When I was a columnist for SBO Magazine before I achieved the exalted title of Editor-in-Chief of SBO+, each December I wrote a column titled “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” where I recalled incidents from my past that illustrated the title.
This year, I just finished assembling our annual “50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference” feature. It is the successor of our “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” to recognize that many teachers of music may not be directors of ensembles. Several general music teachers asked if they were indeed the awardee because they weren’t directors. Included in this year’s “class” are teachers of instrumental, vocal, music theater, general music, and modern band. While most are K-12 teachers, a few higher ed teachers were nominated because of their impact on their students and the students that their students ultimately taught.
Reading each of these master teachers’ thoughts on their most memorable achievements revealed a common thread. All of them celebrated the private moments when a student conquered an obstacle and perhaps only flashed a brief small smile. All of them said their priority was to help their students become happy and healthy people. If they happened to also be good musicians, that was an extra benefit.
Knowing full well, that each year’s awardees (over 1,200 to date!) are just a tiny percentage of the huge number of music teachers doing extraordinary work, undoubtedly make this “the most wonderful time of the year” when we can recognize and celebrate great teachers of music.
This issue marks the beginning of a new era for the print and digital SBO+ magazine. Several of the articles in this print and digital magazine version are abridged versions of longer articles that will appear as standalones on our new website. Please take the time to check out SBOplus.net or SBOmagazine.com and see the huge number of current and past articles at your fingertips.
We will be distributing this issue at the Midwest clinic. Stop by and visit us at Booth #1615!
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