Tributes to Marvin Blickenstaff

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

---

We would like to thank Drew Turock, Arlene Steffen, and Catherine Kautsky for these tributes to Marvin Blickenstaff. As we continue the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center.

One of the most joyous experiences of my life has been the opportunity to study with Marvin. With him, I found someone that was as passionate about great music as I have always been. His teaching style and skill brought my capabilities to a level I never thought possible. And his kind soul shined through each lesson and made it something to be excited about each week. Thank you so very much Marvin. Happy 90th Birthday! – Drew Turock

Towards the end of my freshman year at Goshen College, Marvin Blickenstaff became my faculty advisor. Being a student who liked to plan ahead, I laid out my course plan as a music education major for the rest of my college career before we met for review. Marvin took one look at the plan and said, “But you haven’t signed up for Introduction to Piano Pedagogy.” “Well, no,” I said. “I don’t want to be a piano teacher.” “But you play the piano. You need to learn how to teach it.” “But I don’t want to be a piano teacher.” “Look. Someday, someone will ask you to teach their child. You need to know what you’re doing.” “But it’s another 2 + 2 credits in my already jammed schedule.” “You need to take the course.” Sigh. All that work I had put into arranging the next three-and-a half years would go down the tubes. Fitting in one course over the next two trimesters threw everything out of whack. 

So began the course—two lectures each week followed by observations of Marvin teaching both a beginner group lesson and a private lesson of one of the children. Each pedagogy student taught two of the beginning students, turning in the lesson report and an audio tape of the lessons every week. Marvin followed up with a written evaluation every Monday with concrete and creative suggestions on how to improve. He was determined to make us the best teachers we could be. I still marvel that he listened to every thirty-minute tape of fifteen lessons every week. But that’s Marvin. He always expects the best out of you and makes sure he gives you the tools to make it happen. He’s generous with his time, honest and enthusiastic with his encouragement, and always raising the bar a little at a time. Forty-three years after that conversation, Marvin is in my studio every day through the lessons he taught, the confidence he instilled, and the joy he infused by connecting with students through music. Generations of students are filled with the magic of music because of Marvin and his legacy. – Arlene Steffen

---

---

• 
• 
• 
•