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June M. Hinckley Music Education Scholarship Recipient Jacob Hyer
Jacob Hyer submitted the following essay with his application for the June M. Hinckley Music Education Scholarship. Applicants were asked to respond to the prompts “Why do you wish to become a music educator?” and “Why should music be available to all students?” Jacob’s essay appears here with minor editing and the addition of a headline.
The Music Classroom
by Jacob Hyer June M. Hinckley Music Education Scholarship Recipient
TThe spring before my freshman year, I nervously sat in the Venice High School information night. Taking in my new and overwhelming surroundings, I felt both anxious and excited for the opportunities and unknowns that stretched out before me. What would these next four years bring? After a few speeches from different teachers, a group of seniors came on stage and talked about their time at VHS. They encouraged us to get involved in extracurricular activities because that is where we would find our deepest friendships and experience much of what we will remember years from now. Just when my mind started wandering off a little, someone announced that Le Voci de Venezia was coming to the stage. I looked up, intrigued by the Italian name and the group of students who walked out. The guys were wearing tuxes and the girls all wore long, black dresses. Even before they opened their mouths, I was in awe. Along with art, I had always enjoyed singing, but we didn’t have a performing arts program in middle school. Is this what a real choir looked like? When their beautiful melody filled the concert hall, I could feel the revelation in my bones: I belonged on stage with them.
Now, as a senior, I think back to the night when, as a freshman, that unexpected performance hit me like a lightning bolt. As I enter the next phase of my education, I ask myself again—what will these next four years be like? I can’t predict the future, but I expect the passion I have found for musical performance will only continue to grow. Therefore, my plan is to major in music education with an emphasis of voice in college. Graduating with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is my reason for college. My objective is to share that passion, to use it to connect with others, and to make this world a more meaningful place.
In the chorus room, I felt such a welcoming presence, one I still feel today as a four-year member of Le Voci and the VHS chorus. I have learned so much musically
It is an honor to be chosen as a June Hinckley Scholarship winner. To be recognized by the Florida Music Education Association is a huge accomplishment, not only as a member of the All-State Chorus, but for this scholarship as well. The June Hinckley Scholarship will help lessen the burden on me and my family with attending the University of West Florida. My goal is to spend more time working on my craft (chorus) than having to try and find a way to pay for school. My goal is to one day teach chorus in a high school in
Florida. — Jacob Hyer
and have given and received invaluable support from my chorus family. My confidence and pride in my musical abilities have grown so much, and I will cherish the many friendships I have made here for the rest of my life.
With my goal being a chorus teacher, I want to give to my future students the same welcoming feeling in my classroom. I want them to have a place where they can build their self-confidence and feel supported while learning music. Once the students know that they can trust you, then the true learning will happen.
It always seems when cutbacks are discussed in education, especially public-school education, one of the first areas talked about being cut is the music department. There are numerous reasons as to why music should be available to all students, most of which will make you a better overall student. Students who are enrolled in a music class will often have a growth in self-esteem, learn valuable aspects of teamwork, and have an improved level of memory.
As a member of the Venice High School Chorus for the past four years, I have seen my self-esteem grow exponentially, from an awkward, shy freshman to the president of the Leadership Techniques class. Chorus has given me the ability to stand on stage not only in a choir setting, but also singing solos in front of a crowd of friends and family as well as in front of a panel of college instructors. Being able to sing in front of people has allowed me to excel in classes that I have had to present projects. A lot of kids don’t do well in giving speeches or presentations. Singing gave me that edge to where I wasn’t nervous or feeling pressure.
Being a member of the choir has also taught me “teamwork makes the dream work.” Students must work together constantly to create a perfect harmony. Not only do I need to learn my lyrics, but also need know when I need to come into the song. Just like athletic teams, we need to practice constantly to perfect our craft. Along those same lines, working as a team has taught me and will teach others accountability. I don’t want to let my choir down. Working as a team to create beautiful music encourages all of us to work together for the common goal!
In a recent study we discussed in my chorus class, musicians outperformed nonmusicians in auditory, visual, and memory tests. Therefore, music education can help students with their memorization. Students will need to be able to recall certain lyrics or even read music by sight! This has helped me when it comes to my other classes, such as math and science. I have been able to memorize easily many formulas and equations using music.
These are just three examples of why music should be available to all students. There is so much that any student can take away from learning about it, from increasing one’s self-esteem to working as a member of a group. It is my belief that because of my chorus class, not only am I a pretty good singer, but I am a confident, well-rounded student at Venice High School with a passion to earn a degree from the University of West Florida in music education.
