Clarissa Kell | Daily Press Choir Teacher John Beck plays the piano while directing the chorale, a group of freshmen through senior students, as they rehearse for graduation at the Escanaba High School recently. The chorale performs at both the Learning Center’s graduation and Escanaba High School’s graduation.

ESCANABA — Running the Escanaba Area Public Schools’ choral program has been a “family business” for John Beck.

The Escanaba choral program encompasses general chorus classes for elementary, junior high and high school students, and a chorale class for high school students. The chorale is different than the general chorus classes because students have to audition.

John, who graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in music in 1977, has taught choral music at Escanaba for 41 years, almost double the amount of years his father taught choir at Escanaba.

“On the first day of school in 1978, my dad was the choir director at Escanaba High School, and he passed away on the first day of school. About a week later, the principal at the time called me and asked if I would be the substitute teacher until they hired somebody,” he said. In November of 1978, John was hired to become the choir teacher full-time.

John’s father, Conrad Beck, had taught choir at Escanaba High School for 22 years.

“I was actually his student,” John said about his father. He added, music was always a part of his life because of his father and it led him to want to continue with music as his career choice.

The arts, like music, are important for student development and creating well-rounded people in society.

“In most classes you’re concentrating on your thinking, your mind — that kind of academic sort of subject. This is one area where you can also address the emotional side of life — teaching your heart, your feelings,” John said.

He said with music you’re touching another person’s emotional make-up and it’s something students need to learn to be well-rounded.

He explained another reason why music is important for students is studies have shown using the part of the brain used in creating music increases test scores in other subject areas.

John described his 41 years of teaching choir as constantly evolving and fulfilling.

“I think that I’m a different teacher now than when I started. I think if you’re doing it right you’re constantly evolving. I think I’m a better teacher than I was five years ago. It’s a constant learning process,” he said.

He added watching students each year grow and become more than just a group of people singing is a fun process to witness.

The driving force of why John does what he does is watching students’ passion for music grow from singing notes correctly to performing with emotion and connecting to the music.

A misconception people have about the program is it’s just students singing. Beck explained he teaches his students how to read music and how to improve their vocal production, as well.

“We don’t just sing. I try to make sure they’re learning about how to read music too,” he said.

The students involved in the choral program perform at two concerts during the school year, one in the spring and one during Christmas time.

John said his students also perform at different festivals.

“Typically they’re in Marquette,” he said.

This week concludes the performance season for the program. John said the last performances for the chorale will be at graduation for the Learning Center and Escanaba High School today.