60-Second Interview with Marcia Yost

BY KATY THORNTHWAITE

AN INTERVIEW WITH MARCIA YOST

Director of Arts, Goshen College

What is your musical background? I began studying music in the first grade with piano lessons. I stayed with piano until I was about 11, at which point I became enamored with the guitar. Once I got a guitar, that became my focus. I started playing the french horn in the band and continued playing in bands and orchestras through college. I sang beginning at a young age and became very passionate about vocal performance, which ultimately led to my studying vocal performance and music education in college. Student teaching became a pivotal time in my life. I loved teaching! From that point on my passion for teaching has shaped my life. My undergrad degree in Music Education at the University of Indianapolis led to later studies and a masters degree in music education and choral conducting.

What are some of the different music education positions that you have held? I began my career teaching elementary music for six years in the Fairfield School corporation in Goshen, IN. I then moved to Goshen Community Schools, where I taught both middle school and high school. As the programs grew, I spent most of the next 34 years teaching at the high school level, working with my colleagues to create an incredible music program that received national recognition.

Describe your current work as a music educator. My current work as a music educator is committed to giving back to the profession I love. I teach the music education courses at Goshen College, where I have the opportunity to share my educational experience with college students. I also work to engage with music educators in the region to create opportunities for collaboration and sharing. My schedule allows me to take advantage of opportunities to clinic with choirs around the midwest. I see these clinics as an opportunity to reinforce the fine work done by choral colleagues and be a support to colleagues when they need a chance to breathe. Another one of my passions in music education is centered around our county El Sistema-inspired program called “ECoSistema.” This cooperative program with Goshen College, the Boys and Girls Club, and Horizon Education Alliance has been a joy to be involved with since its inception. This is truly a program that helps to make music accessible to all.

What advice do you have for people studying to be music educators? My advice to young educators is to be patient with yourself. Building a program is tough work and takes time. Most importantly, knowing that you are building knowledge and not just reputation is what it should always be about. I also would advise young educators to be careful with what you create. You need to always be asking yourself, “will this be sustainable—physically, musically, and financially?” It is very possible to have an excellent program without selling your soul.

What part of your job brings you the most joy? At this point, I experience the most joy in watching the passion of new music educators grow. We are working in a field that has the power to change lives and perspectives. Young teachers who go into the field at this point are truly inspirational to me. Teachers are my superheroes, particularly as they have survived and shared their creativity in the last 18 months.

Marcia Yost is currently serving as the Goshen College Director of Arts. However, she is retired from a 40-year career in public school music education where her passion for music helped build a highly recognized music education program for the Goshen Community Schools. Her current position at Goshen College includes visioning for the college arts programs and furthering engagement and outreach through these programs. Her work includes helping to establish Elkhart County and Goshen College as a hub for Music for Social Change and widening Goshen College’s footprint in the arts community throughout the state. Marcia Yost is also a sought-after choral clinician, adjudicator, and speaker. Ms. Yost holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Indianapolis and a M.M. from Western Michigan University.

Katy Thornthwaite is a senior Music and Secondary Education double major at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana. Originally from New York, she has spent the past three years living in Goshen and hopes to teach music in the area after graduating in the spring of 2022. She studies voice and is involved with the Chamber Choir, Voices of the Earth, plays French Horn in the Symphonic Orchestra, and has interned with the EcoSistema program at the local Boys and Girls Club. She is currently student teaching in an elementary general music classroom and enjoys every minute of it.

SUMMER 2022

UKULELE IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM

June 20–24 | 1 Cr. (VIRTUAL) Lorelei Batislaong

DALCROZE EURHYTHMICS

June 27–July 1 | 2 Cr. Beginning and Intermediate David Frego and Marla Butke

ORFF CURRICULUM

July 5–8 | 2 Cr. Pre-Req Orff Level II Lisa Sullivan

ORFF SCHULWERK MASTER CLASS

“HOLDING SPACE: THE GESTALT OF ORFF SCHULWERK” July 11–15 | 2 Cr. Pre-Req Orff Level III Roger Sams

ORFF SCHULWERK LEVEL I & II

July 11–22 | 3 Cr. Josh Southard, Lisa Sullivan, Aaron Ford, and Meeghan Binder

ANDERSON, INDIANA

TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MICHELLE BADE AT

765-641-3849 | mbade@anderson.edu | anderson.edu/music