Today was the open house for a new music school which opened up in Worcester, called the Worcester Academy of Music (how fitting). I have been hired to teach both clarinet lessons and early childhood/general music classes. Since we are a brand new establishment, we are in the process of building our client base, hence the open house. I have to admit that when I agreed to attend, I truly believed I would have had this baby by now (HA! Joke's on me!), and I was not really looking forward to it much, as I have been, well, just rather pregnant! I mustered up the best energy I could, and got there for 10am this morning.
I was scheduled to teach two sample early childhood music classes for today, and then be available with my clarinet for our instrument petting zoo. The first class I was scheduled to teach, 10:30-11am, had no attendees. I was bummed, but figured people would show for the 1-1:30 class, since 10:30am is early for a Saturday. Well, no one showed for my 1pm class either. This, coupled with the fact that there was not very high interest in my instrument, was bringing down my mood very fast.
However, there were things today that completely changed my whole frame of mind. First, I was surrounded all day by colleagues who have a complete passion for what they do. In one room, the percussion, saxophone, and trombone teachers could be heard having random jam sessions as they waited for prospective students to walk through. There were mini-concerts all day, given by faculty from the school, so I was able to hear all the wonderful talent that makes up this group of music colleagues. I found myself enjoying getting to know all of these people, as musicians but mostly as people. It's been a while since I have felt such great professional networking, and it was really uplifting.
There was something greater, though, that really brought the meaning of what I do to the forefront. And I am not just talking about being a musician. I am talking more about why I teach in general.
About half-way through the day, a gentleman walked into the school. He was extremely cordial, very interested in learning about our school and what we offer. He said he lives down the street (the area where the school is would be considered a more inner-city type area of Worcester), and since the schools have cut so much from the kids' curriculum, he worries that his children do not have enough to help them create, grow, and find who they are as people. He said he doesn't have a lot of money, despite working a lot, and he just cannot afford to have his kids participate in an array of after school activities. He said he takes time out of every day to take his children to the local park, but fears that this is getting old and boring. He wants to keep his kids off the streets, and offer them something better. Since our school is extremely close to his house, he feels this would be a great opportunity. I must say that this man told us all of this with not an ounce of "poor-me" attitude. He came across as someone who, instead of sitting around feeling sorry for himself and his family, is thankful for what he does have, albeit not very much. After speaking with us (myself and another teacher) for a while, we tell him to come back with his kids if possible, so they can have the opportunity to meet the teachers and see the instruments. After he leaves, we mention this conversation to our executive director.
About twenty minutes later, the same gentleman walks back into the school, this time with his three (EXTREMELY polite and adorable) children and wife. When they arrive, there is a mini-concert being given by our recorder teacher, and this family sat there the entire time and listened intently. When it was done, the man thanked her for such nice music and commented on how much he enjoyed it. After the concert, I see all three kids' eyes light up as they discover all the instruments, getting to play most of them and discovering how to make different sounds. As I am watching this, I notice our director has sought this man out, and is talking to him regarding registration. I do not know the outcome of their conversation, but what I do know is that when this family left, they were all smiling, the man was thanking us all and just extremely appreciative of our help. Oh, and the kids? Well, they were pretty much bouncing with excitement as they walked out the door.
So, why the entire narrative about this man and his family? Because, unbeknown to them, this family offered up some surprise inspiration for me. I've been lacking in the inspiration department, at least musically and educationally, as of late. After hearing this man's story, how he wants SO BAD to keep his kids off the streets and offer them something better, and he wants to do this by giving them music lessons....well, fellow music educators, isn't this the moment we all strive to be in? Where a parent recognizes the importance of the arts in shaping a child? Just the story of this father working his tail off to give his kids a better life is inspiring in and of itself. But, add the fact that he wants his kids to get that better life with the help of music...well, isn't that just the musical holy grail? I left that school today feeling, for the first time in a very long time, like what I do really does make a difference. Do you know what an awesome feeling that is? You see, this man was thanking me for helping him, when really, I should have thanked him for giving me back the enthusiasm and passion for what I do that has been so lackluster. You can't put a price on stuff like this.
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