I would like to share some of my ups and downs of over thirty years of teaching.

1         Well my first job. Like your first kiss or first girlfriend you always remember. I was called by a fellow musician [at that time my father’s age] he wanted me to post a job opening in the Darby-Colwyn School District on the bulletin board at Philadelphia Musical Academy. I said “What about me?” He said ok I will run it by the principal. [The principal was his neighbor] I walked in and got the job under a state emergency certificate. I needed to graduate and get my degree by the end of the year 1969. I had my college to set up classes so I could take the job and the school district let me out early from school to attend classes. I was there till June 1975. The position was grades four to twelve instrumental music.

2         I wanted to move on and only teach high school students. So I found out that there was an opening at Methacton High School. This band was unreal. It was perfect. Those kids were so professional in their approach in music. I had to conduct them, play my clarinet for the department chairman, and talk to him and the principal. The teacher I was replacing was very well liked and it was a mid term replacement. I received the shock of my life. I went to their Christmas Concert and then went to their reception. Cookies and punch. I wanted to observe only. I was approached by the student president of the band and by all the student officers. The one introduced himself as the president of the band. He said to me “Where you the one who auditioned for the position of band director?” I said “yes.” Then he said to me “Don’t worry you have the job.” I said “really.” He said that I was the only one who rehearsed them! The others only waved their hands and had no idea what they were doing!” To say the least this was a movement as an educator to scream out loud. This was a precious movement for me as a music educator. Sad part they hired the brother of the department head. His brother was on strike at that time in the Philadelphia School District. I licked my wounds and looked elsewhere.

3         Well I was informed by a former high school classmate Ralph Armstrong that an opening was going to take place at Unionville High School. I applied and received the job. He saw me with my kids and I saw him with his kids. I was so proud of this moment you would never know. I finally had a high school job.

4         One day early my first year at Unionville I took a personal day off to visit my former college. You must remember for the most part marching band was like using the four letter word. I happened that day to see a former class mate of mine. He asked me “What was I doing now?” And I proudly boosted that I was the new band director at Unionville High School.”  Then I said “BTW, what are you doing?” He said “I am a percussionist in the Philadelphia Orchestra.”  Well I felt like a complete failure in life. I wanted to hide or melt into the floor boards of our school. You see, that is what I wanted to do my senior high school. I felt then I have failed as a musician and clarinetist. It took sometime to get over that day. That school thrived on musical perfection and I let them down. Example if you received an A from your private teacher it was dropped to a B from the dean's office. I will never forget that move.

5         My other professional time was when I conducted District XII Band. It was a great moment I will never forget. To hear all the parts coming from the best musicians of Chester and Delaware Counties and to share the stage with my former band director Col. D.Keith Feltham of Valley Forge Military Academy. This was so neat to be co-anchors of this fabulous band and to watch a master at work! Never knew how grate he really was. You get older and you learn more.

6         As the time moved on and I went to teach the elementary school level. At first I thought it was too degrading. But I guess I mellowed out and got to really love my job. Most kids seem to want to learn and I was eager to give them all I had as a musician and educator. I had some great times with them and each year tried to out do myself and the bands potential.

7         I hope all the students who past thru my directorship understood what I was trying to do and I was fair to all who participated.

8         In closing I must say I tried to stay away from the negative things that happened during my tenure as band director. My stay was thirty years and as one would think there had to be bad times. And believe me there were plenty. Over all I enjoyed my stay and enjoyed my kids to this day. It was a great ride and I do miss the ride. I now see some of you and what you are doing now and I am amazed. Glad I could be part of your life as you were part of mine. Keep in touch. Mr. “D.”  Please call me Rick now.