By William Smith
The West Burlington School District doesn’t have a combined elementary and high school. The two schools are separated by just a few blocks, each with its own roster of teachers.
But Jeremy Henman, the new band director of the West Burlington Junior High and High School, has been teaching some of the same students for six years straight.
“It has such a joyous experience, getting to teach them,” Henman said.
Henman took on the role of band director at the high school at the beginning of the year, but taught music at West Burlington Elementary for six years prior to that. That means that he will have taught music to some West Burlington students for the entirety of their school experience once they graduate.
“I was very fortunate to get a job at the elementary,” Henman said.
By the age of five, Henman knew he wanted to be a trumpet player. Before getting a real trumpet, he carried a toy version everywhere. By the time he was in high school, Henman knew he wanted to be a musician — and possibly a teacher.
“I went into college thinking I wanted to be a jazz trumpet player,” Henman said. “Then, early on in college, I get exposed to a lot more orchestral music and found a love for the classical side of the trumpet.”
Unlike many of his peers, who pined for a life far away from their hometown, Henman wanted to come back home and teach. He applied for every job in pretty much every state he could and jumped at the elementary music teacher job when it became available.
As a Burlington High School graduate, he also found it a bit ironic. He credits BHS band director Derrick Murphy, who is still teaching, for helping to expand his love of music.
“That was kind of a neat thing for me, going through college and getting my degree and then getting to come back home to teach where I grew up,” he said.
Henman’s future was always going to be dictated by music. Both of his parents are accomplished singers, and all three of his older siblings went through band and choir, as did he.
“I just grew up with it,” he said.
Before taking the music job at West Burlington, Henman was hesitant to teach younger children. He has no children and recalls how his first pack of kindergartners trampled his plans on the first day.
But Henman learned, and so did the kids. Like any good music teacher, Henman’s ultimate goal is simple: to instill a student’s love of music.
Everything that follows is a natural extension of the students’ interest. Band is an elective in high school, so Henman now has the luxury of teaching students who want to be in the music room. They like talking about music theory and improving their skills.
“I’m able to get them to think even more critically about the music they’re creating. We’ll be rehearsing, and I’ll cut them off, and I’ll ask them, ‘What instrument has the melody here?’ And you’ve got some students who are paying attention, who’ve been listening not just to their own part but to the entire ensemble. And they’re able to pick out,” Henman said.
Now that he’s settled into high school, Henman is laying the groundwork for a long-term project.
He wants to increase the size of West Burlington’s marching band and its exposure and importance — perhaps even competitive contests someday.
But to do that, he needs interested students. Most of his band students have expressed disinterest in marching band, but Henman has found a middle ground at the school’s Friday night football games.
“I like to call it a Friday night football band,” he said. “We are there specifically to build the school spirit for the football games.”
The West Burlington-Notre Dame football team won its first-ever playoff game last Friday. Henman’s students celebrated with their synchronous instruments.
“It was such an exciting experience, getting to play for a playoff game. I think it was great for the students to witness a bit of school history,” Henman said.
Despite the hours he spends teaching others, Henman has always maintained his passion for the trumpet. Of course, he doesn’t play for the money.
“A lot of my students, they think, ‘Well, after I graduate high school, I’m done with music,” he said.
But that’s just not true.
Burlington and the surrounding area are pretty musical, and Henman has found plenty of opportunity for this trumpet.
He plays with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, the Burlington Municipal Band, and several other organizations, including a salsa band he just joined.
Henman has everything he could want, and it was always just a few miles from his doorstep. It takes some a lifetime to realize their heart is at home.
Henman had it figured out before he ever started.
“I’m happy where I’m at. I really love teaching in West Burlington,” he said.