Music teacher Wayne Chadwick will conduct his swan song as he exits the Whitman community at the end of this year.

Chadwick has worked in the county for 30 years. Before he came to Whitman he taught at various elementary schools and then at Sherwood and Quince Orchard high schools.

Chadwick began teaching at Whitman in 1994 as a substitute teacher, and became a full-time teacher a year later. He has taught piano, guitar, music theory, electronic music, freshman orchestra, and one year of a computer class.

Chadwick said his teaching philosophy is based on his belief that everyone should have an opportunity to study music. He praises students, applies lessons to real world situations and gives as much feedback as possible.

“The band and orchestra kids are very advanced, but most of the time I have been working with kids who are just starting,” Chadwick said. “Giving them a chance to learn music in high school is very important.”

Chadwick has a passion for music that translates into his teaching, junior Aaron Dane said.

“What makes Mr. Chadwick special as a teacher is that he has high expectations for his students,” Dane said. “He challenges them to stretch their knowledge.”

After his retirement from Whitman, Chadwick plans to continue to direct musical theater at Glen Echo’s Adventure Theater and to play jazz piano professionally.

Chadwick praised the kind atmosphere and the genuine interactions he has experienced over the past 20 years.

“It’s not student versus teacher here,” Chadwick said. “It’s a very friendly environment. I really enjoy being part of such a wonderful music department with such wonderful singers and players, and being part of that success that they have.”

Chadwick’s position will be filled by Heather Borsum, a teacher at Garrett Park Elementary school. Borsum worked as a student teacher at Whitman in 1996, music teacher Terry Alvey said. Since then she has taught at Hoover Middle school and at various elementary schools.

Throughout his teaching career, Chadwick has struck a chord with his students, and hopes that his legacy will last at Whitman.

“He has opened my eyes to music in ways I could never see before and given me many more reasons to love and admire music,” senior Roxanna Taginya said.