Annette’s character Mrs Epstein is far more than a music teacher. (Most music teachers are!)
In Chapter Eight of A Distant Prospect, Mrs Epstein insists that Lucy can, and will, play in a string quartet, for the good of others as well as Lucy’s.
Mrs Epstein had very weak, dark eyes. They were much magnified and distorted by the heavy tortoiseshell glasses she wore. Whenever she looked at anything, her eyes always appeared askew, and this strange, oblique gaze seemed to intensify if she had something important to say. It was such a look which now held me at dagger point, raised me upright and forced me back behind my ’cello. Thus pinned, I was at her mercy. She sat opposite, with one hand firmly positioned around the neck of her own instrument, her own bow well out of my reach, and mine pointed in my face. Still glaring, she sliced my soul with every thrust.
‘This time Luighseach — and don’t look away from me when I am speaking to you — you are going to play in a string quartet and I am not going to take “no” in any shape or form for an answer. I do not believe you when you say you do not want to play in a group. I know you like the music too much. I know you are not content merely to listen to gramophone recordings, and I do not believe you when you say you have enough to do because you always make time for the things you want. …’
Music teachers must be counsellors, psychologists, confessors, motivational speakers, but at heart they must have concern for the welfare of the student as a person.
Mrs Epstein is inspirational. In the case of Lucy and Phoebe, she also becomes a second mother.
How the complete story unfolds is a beautiful tribute to great music teachers everywhere, who set high goals for their students, and help them to achieve them.
A Distant Prospect makes an inspirational gift for anyone who teaches or learns a musical instrument (Annette can also dedicate the book on request if you purchase from her directly, using the “BUY NOW” link at the top right).
- Here are some more great links:
- 20 Reasons to Thank a Music Teacher (Sue On Music)
- What makes a great teacher? (ABCnews)
- Richard Gill on The Value of Music Education (TEDx Sydney)