Cathy Kintner
Director of Music
What drew you to education, and in particular, music education, as a career?
I grew up in a very small town on Lake Huron and attended AuGres-Sims School (class D). This school was known for their band program, under the direction of Ron Christie. I was fortunate enough to be a member of this program from the 5th grade to graduation, playing in the marching, concert and jazz bands. I almost quit in 5th grade because I couldn’t play the flute my parents rented. Mr. Christie didn’t give up on me. I tried almost every instrument and discovered the alto saxophone was the perfect fit for me. Music soon became my passion and then my career of choice.
Tell us what you feel are your most outstanding accomplishments in your music program.
I ask myself: Am I a positive role model for my students and peers? Do I provide a safe and caring environment in my classroom on a daily basis?
To me SUCCESS is NOT based on the number of students in the music program NOR the grades/ratings our groups earn at festivals BUT rather the way we GIVE BACK TO OUR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY, i.e., via marching at games and parades, pep band at winter sporting events, visits to the local nursing homes, adopting families at Christmas time, participating in Relay for Life of Gladwin County, etc...
VOLUNTEERISM is so very important in our culture/community. “It isn’t about ME but rather “US.” I hope the various acts of volunteerism I share with the band and choir students will continue to grow as they become adults.
Do you play more than one instrument, and if so, which is your favorite?
I learned a little about each instrument in college as an undergrad – just enough to teach the basics to others. I have played the alto sax since 5th grade and have studied privately with Patricia Nixon and John Nichol at CMU. I do play the piano a bit and often lose track of time when I sit down to play.
What do you do to relax away from school?
I love being outdoors: working in the yard and in my perennial flower beds.
We inherited a cottage on the north shore of Higgins Lake from Dan’s parents. It is the perfect place to get away and enjoy quality time with our kids and grandkids.
Among the hundreds of students that you’ve had in your bands and choir over the years, are there any that stand out in your memories?
The majority of students who are in band and/or choir WANT to be. I get to watch them grow, not only as musicians but as young adults throughout their tenure at Beaverton. I realize they aren’t all going to be music majors when they walk out the doors of BHS. I can only hope they acquire some of the necessary tools (strategies) via band/choir to live a happy, productive, successful life. Memories: I love it when alumni come back to Beaverton, with family in tow, to say hi and catch up. The smiles on their faces and stories they share make for the best memories.
Anyone who has attended a Beaverton concert or football/basketball game appreciates the effort that goes into those events. Have there been any funny stories from any of those many events you have directed?
Running late to State Band Festival in Lansing and having to tell my students to get dressed in the restrooms!!!!!
Yelling at students up in the Mezzanine prior to the band playing the National Anthem at a ball game. You could have heard a PIN drop.
The first time I used the cordless mic. One of my students (Jandy) was running down the hall of the business wing yelling at me “Mrs. K–Your Mic is ON”!!! I wonder what the audience in the gym heard?
What direction would your life have taken had you not gone into music education?
Teaching music is not just a job to me. It is a passion that I am lucky enough to make a respectable living at. My Grandpa Al asked me one day, “What are you going to do after college? They don’t let women teach band – do they?”
However, if I had gone another route it would have been the family business – Real Estate.
How do you feel about being inducted into the Hall of Fame?
To be honest, I was quite surprised when I opened the letter. I assumed this honor was for athletes.
Have you had any students that have gone on to excel in music?
There have been quite a few students continue on with music at the collegiate level- performing in band and choir. I am so pleased that even more grads participate in their church choirs and praise teams. Joel Wiseman (BHS Class of 2004 and 2010 graduate of SVSU) is currently teaching music in the Saginaw school system and is the conductor of the Midland Concert Band. Joel is leading the band in my absence during induction.
What do you see as the relationship between sports and music?
A musical ensemble is very much like a sports team.
It isn’t just about the individual – it’s about the team or group.
They spend countless hours (blood, sweat and tears) practicing in and out of class to be the best they can be.
Cathy Kintner Brag Board
“So Cathy has been a huge part of my life around family and music. My grandfather was a music director and taught lessons and so I took up band so I could play for him. Cathy is a wonderful teacher and friend. I’ve learned such great life lessons in her class from leadership that I use in my current job to working together in a group were everyone is an equal. I’m so honored to have her as a teacher and friend. Thank you Cathy for all you do.”
– Loni Sperry Brushaber, former student.
“She had a way of infecting us with her passion. Any event, whether it was a pep rally, a football game, concert or regional band competition, became an important milestone in our development as a band. This had the effect of making us all very aware that we were part of a crucial element in our community – bringing musical charm to the social and school events. She is a great leader and giver of the oft-underappreciated gift of music!”
– Glen Redman, former student
“As a high school principal, I have come to appreciate the “unsung” heroes who play in the band every Friday at football games and sometimes twice per week at basketball games. And as a former high school football and basketball player, some of my fondest memories are when I would take the field or court to the playing of the school fight song. It does something to you as an athlete that can’t be duplicated. So when Cathy Kintner was nominated for the Beaverton High School Athletic Hall of Fame, I said to myself, “What a perfect person to honor.” I have been high school principal here in Beaverton starting in the fall of 2001 and picking up the reigns again this year. I have watched Cathy and her bands countless times, in all sorts of weather, bring our fans to their feet with our fight song and with her imaginative half-time programs. Her contribution to our athletic programs has had and enormous impact during her 30+ years as our band director and is every bit as important as the athletes contributions to Beaverton High school athletics. We should all thank her and all of her musicians for the time and effort they put in.”
– Jeffrey M. Budge, Principal
“This year I gave students in one of my classes a project where they created an online presentation and shared it with the class. Two of my students chose Band as their topic. They loved being part of this organization and the comment that kept coming up was ‘Mrs. Kintner treats us like family.’ What a compliment to Cathy Kintner. Building relationships with students is a priority for her. Her students notice it. Her students appreciate it. Cathy Kintner will be remembered for years to come as a role model that made a difference in the lives she touched. As a colleague, I appreciate her dedication, her positive attitude, and her outstanding work ethic. We are lucky to have her as part of our ‘at work’ family.”
– Jennie Ewert
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