Principles of Music Education Kessler

Abby Cowan September 8, 2013

Knowledge of education comes from not only the classroom, but also the experiences one has outside of the classroom. I am fortunate to have had incredible musical influences in my school, as well as at home and in my community. As I have progressed through each level of my education, I am happy to say that I have retained a great deal of information and advice from people along the way. The importance of music education is simple. Music is proven to improve academic performance, behavior and mood. It also helps people explore a new artistic and expressive avenue that they may have never ventured before. If my schools music program werent in place, I wouldnt be writing this right now. There are many different components to music education that include music theory, music history, choral and vocal technique and ensemble work, orchestral and band instruments and ensemble work and a general understanding and appreciation of music. It is important to start off music education at young age. Elementary school music classes are an integral part of a childs growth and development. A childs music education may even begin before school, with private lessons from parents or private teachers. I commend parents who put children in piano lessons early on. In no way do I mean that parents should force their children to play music, but giving them at option (as well as the option to stop lessons) will already foster an appreciate for music in that childs mind. In most elementary level music classes, children work with rhythm instruments, some pitched percussion instruments and

predominantly their voices. Singing is a tool that can help with a childs memory, attention and expression. I recall singing simple songs and playing different auxiliary percussion instruments in my elementary school music class and I hope that I can instill the same excitement and passion that I felt to my students when I was in that class. Once students enter middle school and high school, the choice of taking music classes at all is given and students who take interest in music are more likely to continue with the courses. Also as a music teacher, it is important to keep the students who arent necessarily there for the good of the ensemble, but just for the credit, motivated and interested in the course material. Ways my teachers would do that is to pick pieces that might be familiar to the students mixed in with classic choral repertoire. I am fortunate enough to have gone to a school with a music theory class and a music history class. Having classes like these are essential to the growth of a student musician and can help propel them in the future. My high school music theory class was equivalent to that of Theory I and my history class was just a broad overview of music, starting from antiquity. Also, at my school, we were given group lessons once a week with other students from our sections. This was incredibly rewarding and stimulating because it gave my colleagues without musical aspirations the chance to prepare NYSSMA solos and to excel at sight-reading. The main purpose, I think, of music education is to not only create wellrounded musicians but also to create well-rounded people. Music stimulates a part of you that may go untouched in some people. I think the main goal of music educators today should be to engage and motivate as many students as possible and

get them involved. My school music experience opened up hundreds of new doors to me including extra-curricular choirs, bands and orchestras, as well as apprenticeships and the chance to work with other blossoming musicians. Music education is an essential part of life and I only hope that other school districts will be just as supportive of their music programs as mine was.