A different teacher takes center stage: Michael A. Helgerman dives into being the new music teacher after Christopher Kosmaceski (known as Mr. K) moved on to elementary school education.
Helgerman and Kosmaceski have been in collaboration for many years, including switching classes years back. Dr. Helgerman took over the jazz ensemble and the symphonic orchestra after Kosmaceski’s departure.
Kosmaceski had been teaching in this school for years and had a great impact on the WJ staff. He was a beloved teacher who garnered many awards for the school and favour from the students.
By hosting events like the music concerts, Kosmaceski has impacted many of the WJ students. For context, Kosmaceski hosted the Air Force Band at Strathmore Hall, played for the Governor’s Mansion and was a professional clarinetist before he was a teacher. He had a more laid back way of teaching, but managed to highlight class talents.
“If you have musical experience outside of school, you can tell Mr. K was uniquely good at his job. If you go into the band room, there’s pictures of things he’s done all over the walls,” senior Albert Bennett said.
Helgerman has known that he wanted to pursue education since middle school, but the ninth grade was when he decided to go into music specifically.
“There’s so much more to music than just playing notes and rhythms and there’s so much more to the creation of music than just trying things and seeing if they worked,” Helgerman said.
Since then, he has obtained a doctorate in music performance at University of Maryland, recorded an album of oboe music from South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, won multiple concerto competitions on the oboe and even solo competitions.
When it comes to his switch to new classes, he had a smooth transition. While it may be difficult for teachers to take on a new class, many students are already familiar with Helgerman.
“I was really happy to learn that Mr. Helgerman would be taking over the class because I had him in freshman year and he is just fantastic,” senior Elisa Deparis said. “Nothing specific has changed but he brings a different vibe to the function.”
Helgerman values the community that comes with music, multiple people uniting together by the purpose of music. He also values concentration and effort among his students.
“When you enter this classroom, you are musicians,” Helgerman said. “I don’t really ask too much for practicing outside of class or going above and beyond and working to play the most crazy, most difficult music.”
