Teacher Feature: Liz Harwood

Classical MPR's Teacher Feature highlights the lives and work of music teachers throughout Minnesota.

Liz Harwood

Band Director

Kasson-Mantorville Middle School

Kasson, Minn.

Who or what inspired you to become a music teacher?

I've had many teachers, including my own parents, who inspired me to pursue a career in music. My mother is a retired elementary music teacher, and my father is a retired music professor (Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota). They encouraged my talents and abilities, and helped guide me in activities through high school. My high school band and choir directors, Mr. and Mrs. Hegg, fostered my love of music, encouraging me to audition for All-State ensembles and Honors Choir, and participate in Sioux Falls Youth Orchestra and study oboe privately at South Dakota State University. They also encouraged me to find places to perform, like the Sioux Falls Municipal Band, area churches and retirement communities. When I started my undergraduate studies at Concordia-Moorhead, the professors there continued to encourage and challenge me. I tried to absorb everything possible, and take advantage of every opportunity offered to me. To this day, I believe that Concordia-Moorhead offered me opportunities that I would not have had at any other college or university. I am so blessed, and so fortunate in so many ways. Thank you so much to all my teachers, professors, conductors, family, and now, to my colleagues, who encourage me to do my best.

In what ways do you try to encourage your students to appreciate and participate in music?

I try to encourage my students to appreciate and participate in music every single hour of every single day that I am at school. We balance fun with work, focus with energy, and make this the most personally and academically rewarding class for the students. The more enjoyable it is for them, the more rewarding it is for me. We focus on quality band literature, using "pop" music and movie themes sparingly. I've often been surprised at how well our young musicians receive quality compositions. Just last year, we prepared and performed "Modal Song and Dance" by Elliot del Borgo. The students were enthralled with the melodies and their treatments. It was one of their favorite pieces for the concert. As for encouraging participation, I do a lot of checking-in and following up with students. I care about the kids, their health, their feelings, their values. If I see a look of frustration, I'll ask a student about it after rehearsal. In middle school, some kids really need that personal invitation before they will continue to play, or before they join an extracurricular group, like our jazz ensemble. I've found that if a student feels valued, and that they are both contributing and getting something out of the program, they will continue.

Where do you see music education fitting into the broader educational spectrum? How does it help or enhance other curricular areas?

Music is a conglomerate of academic curricula and life-long skills. Language, science, math, history, geography — these and many other curricula are embedded in every lesson. When I finish explaining how the valves and tubes of the trumpet work to a 5th grade beginner, I tell the student that they just had a lesson in physics. When we learn compound meter, I tell students that they just completely understood and internalized a lesson in fractions. Fine motor skills, large motor skills, teamwork, attention span, effort, and many other attributes that others credit to sports participation are also embedded, sometimes so seamlessly that none of the students even recognize it as such. There is a TEDed video on music training and brain activity that summarizes much of the latest research. It is so powerful, I felt compelled to share it at a middle school concert. The benefits of music education, and learning to play an instrument, stimulate brain activity beyond what was previously thought. In particular, it stimulates the connections between the left and right sides of the brain, which enhances higher functioning and executive level thinking skills. The impact of learning to play an instrument is monumental when you consider that the 10-year old in my classroom will have a higher-functioning brain for that student's entire life, because of their active participation in music education.

What's one of the most memorable moments you've had in the classroom (or had while teaching music)?

There are too many fun, exciting, and just plain hilarious stories that have cropped up over the years. Just reflecting on that question makes me smile. However, I must say that being a public school band director is an incredible feeling. Standing in front of a group of students, of any age, and realizing in the middle of the piece that every single student in the room is working hard, focused, energized, and playing to the best of their ability... in my experience, that is the best way to truly create music.

If you were to help program a day of music at Classical MPR, what would be a piece of music you'd play in the morning? What piece of music would you play in the evening? What is it about these pieces that make them a couple of your favorites?

For the morning, I would choose Capriccio Espagnol by Rimsky-Korsakov:

For evening, I would chose Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 21:

My love for both of these pieces stems back to my undergrad days at Concordia-Moorhead. Bruce Houglum conducted the college orchestra at MMEA, and my classmates and I still reminisce about the magic of that performance. When you have a performance that just "clicks," and you know that it went well, it stays with you for a long, long time. Dr. Jay Hershberger performed Beethoven's Waldenstein in a faculty recital. It was one of the most moving performances that I've ever attended. It has had a very lasting impact on my love of Beethoven's piano sonatas. These musical memories influence my teaching every day. I try to help my students realize and experience the power of music because of these pieces.

Is there a music teacher in your community that the Classical MPR audience should know about? Submit this form to nominate them for our Teacher Feature!

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