Dr. Robby Glasscock is humble. He doesn’t like recognition and quickly passes along any accolades to staff.
Tallassee High School choral director Michael Bird stepped up. He nominated Glasscock as School Band & Orchestra (SBO+) recognized for the 24th year “50 Band Directors Who Make a Difference." It was a way to honor a teacher who has touched the lives of many at Tallassee High School.
“They chose one from every state,” Bird said. “I nominated him and they picked him for Alabama.”
The humble Glasscock nominated Bird for the recognition, but the choir director stepped in.
“I declined it,” Bird said. “It is supposed to be a band director. I’m not one. I used to be, but I’m not any more.”
Bird made a call to the editors at the magazine and promoted Glasscock. But Bird may have talked himself out of a recognition while doing so.
“This year SBO+ expands this feature to ‘50+’ with an educator from the District of Columbia and many choral directors,” the magazine wrote. “If you want to feel better about the state of music education or are looking for inspiration for your own teaching, read on.”
Glasscock has been teaching music for 23 years and been director of bands at Tallassee High School for 19 years. SBO+ plus asked him what his proudest moment as a band director has been.
“In 2010 we were marching in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade in Chicago,” Glasscock said. “When we turned onto East Oak Street to start the parade down Michigan Avenue, my students were in awe. I don’t think any of us had ever seen that many people in one place and that wasn’t even the start of the actual parade.”
Glasscock said the band stopped and had a pep rally for the block.
“...the crowd there was cheering for my students and it was the best time of our lives,” Glasscock said. “We have had several moments like that since.”
He said he gets emotional when traveling with the students and hearing their comments while driving through big cities.
“Knowing I am giving some of these students the only opportunity they will ever get to go to these places, see the things we are seeing or do the activities we are doing makes all the hard work to get there worth every minute,” Glasscock said.
But it is not without challenges. Sometimes Glasscock questions if the students are learning what he is teaching.
“I joke with the kids sometimes when I’m having a bad day, I rather be cutting grass because I can see the progress I’m making,” Glasscock said. “I can’t see the changes sometimes they are making. Sometimes they tell me to cut grass.”
Glasscock said Bird made a bigger deal of the recognition than he would, but said it is still nice.
“Day in and day out you don’t see the changes in the student,” Glasscock said. “Sometimes you don’t feel like you are making a difference in their lives. It is nice to be recognized that people are seeing the fruits of your labor and the progress you are making.”
Since the December issue of SBO+ has come out, Glasscock said he doesn’t know any others recognized by the magazine. He has heard from those in the band director world who made connections between Glasscock and others after a Facebook post thanking Bird for the nomination
“My college directors and high school director from my time at Holtville all congratulated me. It was nice,” Glasscock said. “One of my professors at Alabama State tagged me in a post. The Alaska band director next to me in the story, she taught her she was making a big deal about both of us being on the same page and taught by her.”
-- Cliff Williams, Tallassee Tribune