School of Music College of Fine Arts April 8, 2015 To Whom It May Concern: Letter of Recommendation for Theresa Huiber Theresa was admitted to the clarinet studio at Western Michigan University when I was serving as the clarinet professor. Not only was her audition at a level that | would have considered admitting her as a performance major, her interview indicated that she had excellent potential as a music educator. She had a genuine desire to work with young students, she had received very good musical training in her schooling and in private lessons, and she had done the kind of volunteer work in her band program to gain valuable pedagogical experience. Her work as a student at WMU did not disappoint. She continued to develop into a very capable performer, and she was a member of our Symphony Orchestra, our top wind group, and an award winning wind quintet. But her focus was clearly in music education, and Theresa demonstrated that she had good teaching instincts, an ability to work well with young students, and she did well in her music education coursework. Although I have not had an opportunity to observe Theresa in her intern teaching assignment, she was placed in a strong program that would allow her to hone all aspects of a professional teaching assignment, including creating cross-disciplinary lesson plans; evaluating curriculum; leading full ensemble rehearsals as well as smaller sectionals and chamber ensembles; teaching music theory and history; and basic equipment maintenance and repair. ‘Theresa also participated in many other activities at WMU that will be an asset to her professional teaching career, many of these on a volunteer basis. She coached sectional rehearsals at local schools; taught private clarinet lessons; did outreach concerts and clinics with a wind quintet; assisted with the Kalamazoo Symphony's petting zoos; performed with the College Band Directors National Association Honors Band; performed with the Kalamazoo Philharmonia; and was a member of the WMU chapter of the National Association for Music Education, and an officer in the Beta Eta chapter of Sigma Alpha ota, the international music fraternity for women. Also significant is Theresa's work as a Youth Development Worker with Kalamazoo Kids in Tune. Based on El Sistema’s model of using music as a transformative force for underprivileged students, this is a partnership between Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Public Schools, and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. In this position Therea attended professional training sessions; developed curriculum and taught 1900 Aebigan ve, Kalman MI 8008-434 PHONE (268) 3874667 FAK. 26) 387-113, veri emisgrade school students and managed students on field trips. I did have an opportunity to observe Theresa working with several young clarinet students in this program, and she displayed an excellent ability to teach the necessary fundamentals, but more importantly, to interact with the students in a meaningful way. It is my pleasure to recommend Theresa Huiber for consideration for a position as a music educator. She has the requisite skills in music, the pedagogical training, and the passion for the profession. | am happy to provide any further endorsement that would be useful to her application Sincerely, Nigh & ) Bradley Wong Director, School of Music Phone: 269-387-4671 Email: bradley.wong@wmich.edu