As I watched this afternoon’s Sprint Cup race from Pocono Speedway, I saw an advertisement for a web site parents could visit where certified teachers deliver course content for free. Children can use the site lieu of attending a traditional public school. It reminded me of a conversation that has been taking place on social … Continue reading Why Do Students Need Teachers?
music education
End of the Year Reflections
As this school years winds down, it's time for me to reflect on my year, and to see what I accomplished. I think it's important to reflect on how I've done so that I can focus my goals on my own growth and improvement next year. To achieve excellence in anything, a person must be … Continue reading End of the Year Reflections
Keeping Students Connected to and Enjoying Music Class
Often, a student will come into my classroom drumming a rhythm or singing a tune, or even dancing. Initially, I am glad to see them living with music so enjoyably, but usually, I am compelled to ask them to stop so that we can begin our lesson. Sometimes, the student will reply, "but it's music, … Continue reading Keeping Students Connected to and Enjoying Music Class
What Do Class Objectives Look Like in Music?
One of the most important things any teacher does is set an instructional objective for every class meeting. For music teachers, these goals ought to be tied to our profession's content standards which will soon be the new NCCAS standards. Standards help teachers focus their planning and teaching on what has been identified as most … Continue reading What Do Class Objectives Look Like in Music?
How Much Music Reading Instruction is Enough?
Recently, I observed that music reading has received minimal attention in the new NCCAS music standards. To be sure, music reading is not necessary for every musical experience. From a global perspective, our Western music notation is not used at all in many places, especially where music culture is preserved within an oral tradition. In … Continue reading How Much Music Reading Instruction is Enough?
Which Way Is Up?
The concept of up and down is central to musical understanding and experience. In an earlier post entitled, “Musical Ups and Downs—Why is Contour Important?” I discussed several reasons why this is so. But during formal musical training in early childhood, how up and down is represented is not always readily apparent. Early training in … Continue reading Which Way Is Up?
Every Child Should Have Arts Education Every Day In School
Below is a video of Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser's keynote address to the Houston Arts Partners Conference attendees in 2012. Among the points from his address is that music is not for a talented few. Every child has the propensity to make music. Music education during the early years builds the brain up to be musical. The years … Continue reading Every Child Should Have Arts Education Every Day In School
What Are The Essentials For Teaching Music?
The longer I teach, the more I value simplicity and careful thought. There was a time when I chased after every piece of equipment I could get my hands on. I absolutely had to have more computers, software, instruments, books, microphones, and on and on. Now all of these things are useful, and all of … Continue reading What Are The Essentials For Teaching Music?
How Is Reading Music Relevant Today?
One of the things I find most challenging in my music classroom is keeping music reading relevant to students who by and large don't need to read music in order to have their daily musical experiences. Those of you have been following this blog know that I am a fan of the new NCCAS music … Continue reading How Is Reading Music Relevant Today?
How Do Composers Know When a Musical Work is Finished?
I read an interesting question on social media the other day. A composer asked, “When do you know that a composition is finished?” Several answers were offered, ranging from “when the composer has expressed everything he or she wanted,” to “when the parts are passed out to the musicians.” The first of these has potential. … Continue reading How Do Composers Know When a Musical Work is Finished?
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