Pat Shonk Band Director at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Connecticut.

I have a modest amount of formal musical education. My skills and judgment were acquired through ensemble playing, a few precious theory courses, school music classes, years of weekly private instruction and lots of listening and experimentation. As a music educator, I look at this list as a case study. An exercise in figuring out what combination of factors sustained one individuals interest and continual growth as a musician.

William Clemmons, my trumpet instructor in Madison and the director of the Shoreline Youth Symphony, with his Ann Clemmons who co-led the Symphony

 MUSICAL EDUCATION

My elementary school featured a folk singing curriculum. We sang along to recordings and also had sing along assemblies featuring traditional American folksongs.

3^rd Grade music class featured a “Song Flute” (recorder) curriculum with ensemble playing.

4^th grade introduced optional trumpet in a strong music program.

In middle and high school I studied trumpet with Pat Shonk and then with William Clemmons.

I had 1 semester of music theory in High School.

I had 3 music theory classes at UVM.

I studied voice with Shyla Nelson in Burlington.

That’s it. The rest was absorbed through participation, independent study and peer mentorship.

The main influences in this regard were my singing scoutmaster Mark Clifton, and the continual example of musician/singer Pete Sutherland. Innumerable others influenced me including performers, recordings, radio stations and printed material.

Pete Sutherland, mentor, inspiration and touchstone of all things musical.

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Mark Clifton who introduced me, as a teenage boy scout, to the world of traditional ballad singing.