Despite Brunswick being a small school, there are still music programs to help enrich the students musical experience, which are all run by one teacher in particular—Mr. Matthew Hendy.
This is his first year at Brunswick High School, and Calah Kaufman, a student of his piano class, wants people to get to know the school’s new music teacher.
During the piano classes taken at Brunswick, students learn and practice music and eventually perform in front of the class during a monthly recital. Junior, Danishka Cruz Rosario, played the song “Unchained Melody” at the piano class’s September recital.
Mr. Hendy teaches the class in a way that makes it beginner friendly while it is also available for those skilled at piano. Danishka agreed to this, by complimenting the way Mr. Hendy’s class is “[…] like independent work and you can really grow working by yourself, cause if you do it with everyone else, not everyone is at the same pace.”
Likewise, sophomore, Alaina Nielson, a student of his choir class, states that, “It’s definitely different, like, instead of having us learn the song and the words right away, he’s having us go through it. It makes it easier to learn certain parts.”
Calah Kaufman asked Mr. Hendy more about this type of instruction and teaching practices, as well as a little about more about himself:
Which instruments do you know how to play?
“Becoming a music teacher you gotta learn all of them, but, to say the ones that I actually know how to play are flute, which is my main instrument. I play piccolo, and then I can play piano but not to the level that I can play my main instrument.”
When did you first start playing instruments?
“So fourth grade, and like my fifth grade teacher, I didn’t have him yet but they played flute and I was like ‘oh, I wanna play that instrument’ so fourth grade came around, I picked it up and then I’ve just never stopped.”
What inspired you to be a music teacher?
“It was actually my high school band director. I was going to quit band in ninth grade, I was like ‘this is stupid, I don’t like this,’ and then it turns out that I was like ‘oh, I do enjoy this. I do enjoy the people around it.’ So I decided to go into music. I was in elementary school, and that was a challenge, it was a different environment. I always wanted to get to high school, and then eventually I found this job.”
Are there any instruments that you would like to learn now?
“Yes. French horn is one I’d like to get better at, and piano. Those are the two I’ve kinda wanted to make primary instruments so that I can walk into an ensemble and actually play.”
Out of the instruments you know, which is the hardest you’ve learned?
“Probably French horn. French horn is the hardest.”
Your favorite is the flute, you said?
“My favorite is piano. I like the sound of the piano. Flute is just my main instrument. It’s the one I’ve had the longest.”
How many courses do you teach?
“So this semester I teach piano, marching band and choir, next semester I teach orchestra, concert band, and guitar.”
How many years have you been a teacher?
“This is my fourth year as a teacher.”
What’s your favorite thing about being a music teacher?
“Honestly, getting to know you guys. And watching you guys succeed and like, I’m excited for the upcoming recital, I know it can be very nerve racking, but to watch a student perform well, and even surprise themself with how well they are is very gratifying as a teacher.”
What’s one thing you hope students take away from your class?
“Just a joy for music. I hope to instill my passion for it into students. Like, maybe they don’t want to be a band director but they want to go perform, or just want to keep playing their instrument. Whatever it is, as long as there is music in their life then I think I’ve done my job.”
Mr. Hendy’s classes have inspired multiple students. Danishka mentions, “His class has inspired me to be more dedicated to piano, maybe even do it as a hobby.” When Danishka was asked what she had taken away from his class, she responded with: “If you practice enough and really dedicate yourself, you can really improve.”
On a more personal level, I could not have been happier that I decided to take Mr. Hendy’s class. For many years I had wanted to play the piano, and thanks to Mr. Hendy and his help I am finally able to play and get better at a goal I have had forever. I believe that the way his class is run, anybody who takes a class with Mr. Hendy will walk out each day with more skill than the last. Not only is he funny and patient, but he is a teacher who really cares for his students and is here to help them learn. We are lucky to have him on our Railroader staff.