Music Education

Throughout my years in college I have seen myself grow, intellectually, socially, and
musically. My ideas on music education have also developed and now, that I am a day more
mature, I hope to someday open the eyes of our youth to what I have experienced, and still
experiencing.
Expressing the importance of music in the lives of everyone has been a topic of us future
educators, and those who are currently in the profession. In the primary years of a student, they
are exposed to a classroom that does not exist to confine them to a seat for hours on end. In
general music class during the primary years, students have a chance to express themselves
through movement and singing as well as playing instruments. When they are older and choose
to involve themselves secondary musical activities such as band choir and orchestra, they
develop even further musically, and they also further develop social skills. These social skills
(efficacy, responsibility, and democracy) are pivotal in an adolescents development because they
are needed for the rest of the adolescents life. Intellectually, the students develop critical
thinking skills, and autonomy, through sight-reading, theory, and musical analysis. All of these
can be refined through music class, and applied to other core disciplines.
It is important for all music educators to practice vertical alignment from elementary
school to high school. Using the same syllables, counting systems, and key analysis phrases, will
cut out extraneous learning objectives and give the students a chance to dive right into creating
art. If it is possible each school that has been given students from the lower levels should have
meetings on what is being practiced and what is not being practiced. This is by far the easiest
way to have vertical alignment which is so necessary for students. It also gives a chance to the
music educators to borrow ideas they may not have thought of, or activities to try with the
students to better help them understand.
For students to grow through music it is important that they develop an autonomy in
music. A goal of mine is for students to continue music through their lives be it formal or
informal. My main goal however, is that each student reaches a level of independent study
through my classes, and walk away feeling accomplished in the work they put into making
music. A sense of ownership in making music is a driving force in developing interests in
activities and study of this discipline. It also creates higher standards for the children who really
care, and are always aiming to raise the bar for the next performance, project, or activity.