An ode to music teachers

When I arrived home from work on Wednesday night, Mimi was sobbing on the couch while J consoled her.

"Mama, I have very bad news," she said between tears.  "Mr. P..." (more sobbing) "... is leaving the school at the end of the year."  She was really beside herself.  Mr. P, her music teacher, was her favorite teacher this year -- he's one of those young, very enthusiastic teachers whose passion about the arts is contagious.

We were able to cheer Mimi up with a trip to a favorite playground that evening.  But I feel Mimi's pain.  Once upon a time I had my very own favorite music teacher...

Middle school was a rough time for me, and in many ways 8th grade was the hardest year of them all.  I was teased unmercifully by a pack of mean, popular girls, and was sometimes even ostracized by the small group of "friends" that I socialized with.

But I had one thing going for me.  I was a member of the school's elite chorus group.  I'd auditioned at the beginning of the school year, never expecting to make the cut -- but was shocked and thrilled to see my name on that short list.

The chorus director, Mr. G, was one of the most liked teachers in the school.   Like Mimi's Mr. P, he was young, hip, and passionate about music.  Mr. G was an avid fan of the Beatles, and actually taught an entire unit on the Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.  He was an accomplished pianist, and would spontaneously burst into song during breaks in music class or chorus practice. 

But while those things were all great, I loved Mr. G because his expectations for me were simple.  He had no preconceived notions of the shy, self-conscious person tormented by classmates, or the brainy student who would experience disapproval if she didn't live up to the academic teachers' expectations.  When I was in chorus, I just had to sing to make Mr. G happy. 

When the chorus group was first formed, I could not understand why Mr. G seemed to count me among his favorites.  Typically his strongest praise went to the most talented singers -- like Sue with her beautiful soprano voice or Beth with her lilting alto.  I didn't have a particularly strong or lovely voice. 

But over time I began to realize why Mr. G appreciated me.  One day our group was reading through a new piece for the first time: a historical song with difficult harmonies.  Although Mr. G kept playing the soprano part on the piano, most of the other girls in my section could not seem to get the notes and rhythm correct.  But I was a good sight-reader, and once I heard the melody a couple of times, I had it nailed. 

During our third take, Mr. G abruptly looked up from the piano, blew me a kiss, and said, "Bravo, Nancy!"  Later, he asked me to sing a duet with the strongest alto to demonstrate the correct interpretation of the soprano part.   I'm sure my voice was shaky with self-consciousness, but I'm proud to say that I nailed the harmony.  And the smile from Mr. G kept me glowing for at least a week.

I learned something important that day, a lesson that remains etched in my perfectionistic soul (and which I turn to repeatedly when my constant striving for A+ makes me weary).  We can't all be superstars, but everyone can be a valued member of the team. 

Sadly, my singing career fizzled out after 8th grade.  I wanted to continue taking orchestra and art, which left no time for additional electives.   I was resigned to watching the high school chorus from backstage or from the orchestra pit.

I didn't mind too much, though.  Thanks to Mr. G, I knew I would always be a singer.

Comments

[slouching mom]

What a lovely story, Nancy.

Thank God for teachers like that.

[mayberry]

I'm so sorry Mimi is losing such a great teacher, but happy that the transition inspired such a post. Always good to see you in the ol' reader!

[Julie]

I love that Mimi was so excited by music! That must be fun for you two to share.

And what a great outlet for you during a universally rotten time of life. Junior high, ugh.

[mamasutra]

Loved this post. Good to know I wasn't the only one who had less than a fabulous time in middle school!

Glad to see you back!

[Kimberly]

The lessons the good one teach us never leave our hearts :) Beautiful post!

[Meg]

Now that's why we click, Nancy: I, too, was teased, not horribly, but still. Never an athlete, I turned to music, and excelled at it. I sang and played the oboe, and accompanied the chorus on the piano. I had leads in musicals. And even though I wasn't the best musician, and didn't have the most beautiful voice, I was a great sightreader and was pretty darn good, and that enabled me to build some much-needed confidence at a time that's difficult no matter WHO you are.

Happy to see this post - I've missed you!!

[Becki]

Is it possible to let Mimi's teacher know how much he means to her? Because it would probably mean so much to him to know how he has touched her life.

[mamatulip]

I remember when my grade school music teacher left for British Columbia. I was devastated. I understand how Mimi feels.

This is such a lovely post, Nancy - I agree with the above commenter that if there's any way you could let Mr. P know how much he means to Mimi, that would be awesome.

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

Besides, everybody knows that singers can't sight read.

(Sorry, music department joke. And I sing so I can make fun of my own kind.)

Good music teachers are the best. They can do amazing things for your self esteem.

[k8v]

Oh, so right. Mr. Christ taught me so much in elementary school. I still sing the medley we sang in 6th grade. All of my music teachers gave me rich experiences and a sense of self confidence that I never found anywhere else. There is just something about singing with other people and harmonizing--together creating something beautiful with just a simple voice from each person.

[magpie]

That's a dear story.

I had a wonderful music teacher in middle school. He was definitely out there, and later got in trouble for inappropriate talk, but we learned so much from him. Fred.

One of the boys who was in that class will be M.'s music teacher in kindergarten next year. Different town (40 miles away, just a coincidence).

[apathy lounge]

You should let him know of his impact. I know he'd be pleased.

[Claudia]

I love music, would not be able to live without it, but I am absolutely without talent, despite the best efforts of my music teachers...

[Bethiclaus]

What a wonderful story about a teacher's influence. I know that we all have these stories, but I always find them touching nonetheless.

[Suebob]

Is there anyone for whom 8th grade WASN'T hell?

I'm so glad you had a good teacher to help you through.

[ozma]

Wow, I remember that moment that a teacher could create. How amazing that is. That one thing that you did right. Childhood is so strange in the impact things can leave on you. Hooray for great teachers.

[Pendullum]

So sad for Mimi....
And soglad that she had her Mr.P....
And am so glad you had Mr.G...
No matter what letter in the alphabet....
They opened the heavens.... No greater gift to a student or a teacher...

[Izzy]

Nancy? Where you be? Is everything okay?

[Izzy]

Nancy? Where you be? Is everything okay?

[Catez]

Thanks Nancy. That reminder about being one of the team hit the right spot for me today. Great post.

[lildb]

so sad you weren't in SF.

missing you something awful.

[roo]

My best friend from college is a music teacher in Maine. He teaches at the middle and high school of a small town, conducts choir and madrigals, etc., etc.

We've talked a lot about his work over the years, and it sounds like the teacher you describe is the teacher he's trying to be.

I'd love to forward this to him, if you don't mind.