Klarinet Archive - Posting 000336.txt from 1998/04

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: RE: lesson motivation
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1998 18:44:20 -0400

At 11:27 PM 4/6/98 -0600, Sean Talbot wrote:
>I think one should be careful suggesting that they change their
>major because that can really hurt some feeling if the student
>believes in what they are doing. I had this suggested to me by
>a teacher that is no longer with this university that music wasn't
>my thing. I was very hurt and frustraited because nothing I did
>seemed good enough for her anyway.......but hey.....she is gone....I
>am here and loving every moment of music playing with our current
>professor. I'm only saying that bringing up that your displeased is
>fine.....telling them to leave music......is bad.
>
Beware the "Mr. Holland's Opus" syndrome. Schools are no place for
frustrated musicians who are looking for a steady day job. To be a
teacher, you must love dealing with children and teaching them things. ANY
things. To be a successful music teacher, you must be a TEACHER who's
special interest is in music, not a musician with an interest in teaching.
I think I realized that I was not cut out for teaching (among other
reasons) and bailed out of Music Ed. As I visit now with band directors on
a daily basis as a road man for a music store, and as I see what my wife (a
6th grade teacher) goes through, I am more convinced than ever that I made
the right choice. But if you are in it for the right reasons, it can be
EXTREMELY rewarding. I see THAT on the road (and at home), too.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.