Strings, brass, or percussion, an orchestra can match any rhythm, especially with a good director. With the position recently vacant, Tyler Slaughter stepped in to continue as the new orchestra director. 

Before being accepted for this position, Slaughter taught middle school orchestra in his home state, Nevada, with his best friend. Three years ago, he moved to Oregon to attend Portland State University for graduate school. 

Slaughter wanted to play piano when he was younger and couldn’t afford lessons. But in sixth grade, he and his friends joined orchestra class where he picked up a violin for the first time and decided it was close enough to the piano. 

“I formed those friendships and connected with the music through a stringed instrument,” Slaughter said. “I fell in love with the orchestra and stayed through it all through the present day.” 

When Slaughter entered high school, he switched from violin to viola. 

“I like the sound more, the tone more and the role it plays with music more…[It is] a little bit of a mellow or darker sound. And I was like, this is the vibe I want,” Slaughter said. 

On top of teaching orchestra and helping out with symphony and pit orchestra, he also teaches at Athey Creek Middle School every day after lunch. Juggling both sites of work was a change for Slaughter.

“Once I stepped in front of the students and we started running class like usual, a lot of the nerves got a lot calmer,” Slaughter said.

However, Slaughter has not always wanted to teach orchestra, considering he went to college as a psychology major. Throughout his academic journey, he realized he was more interested in the psychology of learning and wanted to help students. From there, his decision was between teaching math or music. 

“I ended up picking music because I reflected which classes I felt most assured of myself, and [it] really helped me get through school in the good and the bad times,” Slaughter said.

Other music teachers may evaluate students based on their musical skills when they enter a room. However, skill level is at the back of Slaughter’s mind. 

“I don’t want to invite all the good players to my program,” Slaughter said. “I want to create great players through my program.”

The high school offers numerous opportunities for students interested in the music program. Teachers such as Slaughter are there to support students and their passions for the arts, no matter if they are beginners or have been performing for years.

 “[It’s a] dream come true [to see] so much music here that students are excited about routinely doing,” Slaughter said.

Throughout his teaching experience, Slaughter has tried his best to follow through with his commitment to his students. 

“Whatever is troubling you [as a teacher] outside of class times, before class and after class, leave it outside of your classroom, because the most important thing everyday is the students in front of you and you should just focus on them,” Slaughter said. “They deserve your full attention, so give it to them.”

Orchestra is open to all students interested in learning and performing music. Students can speak with their counselor for information about joining orchestra.