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The power of music education is palpable for Noblesville West Middle School student Julia Herstein. She plays flute and piano, and performs in her school’s concert band and jazz band. Herstein channeled her love of music, putting pen to paper for an essay contest with SBO+ Magazine, an independent magazine for instrumental, vocal, musical theater and general music educators. This contest is highly regarded in the music education community, and winning it is a significant achievement.
“I learned about the contest through a friend,” Herstein says. “She entered it last year and suggested I try it this year. I wasn’t planning on winning, but I did!”
The essay parallels learning a musical piece and conquering it, with writing an essay including an introduction, paragraphs and conclusion. It’s also a thank-you to her piano teacher, Phoenix Park-Kim.
The following is from her essay: “Mrs. Phoenix remains the one person I turn to throughout my musical journey and she has helped me effectively learn and play multiple pieces. Mrs. Phoenix helps me, teaching me new methods to improve my skill. I work on a section, learn a new one, and piece them together with her help. Mrs. Phoenix guides me, patiently pointing out my mistakes throughout the piece. She helps me understand the feelings behind the notes and encourages me to understand what I am playing.”
The winner in each grade-level category receives $1,000 for themselves and $600 worth of equipment for their school music program. Herstein says she wrote the essay for her fellow band members and herself. She says she feels great about being able to give back to her school program. Her essay has not only brought recognition to her school, but also tangible benefits, with the school receiving a recording system and two monitors. This is a testament to the power of music education and the impact it can have on a school community.
“So far we have received a recording system and two monitors,” says Stacey White, band director. “We will be using them for recordings of students who are interested in submitting auditions to various honor ensembles throughout the state.”
Herstein started playing piano in kindergarten and flute in third grade. She also played in the Indianapolis Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, playing flute in the sixth grade. She plans to continue with both instruments through high school, and hopes to be part of a band playing flute, as well as a jazz band on piano.
“Julia is a delightful student any teacher could hope for,” says Phoenix Park-Kim. “She is talented and embraces the hard work in pursuit of excellence. When a pianist performs beautifully on the stage, music blooms like a flower but no one sees the work that went in to make this happen. It takes self-discipline to visit the details and practice daily to craft every note with nuance and color. She is intelligent and mature beyond her age. She loves learning and understands the value of patient hard work to create something beautiful.”
“Teaching piano lessons involves more than teaching notes,” she adds. “It is helping students learn commitment, perseverance, courage, resilience to get back up from failures. It has been a joy to watch Julia grow to understand and be invested in this labor of love as her piano teacher.”
