Music Education In Music

Although technique and natural talent are big factors in music performing, it is suggested that a major skill needed for a developing music performer is the ability to sight-read (Paul), which is an important factor in acquiring and expanding music literacy (Gromko). However, music literacy is a compositional ability that requires many different abilities (Gromko, Lehmann and Ericson).

The best teachers can do is to not allow students to see when the students have not meet the expectations they had and when students do not meet their own expectations, the teacher needs to encourage the student to try again and learn from their previous experience;

Across the United States many elementary school music classrooms are filled with simple and popular tunes such as Hot Cross Buns and The Ode to Joy, played on the recorder, while high school students may be playing collegiate or professional pieces of music such as Armenian Dances and Carmen Suites. I have been very fortunate to have gone on the journey of progressing through different music education programs within Fairfax County Public Schools. If I was never exposed to music while in elementary school I might not have ever found one of my greatest passions or been able to create such fond and unforgettable memories. While music education programs across the country appear large and strong, many schools are beginning to experience budget reductions. As a result, music is often the very first component of a school 's curriculum or programs to be cut or significantly reduced, but I believe this is not the right course of action. It is important to preserve and promote music education in public schools because of the proven cognitive, character,and academic benefits for students.

I chose to major in music education because of my love of music and a desire to pursue a comprehensive and versatile music degree. As a student of Gordon Stout and Conrad Alexander, I have excelled musically as well as academically. I maintain a 3.9 cumulative GPA, and have made Dean’s List every semester while working two part time jobs and volunteering for various organizations. Although I enjoyed student teaching, I found my passion during the internships I had at the esteemed not-for-profit art organizations: Handel and Haydn Society, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Little Kids Rock. Planning, organizing and executing various performances, fundraising events and educational programs is exciting and gratifying

For the Arts Making activity the main resource I used was Chapter 9- Music from Delivering Authentic Arts Education by Judith Dinham. The pages on making a percussion instrument gave me ideas on what instrument to create, the materials I would need and the procedure to create it. Also, the section on musical elements allowed me to understand the different aspects of singing and making music which improved my technique and enhanced my performance. In addition, I watched a few videos by singer, songwriter and singing teacher Jules Rendell. These taught me how to make the most of my voice and gave me some tips on how to improve my vocals; thus, improving my overall performance.

"Is Music the Key to Success?" The New York Times. The New York Times, 2013. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. Joanne Lipman argues that music and success have a tight connection, and that any individual can increase their ability to work well by playing an instrument. Lipman points out various famous and successful people whom are even mildly skilled at an instrument, and argues how the skills they learned while playing an instrument carried over into their professional life. Lipman proves her argument through personal interviews with all of the people she mentions in her paper. From actors to statisticians, Lipman finds a way to incorporate all of their experiences into a single coherent argument. The article shows how, aside from financial help, music can provide useful skills anyone can employ in their professional

The National Association for Music Education has several general standards put into place (the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards). These standards center around the theme of music literacy and attempt to improve the three most important aspects of music learning: creating, performing, and responding. These aspects are designed to be applied to a student 's musical performance as well as their conduct in the community. The standards are used throughout the United States, introducing new topics throughout a child 's preschool-8th grade education. They are also provided in small "strands" throughout high schools. Teachers implement these techniques through the teaching of theory, music history, collaboration, creating and performing throughout their own individual curricula. They also have created "Model Cornerstone Assessments," which are designed to measure a student 's academic achievement and performance within the Core Arts Standards. As far as arts in the schools go, NAfME also has several organizations which help to promote music in schools across America. I believe that having these national requirements is extremely beneficial in that students across America will be learning similar concepts in the same efficient manner, giving each individual student an opportunity to thrive as well as any other fellow American student. I do think, though, that there should be ways for these codes can be more enforced, as I had never really heard of

While active music making is the primary goal of music education, as children mature, they will use their known experience and performance to draw from and move to a focus on music literacy and critical response to music. The abilities to read, discuss, evaluate and create music become key components in the development of future independent musicians. With a focus on active music making, student inquiry, and essential questions, I aim to engage the whole child and optimize learning.

The issue/concern that I am bringing forth in my Capstone project deals with public education. More specifically, music education in secondary school within the public school system. In recent years, the arts have not been the priority in regards to funding and what our youth needs in terms of preparation for the real world. This is partially due to instituting ideas like NCLB (No Child Left Behind) to focus on just the essentials for children to learn. In the academic world, one may refer to this as essentialism in education. As a result, the arts have viewed as not something that is essential. My case originated from my own personal experiences as a music educator and seeing growth from music students.

Over the years music education in schools has dropped dramatically for more reasons than one. Now, students are required to take little to no music classes throughout their schooling year which is causing the drive and ambition about school from students to decrease significantly. After analyzing several experiments, documents, and scholarly journals research discovered that the decrease in music education has affected students on all levels of their education. From elementary school all the way through the student’s final years in high school. This decrease has affected students with techniques such as memorization, motivation, self-confidence, and many more. On the other hand, some might say that not everyone likes music and some people’s learning styles don’t require any music education to help them succeed. This is true but the overall majority of the population of students has been affected due to the decrease of music education in schools. Due to the fact that music education is plummeting, the overall education and productivity of students is decreasing.

However, the effects of this does more harm than good. From infancy to adolescence and beyond, people seriously benefit from music education. The pros certainly outweigh the cons in this situation and obviously music isn’t merely some elective a person takes simply for an arts credit. Clearly, people's’ lives are changed by music and its impact can reach so many and benefit all. So go ahead, sign up for that beginner’s choir class, or orchestra, or jazz band, you may just get something out of it.

As a music teacher, I believe that all students should be given the chance to explore and discover their natural potential as musicians; increasing these capacities through formal music instruction. In my opinion, the goal of music education is to form an appreciation of the music of others and also encourage children to shape their own unique musical identity through academic study and performance. Creating independent musicians should be a guiding purpose of music education.

However, there is ample evidence showing that there are other benefits of music outside of academics that these students could benefit from. Music educator Anne Edmunds said, “[Music] Exposure also helps with cognitive, social and emotional development” (“Mind” 1). Though academics are not the only benefit of music, at most times, music will benefit everyone in some sort of academic way. Out of 61 seniors taking piano lessons, all of them showed positive differences in mental and physical areas. This would benefit young people as well (“Landmark” 1). Not only does Music for the Mind and Bruhn and Tims show that there are other benefits of music education for students, The Landmark Fletcher Music Study proves that music does help most people. While many may believe that some people’s academics may not improve when music education is involved, most people are benefited academically by music education, and there are many benefits outside of academics.

Few would argue against the idea that we educate ourselves and our society so that we have adequate means with which to understand and interact with elements of the world around us. Subjects such as mathematics, language, history, and the hard sciences are granted immediate and unquestioned legitimacy in our schools, and with good reason. We encounter each of these elements of our lives on a daily basis. We need to have an understanding of these disciplines in order to interact with them, otherwise they are meaningless to us. I submit that the same can be said for the fundamental concepts of music. Music is something that we encounter in our society every day. It surrounds us. Indeed

“Education- should enhance understanding of the world, of oneself, and of one’s own experience” (Kelly 2009). What is important about music education? There are many important aspects in music education like pedagogy and performance. For me, music education is about letting the students express themselves. Having the ability to give an idea or to vent is a vital tool in today’s society. This concept influences music because expression is not only in how to connect a phrase, but also how to tell a story. With my time in college, Dr. Joseph Frye will always tell me to tell a story with music. He will also ask me what I want to feel after playing a piece. This is what I believe is important in music education.