Have Fun and Try Not to Mess Up: A Choir Director's Journey Through Memories, Stories and Lessons

In this heartfelt memoir, Richard Nickerson reflects on the lessons that mattered most—not the ones he taught, but the ones he learned.Set against the backdrop of rehearsals, concerts, and the classroom, this book weaves together unforgettable moments with students who challenged, surprised, and quietly changed him.Intertwined with these stories are glimpses into his personal life: the doubts that followed him offstage, the joys and losses that shaped his voice as a teacher, and the people who helped him on his journey as a music educator.This book is a love letter to teaching, to music, and to the power of community. Anyone who has ever been shaped by a teacher—or discovered that learning goes both ways—will find something authentic and resonant within these pages. Read more