Teacher of Note: D. Michael Lynch
An interview with Pitman High School Band Director D. Michael Lynch
Maintaining a first-class school band program is no easy job. Building one from scratch is another matter altogether. And that's exactly the daunting challenge that D. Michael Lynch faced three years ago when he took the helm as director of bands at Pitman High School in Pitman, New Jersey. Back then, eleven students showed up at his first scheduled practice. When classes began this fall, he had nearly 100. Add to that the students in color guard, and he has 25 percent of the school population involved in his program.
Obviously, Mike Lynch is doing something right at this early stage in his career — he's only 27 years old. We thought Keynotes readers would enjoy hearing this story in Mike's own words.
Let's start with those numbers. How did you do it?
When I arrived at Pitman, both the school and the community were thirsting for something. Even though Pitman is a small town, it has a reputation for the arts, but there was no school band, at least not to speak of. I believe music offers students a sense of family they don't get from other activities, such as athletics. In a sense, the music itself can be secondary; on a different level, students in the program are learning life skills.
How do you address the issues of recruitment and retention?
The students will tell you I'm relentless when it comes to recruiting. There's a place for everyone in my program, and I will teach anyone who is willing to learn. I can't really pinpoint why our program has become so popular. The students are smiling and having a blast in spite of their intense schedules, and they're learning that hard work pays off. People see that, and they've come to think of band as desirable.
With your open-door policy, are you able to maintain quality?
In our second year of existence, our Panther Marching Band won the 2003 Cavalcade of Bands Independent "A" Championship with awards for best percussion, best marching, and high general effect. When we returned from Hershey Stadium late that Sunday evening, the Pitman fire trucks met us on the interstate and escorted us home with sirens blasting. Our bands have been awarded quite a few superior ratings and placement trophies since 2002, but the most important part is not the plastic awards — it's the knowledge gained, the pride and respect, the reputation created, the memories, and the sense of accomplishment.
What grades and which ensembles do you teach?
Pitman is a four-year high school, so I teach ninth through twelfth grades. We have concert, jazz, and marching bands, a pit ensemble, and a small jazz group. I also teach instrumental lessons, music theory/technology, and history of jazz. Because I sometimes recruit seventh and eighth-graders for the marching band, I actually have the opportunity to teach some students for up to six years, and that's tremendously gratifying. I'll never know how far that influence goes. Even though just a handful of my students will end up studying music in college, I know that music will play a role in their lives.
What was the greatest challenge you faced?
Teaching everyone — from students and parents to administrators, board members and the community at large — what it means to have a successful music program. This town had no idea what to expect. When I arrived, they thought they were just fixing the problems of the past, but they soon realized that our goal was nothing short of creating the best music education program possible. With the help of hundreds of others, we've established ourselves with pride and respect throughout the school system. Even the mayor loves us! She said so herself from the podium at a ceremony last
Memorial Day.
What is your own musical background?
My primary instrument is trumpet, which I learned in school band, beginning in fourth grade. I received my degree in music education from Rowan University (Glassboro, New Jersey), where I studied trumpet with John Thyhsen of the Philadelphia Pops Orchestra. I'm currently pursuing a master's degree.
What made you decide to teach music?
I've always wanted to be a band director, at least since career day when I was a sophomore in high school. I knew by then I had some musical talent of my own, and that's when I decided it was worth sharing. I then spent six summers marching in the Madison (Wisconsin) Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. The corps was guided by "seven great philosophies," and I still rely on them in my teaching:
1. Always strive for improvement, and honestly push yourself to do your best in everything you do.
2. Treat others in a kind and caring way — the Golden Rule.
3. Share the talents you have been given unselfishly with others.
4. Approach every situation with a positive attitude.
5. Always do the right thing in every situation, even if it isn't the easiest way to do it.
6. Don't waste energy on situations beyond your control, but don't use this as a cop-out for situations you could positively affect with effort.
7. Actions speak louder than words — don't be a hypocrite.
