Meet the teacher: Ivan Pour

The 50, the 40, the 30, the 20, the 10, and it’s touchdown Arizona State. The fireworks boom; the crowd cheers, and Ivan Pour starts up the band.

Being a drum major for the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band is an experience Pour will never forget.

“There is nothing quite like standing there on that podium when the team scores the touchdown, starting the fight song while the fans are cheering and hearing the fireworks exploding overhead. There is a special kind of pride that comes out in moments like that. It makes you work harder, try harder and makes you feel proud of your school, proud of the band and proud of yourself,” Pour said.

Now Pour is trying to bring that sense of pride to Maricopa as the new instructor of high school band, orchestra and guitar.

He became a teacher because of his experience working with two band teachers at Arizona State University, Dr. Robert “Coach” Fleming and Mr. Martin Province.

“Both of these men dedicated their lives to teaching music, and. though in different ways, they were both remarkable teachers who cared for their students (even if there were 300 of them in the band) and enriched their lives. I was struck by the passion and love these men had for making music and helping their students create music at the highest level possible,” said Pour.

Pour and his wife moved to Maricopa a year and a half ago. “We love being a part of this community,” he said.

He decided to take the teaching job at Maricopa High because he had seen a great deal of potential for building a thriving instrumental music program at the high school, and he wanted to work in the community where he lived.

“The students and families here have been wonderful, and I am incredibly excited to be a part of this district,” Pour said.

Pour’s approach to teaching is instilling a sense of responsibility in his students. “In any musical ensemble, the group cannot be successful unless every member takes responsibility for practicing their parts and developing skills on their instrument to the best of their ability,” he explained. “In every one of the ensembles I teach, I work to develop leadership skills in the more experienced players and a sense of community and teamwork from all of my students. I strive to help each student reach their full potential as a musician and have fun making great music.”

In addition to being a music teacher, Pour is also an active performer. “I play the trumpet, and during my time in college I was active in a number of performing groups at ASU, including the Sun Devil Marching Band, symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, and the ASU trumpet ensemble. Currently, I perform with a professional brass quintet known as the Agape Brass,” he added.

When not performing or teaching music, Pour enjoys spending time with his wife. One of their favorite activities is going to the movies.

Teacher details:

Name: Ivan Mathias Pour
School: Maricopa High School
Grade level or class taught: High school band, orchestra, and guitar

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