Featured Teacher – Mark Needs

Meet Mark – Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba teacher

Mark Needs teaches brass instruments here at The Arts Music Store, specializing in Trumpet. His experience and love of music is felt through the walls of our music school. Mark shows immense dedication to his craft and to his students. His passion for music education has resulted in some amazing musical growth in students of all age groups.

We asked Mark a few questions about music, check out what he had to say below:

1.) What impact has music had on your life?
“I have experienced great joy and personal satisfaction through music. I have learned the value of hard work through music. I have shared deep connections with musicians I have played with, ensembles I have conducted and productions I have directed. I have learned how to communicate, collaborate, take risks to produce something great. I have seen the world because of music. I met my wife in music class and we still play in community band together. My children’s lives have been impacted by music and I have been part of their musical journey which has been so special for us. I have made great, lifelong friends through music. I developed transferable skills that have enhanced my work off the stage, outside the rehearsal hall and practice studio, enhancing relationships with the people I work with, opening doors of opportunity and so much more.”

2.) Why is learning music valuable?
“Music is Art and so is valuable on its own. It is a form of expression for the artist and has an aesthetic impact on the listener. The popular quote from William Congreve’s play, “The Mourning Bride” (1697) – “Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast” – captures some of the value of music for our well-being and our community. Beyond the aesthetic value of music, studying and playing music is known to activate multiple areas of our brain including, for example, areas that fire when we are doing math. Just think about how much the brain needs to activate to play a musical instrument, read music, practice, perform, think critically, self assess etc. I tell my students that when sitting down to do homework or study, practice your instrument first to get the brain firing on all cylinders. Don’t lose this opportunity by relegating your music practice to the lowest priority on the to-do list. And, you might expect I’m going to add that basically we need music in our lives as part of a well-rounded education. And that’s not just my opinion.”

3.) What do you do that is unique with your students?
“Well, I hope it’s not unique but I like making connections between playing an instrument (and making music) and Life.”

4.) Who is your favourite artist and why?
“I have so many favourite artists and really, there is something unique about the way they all make music. Obviously, I have trumpet players I love to listen to and Wynton Marsalis and Chris Botti are always on my playlist. I must say though that my favourite artist is Sting. Sting has not only written great songs which he constantly re-works, but he is a great performer and a very humble musician. Sting continuously strives to grow as a musician, learning from those he plays
with and collaborates with. Just watch the Youtube of him playing “Fragile” with Stevie Wonder (another favourite of mine) to see how inspired Sting is by this great musician. Sting is a lifelong learner and I admire that a lot.”

5.) What do you love most about teaching?
“I think helping others achieve that “Ah-ha” moment when, through practice and hard work, they finally
nail that new bit of technology that helps open up so many new possibilities for them musically. Then
there’s the smile on the face. Yes, the smile on the face is pretty special.”

Sign up for lessons with Mark >>HERE<<