Classroom Management and the Instrumental Music Classroom

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

I can say I’m a multi-instrumentalist. I can play the harmonica, the trombone, the ukulele, the bass, the piano, the electric and acoustic guitar, and I’m probably forgetting one. But really I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her” (Montes). “One of the big things I teach my kids is how through hard work, you can accomplish anything. Whenever a kid shows up to a lesson, I always ask them if they practiced, and sometimes they say no because they don’t have a piano at home. It reminds me of the days when I couldn’t even afford a piano, but I push those thoughts away and work towards helping these kids fulfill their dreams as I’ve fulfilled mine. Music teaches the kids how to work through a tough song, and through time and practice, they always get it at the end” (LaBeau). Ronnie’s School of Music has performed annually for several of the city’s prominent events: the Arroyo Lighting at Christmas, Saint Anthony’s Fall Festival, Winter Texan festivals, and many more. LaBeau teaches students of all ages, from three to ninety seven. The majority of her students, however, come from Saint Anthony Catholic

In pages 55-60 of Green’s book, On Teaching Band: Notes from Eddie Green, the author discusses the successful introduction of playing instruments to students at the approximate age of 11-13 years. He offers techniques to maintain student engagement when beginning to teach instrument-playing. Green states that he prefers to keep a neat classroom to encourage students to be equally organized. He also determines the physical needs of the classroom, including wire stands and playable instruments for each student, stating that he prefers the students receive their instruments at school.

It doesn’t take a natural disaster or a death to alter the course of your life. It can be as small and simple as a choice—picking a class. My life was changed for the better when, in sixth grade, I chose to join the band. I remember vacillating, nearly in tears, over which instrument to learn before deciding to choose the flute, unaware that this decision would mold me through out my middle school and high school years. Band has taught me valuable life lessons and leadership skills, it has provided me with priceless friendships, and it has fostered a love of music in me. Without band I would not be the person I am today.

Band establish a good work ethic. Band teaches students to arrive on time and to get things done. If people walk into a good band practicing they do not hear people talking or goofing around. They see a group of hard working students.

In the middle of the band season kids end up seeing each other at band everyday except Sunday, so naturally the band gets very close and forms a “band family”. For most of the kids band becomes a place where you don’t have to worry about all the stressful parts of your life. There will always be someone there to support you, which is why so many kids love band and all the people in it. Personally, band is my safe space. When I go to band I know everything will be okay and I don’t have to worry about anything other than hitting my high A flat. These kids have high grades, love what they’re doing, and stay out of trouble by coming to

​In the fifth grade, I was introduced to my district's band program. The moment I was shown the instruments and allowed to take one home has changed me over the years. I along with the other students, my peers and friends, experienced the trouble of learning a brand new thing, an instrument. I was given the task of just playing one note and holding it for a certain duration. For the next few days the tasks assigned to me increased in difficulty, as well as how I should structure my schedule around practicing my instrument and school work. Then, from fifth to sixth grade my middle school experience separated the wheat from the chaff. This small transition of just one year showed a willingness or commitment to what I and my peers, my friends

I find that having band class in our schools is fundamental. If it was just nothing but desk

Playing music goes outside the classroom. What I’ve learned in music classroom applies to all parts of life. The confidence I’ve built from singing in choirs helps me present in front of class or perform in front of crowds. The musicians I’ve met have become some of my closest friends. The ability to create and write new melodies and songs helps me to become a better writer.

This artifact helps to prove my knowledge of this competency because, it shows that I can motivate students to work together or by themselves in a positive manner, and I have also incorporated a way to motivate students to use knowledge from outside of the music classroom into the music classroom. By getting the students to be aware of how different subjects connect, the students gain a purpose and confidence for learning. If I were to change anything about this lesson plan I would plan ahead to have the music class pair up with general math class and have them discover more ways to incorporate each subject more into each classroom. I will use this lesson in the future to remind myself and my students that they can use music and their general

As a firm believer that one should joins or participates in some activities outside of his or her classroom, for it’s going to extend his or her experience greatly, I have always followed this belief since I can remember things properly too. Firstly, my most beloved and fascinating activity is playing Thai music, which I’ve joined into a band since my very first day I set my first step in Assumption College. Even thought my school isn’t so outstanding in Thai music, in fact, not good at it at all, but I still enjoy playing within my school’s band anyway; we, the entire band’s members, are all like brothers to each other—we learn and practice, not because we want to compete with each other or win any competitions, but just because we love to

The first reason kids like Band Class is because they go on field trips. Children are fond of the idea of being able to miss a day of school without negative repercussions. The thought of going either out of state, or to an amusement park is exciting to students. Even though many of the field trips are just for fun, most of them are for beneficial reasons. My band will soon be going to a dialysis hospital to play for the patients who can’t get out. My band will also be going to Busch Gardens and Hershey Park later this year to compete. Overall, if the kids get a break from school, they can have a mental break.

Today’s classrooms are more dynamic than ever before. Educational needs of students are changing at breakneck speeds, along with the demands being placed on their teachers. There are associated legal and ethical implications that are evolving as rapidly as the technology that is driving a lot of the change. In order to have a chance to meet the needs of students and legal/ethical obligations, educators must have well developed classroom management techniques. These can get tricky quite often and require balancing the increasingly diverse needs of many different people. To be an effective

Do you ever catch yourself humming one of your favorite songs while studying? Maybe it is a song to cheer you up or a song to keep you mellowed out. This is very common. Many students do this to keep themselves focused in their task or to help remember something while studying. Listening to music while studying has become a big topic that everyone is talking about. Even though some people may disagree, listening to music while studying can be very affective on how students perform in school.

The stigma associated with pursuing an education in the musical arts affects the decision of many musicians nationwide. The appeal of guaranteed financial and career stability of STEM and other paths of high demand jobs is very difficult to pass up, even by the most dedicated musicians. Then, the input and advice of outsiders come into play. These onlookers not only encourage study of the hard sciences and a foolproof path to success via university, but they also totally and blatantly discourage and belittle the intelligence, rationality and integrity of not just the paths of musicians, but all liberal artists. Don’t you want to make money? What do you mean you won’t have internships, don’t you want a job? How are you going to survive? This blitzkrieg of questioning and doubt, though theoretically peripheral to the bigger picture, is reasonably common, however, severely unjustified. Pursuing a formal college education in music is easily one of the best things you could do for yourself, regardless of whether or not this is the career path of your choosing. As a student of formal music education, you are actually being trained in more real world skills than most other majors, which will prepare you for many careers, making you stand-out amongst the masses. Being a music major, you learn more than just music, you learn problem-solving skills, how to communicate and collaborate, and how to overcome failure, which are all essential skills to have as a professional in today’s day