George Faber, director of visual arts for Tyler ISD, speaks Caldwell Auditorium during an East Texas Symphony Orchestra concert Tuesday Jan. 31, 2017. Faber will be retiring. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

CORY MCCOY, comccoy@tylerpaper.com

Over the course of more than three decades, George A. Faber has helped shape the musical talents of thousands of students.

Faber will soon retire as Director of Fine Arts for Tyler ISD, after years with the district. Over the years, Faber has continued to cultivate his own music career as well, establishing himself in the Jazz scene all over the region.

“The lord has blessed me,” he said. “I have got to be one of the most blessed cats on the planet.”

Faber started his career as a band director at Hubbard Middle School. After a decade, he took on a new role as assistant principal at Hubbard before moving to Dogan Middle School as its principal. He led Dogan from 1994 until 2003, when he became the Fine Arts Director for the district.

“I love the teaching. I love working with kids. There’s just something about standing in front of kids and directing,” he said. “For me, as a teacher, my job was to give them an understanding of what it means to be an artist. The discipline and focus is the same as in sports.”

The most important aspect of his job has been incorporating robust art programs into every campus, Faber said. He believes that a strong arts program makes for a strong school.

Faber said Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs are most effective when the arts also are factored in.

“We tried our best to incorporate STEM to STEAM, the campuses that have embraced it, you can really see it,” he said. “The kids want to be there.”

Faber said this approach has paid dividends at Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy, which was opened in 2001. “It’s been fun. It’s a fine arts magnet, we’ve got great teachers over there,” he said. “They do such a phenomenal job in the arts that the kids don’t mind doing the rest.

“If the teachers are happy, the kids are happy.”

Faber hopes that the restructuring of the district’s middle school program set for later this year will see a middle school rededicated to arts.

“There’s a need after going through Caldwell, they’ve got this wealth of arts experience,” he said. “Having a campus at the middle school level would be a huge benefit.”

Faber said the need is apparent when looking at the growth of the district’s middle school orchestral and band programs.

“Used to be, we had programs just at Hubbard and Moore (middle schools), now Boulter has 280 students. Dogan has 220,” he said.

Faber hopes to see the future of the arts firmly secured by growing the district’s fine arts endowments. A robust endowment fund would safeguard the arts against any potential budget cuts that could come down.

“It’s because of this community and people in it who have donated and given us endowments that we’re able to do this. That helps us and will help us for years,” he said. “If we could get more people to add to that endowment, the interest from that would keep us going event during the tough times.”

Faber said the little things the community does, such as former students donating old instruments, make the biggest difference.

“Some kid sitting out there with potential to play is going to get a clarinet,” he said. “If they really want to make a difference, do it for the schools.”

In retirement, Faber looks forward to spending more time playing with his band, George Faber and Friends, as well as joining fellow musicians on the road. Faber’s wife, Anita, and his son, George Faber III, often join him on stage.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to practice and get good,” he said.

Faber also is looking forward to spending more time working on music with his church, Green Acres Baptist Church, which he said is his favorite place to perform.

“Any place you play where people enjoy what you do is the best, because if people don’t enjoy it, it takes the flavor out of it,” Faber said.

Letting go won’t be easy for Faber, but he is ready to hand over the reins.

“Whoever comes here, if they have a love for the arts and the kids, this is a great time to come on board,” he said. “Sometimes we can’t fully see what change can do. Everything, as the song says, must change and nothing stays the same.”

Faber will stay on board through August and help with the transition when a new director is selected.

“If I could say one thing to this community, it would be thank you,” he said. “Thank you for making this place a wonderful community for me and my family.”

Twitter: @TMT_Cory