Port Clinton band director retires

PORT CLINTON — Rod Miller almost didn't become a band director. Port Clinton High School band director Rod Miller shows his excitement for the students in March 2018 as they prepare for a performance in Chicago. Register file photo/ERIN CALDWELL As a talented pianist during his youth, he considered another music career. "I thought at one point that I would become a piano performance major, but I had an accident with my hand and I couldn't play the piano as well as I used to," he said. That incident changed the trajectory of his life. "I've always thought that God puts you where you need to be," he said. Within the past month, the longtime band director retired after teaching at Port Clinton High School since 2006 and more than 30 years total. "It's been a great 16 years — it's been a great 34 years, really," he said. Rod Miller smiles as the band plays during class at Port Clinton High School on May 19, 2022. Register photo/ERIN CALDWELL Miller has taught at Ohio school districts like St. Henry Schools in Mercer County; at Perrysburg Schools near Toledo; and Beachwood Schools on Cleveland's east side before moving to Port Clinton. "I realized that I liked northwest Ohio," he said. "My wife, Kathy, is from northwest Ohio, so we wanted to get back homeish, so that's when we came to Port Clinton. It was a great move, great decision." During his tenure at Port Clinton High School, Miller has been nominated for a number of education-related honors. In 2019, he was a quarterfinalist for the 2020 Music Educator Award from the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum, where he was among almost 200 teachers nationwide who were also nominated. Additionally, he and his Port Clinton Schools music colleagues have been recognized, for four-straight years, by earning the Best Communities for Music Education Award from the National Association of Music Merchants. Musical beginnings Miller, who's from Springfield, Ohio, near Dayton, said his high school band director, Dave Leapley, inspired him to become a music educator. "My high school band director was incredible," Miller said. "I thought he was doing it right." Miller explained what he means: "He cared for the kids," he said about Leapley. "It wasn't all about the music. He was the one that taught us that there's a lot of things you can learn in band, but long after you're done playing an instrument, you have to use your people skills — being kind and caring; understanding commitment and dedication — just so many of the intangibles of life." "Music was important, but he understood that it wasn't the most important thing. He was the first one that helped me figure out that he didn't teach band, he taught kids. "That really resonated with me, even at that young age," Miller said. "I thought that if I could go out and do the same thing, that'd be really cool. So, really, I'm just carrying on a legacy." Rodney Miller conducts the Port Clinton High School band during the "Stars, Stripes, and Sousa" concert at Port Clinton High School in May 2016. Miller was dressed in honor of John Philip Sousa, a famous patriotic conductor that had earned the title as America's "March King." Register file photo Leapley and his wife attended Miller's "Sousa" concerts in May, which have annually paid homage to military march composer John Philip Sousa. Miller dresses like Sousa each year. "That meant an awful lot to me for him and his wife to come and spend the weekend here," Miller said. Miller earned his music education degree at Ohio State University and played sousaphone in the university's famous marching band, dotting the "i" in the band's iconic "Script Ohio" formation three times. He's still connected to the band and assists with tryouts and practices from time to time. "I never thought about doing anything else in my life," Miller said. "I don't think it'll not be part of my life." After he landed the Port Clinton job, he and his students have been well-loved by Port Clinton Schools and the town. "This community and school has been very supportive," Miller said. "It was the right move for me and my family." Inspiring generations Dozens of Miller's former students have pursued and performed music in college and beyond. Many have marched in college bands at Ohio State, Bowling Green, Heidelberg, Miami (Ohio) University, University of Miami in Florida, the University of Michigan, Ohio University, Eastern Michigan University, among others. Some alumni are playing music professionally and others have become music educators like Miller. "It's neat to see those things because maybe I'm their Dave Leapley," Miller said. "Now that I'm retired, I get to go hear their concerts. I'm really proud of them. It's great to see them and I love it when they post on Facebook. "I'm like a proud papa sitting there listening to them." Lessons from the band room Miller shared what he's learned during his career. "Sometimes, I'm not the teacher," he said. "Sometimes, I'm the student, because we have incredible people in the band program that have so much to offer. At times, when you need a pick-me-up, you can look at someone else for inspiration. Sometimes, they just have great words of wisdom. "When the students can do incredible things and you watch and listen to them, you can learn an awful lot. For me, those moments when I became the student and they were the teacher are moments that I cherish forever." Another piece of advice: Be prepared. "Anything is possible, from good times to bad times," he said. "I've learned that when things are going smoothly to get ready, because something's about to come your way." Experience is the best teacher, Miller said. "Don't think you're going into this like you know everything because you graduated from college, because you don't," he said. "When you do that, you're not prepared. You need to be willing to say 'I need to be a student of my craft and never quit being a student of my craft.'" Miller hopes all of his students have learned to love and treat each other well, in addition to self-discipline and servant leadership. "I love these kids because of what they do and who they are," Miller said. "It's not unusual to hear students say 'I love you' to each other and me. "I've told them a thousand times, 'you may not remember how to play a B-flat scale when all is said and done, but if you remember how to treat people, then we've been successful." Port Clinton students Evangeline Young, Isabella Cross and Connor Ernest shared how Miller has impacted their lives. "It starts with him not only teaching us music — he's like a life coach," Young said. "If you're having a bad day, you can go to the band room and talk with him about it. He'll just help you through it. "It's not just about music, it's about life lessons," she said. "He's shaped me to be a better person," Cross said. "When someone makes a mistake, he's not afraid to tell you you're wrong. He's not mean about it, but it's to make you a better person. He's helped me in that way." Ernest noted that Miller was always energized in class and made their time enjoyable. Each student stressed how Miller has been there for them. "He's always willing to talk to you and help you out," Ernest said. Added Young: "(The band room) is a safe place for us. He makes us feel safe." Missing his 'family' Miller will no doubt miss his students the most. "When I say that, I mean all of the kids I've had for 34 years," he said. "Without the kids, there's no performances and trips, and no memories. "We have a saying around here that goes 'you come in as a band member and you leave as family. So I've taken trips with 150 or so of my family members." Over the years, Miller and his students have performed all over Ohio and the country — from performing with Ohio State's marching band before football games to Florida and Chicago and various festivals. Miller's advice to his successor: Humble yourself and serve students, parents, school and community. "It's not Rod Miller's band, never has been," he said. "When you do that, it gives students ownership. Anybody who has ownership of something, you're willing to have a vested interest in it. "I've always told students 'this isn't my band, it's your band. I could leave here and you're still here." Miller will continue to be involved in the community and with various college bands while living in Port Clinton. But in retirement, Miller knows what his legacy will be. "I believe my legacy is that my kids knew that I loved them and cared about them as people. That's it." Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood - Appreciate news from your community? Click here to subscribe to the Register.