Bradshaw Likes Attitudes Of Young Musicians

New Music Teacher

A new teacher directing Wolf Point’s school music program seems to be working out very well during the opening weeks of the school year.

“I love it,” Jacob Bradshaw of teaching in Wolf Point. “The kids have been great. It’s a slower paced lifestyle that I’m used to from the bigger parts of Utah.”

Bradshaw instructs band students at Northside Elementary School and choir and band students at the junior high school and high school.

“All the adults I’ve worked with have been amazing,” Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw’s experience includes teaching at Frontier High School in Utah during 2011-2012. Other teaching positions have included West Jordan High School in Utah for five years, Herriman High School in Utah and Fremont High School in Utah.

His path to Wolf Point featured him mentioning to other music directors while at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade that he was interested in moving to another state. One of the music instructors mentioned Montana. Bradshaw did research and found the job opening in Wolf Point. He said he reached out to the school and was interviewed the following day.

The high school’s pep band has already performed at a school pep rally. “They did a great job,” Bradshaw said.

Students will soon attend college band days at Montana State University in Bozeman. School concerts are planned for October.

“I love music that has a story behind it, that inspires people to write it,” Bradshaw said. “Music is a way to learn about life.”

Bradshaw and his wife, Jackie, have four children between the ages of 6-15. They are working on moving the entire family to Wolf Point.

He is pleased that Wolf Point’s students have the options to take both band and choir classes. At some schools, students have to decide between the two electives.

“It can help the kids become stronger musicians,” Bradshaw said.

He is impressed with the students’ attitudes when it comes to learning and their desire to improve.

“They are doing a great job. There’s always forward momentum and work to do,” Bradshaw said. “They let me push them hard, which is awesome. They take feedback well and work hard.”

Bradshaw

Music teacher Jacob Bradshaw talks with band students at Northside Elementary School last week. High school concerts are scheduled in October.

(Photo by Bill Vander Weele)