Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
NewsCut
Bob Collins

The state’s coolest bus driver is an opera singer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Who among us hasn't thought that if we drove a school bus, we'd be the coolest school bus driver ever?

Sorry, but Philip Bologna, of Rochester, Minn., has that distinction.

In 1984, Bologna was one of 11 national winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions, crowning him as one the elite young opera singers in the nation, the Rochester Post Bulletin says in its profile today.

Bologna, now 63, shuttles kids with special needs.

One day, when his student passengers were driving him crazy making farting noises, he stopped the bus and arranged them in sections like an orchestra. He then proceed to conduct them in what he called a "fart symphony in D flatulence major."

All kids have virtuous qualities, he says, but sometimes an imagination helps to bring out the best in them. Although far from the marquee opera houses where he once serenaded spellbound audiences, Bologna says he is content with life.

"Certainly, I try to enjoy everything that I'm doing," Bologna said. "That's my basic attitude. There are things that I'd rather be doing, of course, but I make the best of it. So far as the joy factor is concerned, it's wherever I'm at and whenever I'm there."