Reflection Of A Critique Of The First Music Salon Class

Living in a world surrounded by noises and sounds, one cannot deny that music lives all around them. Schools, street corners, sporting events, there is one thing you will always find: music. Music education is quickly becoming defunct in schools, as many try to decry its many benefits. A growing emphasis on the concrete subjects of math and science, whose benefits are more immediate, are pushing the creativity and imagination of music classes to the back of the budget. Music education is no longer described as stimulating and exciting, but rather unnecessary and distracting. But the benefits of having an education in music is undeniable. Simply being around music can have a positive impact on life. Music enables the human race to discover emotions that they have never uncovered before. The human mind is refreshed by music; “our imagination and memories are stimulated by the sounds, and summon feelings and memories associated with the musical sound” (Wingell 15). Without music, the world would be silent. Lifeless. No matter what language one speaks or what culture one is from, music is a universal language, connecting the hearts of people around the entire world. In schools throughout the nation, that connection is being severed because of budget cuts and lack of funding, but the benefits of music education are clear. The benefits of having an education in music are not only present in the classroom; a lasting impact is also left on the social and emotional growth of a person, though the gains may not be evinced immediately. Participating in musical education programs in schools can give students the opportunity to form lasting friendships and to gain skills that will last them their entire lives. Music education can be beneficial to students because it enhances students’ performance in the classroom, aids in improving student’s interest and engagement in school, and advances students’ social and emotional growth.

Tanner started his freshman year playing in the second best orchestra of three in his school. Here, he excelled musically and made new friends with upperclassmen. By January, one of Tanner’s older friends had convinced him to join choir, so he decided to audition for the upcoming year. As a sophomore, Tanner sang bass in the top choir, even though he did not have any prior singing experience. The same year, he also auditioned into Symphonic Orchestra, the top orchestra of his school. While he was in both the top orchestra and choir, he started student conducting for the lower orchestras and choirs. By senior year, Tanner’s schedule was almost completely filled with music classes. Consequently, Tanner grew extremely close to his high school ensemble directors. It got the point where he could casually call his Symphonic Orchestra director “mom.” This inspired Tanner to make it a goal for himself to form strong relationships with his future students. Through his experiences conducting his high school orchestras, and choir, Tanner found that he really enjoyed teaching music and decided to study music

Imagine a third grader, small and blonde, standing on a stage that practically swallows her. She gazes in awe at the bright lights that seem to tower miles above her head; likewise, she follows with a stare, fixating on the hundreds of darkened faces that remain directly in front of her. Unlike her classmates who fidget with nerves beside her, she feels a rush of adrenaline. What may have seemed to some an ordinary choir concert in a dull auditorium, was, to me, a life changing moment. Ever since this day, for 9 years now, I have had an unwavering passion for music and performing. As I aged, I found myself excitedly learning how to play 7 new instruments, but even considering the vast number of bands, orchestras, choirs, and instrumental lessons that I joined, I noticed myself

We are all musicians. Even the tone deaf girl who goes up to sing every time there’s Karaoke or the boy whose time with an instrument has been limited to Guitar Hero, we are all composers of a unique melody. Our lives are like songs—the crescendos and diminuendos of emotion, the staccatos of impatience and the legatos of love, the fortissimos of personal dramas and the mezzo pianos of average American life. If there is one lesson I would like to teach my prospective peers at Villanova, it would be to listen to every intricacy of the songs of others, and not just judge them by the overall tune.

I have always enjoyed music since I picked it up my first alto sax in the 6th grade. Of all the enjoyment music gave me and all its feelings it can create I could finally make some of my own. For the 7 years I have been playing in school it still remains a large part of my life. It gives me a great enjoyment to push myself everyday to do better. The dream of one day playing in a great college jazz ensemble propels me forward in my music because of the disadvantage of my school's jazz program. Playing saxophone in a classical and jazz context is what makes me a perfect fit for Sam Houston State University.

Music has always been a thing that has interested me. The idea of people putting their talents together to create something has always amazed me. Being in a discourse community like music is always going to be difficult starting out. Working with others was never my strong suit, and all of the preparation and studying stressed me out. It sucks to try very hard and have it all result in nothing. It is the idea of perfection that everyone strives for. In my case, it is a group effort of the people involved in my discourse community to achieve our shared goal. We strive to please ourselves and others listening by giving a solid performance. My music class is a discourse community that shares a passion of music and a similar goal. We assist

thus I entered the University of Michigan’s music school. However, I came to the realization that

Music is an essential part of today’s culture, especially here at the University of Delaware. There is a wide variety of activities to get involved in on campus, from instrumental ensembles to choruses and everything in between. There are also several options for majors involving music. Overall, there are many options for each and every student at the University of Delaware to pursue their passions, and to expand their college education to studies that consist of more than could be learned from books, lectures, and laboratory work. This was the ultimate goal for Rodney Sharp, a very significant man who invested a lot of time and money in the school.

It has been an honor to have been Renee Rule’s high school peer for the last four years. I have seen her flourish not only her musical journey as her stand partner, but also her academic journeys as her fellow classmate.

Completing her final musical at NorthWood High School just a few weeks ago, Sara Bowling finds herself at an interesting crossroads in terms of her performance career. While she possesses a lifelong history with musical performance, beginning in her earliest memories, she is coming to terms with an understanding of the fleeting nature of the opportunities provided to her throughout her early life. A senior at NorthWood High School, Sara’s eyes are fixed on the murky but exciting adventure that is her future. She intends to pursue her post-secondary education at Ball State University, starting next fall, and aspires to complete all four years there as a member of their honors college. That said, she is clear that while her enjoyment of music remains, her future pursuit of performance is entirely uncertain.

Working with music takes a certain type of patients. That’s why when I knew this project was present, I had the perfect person in mind because I worked so close with this person once before. So, I decided to gather my resources and get in contact with our family friend Dr. Snodgrass who is the superintendent of the Fort Osage R-1 School District and ask if I could receive her email so I could set up a facetime call with her and get this interview on the road. Her name Is Erica Gregory and she is a high school band teacher at Fort Osage located in Independence Missouri. The reasons I decided to interview her were simple. First, she was my star time teacher which meant she was my study hall teacher. As a freshman coming into high school and being placed in a study hall class

Then when I’m done student teaching I will be the teacher probably in high school”. She wanted me to really know that the whole reason why she really got into music was her father, sister and old music teachers. They all have shown her so much about music and she only wants to give back to future kids that was given to her. While growing up McKensi said her sister started getting into music and she’s really the reason why she started having an interest in music. Her dad had a big part in picking this major also because throughout the day her dad would sing every moment. There was never a time he wouldn’t sing. Her old music teacher just inspired her to take what they taught her about music and give it back to other generations. McKensi’s old music teacher made her understand music in a way that she understood it to the point she wants to make students in the future be the best they can

Although my formal journey in music had to be temporarily halted once I started high school, my musical background has allowed me to construct my own identity in the world. I have acquired a sense of admiration for both the elaborate and simplistic elements that exist within the vast depths of our perception. I realize that possessing a commitment to persistent study through a solid foundation is crucial. I realize that in order to pursue my own interests and passions, choosing to think for myself, is equally as vital. I have come to view life as an infinite climb in which I am constantly seeking new heights. Although my niche in this world is evolving constantly, my appetite for learning remains resolute. My desire to test the limits and boundaries of life is fueled, not by the notion of reaching the top, but rather within the journey of overcoming obstacles in my struggle to unlock the mysteries of this world. The need to satisfy this perpetual craving for knowledge inspires me to search for answers—to understand the depths of life and where I stand in the midst of it

Standing amongst musically-adept buildings that easily dwarf it and construction that does not help its aged appearance, the Schmidt Vocal Arts Center (SVAC) operates as a rehearsal, office, and studio spot for all vocal students—major and minor alike. Much like many music facilities, its fate lies in the hands of financial executives who make decisions which generally result in the defunding of programs that the SVAC houses. As a result, the SVAC has tremendous pressure to provide a quality education with depleting funds. The SVAC combats this by utilizing an artistic internal atmosphere in the attempt of inspiring music students to remain within the music department and to establish the creative arts as a necessity within both university and personal life.

I made my decision to pursue a career as a saxophonist and music educator in the 9th grade. After a long discussion with my parents and band director, I embarked on a journey that would transform my lifestyle forever. Since then, I have attended some of the most prestigious music festivals in the country, successfully competed in national competitions, collaborated with the most renowned performers in the field, and established an active presence in the saxophone community. My experience as a teacher ranges from private studio instruction of up to six high school and middle school students to mentoring a group of 30 students at local high schools as a woodwind technician. As a performer, I am dedicated to the creation of new classical music