Mr. Johnson was a most...
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Mr. Johnson was a most inspired band teacher. Standing before a class of seventh and eighth graders, Mr. Johnson did everything in his power to instill the love of music in his pupils. He knew (and seemed to enjoy) the latest music groups, talked cars with the boys, hockey with the hockey fans, and the current pop culture icon with star-crazed teens. The students loved him.
What Mr. Johnson did best, however, was become one with his band. When the trumpet section struggled, Mr. Johnson would take a chair among his student trumpeters and play a trumpet with them. He did the same with the clarinet, saxophone, trombone, and percussion sections. Often, seated there among his students, he would break into some improvised jazz solo, which enthralled the would-be musicians.
What Mr. Johnson did best, however, was become one with his band. When the trumpet section struggled, Mr. Johnson would take a chair among his student trumpeters and play a trumpet with them. He did the same with the clarinet, saxophone, trombone, and percussion sections. Often, seated there among his students, he would break into some improvised jazz solo, which enthralled the would-be musicians.
