The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Band director passes on the baton
Tim Niederkorn, band director for Eastlake’s North High School, took his final bow after conducting the instrumental music spring concert in the North High gymnasium on May 8.
Niederkorn, who started his teaching career at Willoughby Middle School, has spent all 31 years of his career with Willoughby-Eastlake Schools. He is set to pass on the baton to the next band director when he retires at the end of the current school year.
Many current and former students say the one lesson they take away from Niederkorn’s teachings is that he’d remind them that they are always performing.
During a break in the concert performance, the students from the three bands that performed — the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony and “Boulevard Blues” Jazz Band — all gathered around Niederkorn for a huge group hug.
Band members also presented Niederkorn and his wife Sherry with personalized school varsity jackets.
“Emotionally, I have been not looking forward to it, but anticipating it and thinking about the emotions and thoughts that have been going through my head,” Niederkorn said.”I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m crying inside, I’m laughing. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end a career.”
Niederkorn said he feels blessed to be able to wrap up his career doing what he enjoys while he still enjoys it.
“It’s just been phenomenal,” Niederkorn said. “The students and parents here are a big part of that.”
As a retiree, Niederkorn stills plans to stay involved with music.
“My wife and I are very involved in the senior community singing group and we are going to stay involved in that,” he said.
In addition, he is the scholarship chairman for Lake County Music Educators and plans to stay active with that.
“I told the director here I’m just a phone call away,” Niederkorn said. “I do want to give some distance to the new director, so the students can start focusing their attention on her.
“I’m happy, I don’t feel like I left anything behind on the table.”