Jemtegaard Middle School Wind Ensemble students benefited from a “new set of ears” when guest conductor Dr. David Wacyk, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington visited on February 11.
“I was excited to take advantage of Dr. Wacyk’s offer to travel down this direction and work with school bands,” said Dr. Jennifer Hodapp, JMS Music Educator. “I am so thankful for his visit and the impact he had on our students and their understanding of the music.”
“It is important for all conductors to bring in a different set of ears from time to time,” Wacyk explained. “Conductors hear the same thing over and over and having fresh input can help. Many times I will give some of the same instruction as the regular conductor, but coming from someone else may help a student or a section have a break through.”
He explained to students that band is an exercise in failure after failure, over and over again until you get a success. “Finding the right note and how exactly to play it can be hard, especially horns,” he said.
Wacyk went on to encourage the students to be aware of the roles of all the sections. “Once the music is in your mind and fingers, the next level is to be listening to other parts and sections. Figure out where you belong in the music,” he instructed. “Listen more than you play.”
Students gave their full attention to Wacyk as he stood atop the conductor’s platform breaking down the song by measures, challenging them to listen to where they fit in the whole of the sound. The overall improvement was heard immediately. The students beamed with pride.
“It was wonderful to get Dr. Wacyk’s input,” said Hodapp. “My goals were for him to provide suggestions and comments to better the literature we are currently working on. We have been preparing for our March concert and band festival, so this is the perfect time to add new and different ideas to help us improve.”
“I have to say I am jealous of the practice space,” he told the students, admiring their music room, constructed as a part of the new JMS in 2016. “You should be very happy with it and proud of it. This is clearly a positive and safe space to work through your failures what will lead to successes.”
Wacyk also visited Kelly Ritter’s Wind Ensemble rehearsal at Washougal High School. He is a conductor and educator dedicated to serving students, the community, and the profession through meaningful music making. He conducts the SMU Wind Ensemble and the Saints Pep Band and teaches music theory.
New to the Pacific Northwest, Wacyk, enjoys his travels around the region, meeting young musicians and supporting instructors. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and a Master of Music degree in Conducting from University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Western Michigan University.
