forward to graduation season every year.

"I hope I can continue [for] as long as I can," she said.