I have been a student of Nicholas Griggs for the past 3 years, he has taught me a lot of good things about music, and life lessons. Getting to know Griggs and work with him has been a fun and educational experience. He has always been a caring person and always there when you need him. Griggs pushes you to the best of your ability every day making sure you are giving your all.
Music has been involved in Griggs’ life for many years, he did music throughout high school and had a good music teacher that made him realize that’s what he wanted to do in the future. Before becoming a music director, Griggs went to college for his Bachelor of arts in music education.
Griggs said, “Half of the degree is spent on the psychology and sociology of teaching, and the other half is learning each and every intricate detail of music, whether it’s instrumental or vocal.” Griggs first degree was at McPherson Community College and after he got his masters for music at K-State University.
Griggs dedicates a lot of his time and effort into being a choir director. I have seen how hard he works and how much he does for his students, and so have others such as his wife. Miriam Griggs is the McPherson Middle School choir director, and Mr. Griggs’ wife.
They both met each other in high school and had a choir class together. When they were in high school together, Miriam Griggs explains how when they both graduated high school, they realized they wanted to teach music for their career. They ended up getting their masters degree in music education together, they spent 4 summers working towards their masters.
Miriam Griggs talks about her point of view watching Mr. Griggs become the music director, saying “He works very hard, and won’t stop until it’s done, even if he doesn’t sleep.” Mr. Griggs dedicates a lot of his time and effort into being a choir director. I have seen how hard he works and how much he does for his students, and so have others such as his wife.
Griggs wants his students to make beautiful music, but he will always make sure you are mentally and physically okay before anything else. Many students at this school enjoy having Mr. Griggs as their choir director because when we make music together it’s putting your heart and soul into it. Miriam Griggs and Nicholas Griggs have created such memorable moments throughout their music careers with their students and peers. They are amazing people and role models to us students who want to pursue music in our future. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for them.
