Band teacher wins Opus award




JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers MUSIC MAN- Lindero Canyon Middle School band director Matt McKagen conducts his students. McKagan won the Mr. Holland's Opus Award for his music program at the school.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers MUSIC MAN- Lindero Canyon Middle School band director Matt McKagen conducts his students. McKagan won the Mr. Holland’s Opus Award for his music program at the school.


“We are your symphony, Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. We are the music of your life.” – from the 1995 film “Mr. Holland’s Opus”

Matt McKagen, music director at Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills, has been an inspiration to his students for 17 years, much like the movie’s main character Glenn Holland. But unlike the fictional teacher that Richard Dreyfuss portrayed, McKagen has never been perceived as a disgruntled curmudgeon.

Students, parents, administrators and the community at large have valued McKagen’s dedication to teaching from day one.

On April 13, McKagen’s educational talents were appreciated as he was presented the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation award at Carnegie Hall in New York. One of five teachers nationwide selected for the prestigious award, McKagen received $10,000.

Application criteria for the Opus award include a teacher’s ability to “instill a love of music in their students through instrumental music instruction.” Recipients must demonstrate “passion, dedication and leadership skills to persevere under difficult circumstances,” and “give generously of their time, energy and talent, exceeding what is expected of music educators.”

They must also “demonstrate creativity regardless of availability of instruments, materials, classroom space and budget limitations, (and) encourage musical growth through ongoing and group performance, auditions and evaluations.”

According to the foundation’s website, the award “recognizes music teachers who best emulate the personal characteristics and dedication of ‘Mr. Holland.'”

McKagen’s passion for music has put Lindero Canyon Middle School on the map for top band programs. The school offers Beginning Band, Cougar Band, Concert Band, two Jazz Bands, and Brass and Percussion ensembles.

More than a third of the student body participates in the band program.

“Matt’s been just a superb band leader,” said Principal Ron Kaiser.

A trombone player, McKagen said he had no idea he was chosen to receive the Opus award. He applied for a grant from the foundation and after a member of the foundation’s board saw McKagen in action, he secretly nominated him for the honor.

“We have a pretty neat jazz program,” McKagen said, adding that the school’s choir and orchestra programs are also top notch.

“In an era where sports tend to define the culture in schools, the stars at Lindero tend to be the music students,” Peter Gordon, director of Boston’s Berklee College of Music, wrote to McKagen. “What Matt’s doing is creating the kind of foundation and values in his young musicians that is really rare. He himself is the one who has elevated music at Lindero.”

“It’s not work for me,” McKagen said of teaching at Lindero.

Apparently band class doesn’t seem like work to the students, either. McKagen’s easygoing yet enthusiastic teaching style turns novice musicians into bold performers, and more accomplished young musicians into award winners.

His teaching philosophy is simple: “It’s important to get out there,” he said of pushing students to perform regardless of their level of expertise.

In addition to performing at school concerts, the jazz band entered last month’s Reno Jazz Festival. The school band has won the Sweepstakes Award for Excellence in Performance at the Heritage Festival in San Diego for seven consecutive years.

At Reno, Lindero student Scott Lamm captured a soloist award for his musicianship on the tenor saxophone.

“Mr. McKagen is amazing,” Scott said. “He really cares about his students and wants us to be the best we can possibly be.”

“When Matt McKagan is recognized as an inspiring, talented and dedicated teacher we are not surprised. However, we are always delighted,” said Las Virgenes Unified School District Board President Terilyn Finders. “It is joyful and delightful to see Mr. McKagan receive the national recognition that he and his program deserve. The entire board of education joins me in congratulating and thanking Matt.”

Like Lindero’s student musicians, McKagen is no stranger to awards. The Agoura/Oak Park/ Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce has named him “Outstanding Educator.” He has also received a BRAVO award from the Los Angeles Music Center and the Amgen Award for Teacher Excellence.

McKagen was recognized at the school board meeting earlier this month. He told the board he was happy that his own son, Andrew, is now old enough to be in his class.

The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation supports music education through the donation and repair of musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide. Over the past decade, the foundation provided $4.2 million worth of new and refurbished instruments to 720 school and community music programs across the country.

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