Dr. James Comer of Yale University has found six pathways along which children develop. These pathways are described as physical, cognitive, language, social, ethical, and psychological. While music education clearly has ties to all six pathways, I would like to focus in on two of them: cognitive and psychological. The Cognitive Pathway and Music The … Continue reading Child Development and Music Education
Music Advocacy
Why Arts Education is More Important Than Ever
Have you ever stopped to consider the difference between sending or receiving a handwritten letter and an e-mail or text? I hadn't until the other day, when I joined a discussion on whether cursive should be taught in schools, or just allowed to be forgotten and fall into obsolescence. Some argued that the latter had … Continue reading Why Arts Education is More Important Than Ever
After The Concert
Recently, a sort of firestorm on Facebook was started by a music teacher sharply criticizing colleagues who stop teaching the curriculum after the final concert of the year. He stated that in doing so, these teachers are "degrading" their music programs. He went on to vent and in so doing offended some. The post was … Continue reading After The Concert
What Is The Purpose of Concerts?
For most if not all school music programs, the performing of concerts is at the core of what music educators and their students have uppermost on their agendas. Music teachers spend a great deal of time planning and rehearsing concert programs, always with the performance in mind. While (hopefully) plenty of musical concepts are being … Continue reading What Is The Purpose of Concerts?
The Sixty Percent
As we head into May, most of we music teachers are gearing up for a busy concert season comprised of concerts, plays, recitals, and so forth. We've been working hard with our students, probably for months, preparing these springtime presentations, and as the show dates approach, we become even more focused on our performing student … Continue reading The Sixty Percent
Music Education and Self-Directed Learning
Many of us music educators have, over the years, spent a good deal of time advocating for music education. It can seem to us that at every turn, our programs are in danger of being scaled back or eliminated in the name of raising academic achievement--a strategy we know is ill-advised and contrary to an … Continue reading Music Education and Self-Directed Learning
MIOSM: The Creative Mind and Being Inspired
It is hard to argue with the statement that music inspires us, though in my last post I discussed some conditions that music must meet to be inspirational. Today, I would like to share with you some of the science behind being inspired. What state does our brain like to be in for it to … Continue reading MIOSM: The Creative Mind and Being Inspired
MIOSM: How Does Music Inspire?
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) leads a music education awareness campaign each year during the month of March. This year's campaign is themed "Music Inspires." The month long celebration of music in schools typically includes stepped-up performance schedules for school ensembles, special events, and classroom activities designed to increase awareness of the presence … Continue reading MIOSM: How Does Music Inspire?
When Teaching Music Appreciation, Keep It Simple
I've always had a love for classical music. I'm not sure why, but for as long as I can remember, and my family tells me it goes back further than that, I have pulled myself away from distractions and settled in to enjoy a symphony, concerto, or sonata. With this background, it is not surprising … Continue reading When Teaching Music Appreciation, Keep It Simple
How Do Creativity and Structure Go Together?
Developing creative and expressive thinking is, I believe, at the heart and soul of music education. These two things, creative thinking and expression, are included in the core arts standards, in most arts curricula, and in most defenses of supporting the arts in education. Yet being creative is often misunderstood, and misleading and even harmful … Continue reading How Do Creativity and Structure Go Together?
mister a music place 
You must be logged in to post a comment.