 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Jamies
Date: 2005-07-29 16:55
I currently have 2 more years until university and I want to be a music teacher. The problem is that I'm questioning the quality of the music I'll teach if I go into a music education program.
So many elementary school band teachers have limited knowledge about all the standard band instruments and how to teach children to even hold them properly. Even in high schools, students somehow enjoy themselves performing totally out of tune at the hand of a conductor who doesn't even look at the band.
The good band directors make sure the group plays in tune and with dynamics but I feel as if the "music" part isn't really being emphasized. I want to go to a program that will make the best music teacher that I can be.
I am looking at these schools:
University of Toronto
Glenn Gould Studio (which has no music ed)
Wilfred Laurier University
University of Western Ontario
University of Ottawa
If anyone knows any other universities in Ottawa that would be very useful and any info on what music therapists are/do and if its a good idea to try to study.
Thank You
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2005-07-29 17:18
Don't sweat it. Most college/university programs will give you the basics.
Speaking for the many music educators on this board (some still active and some retired) I'm certain that you will find, after your schooling is complete, that most of your learning will happen on the job.
Music education programs, for the most part, are fairly idealistic in the way they present the teaching of music. For example, my first teaching job was in an inner city poverty stricken district. All the previous training I had didn't come close to prepare me for that scenario. (BTW - the kids were great!)
In the real world, it's how quickly you adapt to, and learn from the situations which they don't teach you about in college... GBK (retired music educator)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-07-29 17:21
I'm not answering your question - because I don't know schools in the Ottawa area. However, I sense, based on the fact that you already are aware of some of the things that make a good band director, that you are on the right path. You sound as though you will do what it takes to shape your band properly. The individuals you mention, and they really are in the minority, have chosen not to do so, which is everyone's loss. That is not likely to be the fault of their education. Unless, of course, the school district hired someone who was not a band person.
Sue Tansey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom A
Date: 2005-07-30 00:30
I agree with both. To paraphrase your wish, become a music teacher that makes the school music program the best that it can be. Whichever place you go, I believe your desire to become that teacher will be almost self-fulfilling as long as you get the basics.
I'm just reading that paragraph of yours again, Jamies. Do you mean that teaching intonation and dynamics are good, but even that's not enough?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Erdinet
Date: 2005-07-30 11:55
Speaking as a working music teacher in the NYC Metropolitan area I too cannot answer your question regarding schoolsin Ottowa. But, I do believe that I have something to add regarding what kind of teacher you want to become.
I did not go to college to become a teacher, but I did get my education degree in grad- school. I finished my masters in music ed. and did not step into a class room for ten years. Freelancing and working in the music biz during that time, I finally decided to try and get a teaching gig three years ago. It is probably the best decision I have ever made.
Your observation that many band directors don't emphasize the music is somewhat in the mark. The old maxim, those who can't do teach does hold some water here. But, it is really no different than in many other walks of life where people just fall into something that they do well. Burn out is a real problem. But more than anything I think what you are asking about is a matter of taste. I know some amazing band teachers. They can get great stuff out of the kids they have. They care, they really try. But, when it comes to programming a concert....dear lord, one has to wonder what they are hearing. (That goes into a discussion of the state of educational music that is being published.) If you are not happy with the published music that is available to you, write your own charts that can simultaneously address your students needs and provide a good concert presentation.
From my point of view, its about your passion. If you can convey your love of music to your students you will be a great teacher. If you can make your students understand that music class is more than just sitting in your seat and covering your part you will give them a lesson they can take with them for the rest of their lives. Because, its not JUST about music. I view my band classes as a chance for them to experience a more "real world" paradigm. (Work for me, I will really work for you and see to it that you are rewarded....OK ideal world, but you get the point.) As a former teacher of mine told me right before I started three years ago, "The students don't really change. You will be teaching the same age group as long as you are in the job that you have. You are the one that changes."
As a band teacher you will get to interact with sudents a little differently than other teachers. An administrator I work with described it as being a coach that works within the school day. More than anything I think you have the chance to do a job that is rewarding in all ways and is intensely challenging. You will probably never become a millionaire, but you will be able to live well, sleep through the night knowing you are making a decent contribution and still have time to pursue your own interests, musical or otherwise.
"There is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over."
-Frank Zappa
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jamies
Date: 2005-07-31 15:11
Thank you for your replies and encouragement.
For William:
I don't believe teaching intonation and dynamics is enough. I have always played in orchestras more than bands. In an orchestra we talk so much more about style, phrase, articulation, and the music just seems so much more alive. In my experience is that in orchestras the director strives more to give us an image of what we're playing. It feels so much more rewarding to actually work hard and have a good performance.
As you guys can probably tell, band is not my favourite but I really want to give music to the future generations. I've tried to deny it so many times but I just can't bring myself to be slightly interested in anything else.
I have another question, after you started teaching were you still connected to other musicians? Is there time to expand upon your own learning? Did you learn jazz, strings, and choir in just 4 years or university?
Thank you again!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-07-31 16:13
Jamies wrote:
> I have another question, after you started teaching were you
> still connected to other musicians? Is there time to expand
> upon your own learning? Did you learn jazz, strings, and choir
> in just 4 years or university?
Would you need to learn strings as well and band instruments? When I was in Jr High and High School, we had separate orchestra and band directors/instructors. I believe the chorus had yet another one, but I'm not sure about that part. These were middle-sized suburban (in one case) and rural (in the other) school districts in Iowa (USA).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jamies
Date: 2005-07-31 18:35
Not many schools here have string programs, just a few specialized high schools. Universities have a course on beginner strings/violin for music ed students and I think it is compulsary.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
