We’re bragging on Adam Bever today. Haven’t heard of him? He’s worth knowing! Check this out . . .
Adam Bever, a Rice Lake Middle School Band instructor, was given the 2024 Wisconsin Award for Excellence in Teaching Music by the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and the Wisconsin School Music Association .
Adam is one of 2 Middle School music educators in the Rice Lake Public Schools. Have they got a strong program!
The programming they offer
Adam teaches 5th through 8th grade instrumental music (helping out in the High School as needed). Their classes include . . .
- Private lessons for 5th graders in the fall, then
- 5th grade band the 2nd semester
- Private lessons for 5th and 6th graders. Group sectional lessons for 7th and 8th grade students.
- “Band and . . . “ is a new program they’ve initiated. It’s a time when students can learn different instruments, can pair up and teach each other, experiment with different genres of music, rehearse if they’re behind, or work on Solo and Ensemble music. They’re even ordering ukuleles so students can learn how to play them.
- Jazz Ensemble meets Tuesday through Friday, one time for each grade.
- And, of course, Concert Band meets 2 or 3 times a week, adjusting as the 5-day school week needs.
Remember, this is Middle School.
His motivation for teaching
When asked how he understands his role as an educator and, specifically, a music educator, Adam replied, “I love helping the students create. The role I play so often is to synthesize the elements they learn in the classroom. They get to explore a side of their brains they don’t get to work with otherwise. They get a connection to a team. A connection to other students. Even beyond school, I love exposing students to music and helping them express themselves.”
Music is for ALL students
Like most music educators, many of his students use the discipline they learn in music to excel in other areas of their lives. But Adam also has a heart for the students who struggle in life and in school.
He remembers a student who had terrible anger issues. The boy struggled to control himself in the classroom and had special needs. He decided to join the band. Adam thought, “Well, he’s going to have to figure this out.”
Music was this student’s passion. The boy could articulate, “This is something I need! This is where I belong.” In the band room, he was a different kid. He was one of the first ones at the concerts, helping out. It even helped him learn to manage his anger in the other classrooms.
Adam wonders if the student would even have finished school if it weren’t for his connection to music.
How his relationship with the Arts Center impacts his students.
Adam has a long history with the Arts Center. For those of you who go back a few years, he played with Bill Bitner, who taught music in Siren for many years. Adam has done the Big Band concerts, taught as a trombone assistant with Dave Pavolka, and studied with Dominic Spera at UW-Eau Claire.
Now he sends students to Jazz Camp, Jazz Combos, Concert Band, Trombone, and Sax camps. They also attend the Middle School Honors Event on a school day in November.
Adam commented, “Not only do they come back better musicians, they bring other students with them the next year. They form their own sectionals. It improves our program immediately.”
Adam is also a family and community man
He and his wife love camping in their AirStream. They’ve traveled throughout the upper Midwest and cherish the down time.
Oh, and they have a big heart for kids who come from struggling homes and need a more stable, loving environment. Adam and his wife have adopted 7 (yes, 7!) children with special needs. They first adopted three children ages 4, 8, and 12 years old. Later they welcomed a 16 yr old into their family. And a 13 year old. Most recently, they adopted an 18 and a 19 year old. Now the oldest is 29 and the youngest is 18. All are grown and contributing value to the world.
When he’s not at school or at home, Adam conducts the Red Cedar Symphony in Rice Lake. He also plays in the Dean’s List and a Brass Quintet.
Yes, we’re celebrating Adam!
So, we’re bragging on Adam Bever. He is indeed a Teacher of Excellence. A community man of Excellence. A family man of Excellence. It’s the Arts Center’s honor to have his excellence touch our lives!
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