Philosophy of Music Education
Education is the knowledge and power, for people to get ahead in the world. It is the drive that builds students to become future leaders, better citizens, and successful adults. It goes back to the days when leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Sir Winston Churchill, and General George Patton, taught many young people to grow up and become better than who they are, within their organizations, communities, and schools. In schooling, we’re teaching a student within the school setting. As a teacher, we are leaders, but as a leader, we still have to lead by following with our peers, and guide with confidence. In other words, just because a degree is telling me to teach your child, doesn’t mean I have stopped learning, or that I know all of the answers to everything. We as teachers, still have to keep teaching ourselves and constantly find ways to improve how we can teach a child. We must understand that we are the social impact. At times, we must set ourselves on a level to where we can see, speak, and interact with students on a level to where they can understand us. As teachers, we have to walk in our students’ shoes to gain a great connection of what they go through in life. My way of teaching students is to learn from them, communicate better on a one-to one daily basis, and build their learning knowledge to a higher standard
So why music? I believe that music is one of the few art forms that will allow someone to be creative, and will help gain their knowledge through other subjects. Music encompasses a wide variety of subjects within, and that is, learning a second language such as French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin when studying chorale music, poetry, history, and even terminology that can describe how repertoire should be played. It can also focus on mathematical skills when teaching a student to count rhythms, or beats when marching a band on a field. The science behind music education has been proven to help the student develop better in the body and brain. It also increases the sense of emotion and expression. When the curriculum is set at a secondary school, we can look beyond the classical music, and incorporate a curriculum of diverse music learning that will teach diversity through the cultures of world music, and sub-cultures of American music, pop, country, rock, or hip-hop. Not being able to teach these universal cultures is something that we lack as educators. Music appreciation is taught in schools to appreciate music, but we don’t teach to notable students who want to continue their musical horizons. If I was teaching music appreciation, and our unit was based on rap, I would respect the culture and teach about how it portrays a specific rhythm and rhyme scheme, versus the negative views on it that promotes drugs and gang violence. If I was teaching a guitar class, I would set up different units going from blues, to rock, and country. Letting students have the opportunity to create their own bands, and even field trip to a few concerts. It’s subjects like these that can also intertwine with the English subject. In preparation, I will provide the best learning environment for my students. Being able to relate to the students, it’s also great to incorporate and relate to the ethnicities of the students.
With those elements of incorporating different subjects and cultures, it will bring the enthusiasm in the students. It will also bring out my enthusiasm because it will be something that I want to teach, and something that is outside of the norm. Within my schooling and teaching, I want my students to also learn creativity when rehearsing and performing music. Whether the music ranges from the classical era of literature, to the current modern day, I can still teach creativity of phrasing, improvisation, and musicality. That includes me to demonstrate on a given instrument how to phrase, how to improvise, and let my students imitate it stylistically, and give them a reason why it is important for students to understand. I believe that it is very important to learn from the students and make them feel inclusive to my music curriculum. From band to standard general music, each student will be important and those go for the students of all race, ethnicities, and disabilities.
In regards to the book, The Journey from Music Student to Teacher, the Five Factor model is a useful tool to observe the students and get to know them. This factor is a great tool to observe our students and identify them in how they contribute their selves in the classroom. This model looks as Openness, a student who is inventive, Conscientiousness, and efficient and organized student Extraversion, who is outgoing, Agreeableness, who is friendly, and Neuroticism who shows sensitiveness in a student. It’s also great to have students interact with each other, which will be required in a positive, learning atmosphere. As a teacher, one of the top options to do is to also have a relationship with the parents. Not so they can get involved in booster activities, but how they can help improve their child’s learning at home. Music Education plays a vital role within children’s lives, and within our everyday learning. It’s our job to carry out these ideals and fit them into the standard curriculum that is designed in schools across America.
