band
Passion, Evolution and Progress Kimberly Ricci, WMEA State Chair, Band
This was a very ex- citing and fast (and hot!) summer for just about everyone, it seems. For me, it was a little more fas t -paced than usual – I started my masters program! I am really excited to
be pursuing my graduate degree through the Masters of Science in Education – Fine Arts program at UW-River Falls. It’s so great to be in classes with all art, theater and music educators.
What is Your Passion?
There is a core class that is taken together each summer, and this year it was “Arts in Society.” In this course, we went on several field trips, had numerous discus- sions about the responsibility of arts as a discipline/responsibilities as artists and educators, and were asked to write a paper on our muse. I have to say that the last requirement I listed gave several of us pause. Focusing on a muse (it had to be someone who is still alive and working today) turned out to be very difficult for several members of the group. Clearly many of us don’t focus on our own inspi- ration. Why is that? Any new, veteran, or retired educator can tell you that there are many (obvious) reasons. There is so much to do in the course of a day, week or school year. We are focusing on inspiring our students. And last but not least, maybe it feels a little selfish to concentrate on our own passion?
Being forced to think about a “muse” was eye opening for many of us in the class. Some found that they were most inspired by something outside their professions, and they wondered if that was acceptable. Was it something to feel guilty about, or simply an indicator of balance in their own lives? Some obviously found that they
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were inspired by artists in their own field or performing in a group or solo, while others found that their main inspiration was education. One person said, “I get more excited about my students learning music than I do about watching a profes- sional performance, or performing on my own.” How great for students! In any case, it seems pretty important to think about what drives us and find a way to weave that into our teaching. It’s a way to stay fresh and motivated. Who or what inspires you? How does it influence your teaching?
I don’t want to come across as an adver- tisement, but the truth is that WMEA can help teachers find a new passion or pursue an existing one. Whether one participates in workshops, attends conferences, uses resources online or at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education or takes part in advocacy, there are many opportuni- ties to reach out and get connected. Our best support system is each other, and we are lucky enough in Wisconsin to have a structured group that brings music educa- tors together and backs them up!
“Who or what inspires you?
How does it influence your teaching?”
Evolving Together
During the past 50 years, WMEA has evolved and changed to meet the needs of music educators. Technology, fund- ing/advocacy, meaningful continuing education – as these issues surfaced and became instrumental (no pun intended), WMEA found ways to inform and assist music teachers.
“There were visionaries at the beginning, just as there are creative
thinkers today…”
Band directors also continually evolve and change to meet the needs of students and schools. How can we continue to do this and ensure future success for our students and programs? A colleague once shared that they challenge themselves at the be- ginning of each year to make a specific and measurable commitment to do something new or better. That certainly seems like a great place to start. Marrying a specific passion/idea with the resources and intent to follow through is a very reliable way to make progress for ourselves as profession- als as well as for our students.
Paying Tribute
Last but certainly not least, saying a huge “Thank you!” to pioneering members/ founders of WMEA is definitely appropri- ate. Progress always starts somewhere, and Wisconsin had a great start! There were visionaries at the beginning, just as there are creative thinkers today that keep making a difference and finding new ways of providing opportunities for current and future teachers.
Happy 50th , WMEA! Thank you for what
you have done for our careers, schools and state!
Kimberly Ricci is band director at St. Croix Central Middle School in Hammond. Email:
kricci@scc.k12.wi.us
September 2010
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