Have you ever had a teacher who has changed your life?
For me, it was my high school music teacher, Mr Clements.
He’s one in a billion.
Last Friday, he conducted his last ever concert with his school band. He’s been at that school for nearly two decades, and a music teacher for 32 years. He’s finally retiring (for real this time!), and his absence will be felt powerfully. The next music teacher doesn’t have big shoes to fill – they’ve got impact craters. Emphasis on impact. Clemo is irreplaceable.
When I first joined the school band, I was a shy kid with less than a year’s guitar experience under my belt. I felt a little behind, seeing all these talented woodwind and brass players who had already been in primary school bands. I could barely read a note of music, let alone know where all the notes were on my fretboard. At the start I worried that I wasn’t good enough, or that I wouldn’t be allowed in the band due to my lack of experience or music skill.
But Clemo was such a brilliant teacher who met each of us where we were at and included all sorts of opportunities for us to be wacky and creative. He challenged us, engaged us, and encouraged us to work hard. By the end of four years of high school, I was recording my own albums and performing gigs in my own band, with the knowledge that music is something I want to do for ever.
Clemo has a strange obsession with the trombone, looney tunes, dad jokes, and the circle of fourths (your friend and mine). He taught us more than music. He taught us hard work, team work, storytelling, resilience, and how to play real-life Tetris with instruments in a trailer. He took us on adventures around the world, notably Europe and Uluru. And he even pulled us out of PE class to help pack the band trailer. That was much more practical physical education – for about 50 gigs we had over 4 years. Phew!
I’ve always known that Clemo has had a big influence in my life and the character I’ve become. But it hit me just yesterday, as I was driving between guitar students. Oh my goodness, I thought. I’m teaching music, I’m building a music school, I’m studying music, I’m composing music, and I’m obsessed with dad jokes, and it’s all because of Clemo. I don’t know what my life would look like without him, but I certainly wouldn’t have had the confidence or passion to pursue a career in music.
Have you ever had a Mr Clements? Have you had a teacher who has changed the course of your life so significantly? Share it in the comments!
Caspian Scott 