Music Man Wins Top Teacher Honor

Music teacher Brad Schoener has barely skipped a beat since he was diagnosed with a rare and often deadly cancer in early 2004.

"Despite two major and three minor surgeries and three years of chemotherapy for leiomyosarcoma, life hasn't stopped for Shoener, 44, of Westtown, Chester County, (Pennsylvania)," reported Cancer Compass. "The 23-year band director at Delaware County's Upper Darby School District was one of five music teachers nationwide recently named Teacher of the Year by Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation."

He will be honored at a New York Pops concert at Carnegie Hall in April, according to Cancer News.

Other than recovering from surgeries and taking off Friday afternoons for treatments, Schoener has missed only day of school since he was diagnosed with the cancer that attacks the colon, liver, and pancreas, according to research.

"He continues to write and publish music for other school band directors and to be active in the music program at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester and in his son's Boy Scout Troop," states a press release. "But he has put on hold his career performing with numerous professional groups because sometimes when he blows his trumpet he blacks or 'grays' out."

He teaches at three elementary schools where the bands with about 600 students have tripled in size since he started working with them in 1992.

Known as the "Music Man of Upper Darby," Schoener came to the attention of the foundation when he received three MHOF grants in the last two years, providing 34 instruments for students in the district on the edge of West Philly.

"All three of my schools are in the lower socio-economic level," he told a reporter. "Many students sign up for band but their parents can't afford to rent, let alone buy, an instrument."

Schoener works under less than desirable conditions, as none of the schools has a band room, according to staff.

Practice is held in makeshift spaces, some without room for chairs or time to put them up and take them down, say personnel.

To hear the bands perform, go to philly.com/schoener and click on "Watch a video tribute to Brad Schoener."

"I had an epiphany on an early morning walk on Sunday shortly after my diagnosis," said Schoener. "A thought crossed my mind: I don't think God is finished with me."

When Schoener learned he would lose his long mane of hair from chemo, he said he decided to shave his head and use it as a learning tool.