teaching music

As I continue down the path of teaching music and search for justification and meaning (and attempt to circumvent demoralization) I'm always in the process of trying on new paradigms, new ways of perceiving existence and my day-to-day activities.  My latest idea is that fundamentally, midway through the 3rd grade year (i.e., now), my "work" is over.  What I mean is that by mid-January, the 3rd graders essentially "know" how to play the cello and bass.  They know, however haltingly and slowly, the difference between 8th notes and quarter notes, how to hold the cello and bow, how to play the A and D string notes in first position and read them on the staff, and the difference between legato and staccato.  And they can play a few tunes.  What more is there to music anyway?  So, my work is done.  The rest is just a day-to-day attempt to get them to play music that I enjoy hearing.  It may involve a few new concepts here and there-- 6/8, some new notes and hand positions, syncopation and 16th notes--but fundamentally, all the work is already done.