FREE ESSAY ON MUSIC EDUCATION

MUSIC EDUCATION

The best teachers in this world ask just the right questions I'm convinced. I look at my
past experience with teachers. The ones that stick out in my mind as facilitating the
most amount of growth in the students have been able to get responses from them by asking
direct questions that spark the student's own personal creative thinking. 
The teachers have presented themselves (their material, their presence, their goals,
their very nature, etc.) in a way that strikes the students as being unique and that this
teacher has something of value to offer. The student sees this leading quality and either
subconsciously or consciously asks themself how am I going to get that stuff that teacher
has?. The student ends up being curious and wants to learn, and wants to learn for
themself. This also benefits the whole area of discipline. Since the students have
developed a respect for what that teacher has to offer, than they do not think or even
want to be disruptive. Of course, there's always that special one in the crowd that has
so much baggage their tendency to misbehave is not stopped by this one amazing teacher,
but it's stunted nonetheless.
Thought-provoking questions in an atmosphere that promotes risk the best to stimulate
critical thinking. The teacher has this responsibility to share the process of critical
thinking in order to provide that safe atmosphere where ideas are appreciated and warmly
accepted. Listening in conjunction with questioning and classroom dialogues promotes
thinking about music. The combination of lecturing accompanied by dialogue of analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation of content enhances learning. I think that a good music teacher
will create and maintain a positive and comfortable atmosphere where students can
dialogue advances discovery and critical thinking. It is important for teachers to have
that sensitivity towards the students where they can feel comfortable taking risks.
Teachers can use small groups as a way to give a greater number of students a freer
feeling to talk about music. This kind of classroom interaction lends itself to a
meaningful self-evaluation where one can seek to improve in their weakness. The students
may feel a nudge to improve up to their friends ability. Or the students may find how
different people offer different views to music, and that in itself can be an inspiration
to seek out more perspectives or to grow more personally with their music. 
I feel like talking about conducting right now because this is going to become a huge
part of music teaching when I Actually get there. There are many incredible conductors
out there. Some of their qualities are so impressive. Some characteristics of a good
conductor are having clear definite down beats, they are commanding in their leadership
role and have the players attention completely. They should be able to express the
meaning or atmosphere of the music through their gesture. They should be able to pick out
the different parts of the music because they know the instrumentation and score well.
They should know the history and context of the music so that it is presented in the
manner the composer intended. The technique of their arm movements should be
well-trained, and with the ensemble they should be motivating, encouraging, and
inspiring. To obtain a certain quality of conducting requires a great deal of skill.
Practicing conducting like any instrument, or any sport or art for that matter, is
required in order to reach that high state of excellence. I as a trombone player practice
a substantial amount to achieve a superior level of playing. Conducting is no different.
It too requires a lot of practice. The conductor, however, works on conveying an
inspiration of what the music is intended to sound like by the composer. The conducting
teacher relates the composer's inspiration, the historical background, listens for parts
that require modification, helps the students become self-aware of where improvement
should take place, keeps a focus with clear goals in mind, creates a positive learning
atmosphere, etc... with the help of all the practicing they did before class time. Its a
loaded job. J 
Right now I am finding a great value in mission statements. Mission statements made byt
he music teacher for each individual class and ensemble. It keeps them focused on
something. The mission statement gives the group a forward motion, that they are going to
attain something by the end of the year. It also helps everyone feel like they are in the
process of accomplishing something on a large scale and a sense of pride comes along with
that.