Published: July 10, 2009 10:15 pm      

Note-worthy: Moxham educator conveyed his love of music to students

As a music educator, Win Garland of Moxham was never interested in training future music teachers.

“I wanted my students to love and appreciate music,” he said.

“I wanted them to know that playing in an orchestra is a lot more than symphonic music.

“There are strings in pop and rock music.”

Garland, who is 61, retired as director of orchestras for Richland School District in 2007, after a career spanning 33 years.

As an example of orchestral instruments used in something other than a symphony, he cited a performance of Barrage, an elite troupe of young violinists, at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center last year.

“Several weeks later, they played at the all-state conference, and the students were like kids in a candy store,” Garland said.

Garland received a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in music education with a performance concentration in trombone from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

After completing his master’s degree, Garland’s primary objective was to teach, and nothing was going to stop him, not even opportunities to study for his doctorate at Eastman School of Music and to play trombone in the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point.

“I didn’t feel directed to do those things,” Garland said. “I wanted to teach.”

Garland was high school band director in Curwensville, directed elementary and middle school bands for Central Cambria and taught elementary music for Blacklick Valley before becoming director of orchestras at Richland School District in 1974.

“It was a roundabout way to become an orchestra conductor,” Garland said. “I began with 28 string students in grades four through 12. I was hired to foster and develop the program.

“The superintendent told me to do what I could do and see where it goes.”

By the time Garland retired, the program had grown to 160 students and was known as one of the premier orchestra programs in the state.

“We added brass and woodwinds to make a full orchestra,” Garland said.

The orchestra performed at numerous venues from Canada to Florida as well as throughout Pennsylvania and the Johnstown region.

The full orchestra played at The Galleria and at area elementary schools, and Garland also formed a smaller chamber orchestra to perform Christmas concerts in the area.

“I told them that Arbutus Manor was our most important Christmas concert,” Garland said. “After they performed, I told them to go out and talk with the residents, take them for a walk and spend some time with them. It was very meaningful.”

In 1991, Garland was selected as a Nationally Registered Music Educator by the Music Educators National Conference.

A former student had this to say about Garland’s teaching style:

“Mr. Garland, you have been a great influence in my life and a mentor as well as a role model and a friend. Thank you so very much for a wonderful eight years in orchestra and life.

“Your teaching style has set a foundation for my outlook on life – structured and disciplined, but always lighthearted and caring.”

Garland said his students were what he loved the most about his teaching career.

Through the years, he taught some of his students’ younger brothers and sisters and saw the son of one of his former students graduate from high school the year he retired.

“They came to me when they were little, unsure and not knowing anything, and I got to watch them grow into young adults,” Garland said. “I got the chance to be with them for eight years.”

Garland became a member of Johnstown Symphony Orchestra in 1970 and became principal trombonist in 1972.

He quit playing full time with the orchestra in 1981 to be able to spend more time with his family and his developing high school orchestra.

Garland still occasionally substitutes when the symphony needs another trombone.

He most recently played for the symphony’s Fourth of July concert last year.

Garland also has played with Johnstown Civic Concert Band since he was in college and played with Westmoreland and Nittany Valley symphony orchestras when he was younger.

Throughout his teaching career, Garland has been involved with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

He served as treasurer for District 6 for 30 years, retiring last year.

The computer program Garland wrote to score students’ auditions for district, regional and all-state competitions is saving the judges a lot of time and effort and making the results more accurate.

“I love to tinker and get something to work,” Garland said.

Even at Salix Bethel United Methodist Church, where he is a member, Garland is involved in music.

He plays trombone solos during the summer when the choir isn’t in session and has adapted music he likes for the trombone.

“I write, play and revise,” Garland said.

“It’s a lot of fun. I’ve done about 12 so far.”

When he isn’t involved with something musical, Garland enjoys model trains, golf and home remodeling.

In his basement, Garland has five model trains running on a three-tiered layout.

He inherited his love of trains from his father and an uncle who were both model train enthusiasts.

“They would exchange trains and run them on each other’s tracks,” Garland said. “Ever since I can remember, I would take my Dad’s trains and set up a layout.”

Garland picked up golf again six or seven years ago after quitting when he was younger.

He enjoys hitting the links of local golf courses once or twice a week with a group of friends.

Garland learned how to do plumbing and electrical work while still in high school and has done plenty of renovations on his Moxham home.

“I put in all the windows, put in some paneling and redid the kitchen and bathroom,” Garland said. “You’re never done with a house.”