About Me

Greetings one and all!

My name is Sammy Rhoads and I am a current Instrumental Music Education major and Saxophonist at Western Michigan University!

I am active in multiple on campus ensembles including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, the Bronco Marching Band, and Bronco Pep Band.

Along with ensembles I am in multiple music and non-music Registered Student Organizations such as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Computer Club, Crochet Club, & NAfME where I have had the privilege to meet and bond with students I may not have ever met otherwise.

Aside from the School of Music I am the Marketing Director and Radio Host at Western Michigan's on-campus college radio station, 89.1 WIDR-FM, where I work to create promotions, underwritings, website blog posts, general upkeep on the WIDR website, etc. while also playing a synth live on air every Friday at 2pm!

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Mission Statement

As a Music Educator it is my goal to create an engaging environment for music to thrive. We as future Ensemble Directors and Music Teachers are integral to the development of musicianly students. No matter if it's in a classroom with Recorders or on a marching band practice field, we are the shaping our students into passionate musicians even if they may not realize it on the outside.

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My Philosophy For Music Education

My philosophy for music education is to make the band room, or any room or building that has music being made inside its walls, to be as conducive as possible to the advancement of music. Whatever may be helpful for the betterment of the musician of any variety I’ll try my best to do in that classroom to accommodate all students so they can be as successful as possible. It’s also important to play music that the students may enjoy. Even if it’s a sandwich with two standard pieces, adding a song that they enjoy such as a medley of Star Wars or Jurassic Park, it’ll incentivise the students to wanna be better musicians since it’s music they enjoy. It’s also very important to present yourself in a way that straddles the line between friendliness and stern, friendly when they come in the door but stern when it’s time to learn the music provided. Having both aspects, both in and out of rehearsal helps to get the students comfortable with what may be a new environment or to remember that the bandroom is a safe place, along with helping to make them more willing to listen to your teachings.