UMHS Music Teacher in Tune with Students for 34 Years

Bob Barron has been teaching music in Upper Moreland for 34 years. The Upper Moreland graduate could very well be in his hometown for another 34 years.

After working for 11 years in one of the district’s elementary schools, Barron has spent the last 23 years at Upper Moreland High School. It has been a dream come true for Barron, who is thrilled to be teaching at his alma mater.   

“It was awesome,” said Barron. “I got the inspiration to go into music when I was here at Upper Moreland. When I graduated from West Chester, my former band director asked me if I wanted to be involved with teaching the marching band. The next thing I knew, there was an opening.”

Barron took a group of his students to an event held by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), a nationally sponsored organization for music teachers promoting excellence in music education. The December event brought students across the state to audition and to seek time in district festivals.

“They go through a rather rigorous audition,” Barron said. “They have to prepare a professional solo that is chosen for them. They have to play certain scales and read music on site. They get graded and judged from those things.”

The organization holds January festivals, involving the top students from the competition. The students attend a three-day festival with a professional conductor, composer or college professor.

“They take them through the process of rehearsing music,” said Barron. “They have a public performance. One of the things that occur at the district festival is another audition. They create another list, and the top of those students go to the region level.”

After the region level is another audition to the state level.

One of Barron’s sophomore trumpet players, Matt Salazar, advanced to the state competition.

Barron’s love for music is evident among his students, but it is the students who provide motivation for Barron.

“My passion for music is still really strong,” Barron said. “But more so, I love the kids. I know what they can achieve given the right direction. That’s what I try to do.”

Barron hopes to pass along his passion for music to all of his students. However, Barron’s primary goal is to make his students better people.

“There have been studies of how music affects your learning,” said Barron. “I look to help students develop into fabulous individuals and people who can be valuable members of society even if they aren’t in music.”

Part of Barron’s teaching methods involve the understanding of the team concept. He believes if his students learn to work together, it will provide a valuable lesson in life.

“It’s about creating a team and showing them different ways of how things can be accomplished,” Barron said. "Nobody sits on the bench.  Every person is so very important for the success.”

Barron has seen some of his students continue with their music after graduation from Upper Moreland. One of his former students is Kim Pezzi-Burns, who teaches at the district’s intermediate school. Another is middle school director Brian Stahl. 

While Barron is thrilled to see some of his former students become his colleagues, he is equally happy to see many of his other students find success in their lives with or without music.

“I’m not out to make music majors out of everybody,” Barron said. “I just want to make wonderful people that you can count on who understand responsibility.”