Two of my students are graduating high school this year. They have taken lessons from me since elementary school and I've had the privilege of watching them grow up and become fine young adults. Soon they will no longer attend and will continue on to college and the next phase of their lives. This happens nearly every year, of course, but this year I've been giving additional thought about music lessons and their role in a persons life. I've been given thank-you notes and cards over the years from graduates and I've reflected on a couple of common themes.
Neither of these students were involved in music at school. No marching band, no choir concerts, no music other than what they learned from me. So as politicians debate the need to fund the arts, or even public education to its fullest, I realize that the outcome will have little impact on me professionally. The desire to play music will continue. Families will continue to pay for private lessons because everyone has read (or read about) the studies that show how playing music improves brain function. Well, everyone except the politicians it seems.
I've noticed, and written about, a new crop of kids who enjoy playing solo instrumental music. They like playing classical music more than they thought they would and they also enjoy taking those skills and applying them to pop music. They aren't preparing for a music career but, rather, a life time of playing music for their own enjoyment. This music will not replace their love of popular music and the hit music of their young lives. It will instead enhance and expand their ability to enjoy many different styles.
I suppose this would be a good time to pat myself on the back and start to believe all of the nice things that are said of me. But in reality all teachers have an impact on their students. And all private music teachers have a unique relationship with theirs. We are fortunate and we generally know it. It is an undercurrent of our conversations with each other.
Last week I said "Good-bye" to one of my graduates. The last thing he played for me was a beautiful waltz from the early 19th century. He has a full-time summer job and then will head to college in the fall. A bittersweet moment for both of us. But earlier in the week I said "Hello" to a new five year old little girl who wants to learn. Her second lesson was a success and she was very excited to learn "Hot Cross Buns". And so it goes.