In my post on the steps of developing a curriculum guide, I explained that the second step, after evaluating the current program, is to develop a philosophy statement. This statement includes why music education is important and how music education fits into the overall educational plan. In that post, I promised to explain in more … Continue reading Developing A Philosophy Statement for the Music Curriculum Guide
Music Advocacy
What Are The Steps For Developing A Music Curriculum?
Today, I will begin a discussion on how to put together a music curriculum using the core arts standards for music. If you haven't yet done so, you might want to read my recent posts on the four artistic processes, because they are integral to the standards, and will be needed to write a music … Continue reading What Are The Steps For Developing A Music Curriculum?
How “Market Driven” Should Music Education Be?
Some years ago, the district music coordinator I worked for had one guiding principle that she seemed to bring up more often than any other. It was the idea that we, the music teachers, should not be spending our precious class time teaching our students music they were already familiar with, but instead music that … Continue reading How “Market Driven” Should Music Education Be?
The Benefits of Doing a Yearly Musical Theater Production
Last night, my students had their opening night for "Shrek The Musical Jr." If you're not familiar with the Broadway Jr. series of musicals published by MTI, then I highly recommend you look into these shows. The songs are transposed and edited into ranges friendly to young voices, and the scripts are edited down to … Continue reading The Benefits of Doing a Yearly Musical Theater Production
Why Do We Make Music?
One of the pitfalls of doing anything over a long period of time, is that we can wake up one day and realize we've forgotten why we do what we do. We've been doing it for so long, it has become a habit, a lifestyle, a part of who we are. Chances are those of … Continue reading Why Do We Make Music?
Value Outside The Testing Box
Before you read the rest of this post, I want you to make a list of the five things you do that add the most value to your life. These should be things that are not the source of regret or seem fun at the time but exact a high emotional or financial price afterwards. … Continue reading Value Outside The Testing Box
Why Music Is Not Expendable
If there has been one constant over the last decades in education, it is the ease and speed with which music programs are cut or eliminated when funds are short. Time and again, music is viewed as less important and even expendable compared to language arts, science, and math. While there are no doubt numerous … Continue reading Why Music Is Not Expendable
Why New Opera Is Such a Hard Sell
My post today is a sort of companion piece to the one from yesterday. Then, I discussed building familiarity at an early age in order to establish a preference for classical music, and other genres. The same principle of familiarity applies to opera.As I mentioned yesterday, everyone loves a good story, especially if it is … Continue reading Why New Opera Is Such a Hard Sell
The Pre-Recorded Technology Trap
When it comes to performing music, I think most music educators agree that through some combination of general music classes, ensembles, chamber music, peer teaching and learning, and private lessons, our students will develop the musicianship necessary for them to have a lifelong relationship with music that includes taking on the roles of audience, performer, and creator … Continue reading The Pre-Recorded Technology Trap
Life’s Lesson Brought To You Through Music
There’s a quote going around the internet that goes like this: “if you've never failed, you’ve never tried anything new.” Implicit in this saying is the expectation that most people will not succeed at most things the first time they try. In order to succeed, skill and expertise will need to be developed through hard … Continue reading Life’s Lesson Brought To You Through Music
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