ABOUT MR. HERMANN



An interview with Mr. Hermann by the R. J. H. Tri-M Music Honor Society and the Band Council:

FOR THOSE WHO WONDER............Why is Mr. Hermann at school (usually) by 6:00 a.m.,
6:30 if  running late?  Why does he stay until whenever?  When he had such serious health problems,
why did he keep coming back? (This is why we call him the "HERMANNATOR"!  (You know, like the
movie!);  Is band really that important?
And other questions...Oh, did we mention that Mr. Hermann likes to talk?

Answer:  "I am one of the few people that I know, who wakes up in the morning and actually looks forward to
going to work.  Most people don't.  I have had students who would come to school just to see what we were doing
in band that day.  Some have told me after graduating from high school and/or college that "BAND was the only
thing that kept them in school".   I 'm not obsessed with my work and I 'm not a "Workaholic".  I enjoy free time
and like to have fun!   The old adage, "Work hard, play hard" is a good idea to live by.  This is a job, BUT a job
that I enjoy very much.  If I didn't, I would do something else.  Most band directors last an average of 5 years,
then burn out.  Usually because the pay is not very good, our benefits keep shrinking, the hours are
llllloooonnnngggg.  A band director rarely gets payed for their actual time invested in their programs.  If we were,
we would all be millionaires!  This is no exaggeration.  But, like I stated, I enjoy my job!  For those who may not
understand the "why"...Watch "Mr. Holland's Opus".  It is pretty accurate.  Me?  I just don't want to do
anything else.  And YES! BAND REALLY IS THAT IMPORTANT!!!  There are many studies  prove this a
fact.Just look it up!  Band is one of the few school subjects that  makes students smarter, helps raise their G. P.
A., helps them to read and comprehend better,  raises test scores "across the board"!  Keeps them out of
trouble, reduces crime in communities, gives the SPIRIT and SOUL to their schools and communities...........

For  educators: BAND has always taught cross curriculum in all core subjects. BAND has always included
scaffolding, mastery learning, peer tutoring and the list goes on and on and on.  All of the "new" and "best"
teaching theories that keep popping up HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TAUGHT THROUGH GOOD BAND
PROGRAMS!  And there is so much more that is taught, learned and experienced through band programs.   I
think it is more than a shame for school districts and the few parents out there who do not want or provide the
opportunity for their sons and daughters to be able to enrich their lives with the opportunity to be in a band
program.  I think that it is more than a tragedy, I think it is a sin.  Everyone should have the opportunity and
encouragement to be in "The Band".  Not just it is because it is " my job to say these things" but because it is "the
right thing to do".  Everyone benefits from being in the band."

-Paul C. Hermann
Fine Arts Department Chairman,
Director of Bands,
Tri-M Chapter Advisor,
Roy Junior High School
Mr. Hermann!!
Instrument(s):  Flute, Alto Flute, Pan Flute.
  Oboe, Bassoon.  Soprano, Alto and
  Tenor Recorders.  Soprano, Alto, Bass
  Contra-Alto and Contra Bass Clarinets.
  Soprano, Alto, Tenor and  Bari
  Saxophones. Trumpet, French Horn,
  Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion,
Harmonica, Banjo, Guitar. Bagpipes.
Favorite Movie(s): The Cowboys with John Wayne,
Pete's Dragon, Cannery Row, Something Wicked This
Way Comes, Serenity, Cars, Surf's Up.
Favorite Music:  I listen to everything and enjoy all
    music played well.
Favorite Food (s):  Spanish food from the Taos, New
Mexico area, a good steak and  fresh sea food.
Favorite Sport(s):  Fishing, NASCAR and Golf.
Favorite Drink:  Real Mountain Spring Water (That is    
   still safe to drink).
Favorite Game:  Whack-A-Mole.
Favorite Teacher(s):  Mrs. McCarthy - 3rd grade;
   Mr. Fuss - Band.
Home