| I live near Washington, D.C., and many of my students were
effected by 9/11. They had someone in their family who was at the Pentagon
or personally knew someone in the D.C. or New York City events.
In my role as a piano teacher, I didn’t know what to expect from my
students. I was surprised to find that, even though schools were closed
immediately following the 9/11, most of my parents wanted their children
to have lessons. The normal routine had to continue so that their fears
could be allayed. Also, students found it more calming to play and talk
about music. Of course, the current events did come up in discussion to
see what the “teacher” thought. At least, by working on a one-to-one basis,
the students were comforted by our talks and our normal lesson routine.
As a preschool music teacher, I found that the children were glad to
be in school. It seemed as if they were very anxious to enjoy the fun and
freedom of music. I avoided showing any forms of stress but it was particularly
difficult since I knew that one child had lost his father at the Pentagon.
As a teacher, especially a music teacher, I knew that the show must go
on.
Teaching music also helped me personally, since my husband worked not
far from the Pentagon and my parents were only two blocks from the World
Trade Center at the time—they live only a short distance from there. Singing
and making music with the children was involving and therapeutic. It kept
my mind off of the anxiety of waiting to hear what was happening to my
family.
I am glad that I could help in my own small way and I am sure that other
music instructors should feel proud of themselves too for keeping the world
as “harmonious” as possible during such trying times!
Irene Light
Vienna, Virginia |