Mr. Sullivan Recognized for Excellence

Mr. Sullivan, Choir Teacher/Director

Connor Sullivan, THS Director of Choirs was selected as SBO Magazine’s 50 Directors that Make A Difference 2023. This was the magazine’s 24^th year of recognizing outstanding directors of music from each state. Read below the interview Mr. Sullivan gave as part of his selection (source: sbomagazine.com/our-24th-annual-50-directors-who-make-a-difference/)

Connor Sullivan
Torrington High School
Total Years Teaching: 5

What is your proudest moment as an educator?

When my chamber choir won platinum in my first adjudication. I had a very talented treble group who worked hard all year and they sounded amazing. I was only in my second year of teaching, and it was very validating to know I was on the right track, plus the look of elation they had on their faces when they saw our ranking meant everything.

How do you hope to make a difference in your students’ lives? 

What I try to do every day is make the music room a place where students feel safe and welcome. Students in high school deal with a lot day in and day out, and they need a place and a person to feel safe with. I’m glad I’ve been able to be someone who students have come to in their times of need. All I can do is be there to listen and give advice where I can, but most of the time that’s more than enough to make a difference.

What is the most important lesson you try to teach your students?

I try to teach my students every day to just love music. I find music so fascinating; I often go on tangents in my classes where I just geek out about music. Getting to share my love of music with my students while fostering their own unique passion is an awesome feeling. No matter if you’re performing a song you’ve been working on for months with your fellow choir members or just sharing a song you love with your friend, the best part about music is sharing it with others.