Band director is top notch

Geneva is very fortunate to have an outstanding high school music department, and privileged to have Pat Frederick as a band director.

I think I speak for all the GHS band parents when I say thank you, Mr. Frederick, for the hours upon hours that you and your staff spend in the classroom, on the practice field, at performances and the endless hours spent preparing for it all.

Through your teaching and by example your band students learn much more than music. You teach them to work as a team but to perform as individuals, to work hard but never be too serious and to treat others with respect and dignity. The most important lesson that you teach is to love what you do and do what you love.

Jim Henson said that kids will not remember what you try to teach them, they will remember what you are. Despite four years of high school band, I know that my kids will not become professional musicians, but having Pat Frederick as a teacher I know they are better people. Thank you for enriching the lives of so many students.

John Ritchie

Geneva