There’s nothing more delicious in life than when something exceeds our every expectation. I knew full well that last night’s senior recital by Prairie School’s Ryan Anderson was going to be musically splendid. He’s one of the best young cellists I have ever heard – and a really fine tenor, to boot – so there was little doubt that he would deliver the goods, musically speaking. And as a gifted senior who’s about to finish one chapter and begin another, the recital was likely to be both impressive and moving.
But in fact, the recital served up an incredibly poignant moment in which Ryan paid tribute to his past and present music teachers, including Charlene Melzer (who began teaching him cello when he was in second grade), Martha Veto (his present cello teacher, who accompanied him in his cello pieces last night), and Pat Badger, the music teacher at Prairie. He introduced each of us by name, and presented each of us with a really beautiful flowering plant. It was a truly touching experience for everybody present, but especially for those of us who were being acknowledged in such thoughtful fashion.
It was only after the fact that I began to more fully appreciate what made this tribute so very special. I think the typical 18- year-old music student, unless they’re a total clunkhead, feels some sense of indebtedness to their current teacher for what they have managed to achieve, musically. But it’s a little less common for such a student to properly appreciate the contribution of their first teachers- especially because in many cases you’re too young at the time to appreciate or perhaps even understand what that teacher is doing for you- or the ways in which they might be going above and beyond in their efforts to nurture your talents. The fact that Ryan made certain that Charlene attended the recital and then honored her so lavishly says a lot not only about her and her devotion to her students – but says a lot about Ryan as well and what an uncommonly sensitive young man he is.
Thinking about what Ryan did last night is bringing to mind a song of mine called “Mercy and Love” which is based on the New Testament story of Jesus healing ten lepers and how only one of them took the time to stop and say thank you before running home. That story has always powerfully resonated with me, but only in this moment as I’m typing these words is it occurring to me that I probably identify with this story as the proverbial music teacher whose students often go running into the world and into the rest of their lives without stopping to say thank you – or only saying thank you in the most perfunctory sort of way, with no real sense of what you have done for them – or saying thank you as they step into the next chapter and from that point never looking back again. But as I type those words, I’m realizing that I have very little cause for complaint. By and large, I’ve been blessed with very appreciative students, who have let me know both at the time and after the fact that they appreciate what I’ve done for them. When one teaches at the collegiate level, you’re teaching young adults who are in a better position to appreciate the efforts of others than, for instance, the typical third grader. And at Carthage, we require our voice students to write reflective essays about their voice study at the end of almost every semester, and in many cases (if not always) these essays turn out to be beautifully crafted, heartfelt thank you letters- some of which I have copied and stored for safe keeping because they are so moving. So those of us who teach at the college level don’t have too much to complain about – although I still like to give my colleague Amy Haines all kinds of grief for all of the cards and gifts that her voice students (all young women) typically shower on her … something which my guys almost never do, although they certainly show their gratitude in other ways.
Likewise, I think most high school music teachers will tell you that they feel very appreciated by many of their students, especially those teachers who really give their all. At the end of the year concerts at Tremper, for instance, those students “surprise” Polly with cards and gifts and heartfelt words of thanks that I know mean the world to her. And while it happens so regularly now that it could almost turn into something done by rote, you can tell from what’s said that they really mean every word and appreciate Polly’s devotion to their well being. And in this day and age of music education being cut back or even eliminated in so many places, I think high schoolers are much less likely to take anything for granted than they once might have been.
That being said, I don’t think the typical high school music student is always as mindful as they should be of those teachers who nurtured them in the past- especially their teachers back in their elementary days who may have first turned them on to music and/or first recognized a talent that was worth cultivating. Certainly at the time, the typical elementary student is not really capable of that kind of appreciation- and when a youngster presents their music teacher with some sort of gift of appreciation, it’s almost always the idea of the parents- purchased by the parents- or made by the student under the guidance of and prompting of the parents. And in the wild adventure of growing into adolescence, it’s those teachers of young students who miss out on the bouquets and speeches. I thought of this the other night while playing for the most recent Tremper choir concert. I have never played for one of those concerts where at least one (and usually more than one) of the choirs hasn’t made some sort of presentation to Polly. And in all of the years I have played for Kathy’s concerts at Schulte Elementary, it’s just the opposite- never once has a youngster stepped off of the risers to surprise her with a gift and a word of thanks on behalf of the choir. It just doesn’t happen when you’re dealing with children of that age; they just don’t think in those terms. Of course, there are those few extra special students who somehow “get it” even at a tender age and go out of their way to let their teachers know how much they appreciate them. I’m sure for the typical elementary teacher, those students are like an unexpected treat – and when an older student thinks to thank their elementary teacher from years before, that has to be one of the sweetest treats of all.
So as Ryan presented those lovely flowers last night to his teachers – and especially has he presented them to his first teacher, Charlene Melzer – I couldn’t help but think of elementary music teachers like my wife…. or Laura Wangaard (the instrumental teacher at Schulte) …. or any of their counterparts, who are teaching right now in an atmosphere that has never been harsher or more challenging…. in a culture that does not begin to value teachers as it should. They press on, nevertheless. I wish for each of them at least one Ryan Anderson, someone who takes the time to look back and say thank you . . . maybe even with flowers.
photo above: Ryan Anderson presents flowers to his current cello teacher, Martha Veto.