WEST FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) – For decades, Sue Jordahl has been a staple of West Fargo music.
She started her career as an elementary music teacher, and has gone on to direct bands and choirs in addition accompanying students for auditions, and playing in theater pit orchestras.
“Nobody said this is all the extra stuff that you get to do. All the evening concerts and all the extra things that music people do, but I love that,” Jordahl said.
During her time in West Fargo, Jordahl has worked with numerous students across the music department, helping them grow as musicians and grow as people.
“That comradery that we get because we do what we do I just think that’s awesome,” Jordahl said.
Over her years working in music, Jordahl has made sure to remain involved in music throughout the community.
“Then the students see, oh she plays at her church. Oh, she’s at Trollwood in the summer. Oh, she’s at other schools playing for their musicals. Cause I love to play piano so I get to do that,” Jordahl said.
Jordahl’s favorite part of teaching though has been watching her students achieve things that they haven’t thought possible.
“I mean, you look at the kids after they have worked really, really hard on a piece and you look at them after that performance and they’re just beaming,” Jordahl said.
And her students say that she’s left a lasting impact on their time at West Fargo.
“She’s really nice and makes sure that everyone feels safe in the band room, and it feels like we’re all one big family,” band student Aidan Swenson said.
“Some of us, we got to play herald trumpet. And she just let us do that for a contest. She’s pretty awesome,” band student Gabriel Fodera added.
Jodie Pierce and J.J. Svenby are West Fargo parents who’ve seen Jordahl work with their children.
“You wouldn’t be in it that long if you didn’t have a love for music. She breathes the music and breathes it into the kids. She’s a huge asset to the West Fargo School District. It’s gonna be tough to lose her but we wish her all the best in retirement,” Pierce said.
For Jordahl, hearing about the impact she’s had is humbling.
“It’s a thrill and it’s very humbling to think about all of the students that have gone through here that you hope that you had some impact on,” Jordahl said.
As for retirement Jordahl says that she plans to stay involved in music, still accompanying students, and playing in the community band.
“The word retirement until the beginning of this year, I never really thought about it. I didn’t, I don’t know, I just must have thought I was gonna be on the podium someday and be done. But I guess that’s not the way that’s supposed to go,” Jordahl said.
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