Allison played in a little ensemble of her own that evening, arranging a couple Queen charts for an oddball instrumentation with her fellow graduating seniors.
I got to play tuba with the school band since they needed one, which I was lucky to do. And next year I will be attending the same school's graduation, as I will have another graduating senior from Coupeville...and hopefully one from Oak Harbor, too.
I get sentimental over this kind of thing. I don't know, graduation from high school for me was such a milestone for many reasons, mainly because I was ready to go to college and get out into the real world. Unlike most others, I was also ready to get away from a place I wasn't fond of at the time because I didn't like the people of my graduating class...they didn't really support me that much or my musical endeavors, and were all about sports and partying. I didn't really have any good friends that I kept in touch with after graduating, except for my cousin, who I of course keep in touch with.
But from the standpoint of a teacher, I know that I'm going to see a lot of different students graduate and go off into the world, many of which to be musicians and/or music teachers. And I know that I'm going to have somewhat of an impact in their lives, no matter how big or small. And I guess I'm just going to miss them when they leave, but will be very proud of them, and happy to know I was a part of their lives.
I don't know if I've ever shared this with you guys before, but my ultimate goal in life is to leave a legacy. A good one. To be remembered for what good I contributed. It sounds selfish, sure, but everyone has something to be selfish about. This is mine. I want to impact the lives and be respected and liked (even loved) by as many people as possible. So when one of my students graduates and invites me to it, I know I've done my job with them.
I hope all of you who teach music feel the same way as I do. Never underestimate how much a music teacher cares about his students.
Take care and value music.