Mary Gillard conducting the New Horizons Band.
Sparking confidence through music education
For more than 30 years, Mary Gillard (BA ’82, BEd ’83) was a fixture in the music department at Clarke Road Secondary School in London, Ontario. Looking back on three decades of teaching, seeing countless students develop their confidence through music remains the most meaningful aspect of her career.
“The biggest joy for me if I could go back and sum up the 31 years that I was there, plus all the other teaching experience, it’s seeing both joy and confidence increase,” said Gillard. “Students are able to do something that they weren't able to do before that was hard. They just didn't think they could do it.”
Gillard herself found confidence and inspiration in the music classroom during her final year of high school. She began piano lessons in grade eight but hadn’t considered teaching until her grade 13 music teacher sparked a change of plans.
“Having grown up on a farm in Belmont, Ontario, I was thinking of becoming a golf course superintendent, where I could enjoy working outside,” explained Gillard.
“My grade 13 music teacher inspired me to teach because of his comprehensive approach to music and what he modelled as a professional musician. He made me realize that if I had to choose between being a golf course superintendent, and being a teacher, that with teaching music, I could challenge myself my whole life.”
“Learning how to learn”
Taking her first steps toward becoming a music educator, Gillard enrolled as a piano major at Western’s Don Wright Faculty of Music. In 1982, she graduated with a Bachelor of Music and Honours in Education and pursued her Bachelor of Education at Western the following year.
While at the Faculty of Education, Gillard benefitted from the guidance of professors who helped her to translate her foundational knowledge into teaching practice.
“They helped us take what we learned from our undergraduate degree and figure out how to apply it in the classroom,” reflected Gillard. “I learned to develop a well-rounded program, where you're not playing only band music, you're teaching kids theory and comprehensive musicianship.”
For two years after graduation, Gillard taught both vocal and instrumental classes at both the secondary and elementary level. After attending a music educators conference, she became excited about the prospect of starting a classical guitar program at Clarke Road, which became her primary job over the next 29 years.
At Clarke Road, she was able to broaden her teaching skillset taking on both vocal and math in addition to classical guitar, none of which were her background. She credits her time at Western as equipping her to become a versatile educator.
“I had to make my own way based on what I had learned in my undergrad and my year at the Faculty of Education,” said Gillard. “Isn't that by definition why we seek higher education—to learn how to learn? I think I’m one of those people who models what education is meant to do.”
Promoting safety, connection and community
When Gillard reflects on the moments that shaped her approach to teaching, she recalls a visit from a music professor who brought a group of fourth-year students to observe her classical guitar class.
“After the class, he talked to me and he said, ‘I would really want my own child to be in this class. I love what you're doing and how you approach the students’,” recalled Gillard.
“This was before I had children, but it made me think, I would want my own child to be comfortable in my class. What does that look like?”
This interaction called Gillard to consider how to positively support students who are having difficulty, and how to promote safety, connection and community—questions she has lived by throughout her career.
Having retired in 2014, Gillard continues to bring this approach to building a supportive community as a conductor for Western’s New Horizons Band chapter, a role which she has held since 2001. The New Horizons Band offers over 10,000 older adults worldwide the opportunity to learn or resume playing wind or percussion instruments in a supportive group setting.
“Although it can be challenging, I aim to make rehearsals enjoyable and to help members build their musical skills in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere,” said Gillard. “Being in a band creates community. Many of our musicians are older adults. They’re looking for a connection.”
For Gillard, having taught vocal, math and guitar classes, returning to conducting band in the New Horizons organization “completes the circle of her musical journey.” She remains grateful for the wide range of experiences that have enabled her to have a diverse and fulfilling career.
“I value how I’ve been able to grow musically and become a more effective conductor,” said Gillard.
“The diverse nature of my musical journey encompassing teaching, conducting and performing fills me with deep joy and fulfillment. Between the Faculty of Education, my music degree, my teaching experience and the New Horizons program, I’m fortunate to have developed that versatility.”
