What Music Means to Me

One of the neat things about The Dallas School of Music, Inc. is the ever changing landscape that emerges seemingly out of nowhere and on a daily basis. This includes changes to both the workload (after all, we are a market driven endeavor!) and our actual physical space. You never know who or what will appear on any given day.

Over the years DSM has hosted events including; a performance by Jim Brickman (sponsored by Alfred Publishing), a show by the St. Ambrose a cappella vocal ensemble, and even the crew of Barney that filmed video segments about music and children. Our faculty have performed countless concerts and our students have played even more recitals, Holiday Showcases and senior center programs.

Of the non-musical events held at DSM, some of the coolest by far are visual art related. We've hosted solo shows and large Art Festivals that featured works of all kinds by as many as 20 local and regional artists and artisans at a time. And it turns out that our main lobby, recital hall and studio hallways are nicely lit and provide ample wall space for these gallery-like events.


Our latest installment features photographs by Richard Rejino. Some of you who are local to the DFW area may know Richard from his affiliation with Pender's Music . Others may know him as a former president of RPMDA (Retail Print Music Dealers Association). Richard has combined his passions for music and photography into a project called What Music Means to Me which 'celebrates the value of music in education and in the quality of life'.

Richard's subjects range from high school aged musicians to senior enthusiasts. They were asked to relate how music or the arts has changed or positively affected their lives. As part of the project, candidates composed a personal statement that describes what music (or their art form) means to them.

We are fortunate to have six of these photographs and their accompanying essays showcased in our lobby at DSM. You can see all of the photos and learn more about Richard's projects at his website or contact him directly at rrejinophotography@me.com.

The 911 on 9/11

musicteachers911
Music Education Services

I just completed a really cool interview with Larry Marra of musicteachers911 coincidentally on 9/11. I am located in Carrollton,TX and Larry is in Dayton, OH. Not only was I able to hear Larry, I was able to see him on web-cam. We used a program called Skype which allows you to make calls to others on Skype - from your computer - and it's free!

I know Larry was interviewing me but it was fun to learn a bit about him in the process as well. He said he had heard about Skype from one of his 14 year old students (reason # 947 why packaging and delivering music education in a new tech-savvy way is a smart idea). He thought the kid was either kidding or a bit 'off' when he said he could make calls anywhere in the world with video capability for free online. It didn't take long for Larry to check out and embrace the technology and the rest as they say is history... a pod-caster was born.

Larry also told me that his podcasts rank #2 at i-tunes for Music Education. So if you're reading this - let's go bump him up to #1! Yesterday my colleague Mike Finkel and I listened to a few minutes of one of Larry's episodes to which Mike commented 'He gets a great sound on these!'... and coming from Mike (our resident composer and recording guru), that is high praise indeed.

Larry ran a great interview. He showed a genuine interest in hearing about DSM and MusickEd.com. After learning that our software includes built-in ear training samples he quipped, 'If I had this when I was a band director, I might have offered some kids the $10 myself!'.

Larry was also keen to mention that music teachers need to keep an open mind to new ways of thinking about teaching and in particular, adopting new approaches and technologies. He, like myself and many others I've encountered in the blogosphere, have spent some serious time thinking about music, teaching and the profession as a whole. (I have been working on a phrase that attempts to identify and explain 'us' as a group. After several failed attempts I decided to try a Latin translation site and came up with 'posterus magister ' which roughly means 'teacher of the future'.... but I digress).

Kudos to Larry for his work and thanks again for allowing us to participate. I will try to include the actual podcast on this blog after it has been edited and posted.

Best Buy = Students

We recently learned that Best Buy the International retailer of consumer electronics and entertainment software is announcing a massive new initiative that sets aside store space for an array of musical instruments and gear in dozens of its stores nationwide. The Billboard Magazine story (dated June 2008) goes on to say that their selection will include 'everything from accessories — picks, sheet music and cases — to high-end basses, guitars, keyboards and DJ equipment. Instruments will be housed in separate rooms and the company also plans to offer group music lessons'.

I know this may come as a shock, but I say 'bring it on'! It's just one more testament to the fact that music and music retailing is a multi-billion dollar industry. It's no wonder why a major player who provides other forms of 'entertainment' like video game software, TV's and computers is willing to gamble on the appeal and power of music. The success of Guitar Hero has made this industry stand up and take notice of this potential (even though one may have little to do with the other). So this idea is not surprising to me at all, in fact, the trend had already begun at Costco and Wal-Mart some years ago.

What struck me most about this article was Best Buy's 'Oh, by the way... we're giving music lessons in stores too' attitude, added pretty much as an afterthought. This is where they will fall short or completely miss the boat. Not because it cannot be done well, but because it cannot be done well to any successful degree in a setting such as a Best Buy with decisions being made by people who have little if any experience in music or music education. They underestimate the talent and skill needed to teach (let alone teach music). It is not the same skill set as say, assembling a flat-screen tv or troubleshooting a cell phone.

And, likewise, this is where music educators and the profession as a whole all too often fall short. We have for far too long hung our hat on academia despite years if not decades of dwindling support. At the same time, large corporations have begun to notice the popularity and massive revenue potential that music holds. Why is there such a disconnect for music educators in this area? Why have we not tapped in to the same huge market that Best Buy sees?

I wish Best Buy great success in selling millions of instruments to young adults, mid-lifers and seniors the world over. I hope they plan to add band and orchestra instruments to the mix as well. Then they can turn all of those people loose to seek professional music education online or in their own communities. And if music educators are smart, they will work together to take advantage of this situation and begin the process of adding a major component to their profession. One that is financially robust, is in touch with the corporate world, and resides outside of academia in the private sector. Bring it on!

Music Education Carnival for September

The September edition of the Music Education Blog Carnival has been posted and is hosted by Amy Burns of the Elementary Music/Music Technology Blog. For those of you newbies, be sure to read Nancy Flanagan's Five Things I'd Change in Music Education (or anything else she writes on her blog!), and a really interesting post that finds common ground between the Olympics and Music Education called Lessons Learned from Michael Phelps by Travis Weller.

There's something for everyone here - enjoy!

1. Amy M. Burns: “Top 10 Reasons I Like Teaching Elementary General Music” from Elementary Music/Music Technology.
2. Eugene Cantera: “1, 2, 3 and the beat goes on….!” from Discover, Learn, Play.
3. Nancy Flanagan: “FIVE THINGS I’D CHANGE IN MUSIC EDUCATION” from Teacher in a Strange Land.
   
4. Patricia Gavins, submitted by Sarah Scrafford: “Open Courseware v. Online Universities: Is Self Study Right for You?” from Online Universities.com.
5. Paul Heingarten: “Private Lessons are Important” from Music and Band.
6. Joel: “New Classroom Rule: Don’t Talk To Me” from So You Want To Teach?
7. Heather Johnson: “The Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing” from VARC Blog.
8. Miles Moen: “The Necessities of Life » Pandora.com” from The Necessities of Life.
9. Graham Rutherford: “Do You Really Want a Record Deal?” from Music Business Strategies.
10. Travis J. Weller: “Lessons learned from Michael Phelps” from Composing Like Mad.
11. Thomas J. West: “Who’s Running This Show? The Body/Mind Ego and How It Affects Your Results” from Thomas J. West Music.
12. Theresa White: “When Technology Blocks Technology” from Education in Music.

5 Things Music Teachers Need to Know

I recently came across this post which ran in its original form at the beginning of the school year in 2008. I have made a few changes but in general I though it has held up well.  Enjoy!




TEETH 

T=Take Charge

Your students are looking for guidance, they want direction; don't allow them to dictate the course of action, that's your job!  Do not fall into the trap of teaching the way YOU were taught. As well as you did with whatever method your teacher used, it is probably boring and outdated by now. 

E=Energy

Leave your problems at home. Your students (and colleagues) want you to be at your vibrant, upbeat best each day. If you're not happy or feeling 100%, then fake it. Help yourself to a cup of coffee and if you still need extra energy, see any one of your colleagues or administrators, they usually have plenty to go around.

E=Engage

Meet and get to know the families in your school - even if they do not belong to your students. Greet your students cheerfully, they want to know you are excited to see them. Engage your students in the learning process and ask about their 'day'.. Perform for them, play along with them, share what you know with them.

T=Teach

Your students are not going to show you how much they've practiced this week (and by the way, they haven't practiced very much if at all). They are in music because the like music and want to know more about it. They trust that you can help them learn. 


If you thought the "T" might stand for 'talent', (as in the talent you display on your instrument) guess again. Because you have a degree in music doesn't mean you can be successful teaching it. And your success will most likely not be judged by how well your students play or perform, but whether they like you or not.

H=Have Fun!

Fun after all, is what students really want.  If you can make the connection between 'fun' and 'teaching moments', then you will be successful.  So smile, show some teeth, and inspire!