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Lakeland Christian Academy music teacher, Bill Wise, developed an interest in teaching music when he was in still high school.
Now, even after teaching band and choir students for 29 years, his enthusiasm for his profession has never left him.
“I truly believe that the arts are vital to the total educational experience. Students who do not have this experience miss out on something they can carry with them and cherish for the rest of their lives,” Wise said.
When the school year ended Friday, Wise completed his 23rd year at Lakeland. Although there were only a dozen band members this year, it didn’t keep him from stretching their performances to include a variety of musical offerings.
For the final concert of the year, Wise decided to bring back an original number, “Blue Dumpster Jam,” that he first wrote in 2006 based on percussion rhythms using mallets on trash cans and metal cans and lids.
Wise said he adapted the piece several times to meet student needs by remixing it. He said, “The arrangement this year was a slight variation of the ‘remix’ from 2008. Over the years, arrangements have followed the same general idea, but the rhythms or the style varied slightly.”
Although the small band only has a couple of students in the percussion section, Wise taught the piece having each student play a unique rhythm line. He said, “Students on the dumpster lids, for example, knew when to open and close them.”
Wise has adopted using themes for concerts in order to meet the interests of students and educate them on the different styles of music. “The Fall Concert always focuses on sacred music which includes Contemporary Christian music. Even the more traditional selections for choir involve more of an upbeat accompaniment,” he said.
Jayden Burkholder said he is glad to be a part of the band, saying, “Mr. Wise lets us explore our passion for music.” But band member, Kathryn Monsma said band is more than just playing music. “It teaches us to work in a team. It is not just about one person, it is about us all,” she said.
“We have followed a ‘pops’ concert theme for band and choir in our fine arts department ‘Spring Fling’ performances during the past several years,” Wise said. “Students especially enjoy selections from musicals and movies.”
Wise realizes that successful performances take adding a little extra excitement for both the performers and the audience. In many of the concert numbers, students are encouraged to dress to create a mood.
Student Maddy Silveus said, “We get to plan cool outfits.”
