Classical MPR’s Teacher Feature highlights the lives and work of music teachers throughout Minnesota.
Chris Starr
Vocal Music Teacher (recently retired)
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Schools
Howard Lake, Minn.
What grade level(s) do you teach? What types of music classes do you teach?
I taught elementary classroom music for 7 years and then spent the rest of my career with 6-12 grade choirs for a total of 41 years in the HLWW school district. One of the reasons I stayed in HLWW so long was because I always had academic freedom there. My music choices were mine. I never had an administrator telling me what music we couldn’t sing for whatever reason. I could develop and run my program the way I thought was best. I appreciate principals who know enough to stay out of the way of the creative process. The other reason I stayed so long was because I always felt appreciated by the communities, teaching staff and the administration. Not everyone is so fortunate.
Where did you go to college?
Bemidji State University.
Who or what inspired you to become a music teacher?
Both of my parents were school music teachers and my grandmother taught private piano and organ lessons. I grew up with my dad’s barbershop quartet practicing in our basement. When I was in 8th grade, I got the job of playing their parts for them so they could learn their music. That turned out to be really good training for my career. I had thought about being a band director, but singing in college choir under Paul Brandvik’s direction changed my mind and I never regretted that decision.
What would you say is your primary instrument?
My main instruments are piano and organ. I worked in vocal studios in college accompanying many recitals. I learned a lot of solo repertoire in addition to what I studied in my own voice lessons. I love accompanying singers and connecting with them through the music whether it be a soloist or a choir.
Do you have a story of an experience where music education made a difference in a student’s life?
It is always wonderful to hear from a student or former student that choir got them through their day and through high school. Sometimes we have no idea what kids are struggling with in their lives and if a music class can somehow make all that more bearable and lift them out of their struggle for an hour every day then how remarkable is that? It is really important to me that kids feel they are important in a choir, whether they are the average singer or the outstanding singer. This is a challenge in large choirs and was always a concern of mine. I love it when former students tell me they sing their choir songs to their own children. It’s amazing how the music stays with them throughout their lives. For this very reason it has been very important to me to choose texts with integrity that will enrich their lives and stay with them for years to come.
If you were to help program a day of music at Classical MPR, what would be a piece of music you’d play in the morning? What piece of music would you play in the evening? What is it about these pieces that make them a couple of your favorites?
The piece I would play in the morning would be the Brahms Rhapsody Op. 79 No. 2 in G Minor. I played this piece on my college senior recital and dearly love it. I never get tired of playing it. I love the richness of Brahms and how he uses the bass range of the piano so masterfully.
For the evening, I would choose Pater Noster by Jacob Handl. This piece is a double choir setting of the Lord’s Prayer. It is antiphonal between four part men and four part women. Every time I listen to this piece I marvel at it’s beautiful portrayal of this prayer. It has so much strength and depth and just wraps itself around you, particularly when you hear a live performance.
Is there a music teacher in your community that the Classical MPR audience should know about? Submit this form to nominate them for our Teacher Feature!