Poster George Vondracek
George Vondracek
Submitted photo

Teacher Feature: George J. Vondracek

Teacher Feature: George Vondracek

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

George J. Vondracek

Director of Instrumental Music

United South Central Public School

Wells, Minn.

Do you direct any ensembles? If so, which ones?

HS Concert Band, HS Pep Band, the Band of Rebels (the USC Marching Band), Junior High Band, Elementary Band, Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra (Band). If an activity involves a score rather than a scoreboard, I am probably in charge.

Who or what inspired you to become a music teacher?

Easily it was my father. He was an educator for over 40 years and in that time taught not only music, but literature classes as well. When I was growing up, a majority of our family activities involved music: going to music stores, playing music, attending live music concerts and events, both during the school year and during the summers. Being a music educator felt like a natural fit. Three of my four siblings also taught music at one time in their lives, and my dad influenced their choice of careers as well.

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

To get students to participate, I use music as a way to open doors. I try to create opportunities for students to experience music and make sure they have a successful experience. For example, one year I taught a high school music class that I designed especially for at risk students. These students had never been in an organized traditional music class and experienced little success in the their other classes. I was able to show them how to create their own music with the use of computer software and then use that success to introduce an appreciation of classical music.

Where do you see music education fitting into the broader educational spectrum?

I feel music education is crucial for a young person's education to be complete. The arts are sometimes hard to defend to people hell-bent on preparing worker bees because the arts are so self-evidently important that they almost defy regular argument. They are, in part, what make us human. With current educational programs such as World's Best Workforce and STEM classes, music and other arts courses are held in less esteem than when I started teaching. I don't want to imagine a workforce groomed to see music and the arts as frills. De-emphasizing the arts doesn't even make economic sense when we compete on a global scale that increasingly sees design and creativity as important.

Do you have a story of an experience where music education made a difference in a student's life?

The school in which I teach is small, so in order to have a large performing group to do parades as mentioned earlier, I try to include and encourage everyone. I have had many experiences with students who struggle to fit into a regular classroom environment. Through all of the facets of music education — introduction to an instrument and to music language, the practice, the lessons, and the performance — I like to think that I reach them and make a difference in their lives. I've always tried to create a program that is open to everyone and one in which many can find success. Ultimately, in a small school, that approach is the one that works best anyway.

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 Procession of the Nobles by Rimsky-Korsakov. I feel this piece is full of energy, like a splash of cold water to get you excited about the day.

For the evening, I chose Elgar's "Nimrod" from Enigma Variations. This is more of a reflective piece to help me settle down after a day of dealing with 5th grade trumpet players thinking that loud is good and even louder is better.


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!

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$
<!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE-->