I have a friend from high school who teaches in New York City. This guy is an absolute monster of a player. He is teaching in the "21st worst school in NYC" and is beginning to question what he is doing here. He remembers what our high school band director did for us and he feels he isn't providing the same amount of support, the same quality of experience.
My core values in teaching completely come from educators I have worked with and learned from. My director in high school, Joe Grasso, and in college, Wendell Logan, had very similar core values.
Rule #1: Do the work.
That was about it. No exceptions, no excuses, no nothing. Never, ever be late. Why? Because we are doing the work!!
Boonshaft writes about the love of rehearsing. Teaching students to love the journey and to believe in themselves. I am finding in my current job that I am struggling with this. I need to find ways to encourage the WORK so we can PLAY with the music.
I have no students taking private lessons right now. I have plenty of students who PLAY music, but not many, yet, who do the work. Getting there is the struggle we are in right now.
What are my core values? What do I try to teach? What will I not compromise on?
- Be on time. Be professional.
- Honor the music. Respect the composer.
- You must read the music. It is the key to unlocking musical secrets.
- Each student has a musical voice. Sometimes they need to discover it.
Booneshaft was the conductor of Connecticut Valley Wind Ensemble, of which I was a member from '83-85. Amazing conductor/musician/educator. :)
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