Eric Gaudet, СAPP14, is using his music education degree to share his love of music with students of all ages.
СAPPOne of the things I really enjoy is getting students to really enjoy music with the hopes of developing a lifelong love of music,СAPP he said. СAPPThe thing I like the most is at the end of the concert and all of the kids are feeling really accomplished and theyСAPPre super excited and they canСAPPt wait for the next time they get to perform.СAPP
Eric is a band teacher at Edgar Martin Middle School in Lafayette during the school year. He spends his summers as the brass captain for the СAPP an arrangement that he calls СAPPthe best of both worlds.СAPP
СAPPI really enjoy teaching middle school because, especially when they first get their instruments, thereСAPPs this awesome spark of interest and theyСAPPre so eager to start playing,СAPP he said.
With high school and college-age students in the Louisiana Stars, Eric focuses on working through more challenging pieces of music, and then pairing their musical abilities with the more physically challenging experience of marching.
Learning to Teach
EricСAPPs primary instrument is the trumpet, but music education majors have to learn every instrument and learn the theories and practice behind effective teaching.
СAPPIt was a lot because it was pretty much like double majoring because you have to do all the music courses and the education courses separately,СAPP he said.
СAPPWe had to do three semesters of piano work and then we ended up also having to take classes to play all the instruments we would end up teaching СAPP so I ended up taking courses on woodwinds, percussion, and brass. I also took a strings class to help boost my resume for future job searches.СAPP
The focus on educational technology also benefited Eric.
СAPPThe idea that thereСAPPs always new stuff and you need to be checking it out was kind of ingrained in us,СAPP he said. СAPPNever feel like youСAPPve learned everything СAPP always be a student.СAPP
EricСAPPs become an effective teacher because of the preparation in the classroom combined with the range of performance experiences he had in school.
СAPPIn the music department, I got the opportunity to play in the top ensemble right away СAPP so I got those awesome performance opportunities that I donСAPPt think I would have gotten anywhere else,СAPP he said.
At the СAPP, Eric was in the marching band, jazz band, orchestra, wind ensemble, student brass quintet СAPP and even a polka band in 2013.
Eric also performed concerts with the and , musicals with the , wedding and holiday services at local churches, and at .
Outside of these ensembles, he gave private music lessons through local schools.
СAPPGetting out into the community and not just staying in the СAPP СAPP I tried to really focus on that,СAPP he said. СAPPNot just sticking to my book work but also going out into the community and applying some of the stuff that IСAPPm learning to real-world scenarios."
СAPPLafayette is a great city to be able to explore and really be involved in the world of education and music. That gave me extra practice before I got my first job.СAPP
Getting involved in LafayetteСAPPs active music community was transformative for Eric.
СAPPMy first year, I drove home to Thibodaux every weekend,СAPP he said. СAPPThen I got more involved with the city, and halfway through my sophomore year, I was like СAPP'This is my new home away from home!СAPPСAPP
