"Why I chose to enter the Music Education profession and why music is important in school.
Throughout the years, I have accrued several valid points in why I have chosen to become a Music Educator. Whether it was a wonderful experience, my own personal love for music, aesthetic purposes, or the psychological aspects of music, they are all valid. The reasons that music is important are similar to those of my reasons for my interest in music.
I have had wonderful experiences with music in the school systems, but I have also had very bad experiences as well. Robert Bruce, my first true band director, had a deep impact on my practice habits. He was a very hard man to please, but he set reasonable goals. He had a special connection with the students and they respected him enough by behaving while in class or on trips. John Mancinelli was my biggest inspiration to becoming a Band Director. He had a love for music and he showed it in his examples, playing, and teaching. He too had a special connection with each and every student. This will be elaborated later. With all the good apples in my basket of friends comes a bad apple. Mr. Vroble, notice I cannot remember his first name, was the worst band director I have seen. He cared for himself and no one else. His love for music had to have died decades ago. He did not help a single student. The marching band even consisted of primarily fifth graders. .
All three of these band directors are inspirations to me. Robert and John have shown me how I want to act with the students. Caring and sharing everyday. While Mr. Vroble has shown me that there are band programs that exist that continually break down the joy and importance of music.
My love of music was not as strong as it is now. Sure, in the beginning, I liked music, but I wanted to go into the field of Marine Biology. Then I taught my first saxophone lesson and I was hooked. I started to wonder, "Okay, what else can I do with music?" I started out slowly and I began to learn all the instruments available to me.