East Lyme — As he retires from Flanders Elementary School, Roy Schryver was celebrated Friday evening as a teacher who gave others the courage and inspiration to pursue their love of music.

Schryver, whose classroom was filled with the sounds of music and laughter, made such an impression that his students will never forget him, speakers said.

Past and present members of the school community shared memories of Schryver, who is retiring this year after 37 years as a music educator and 29 years at Flanders Elementary School.

"There will never be another Roy Schryver," said Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Newton, at the celebration, "Mr. Schryver's Opus," at East Lyme High School.

The event — which featured performances by musicians, members of the school community, and Schryver's students — was a surprise for the longtime teacher.

Hundreds of students, school staff, parents and community members filled the auditorium with an excited hum as they awaited Schryver's arrival before the event.

When it was announced that Schryver was on his way, lines of students ran to greet him and cheered his arrival.

Once he was seated in the auditorium, Flanders Elementary School Principal Linda Anania asked him to look around to see the hundreds of people who attended the celebration for him.

"You need to remember that you have given so much, that it's our turn to give to you," she said.

Art teacher Lisa Keller recalled how within her first few weeks of teaching at Flanders Elementary School, she noticed students running down the halls into Schryver's classroom. Within minutes, she would hear music, drums and laughter from the room, she said.

Over the years, she witnessed students eager to share a song they had written, or new chords on the guitar or a dance step they had learned. Schryver would always stop and say to them: "show me what you got."

"Not only would he stop and listen, he would join in," she said. "He would either jump on the keyboard or pick up his guitar to join in. I thought: the connection this guy has with the students was unreal. This is such an inspiration to me," she said.  

Keller, who performed on Friday, said she herself got to experience what the students did once she started to play her father's guitar. Schryver told her: "show me what you got."

Former Superintendent James Lombardo recalled Schryver's classroom as always filled with kids having fun, enjoying themselves and learning.

"You are one of those rare people, that passes through a child's life, whom they will never forget," Lombardo told Schryver.

Lloyd Johnson, who has served in several administrative positions for the school district, recalled playing music over the years with Schryver and said his support gave him the confidence to perform.

Noah Feldman, an East Lyme High School graduate and musician, "came full circle" by playing a song from his first gig on stage at East Lyme High School, when Schryver had given him a guitar to play.

"Without you, I wouldn't be here," Feldman said, as he hugged Schryver after his performance.

Schryver said he was touched by the show of support.

"I was so surprised. I walked in the door without an inkling," he said. "To look around and see all my friends and hear these words was so amazing."

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich