Get to Know McLean’s Head Band Director, Mrs. Martien!

Some people may be wondering, Who is Mrs. Martien, and what does she do at Mclean? Well here, you’ll be able to learn about the amazing Mrs. Martien and what she does at McLean Middle School.

Christa Martien, known as Mrs. Martien, is McLean’s band head director. Mrs. Martien’s main instrument is the oboe, but she grew up playing violin and is also good at other instruments like trombone and euphonium. Before coming to McLean, she taught at Southwest HS and Wedgwood 6th.

What is an article about without a good chat? Let’s dive into some fun and fascinating answers from Mrs. Martien herself!

Question:

When you were younger, what drew you to join the band and choose the oboe?

Mrs. Martien:

“My mom, who had a background in band and marching band, would show me videos of her performances, and I just loved them. I chose to play the oboe after learning that it could offer scholarship opportunities. Initially, that was my main motivation, but I ended up really enjoying playing the oboe.” 

Question:

What sparked your decision to become a band director?

Mrs Martien:

“In a college music education class, writing a letter to my band director made me realize how I valued music, sparking my decision to become a band director.”

Question:

What do you love most about leading a band and shaping the music magic?

Mrs. Martien:

“What I love most is seeing kids exceed their own expectations through hard work and attention to detail. This success boosts their confidence, and they begin applying the same skills in other subjects like English and math, realizing they can achieve anything if they approach it the way we do in band.”

Question:

What’s the most unforgettable moment you’ve experienced during your time in band?

Mrs. Martien:

“This year’s Music for All will probably be the biggest thing. But on a personal note, making a professional symphony was a great achievement as well. I’m excited about our band’s progress and confident that it’s going to be awesome.”

Now that you know more about Mrs. Martien, don’t hesitate to approach her. But after all these questions, the real question is: what if Mrs. Martien’s mom hadn’t shown her those old band performances? That’s a topic for another time. Bye!