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Childhood dream comes true: Trumpeter to become music teacher

Alexander Johnson graduates with a music degree, 4.0 GPA and all-levels teacher certification

Mr. Johnson

As a fifth grader, Alexander Johnson knew exactly which section of the middle school band he wanted to join the following year - percussion.

When it finally was his turn to declare his choice, Johnson was told there were no more openings in the sixth grade band’s percussion section. Disappointed, he begrudgingly went with his second choice, the trumpet.

“Today I am so glad that I ended up choosing the trumpet. I love it so much - I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” says Johnson.

By the end of his sixth grade year, not only was Johnson sold on the trumpet, he also knew what he wanted to be when he grew up – a band director.

On December 19, Johnson graduates with a Bachelor of Music degree, an all-level teacher certification, and a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

His career ambition is to be a music education instructor guiding future musicians as they choose their instruments and learn to play them.

“I was extremely influenced by my middle school band director because of his wittiness, his caring attitude, and his ability to inspire students to want to be great musicians,” Johnson says. “After doing one full year of band, I knew that it was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life, specifically in the realm of teaching.”

Johnson never wavered from that career choice.

After graduating from Liberty High School north of Dallas, he planned to follow in his middle school band director’s footsteps and attend the University of Texas at Austin. However, instead of encouraging Johnson to go to UT, his mentor encouraged him to look into the University of Houston.

“He mentioned the University of Houston and how incredible the music school was there, especially the music education department,” Johnson says. “I, unfortunately, had no idea that UH even existed at that time, but ended up taking an audition per his recommendation.”

In his junior year of high school, Johnson visited the Moores School of Music for his audition. He immediately fell in love with the campus and the people he met during his visit and knew that is was where he would earn his degree.

As an undergraduate, Johnson got started on his future profession by working as a student teacher. His first placement was at Oak Ridge High School in Conroe Independent School District where he worked extensively with the marching band and conducted the entry-level concert band.

“I also worked with the other three concert bands on occasion and made a concerted effort to engage with as many of the students as I could (the program is very large, with more than 340 students enrolled!),” he says.

Johnson’s second placement was with Goodson Middle School in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District where he prepared an intermediate band ensemble for a winter concert and co-taught some of the beginner band classes.

“If I had to choose a level that I like best, I really would have to say that I work much better with middle school students. I can’t put my finger on exactly why, but I do know that I just ‘click’ with them more,” says Johnson. “I am very passionate about giving the gift of music to others, especially young people, and band is that outlet for me.”

“Alex is thoughtful and inquisitive. He is passionate about teaching band, but he wants to provide the most effective and meaningful experiences possible for his students,” says Dr. Julie Derges Kastner, assistant professor of music education.

With an education and student teaching experience under his belt, Johnson is now looking forward to a career as a band director and a long term goal of becoming a professor of music education.

“He wants to help these young learners develop proper skills from the beginning, as well as inspire them to perform and create music throughout their lives. I’m certain that he will make a powerful impact on the lives of his future students,” says Dr. Kastner.

- By Monica Byars