Robert Travis:
CLASS OF 1992
Belding High SchoolClass of 1992
Belding, MI
Matteson Elementary SchoolClass of 9999
Matteson, IL
Richton Square SchoolClass of 2007
Richton park, IL
Belding Middle SchoolClass of 1988
Belding, MI
Hallpark SchoolClass of 1984
Belding, MI
Robert's Story
Life
I have found the best career in the world. Usually when people say that they are exaggerating. I'm not.
I teach music to elementary students, grades K, 2, and 3, in the south suburbs of Chicago.
As far as my historical background, I'll try to sum it up here.
Graduated Belding High School in 1992. Went to Western Michigan University, got a Bachelor of Music with a dual major in music theory and music performance, in 1996. Did what that degree qualified me for: ran convenience stores and sold cars and appliances. During that time period, I got married and got divorced, while living in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and back in GR.
Went back to school at Grand Valley State in 2004 to get teacher certification in music. Finished that in 2006, and got a job in Matteson, Illinois. Now I live in Park Forest, IL, and I teach in Matteson.
In addition to teaching K-3, I also teach a middle school summer band, help with my district's beginning band, teach French horn privately, and do some occasional composing and arranging.
Life is good.
College
Did the college thing twice.
Western Michigan University 1992-1996.
Earned a Bachelor of Music degree, with a dual major in music theory and music performance.
While I was there, I played in the Concert, Marching, and Symphonic Bands and the University Orchestra (principal horn), as well as various pick-up brass choirs, two brass quintets, a few operas and musicals, and undoubtedly some other groups I forgot about. Sang in Collegiate Singers. Did one-and-a-half solo recitals. Composed a few works. Worked myself so hard I burned out. MEANWHILE, I was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia professional music fraternity, Collegiate Music Educators National Conference, and Pi Kappa Lambda music national honor society. ADDITIONALLY, I learned a lot about life: how to be self disciplined and how to throw self-discipline to the wind in a sea of adult beverages; how to enjoy the company of others and how to be disgusted with mankind in general; how to be an activist and how to b...Expand for more
e apathetic; how to study hard and how to put off work until the last minute. Ended up with a useless degree.
Grand Valley State Universty 2004-2006.
A little more focused this time. Earned teacher certification in music. Played in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble (principal horn), the University Symphony Orchestra, a woodwind quintet, a tuba/horn/piano trio, a horn quartet, and some other stuff I probably forgot. Took some good classes, made some good friends, and got myself finished as quickly as I could. Knew a bit more about life, but still chose to occasionally act like a typical college student, just to get it out of my system -- call it a not-quite-mid-life crisis. Got done, got certified, and got employed.
Workplace
It all started in high school. Worked in my parents' print shop. It was OK.
Then the worst thing possible happened. I got a summer job the summer after my freshman year in college pulling 3rds at a convenience store. This led to working at 7-Eleven throughout most of my college years.
Also did a bit of private teaching and some occasional gigging. But that was a minimal part of my income.
After college, considered buying my dad's printshop. Decided not to. Went back to 7-E and went into management in Kalamazoo. During that time, I took a little while to work for Malecki Music in Grand Rapids, looking at going into management, while I stayed on with 7-E as kind of a relief/weekend manager. Went back to full-time at 7-E when I got married. Transferred to Indianapolis. Got canned.
Started selling cars, moved to Milwaukee, got divorced, moved back to Michigan, started selling appliances. Throughout this time, I did some occasional private teaching as well.
Sold appliances throughout my second college stint, along with private teaching and a children's choir job at a church.
Finally, I got certified to teach. Now I teach elementary music in Matteson, Illinois (far south suburb of Chicago), do some private teaching in Homewood, IL, and do some occasional composing/arranging on a freelance basis.
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