Lessons Learned from Music
When both of your parents are band directors, music is in your blood. So a love of music came naturally to The University of Montana’s Erin Knutson. What wasn’t so automatic was deciding what to do with her music.
“Most kids want to be firemen or doctors. When I was in kindergarten, I used to tell my parents I wanted to play trombone in the New York Philharmonic,” laughed Erin.
Instead of heading east, Erin packed up her trombone and enrolled at UM. Deciding on a career became a lot easier after she was awarded the Pedagogy Outreach Scholarship in Music established by Diana and Rick Nash. That’s because recipients of the scholarship are required to teach music lessons to deserving high school students. “I found out through the scholarship that I really, really like working one-on-one with students,” said Erin. “Just having that contact, that feeling of how a student opens up to you, how they trust you—to me, that’s something I’d never want to miss.”
Now when Erin’s not studying music and practicing drills with UM’s marching band, she’s teaching a high school student who is as committed to pursuing a career in music as she is. Erin’s student goes to classes all day, works at her job until 10:00 p.m., and then meets with Erin to practice. “That’s more dedication than I had at that age, and my parents are band directors,” Erin said.
All that dedication paid off. Erin’s student made All-State Band last year. “It’s just amazing to watch these students, who come in maybe knowing something about music, but maybe not, and just watch them grow and succeed.”
The good news is the Nash Scholarship isn’t just a one-time thing. It was established as a permanent endowment, so year after year, the scholarship is there to help other students like Erin succeed in their studies and inspire countless future music students. And as Erin sees it, individual students may be awarded the scholarship, but everyone benefits.
“People like Diana Nash who have the passion and commitment to establish a scholarship, who try to reach as many people as possible, it’s so beneficial to everyone involved. Not just the students, but everyone who gets to see its benefits: the teachers, the University, the Montana community.” Scholarships are critical. “Without them, it would be impossible for any of this to happen,” said Erin. Scholarships are even more vital these days as public funding of music programs gets cut to the bone or cut out altogether.
“Private donors may not be aware of how important their contributions are. They really affect what’s going on at universities. If they could come to campus once a week and see the student progress that I get to see, they’d be amazed.”
Actually, they probably don’t even need to go that far. Donors can see the fruits of their giving all around town. There are plenty of students on scholarships who play in parks, play in clubs, and play in the University Orchestra. Any time you go to a UM game, just check out the marching band. “Look up to the stands in the south end zone,” said Erin. “Every one of those students has a scholarship, and they’re working really, really hard for it.”
Because Erin’s been given so much, it has inspired her to give back. “I’m hoping one day I make enough money so I can create a scholarship and return the gift I’ve been given by the Nash Scholarship. It’s been a life-changing experience for me. If I can give someone else that opportunity to teach a student and get that one-on-one time, then it’s completely worth it to me.”