Maine Motif Issue 3, Vol. II (Spring 2018) | Page 22

education. My students know those moments are fleeting, but those who have
experienced them, feel part of a special club. And they now strive to find such
connections in other aspects of their lives.
GIVING BACK
“The fundamental value in Schumacher's approach to education lies in the fact that he
treats every young musician not only as a student of the jazz tradition, but as an active
participant in that tradition.” Spellman raises this important distinction on behalf of the
alumni who understand that they are now responsible to help move this music forward.
He continues, “Now that I find myself living the life of a professional musician, I feel it is
my duty to return from time to time to help inspire the most experienced students.” But
this concept of mentorship isn’t just to benefit the best players in the program or to be
shouldered by those who became professional musicians. Mentorship needs to be
promoted throughout the process at every level. Spellman concludes, “It was always
understood that the more experienced players in the school were to serve as
inspirational mentors to the up-and-coming musicians.”
D’Amore says, “Giving back wisdom and encouragement is not something I consciously
think about, but rather something that flows organically from the giveandtake nature of
the program… I now know how to collaborate and communicate with other artists,
helping them grow while learning from them to help myself grow.” Tarr adds, “Not only
did Schumacher teach me how to play and how to hang, but he also taught me how to
teach. It is a Pentucket jazz alumni tradition to return to ‘sit-in’ on rehearsals…to help
the next generation of high school jazz musicians.”
And so the cycle is complete. I am a better teacher because of these students and what
they bring back from their experiences, both in and out of music. It could be a new
approach to a concept I hadn’t considered, or inspiration to push through a difficult
year. We are all colleagues now, learning from each other. It is this lasting lineage that
will continue to bring me pride and satisfaction long after these alumni are grabbing
drinks with their own former students.
David Schumacher is an 18-year educator and Director of Jazz for the Pentucket Regional School District
which serves the communities of Merrimac, Groveland, and West Newbury, MA. His students have earned
Hirst place Hinishes and superior & outstanding musicianship awards at the Berklee Jazz Festival, spots in All-
State and All-National ensembles, Gold medals in MAJE competition, and entrance into top music schools
including Berklee, New School, and NEC. Schumacher is a commissioned composer whose NYC Jazz
Orchestra received critical acclaim and designation as CD Baby’s editor’s choice and top 10 jazz album of
2009. Published contributions include JazzTimes and JazzEd magazines, and the MMEA Journal.
Schumacher holds a MM in Jazz Studies from NEC with high honors and distinction in performance, and a
BM in Composition from Michigan State University. His primary teachers were Bob Brookmeyer and
Branford Marsalis.
For more information visit David’s website: www.DavidSchumacher.com