And I'm so proud of her. And happy that she's going to college, especially since she's majoring in music. But, remember that I'm a teacher that loves his job, cares a lot about his students, and really enjoys the time I get to spend teaching them and getting to know them, and so whenever a student heads off to college that I've really gotten to know and bond with, it's kind of a bummer. I'm gonna miss having Allison as a student and a member of my brass ensembles. And you know what? I'm going to go through this process a lot in my career.
The fact that I'm graduating a senior away got me thinking about this concept. I'm going to work with a ton of students in my career, form bonds with many of them, help them achieve great things, and hopefully make a positive impact on their lives. And they're all going to graduate and leave. Now, they're going to go off and do great things and make me proud, I'm sure. But I'm going to miss them. Just like I miss so many of my college friends that live too far away. I really wish I did a better job at keeping in touch with my friends and colleagues from college. I know a lot of really great people.
As it starts to happen more and more in the coming years, I'm going to have to make peace with it. I tend to be very sensitive internally, refraining from showing it externally most of the time because I feel it could make matters worse. But showing genuine sadness when a student has their last lesson isn't good, because I don't want that to be the mood of the student's last lesson. I want it to be positive, and as they leave from this last lesson, I want it to be like proud parent sending their kid off to kindergarten for the first time, proud of how much they've grown and excited for all the great things they're going to do. I want it to end with a solid handshake or a good hug, instead of awkward silence or awkward conversation. So, I gotta be professional, and just do it that way.
Luckily for me, though, these students that leave will normally have parents still here on the island that they'll come visit. And maybe these students will swing by for rehearsals or concerts for fun. Allison is actually going to try her best to play with the Whidbey Island Horn Club, which I'm kind of surprised and very honored to have her do. That's quite a commitment from her, even though she says she would be coming home most weekends anyways. I mean, she doesn't have to play in the horn club, y'know. It's just great that she wants to.
I guess that's what happens when you build up a good brass program and have really committed students. You wonder why I dedicate myself so much to the education and opportunities of my students...it's because I'm trying to create memorable experiences that kids will keep wanting to have.
I'm trying to create a legacy. A good one, mind you. Call it selfish. But I have this obsession with wanting to be remembered by people positively. Because the people I remember positively are amazing and inspiring. I guess I want to be just like them. Just trying to join the crowd.
Take care and value music.