by Makaye Smith ‘15
Frank L. Battisti, a world-renowned music educator, recently visited Central College to educate students on wind band music education. He also acted as guest conductor at a collaborative concert with Central’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble on March 1.
Mitchell Lutch, associate professor of music and director of bands, said Battisti’s visit was inspiring. “Coming into the week, we were well aware of his legendary status,” Lutch said. “When he rehearsed with Central’s wind ensemble, there was no doubt to everyone in the group that he is an expert conductor.”
Students say Battisti impressed them with his intense passion, intelligence and determination to make a difference. “He wanted us to make the composers of the music proud as we played,” Carolyn Corson ’16 said. “As a future teacher, all of what he said hit home with me and gave me such a fire in my belly to use the passion I have for learning and teaching every day, in and out of the classroom.”
Battisti said working with Central students was exciting and stimulating too, because they showed creativity, leadership and passion in many different disciplines. He insists music is a vital element of education, just like reading, writing and math, and it enables students to feel, think and solve problems creatively.
Though his residency focused on education, students who interacted with Battisti quickly learned he believes in a greater purpose than lecturing and conducting. “Away from the music aspect, I learned one really important thing that Battisti stressed a lot, which is to find the passion in your life and pursue it,” said music education major Austin Heims ’16.
Battisti’s passion for teaching and music shone in question-and-answer sessions and informal conversations throughout his weeklong residency. Heims said these activities presented an invaluable opportunity to learn from Battisti, who has shaped music education all over the country. “It was truly an amazing experience,” he said, “to have one of the leading figures in music education conducting at the concert, doing what he does best — creating music.”
