Allen Slater has received many awards during his 34 years as a high school band teacher, but that’s not what motivates him to help students make music.

What keeps Slater energized are the students who come to his band room to learn at Flathead High School, where he started teaching in 1988. That passion for teaching inevitably has brought him much recognition through the years..

Slater recently earned the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Outstanding Music Educator Award for Section 8, which includes Montana, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho and Alaska.

The award is based on significant and long-term contribution to a state’s interscholastic music program. Individuals may be band, choral or orchestral directors, supervisors or adjudicators.

“I feel very honored,” Slater said.

For Slater, teaching is all about finding out what students need from him to achieve and excel musically.

“That’s where my energy and enthusiasm go,” he said. “I don’t want to let the kids down.”

Over the past 15 years, his students have averaged 43 entries in the District Music Festival solo and ensemble competition each year, with 56 percent receiving superior ratings. They’ve averaged 26 entries in the State Music Festival annually, with 71 percent receiving superior ratings.

A total of 121 students under his direction have been selected for All-State Band and Orchestra since 1988.

Flathead’s guitar program has broadened and classes such as music theory and music survey have been added during Slater’s tenure. He also became certified to teach International Baccalaureate music.

Slater was recognized as Flathead Valley’s Arts Educator of the Year in 1999 and was awarded the Gold Star Award for Excellence in 2001 and 2012. He also was named one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” for 2007 in School Band and Orchestra magazine.

Slater’s penchant for band began in the fifth grade when he was selected to play the sousaphone. In college at the University of Montana he played the bass trombone while earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree. By the time he graduated he knew how to play most instruments.

“At smaller high schools you need to know how to play them all,” Slater said.

Slater will be eligible for the National Federation of State High School Associations’ music citation next year.

“It’s special to have the recognition, but I’m in it for the kids,” Slater said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].