Rehearsals and lessons are in full swing. One of my favorite parts of the day is experiencing the energy and enjoyment that every student feels when they are learning and performing music. It is such an honor to teach such wonderful students here in Chester.
We work hard all year preparing each student to become a better musician, both as a performer and as a person. I tell the students that the instrumental program is set up to guide them to slowly and sequentially advance their skills so that they can do more with music as they get older. Sometimes it is difficult for them to understand why they have to learn scales, intonation, rhythm, tone, pride and even how to express their musical thoughts in an essay. However, I have many stories of how our Chester students (and my own) have gone on to succeed in musical and other endeavors later in life. Here are just a few:
1. We have several students who help make the High School musical program a huge success. Their musical skills have not only helped them gain acceptance in major universities, but also they have received scholarships.
2. One of our percussionists, Alex Lipowski (Student of Dr. Piascik), is one of the top percussionists in NYC.
3. Many of our students have (are) studied music at the university as performers and composers. This December, I will conduct a world premiere of Jessica Down's piece that she wrote for the NJYS Percussion Ensemble.
4. Many of our percussionists are members of the NJYS Percussion Ensemble, a group that is recognized for high quality performances across the nation.
5. My past students have become composers, musicians, producers, managers, university professors and theorists. However, most of them have become highly successful leaders in our country as finance managers, sports managers and great business leaders.
6. Lastly, just last night, I was working at the New Jersey Youth Symphony and saw a student walk out of an audition for Bass Trombone. As I turned, I noticed it was one of our students from Chester that graduated in 2011. He was accepted into the top level orchestra at NJYS, an orchestra that just returned from a tour in Vienna. Congrats Batman!
We have no idea of how each student will use their musical education...we need to prepare them well.
I do know that their musical talents will benefit them both as a person and an employee of our future. The skills they are learning will compliment anything they decide to do! Music education will add creativity, pride, innovation, passion, drive, determination and a more efficient brain for our students to succeed forever.
I am proud to be part of each student's day as they learn, discover and smile while they learn music.
Thank you to all my students!