Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2012
22
The Heart and Soul of Every
Exemplary Music Educator:
The Gift of Teaching Music
Master teachers have always
had the ability to “go beyond the
assigned curriculum.” Not only
do they present the substantive
requisite material in an effective
and efficient style, but they also
add a difficult-to-define bit of
“magic” to the delivery. What is
this secret ingredient that separates
the exemplary educators from the
rest of their colleagues? Many have
attempted to quantify it, replicate
it, diagnose it, and assess it in a way
it can be taught to others, and yet it
seems (at best) very elusive. When
we observe a master teacher in
action we know there is something
very special about the way he/she
“connects” with his/her students;
it is far more than an “transfer of
information,” rather it is a complete
exchange of knowledge designed to
improve and enrich the lives of the
listeners/students.
We tend to label this con-
textual gift with such terms as:
enthusiasm, expertise, people skills,
communication competence, teacher
readiness, proficiency, sensitivity, and
even charisma. Yes, it is all of these,
and more. It is the right combination
of personality attributes tailored to
the given teacher, and it seems to be
as individualized and as unique as
the pattern of a snowflake. Teacher
magic, an intangible.
We have all witnessed incredibly
intelligent and well-trained
educators fall short in a rehearsal
or classroom situation. Likewise,
we have observed an uneducated
laborer captivate a group of students
while explaining a particular
procedure to accomplish the task-
at-hand. Perhaps the teacher magic
does not come from the extended
study of a certain discipline, but
rather it is a manifested reflection
of the values of the teacher. If this
hypothesis is true, a master teacher
could adapt his/her instructional
skills to a multitude of learning
areas. While it is arguable,
an exemplary music educator
could also be a winning coach; a
remarkable youth minister could
become a model teacher of foreign
language, etc.
There have been many late
night discussions bantering the
reasons certain teachers enjoy
ongoing success while others
struggle to achieve a similar level of
accomplishment. Undoubtedly the
controversy will continue forever,
however there may be a clue to
the mystery in the following words
of wisdom from the pen of the
popular Lebanese actor/comedian,
Danny Thomas:
“Success has
nothing to do with what you gain
in life or accomplish for yourself—
it’s what you do for others.”
Therein lies the common
denominator found in all master
teachers; “what they do for others.”
As educators we are measured by
what we “give,” not by what we have.
As we continue our professional
journey of teaching, rehearsing,
sharing, giving, let us be reminded
the success of our programs, our
ensembles, our students, and (yes)
even our own careers is outcome
of “what we bring to others.”
Great teaching is not about the
accumulation of various awards,
trophies, and superior ratings; it is
about creating a positive learning
atmosphere for the students so they
can understand, experience, and
enjoy the language of music.
With this awareness at the fore-
front of our teaching philosophy,
Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser
. . . .Strike up the band. . . .
Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser is a well-known
name in the music education world as
a teacher, clinician, author, composer,
consultant, adjudicator, and above all,
a trusted friend to anyone interested in
working with young people in developing
a desire for excellence. His own career
involves ten years of successful college band
directing, three years in the music industry,
and his organization Attitude Concepts for
Today. Tim presently holds the Earl Dunn
Distinguished Lecturer position at Ball State
University, serves as the Executive Director
of Education for Conn-Selmer, Inc., and
is the national spokesperson for MENC’s
“Make a Difference with Music” program.
Dr. Tim is a TBA Life Member.