The Same Year

Music educators can’t teach the same year twice.

I had just a couple teachers in my time as a student who “taught the same year 30 times” rather than shaping their teaching to the students in front of them. In all cases, the classes were eminently forgettable.

But it’s just not possible with ensemble education. Even if I were to program exactly the same music for exactly the same concerts, year in and year out, I wouldn’t be teaching it the same. Tempo, interpretation, phrasing, balance: these are all influenced by the people in the room. The music changes when we move to a different venue or have a few students absent from rehearsal; how could it not change year over year?

This is a blessing, because keeping your teaching fresh is the best way to make sure it is impactful, engaging, and meaningful.