My favorite teacher, Mr. Holston, passed away
I had to get all the way to high school to find a teacher who truly moved me with his teaching, actions and inspiration. Mr. Holston was the band director at my high school.
He had a special class in my jr. year that encompassed 6 chorus members, 6 band members and 6 students that weren't in either program. There were 2 per class year (soph, jr. and sr). We, the chorus and band members, had to take 1 of the non musical students and teach them to sing or play an instrument. We also had to play a different instrument at the same time. Since I play the flute, I chose the recorder. I had to chose a different key, so I chose the alto and gave her the tenor. I had to transpose. It was a challenge but we both got As.
We also had to look at different music scores and determine the key (no clefs) as well as figure out when it was written and what was happening in the world at that time.
Gee, that was a time when teachers were allowed to teach.
Good Bye, my dear professor and mentor.
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