Do you ever think back to your high school experience? What motivated you to study music in college and pursue a career as a music educator? For some it may have been great musical experiences or a dynamic music teacher. For others, maybe it was the leadership experiences you had being a part of the music program or maybe just the joy you had playing in an ensemble with other students. Research informs us that these experiences are commonly cited by college students as their motivations for pursuing a career in music education.
The most effective educators have the ability to inspire others. What should we be doing to inspire and motivate the next generation of music teachers? Provide high-quality musical experiences. There are so many amazing experiences students get when participating in a music program! These include trips, activities, social events, but most importantly, music. The non-musical benefits and activities associated with our programs are great, but they should be rooted in music. Students won’t choose to study music beyond high school if they don’t love it. Focus on programming diverse programs of high-quality literature. Invite inspiring guest conductors, clinicians, and artists. Take your students to see quality performances and to perform in good venues. Much of this is difficult, but not impossible during the pandemic. Consider bringing in guest artists virtually and use guided listening to expose students to great music. Focus on solos and small ensembles as a way to give students the opportunity to perform. Be positive about your job Kids hear everything we say, both the positive and the negative. They could easily be discouraged by a teacher who complains about their job. Yes, teaching can be difficult, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Take opportunities to tell them why you like your job. Let them know you like being their teacher. There are plenty of kids who hear more negative things than they should (now more than ever). Tell them you are glad you get to be their teacher. It will make their day and could create a lasting impact. Give leadership opportunities This is remarkably easy in music programs. Let students lead sectionals. This might be scary at first, but can be highly effective if they have clear parameters and objectives. This also gives them ownership of the learning process, which is a critical factor to student and ensemble success. There are many other opportunities to let students lead. One of my students’ favorite events is when we host our district’s middle school solo & ensemble (S&E) MPA. It is student-organized and student-run. As a teacher, it’s a great feeling for my students to see my students take these opportunities seriously, and to see them take pride in their work. Speaking of S&E MPA, that is probably one of the best opportunities to develop student leaders. Student-led ensembles give them the opportunity to work as a team, organize and execute a plan, and to apply musical knowledge critically. We already know that S&E is one the most important things a student can do to grow musically, but the leadership and personal responsibility benefits should not go unnoticed. Diversity is Key One of my current students is planning to study music education in college. Recently she told me she always loved music, but what really inspired her was seeing a female high school band director (we have two directors at our school). It’s important to give students experiences with a diverse, representative group of conductors and clinicians. This may help a student better see themselves as a music teacher.
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AuthorMike Antmann. Archives
August 2023
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