[TPIN] "Crushing A Student"

[nickmondello at optonline.net]

Dear TPIN:

Sorry, but I have to rag about this ...

I have a pair of students, two young brothers, both of whom play trombone. One has played for a year and the other is a raw beginner. Although I teach trumpet and jazz primarily, I took the student(s) on to get them started with fundamentals.

The Mother told me that the young beginner was "crushed" when he showed up for his first band lesson in school. Here comes the 4th-grader, all smiles and excited for his first day of BAND!!! 
His older brother had taught him a note or two, so he was really looking to impress. Upon the kid getting set up, Mr. (A.H.) Teacher tells the student that his horn is a "piece of junk," and admonishes him "your parents should have NEVER got you that horn, it's junk!" and other idiotic comments. The kid was in tears Day One! 

I just don't get it. This guy has probably never played with anyone - except perhaps himself - and he's got the nerve to hurt a kid's feelings, upset the parents ("Hey, don't forget to vote for the music
program in the budget vote!!!") and embarrassed himself. Even if the horn was "junk" (it was rented from a "preferred vendor on the Teacher's Music Store List!), why hurt a kid like that first day out?

It took me an hour last night to get the kid back on track emotionally and musically. By lesson's end, I told him he sounded like Joe Alessi - even if it was on ONE note!!!!

Nick