What can music teachers learn from Mr. Hollands Opus?
Mr. Holland’s Opus is the quintessential music teacher’s movie. Mr. Holland, played by Richard Dreyfus, is an every man, a struggling pianist/composer who reluctantly takes a teaching job in order to make ends meet. At first, he is frustrated because he lacks time to focus on his music. However, he slowly becomes fond of teaching, realizing that his legacy lies with his students and the difference he has made in their lives. There is much for musicians and music teachers to learn from Mr. Holland’s Opus. Mr. Holland’s Opus: Gertrude Lang Gertrude Lang, played by Alicia DeWitt, is one of Mr. Holland’s first students in 1965. Although she works hard at the clarinet, her progress is slow and frustrating. Mr. Holland volunteers to work with her after school, but without success. Yet just as Gertrude Lang is about to give up, Mr. Holland finally gets trhough to her. Lesson #1: Persistence pays off As cartoon character Underdog used to say, “If at first you fail your deed, try again ’til you
