Messmer
High School provides private music instructors as part of the music department. Their
jobs are to help younger students learn to play an instrument or
enhance their vocal skills.
Music Teacher Mr.
Greg Flattery said, “I have gathered up
undergraduate and graduate students from UWM who all wanted to get more
experience with students, one on one, and they all were interested in coming in
and giving students lessons.” Mr. Tyler Williams, one of the private music
instructors, has been singing his entire life and has played the violin for
six years. Once when he was a child, he even played in an orchestra. When asked
of the benefits of younger kids learning music, he said, ”Learning to play an instrument or learning to sing helps us let
out our own creativity and artistry; it makes us happy.”
Mr. Williams also said, “My favorite thing about helping students
learn music is I get to help all of these students to sing and understand music
on a deeper level. Music is something we can use our entire lives and we can
share it with other people, too.”
Another musical specialist who likes to help teach the
art of music is Ms. Elizabeth Ramirez. She has been playing the clarinet for
thirteen years now. She says, “The benefits of younger people learning to play
instruments are endless, but if I have to narrow them down, the arts and music
definitely provide personal growth, confidence, well rounded individuals, and
joy.”
There are challenges as well. Ms. Ramirez
said, ”The most challenging part of teaching students would be finding that
something that will get that student interested and excited in music.” Mr. Flattery added, “Students receive
a tutoring atmosphere that promotes focus and gives them access of a music
professional who is able to help them with musical things from care, handling,
and playing of their chosen instrument to understanding musical theory.”
The students love to have the music instructors around to
help. Sophomore Khalil Todd, learning the bass drum, said, “The music instructors helped me develop my
percussion skills, and now I can play some rhythms more easily.”
--Contributed by sophomore Cylus Hunter
