Jeffrey Doebler, director of music and bands at Valparaiso University (VU), has been teaching in Indiana for 31 years now. Although he’s been influencing numerous music teachers in the Region for decades, he actually grew up in Palatine, Illinois.
Doebler’s education took place all over the Midwest. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Luther College in Iowa. The next step was attending the school he currently teaches at for his master’s, and then the University of Minnesota for his PhD.
Throughout all of that education, Doebler stumbled across a few great teachers who’ve forever inspired him. Their influence has helped him to become the best teacher he himself can be.
“I had a lot of teachers who influenced me. The three primary ones are Thomas Trimborn, one of my high school teachers, Gilbert Lettow, the gentleman with whom I did my student-teaching, and Paul Haatk, who was my advisor at the University of Minnesota. They transmitted their love of music to me, and now I have that honor, too,” he said.
Right after attaining all of his educational credentials, Doebler went on to become a high school teacher in Iowa and Minnesota before making the move that’s made all the difference since. Today, the comfort of his job is entirely simple, as it’s made up of four aspects that assist him in realizing his favorite parts of it all.
“About half of my job is training people to become music teachers. The other half of my job is leading concert bands. What’s so spectacular about it all is that I have the privilege of working with people to create beauty every day. I also have the privilege of helping people become music teachers, which allows me to know that those people will have hundreds of students in their respective careers, too,” he said.
Much of Doebler’s career is centered on his students. After all, they form the makeup of half of his job, so he’s constantly working with them. He has high hopes for each and every one of them, especially for what they may become on their own.
“I'm hoping that my students have a rewarding career as music teachers, that they can transmit their love of music to their students. I have former students that teach anywhere from preschool music to college music and everything in between. It’s really fun to be able to think about all of the different things that these people do. I’ve had more than 300 students go out to be music teachers,” he said.
Any job on earth comes with its pros and cons. For Doebler, there are challenges that build up after a while. However, there definitely are perks to being in the position of teaching the next generation of musicians, and they may be most unlikely since they’re not usually sought after when in the classroom.
“Unfortunately, there's not enough time to do all the stuff I want to do, but I’m very fortunate in that my job is my profession, my favorite hobby, and my primary means of service. I also get to see my current and former students on a regular basis, so my job helps things to feel just like a big family,” he said.
Even when he’s not exactly in a classroom or auditorium, Doebler’s whole life is immersed in both the teaching and making of music. He’s relished how he’s always been a guide to those around him. For example, he leads Windiana Concert Band.
“A lot of the people that are in that group may be teaching high school or middle school band during the day. When they come to a Windiana rehearsal, they get a chance to have a high-level artistic experience playing the music that we play. We perform at least twice a year in Valparaiso, and then we have all kinds of special projects. We've had the great privilege of making outstanding music and then being able to present that music to our audiences,” he said.
Outside of Valparaiso, Doebler is the conductor of the Michigan City Municipal Band. He’s also involved with a handful of handbell choirs, such as the one at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Besides the music, Doebler spends his free time enjoying everything that living in Valparaiso has to offer. He likes to spend time with family and walk his dog. It’s granted him the opportunity to take much-needed breaks from work.