‘The students made it easy’: Jeff Kroner reflects on career in music education
BUTLER TWP — The 1 p.m. band rehearsal April 21 was like any ordinary day for Jeff Kroner, head band director at Butler Area School District.
His students started the period by practicing “An American Elegy,” a song he particularly likes. It was written in memory of the Columbine High School tragedy’s victims.
But while his flutists, trumpeters, oboe players and others filled the room with music that tells stories and emotionally connects with the audience, Kroner is admittedly counting down the days. It is surreal, he said, to be retiring from the place where he has worked since 1993.
With his new free time, Kroner knows he will have to fill the day-to-day routine of students randomly coming to his office asking questions, conducting brass music or trying to help those who are struggling — something that will be hard to replace.
“I’m not sure where that will come, but I’ll have to find a way. I’ll have to stay busy,” Kroner said.
A Zelienople native, Kroner has been teaching in music education since he was 23 years old. He taught elementary general music and choir at Slippery Rock Area School District when he began his education career. Starting in ’93, he taught at elementary schools for eight years before moving to high school.
Currently, his instruction includes two periods of band class during the day, with marching band in the fall a huge focus. This time of year, there are still a handful of rehearsals left before the final concert of the year on May 5. The band will also do commencement, and then prepare next year’s music. Kroner will help with the transition.
Kroner has received an outpouring of support during his lengthy career, beloved by students and alumni. In February, he was selected to the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Hall of Fame. And at the district’s alumni night last October, over 100 alumni of the Golden Tornado Marching Band came back for the pregame performance, where many pointed to him as a huge reason for their connection with the program.
Yet for how well-liked he is, Kroner gives all the credit to his students.
“They choose to be here,” Kroner said. “Unlike a course where it’s a requirement and they’re assigned to be in a class, they choose to take band. They choose to come down here and play music.”
The Butler music community reaches far and wide. Kroner has former students that now are various types of teachers. Hearing from them and seeing the lives that have been positively impacted, he said, is his “biggest honor.”
“I try to take care of them, and I do what I need to do. I think there’s a matter of respect. It’s never been about, ‘everybody, like me,’” Kroner said. “I think most respect what I do. They respect the rules.”
He said one thing that’s remained consistent over the years is his efforts to teach students how to be successful adults once they get out of high school.
“I treat them like they’re my own. I protect them, but I also have the same expectations as if they’re my own,” Kroner said. “I’m very blunt. I don’t sugarcoat things. I think there’s way too much in this world that’s about hugs, kisses and rainbows, and unicorns, and people sugarcoat things. That’s not what the world really is.”
In the senior high school’s band room April 21, students rotated between getting their instruments in tune and conversing with Kroner, something they said is easy to do with his openness and desire to support those he teaches.
“He’s always there for everyone. Anyone in the band will come in here just to get stuff off their chest. He has a great reputation. People he’s never taught before, they know he’s that friendly face they can talk to,” senior student Lorna Curothers said.
In addition to his general passion for teaching music and helping students become better musicians, his famous pep talks before big moments, and his advocacy for helping neurodiverse students, receive high praise.
“He really is an advocate for everyone. He’s always tried to accommodate for everyone, and make sure everyone sounds good and still feels uplifted,” Sydney Zurzolo, another senior at Butler, said.
Moving forward, Kroner will still have some music involvement in the community. He spends time directing the Musicians’ Concert Band. But within music, the connections he has been able to make with students, and the lessons he’s been able to teach, are most special to him. He appreciates having been able to create a bond by taking symbols on a piece of paper and turning it into art.
It was the students, though, choosing to take band and try their hardest, that made it easier for him.
“One of the great things about music, I get these kids for four years,” Kroner said. “And they know about me well before that because I’ve helped with the other groups. I have that time, and one of my goals is to create that safe space for them. There’s so much going on in their lives with social media, and all those things, I like to create a place they look forward to coming to every day.”
