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Educational Philosophy
Educational Philosophy
My biggest belief in with music education is that education is about the students. Students learn more efficiently if they aren't interested in what you have to say. If you keep the students engaged and actively participating in your lessons, they are more likely to retain the information you give them because it's something they enjoy. In music, this means that focusing on music first before the detail is crucial. It's similar to the hook of an essay. You have very little time to capture interest in what you have to say. If you can't do it right at the beginning it'll be hard to earn it later.
The same applies to music. If you're running an ensemble and picking music student's don't like, or teaching a general music class with no music making, only written quizzes, the students won't listen to what you have to say. Giving them the opportunity to make choices on what they want to do, or at the very least finding a way to teach the students through a medium they understand can make a world of difference to a student. Students are more likely to appreciate classical music if you show them how it influences modern music. They'll remember more of the music they performed if you pick music that they like, or is something that they want to perform. Even allowing them to come up with their own music is crucial!
I also believe that teachers have an obligation to teach about more than their own culture. Particularly in music, many cultures have influenced each other in so many unique ways, so showing more in depth the customs of other cultures and how they have combined to form something new is something that can change the perspective of a student, and can even engage them more in the lesson you're trying to teach. You can find ways to work in other cultures in your lessons, such as talking about African drumming when you discuss the history of Jazz, or discuss the customs of Chinese Opera and how it differs from western opera if you're preparing for some form of musical theater. There is an entire world outside of our own, and it is our duty as a teacher to guide our students into the vast unknown.
Finally, I believe firmly that everyone has a place in music. Think of your favorite movie, and try to imagine what it would be like without music. Think of how awkward your car rides would be with nothing there. Think of how hard it would have been to learn the alphabet without the song. Everyone in some way has a need for music. Therefore, everyone has a right to music. Every music educator in grade school has at some point had a student that wasn't really that good at music, and yet, their closest friendships come from the music classroom and the programs within. At no point should the needs of a music program outweigh the needs of a student. For many students, music is their only reason for getting out of bed in the morning, and taking that away from them just because they have difficulties making music is terrible for your student, and for you. Students should always come first.
Lesson Plan Samples
Lesson Plan Samples
Music and Other Mediums
Music and Other Mediums
Something I strive for as a musician is to use my knowledge in other areas such as technology in my performing and teaching. I have a significantly large amount of theater experience in lighting, sound, and scenic construction, so when I get the chance to, I try to incorporate that into my performances. During my Junior Recital, I performed Alan Raph's "Rock", except with a twist. I performed the piece live, but utilized a Yamaha Silent Brass System, which ran into an effects pedal and into an amp, effectively making my trombone sound like an electric guitar.
Video from that is found here: https://youtu.be/8UHtR7RcBm4
I also seek to use technology to enhance my performing ability in numerous ways. I particularly enjoy using audio editing software such as Audition to create multitrack projects, or Ableton to create electronic music/edit tracks. I even use technology in my teaching to create simple backbeats for students to play along with, or make chord changes to have students improve over. Technology is a huge tool in the music industry.
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