Whitefish Middle School and Whitefish High School band director Mark McCrady recently received national recognition as an outstanding music instructor.

He is featured in School, Band & Orchestra magazine's annual "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" list. The list highlights a director, instructor or teacher from each state.

McCrady is in his sixth year as band director in Whitefish, where he teaches 180 students.

He first took the conductor's podium as a high school student to fill in for his band teacher.

"If the band director was sick the principal would ask me to fill in," McCrady said of this "day in the life of" opportunity. He knew one conducting pattern and quickly realized what he needed to do to get students' attention and be productive. "That's when I saw this was something I could do someday."

McCrady was grateful for the honor and encouraged by it.

"Like any teacher, you hope you're making a difference," he said.

He's been a music instructor for 14 years. In addition to teaching, he also operated a guitar studio from 1998 to 2000 and toured with a music group.

"I was pretty serious about performing at the time," McCrady said.

By 2001 he was back on the conductor's podium in the classroom teaching.

"Teaching is what I like to do most, the interaction with the students. I love the challenge of selecting the right music for them so that they'll be successful on stage," he said.

Transforming a group of beginners to accomplished musicians is the reward of teaching music.

"It's exciting to have a lot of impact on students by the end of the year," McCrady said.

Successful student musicians are also a result of their dedication to practice outside the classroom.

"You can't just count a music score off and hope for the best. It's a process," he said.

And that process is why a band teacher needs a vision.

"Walk into a typical middle school band room; it doesn't sound pretty for awhile. Understand the vision that you have and it will come eventually. You have to chip away day in and day out until you get closer to that vision," McCrady explained.

His teaching philosophy is that music is for everyone.

"We want to make a place for every kid regardless of aptitude for music. Music is so good for them," McCrady said. "Intellect, physical coordination and emotional involvement are all working together."

A classically trained musician, McCrady is currently into jazz and is studying for a Master of Music Education degree through VanderCook College of Music based in Chicago.

"I am so thankful to live and work Whitefish, a community that supports music and the fine arts in an extraordinary way. I love the work I get to do each day," he said.

To view McCrady's profile visit www.SBOmagazine.com.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.