Kingswood Oxford welcomes band and orchestra teacher Aaron Barkon to the Upper School and Middle School, where he has already begun making connections with students through US Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Combo, as well as MS Band and Orchestra. Although learning the names of 115 new students and getting to know the faculty has been a challenge, Mr. Barkon says his first few weeks at KO have gone pretty smoothly.
For Mr. Barkon, music has always been about more than simply playing an instrument. His passion for music truly clicked during his freshman year of college, when he discovered what he calls the “art of practicing.” He found himself spending more time in the practice room than the classroom, determined to become the best musician he could be. “It was like a light switch turned on in my brain,” he explained. He realized that focused practice could open an entirely new world of opportunities, leading to new experiences, friendships, and possibilities.
That realization eventually inspired Mr. Barkon to share the same opportunities with others. During his student teaching semester, he developed what he described as a sense of “give back.” “I wanted to show others that at the end of this process are new doors and opportunities just waiting,” he said, whether those doors lead to music or to an entirely different passion.
Now at KO, Mr. Barkon’s biggest goal is to build connections with students, faculty, programs, and the many interests within the community. He constantly asks himself, “What can I do in order to get [students] to want to come back tomorrow?” While music is often viewed as an elective, Mr. Barkon sees it differently. To him, students are choosing an academic experience when they choose music, and he hopes to create classes that are both academically fulfilling and enjoyable.
His passion for building a strong music community comes partly from where he grew up. In his hometown, nearly half of the high school participated in band, orchestra, or chorus. The community valued music, so students and families felt connected to the programs.
Mr. Barkon hopes to bring that same sense of belonging to KO. He views school, classes, and students as a family away from home and wants every student to leave with an experience they can be proud of – and hopefully, a desire to give back in whatever way their future takes them.
