For the past 15 years, Jeff Robinson has not been shy about sharing the song he has in his heart with Dowagiac’s budding talents.

As director of the middle and high school choirs, Robinson has helped hundreds of students find their voices through daily rehearsals as well as recitals, concerts and musicals.

While the musician in him loves hearing his students stay in rhythm, achieve the perfect pitch and nail every high note, as a teacher, Robinson is more concerned about the other lessons choir can teach developing minds: honing discipline and integrity, working together as a team, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

“Music is such a great tool for teaching life skills,” Robinson said. “The thing I am most proud of in my career is seeing my students learn those skills.”

Now, after more than three decades in music education, Robinson will soon step down from the director’s podium.

The Dowagiac choir teacher announced his impending retirement from the district this week. In a statement he delivered to the board of education, Robinson said he plans to step down from his position at the end of the current school year in June.

“It takes a lot of energy to run sixth- through 12th- grade choir in two buildings,” Robinson said. “I want to step down now before I no longer have the energy to give it my best.”

For the Cassopolis resident, the move is the coda of a career that has lasted 31 years.

The lifelong music lover pursued a career in music education since graduating from Penn High School, receiving a scholarship designed to encourage students to study the field in higher education. Robinson attended college at Indiana University South Bend, where he double-majored in vocal education and vocal performance.

Teaching music has scratched two of Robinson’s itches, allowing him to not only share his love for singing with others but to also have a chance to make a difference, he said.

“As an educator, it fulfilled my passion for watching other people find themselves through my guidance and support,” Robinson said.

The teacher began his career teaching music in the Penn-Harris-Madison district, teaching choir at Schmucker Middle School before moving to the recently constructed Discovery Middle School — one of the schools that Dowagiac administrators toured while developing plans to build a new middle school of its own.

“It turned out the people who were there asking me questions about the building at the time would end up being my new bosses,” Robinson said.

When Dowagiac was searching for a new director to lead its middle and high school choirs, a colleague recommended Robinson apply for the position. In spite of his apprehension about the prospect of helming two groups, he took the position — and he is thankful that he did, he said.

“In Dowagiac, there was need for someone who recognized how music could unify a community, in a way that inspires people,” he said. “Thanks to the support from the district and others in the community, I feel like I have accomplished that.”

On top of rebuilding Dowagiac’s choir program, Robinson has also pitched in with helping with the district’s musical every year. He also brought in The Young Americans touring music program in 2007, and the group has returned three times since then, mentoring and performing with Dowagiac students.

His position has given Robinson the chance to work with many of his students from sixth grade up to their senior year, something most educators never get to do, he said. He has witnessed many of his students blossom into real talents under his instruction, watching several win awards in solo and ensemble competitions.

Some of his students have moved on to sing professionally, with The Young Americans and other groups, he said.

“I want to thank the families of Dowagiac for allowing me to be part of their children’s development,” Robinson said. “It has been a real honor and privilege.”

While he may be stepping away from teaching, Robinson said he is “not going anywhere,” and that he plans to continue to support the choir and the local arts scene however he can.

“They will have one of the biggest cheerleaders rooting for them behind the scenes,” he said.