Harmony in Education: How a Second-Year Teacher is Shaping the Musical Future at Bucktail

By Emily Wright
FARWELL, PA – For a second year, Bucktail Area Middle and High School is excited to re-welcome its music teacher and band director, Brandon Kahley. A Penn State graduate, Kahley is a dedicated music educator who has brought his passion for teaching music to the school’s music department since the fall of 2022 when he began his position as music teacher and band director. This year, through his students’ performances he aims to showcase their talents while also engaging the community.

In a recent interview with The Record, Kahley shed light on his background as well as how he nurtures the musical talents of his students at Bucktail.

Kahley’s journey to becoming a music educator began when he was in high school. Unsure of what career path to pursue, he reflected on what he enjoyed the most and realized that music was always a constant in his life.
“I really learned so much, not just about music, but about life from all of the different musicians that I’ve learned under,” said Kahley.

“I would feel bad if I didn’t decide to pass on all that I was taught and all that I learned from those great teachers and great musicians.”

Well-versed in playing the piano and French horn, among other instruments, Kahley has a deep appreciation for music and its ability to enrich lives. He believes that music education acts as a means through which he can share his love of music along with his expertise.

“Education allows me to share music the best way that I think I can,” he explained.

The band at Bucktail Area High School currently consists of eight students, and Kahley hopes to expand the program significantly. In his interview, he emphasized his desire to spark more interest amongst Bucktail students so that he can not only share his passion for teaching music but also acquire new members for the band.
Kahley’s dedication to teaching music extends beyond Bucktail. In January of this year, Kahley turned to Facebook to invite old alumni, current students, and anyone who has played an instrument in the past with any level of experience to form a community concert band in Renovo. His Facebook post made for a successful turnout, and after many rehearsals, the community band performed at the Bucktail graduation ceremony this year. According to Kahley, the community bands’ performance was very well-received, leading him to plan for future concerts and events. Now, under the guidance of their dedicated director, the Renovo Community Concert Band is set to make a comeback with a spring concert in 2024.

Kahley explained that he uses various teaching methods to ensure that band students will work and play well together, making for the most memorable performances. He makes himself available for individual lessons with elementary, middle, and high school students when his schedule permits, and he also offers individual lessons after school for a small fee. Kahley aims to foster a sense of musicianship beyond just playing an instrument; he encourages students to set both short-term and long-term goals as a musician.

Looking toward the future, Kahley aims to give the band more opportunities to showcase their talents and connect with the community this year.

“We’re adding a lot more performances that weren’t offered in previous years. This year, we have quite the list of things we’re going to do,” the director shared.

Bucktail band members will be returning to Budstock, the renowned music festival in Renovo, for their first performance of the year on Saturday, August 26. They are also excited to participate in the Flaming Foliage Festival parade and the Castanea Halloween Parade. Additionally, the band will perform for the residents at Haven Place and Buckeye Medical Center.

When it comes to selecting music repertoire, Kahley takes a thorough approach. He utilizes a variety of sources and online platforms that offer musical selections specializing in percussion solos when he is in pursuit of compositions that suit students of various instrumentation and skill levels. After choosing a piece of music, Kahley composes his own music to go with it. This accommodates the unique instrumentation of the band and also gives students opportunities to perform solos. To provide support to the eight band members at Bucktail, the director actively plays alongside the students during rehearsals and band performances, creating an immersive musical experience.

According to Kahley, encouraging regular practice and suggesting that students listen to other musicians and ensembles are key strategies that he uses to foster inspiration, musical growth, and advancement in his students. His encouragement has played a significant role in the notable achievements of the Bucktail band.

One of the highlights of the Bucktail Area High School Band’s recent success was their win in the 2022 Castanea Halloween parade. The band was awarded 1st place upon showcasing their talent and dedication. To provide even further encouragement, Kahley gives special recognition and awards to individual students for their musical achievements as a testament to their hard work and commitment.

“I did an awards day for my students at the end of the school year. We had a banquet at the Clinton Lanes in Lock Haven for the students, which worked out very well,” he said.

In closing, Kahley expressed his desire to see more members of the community in the audience during performances. He believes that it is important for the community to not only rally behind the school’s athletic teams but to also lend their support to the music program. By attending performances provided by the band, community members can show their support for the student’s hard work, dedication, and their musical talents, thereby encouraging their continued growth and achievements.