At the start of this year, I believed I was going to be a double finance major and music performance major in order to keep the arts in my life. However, my opportunity with Mr. Silvestri has completely changed my life. My original goal with the eighth grade band was just to be a guy who taught jazz improv and phrasing while slipping in and out of the concert band time, but that idea did not last long. I found myself becoming immersed in a teacher's day and activities while learning how to run a band classroom. I jumped in at anytime I could to work with the students on any instrument (even if I didn't know anything about it) and to warm-up the band before we began our work for that day. I'll admit I was nervous my first few days in the classroom, but I knew that if I needed anything, Mr. Silvestri would always be there to lend a helping hand to show me how to be a proper director. I found myself slowly being changed into the man I am today by using his teachings in working with any group. .
I feel having the right mentor is necessary for a successful teaching career. Having Mr. Silvestri as my mentor is honestly a dream come true. Being able to be taught once again by my middle school director is a little trip down memory lane for me. I get to see everything I used to do when I was a middle school student, but now I am on the other side of the music stand. This man is by far one of the, if not the best music educator I have interacted with. He forms a bond with students that is still the appropriate relationship, but never gives up on you in life and keeps you moving forward. I know a lot of students would have quit band at their first chance if it wasn't for him. Every student that has had him wishes they could spend the rest of their days with him and to me, that is one of the qualities a director should have; the qualities I hope to have one day. .
As I look to the horizon to see what lies ahead, I can't help but see what I will be leaving behind.