Beth Davis - President, Elementary/General Division
What are the unique qualities of human beings? Human beings reason, seek relationships, communicate, and make music. Music making is a part of every known culture. Estelle Jorgenson posits, “Without music education, it would be impossible for each social group or society to sustain itself and replenish its supply of composers, performers, and listeners who understand the significance of musical events and can participate meaningfully in the occasions of music making.”
Jorgenson continues her
argument by expanding the definition of music and music education. People learn and participate in music in various ways: formally and informally.
Music
educators are included in that broad definition; therefore, music educators play a critical role in society.
Music
educators assist people in developing one of the unique characteristics of human beings, music making. You, as a music educator, are important.
Such thoughts are worth consideration as summer concludes and the school year approaches. Music educators allow students to “explore, affirm, and celebrate one’s link with the great pattern which
connects the whole living world.” Therefore, we have the responsibility of leading our students to learn the music of our own culture, as well as the music of other cultures, and to discover the relationships between those musics, cultures, and people. Instrumental music, opera, jazz, choral works, folk music, and pop music are just a few of the genres music educators might explore with our students. Students need the opportunity to improvise, create, sing, move, play instruments, read, notate, listen, and much more.
The content of the
elementary music program is vast. However, the practical ways to approach the content is limitless. Consider your value to society. Take a deep breath and let your creativity flow. The children of Alabama will be enriched as human beings because of you.
The Elementary/General Division of Alabama Music Educators is here to support your efforts this year. There are opportunities for professional development planned for September and January.
Please make arrangements to join other music educators in our state for these fun and informative events. There
is strength in numbers: the leadership of AMEA is encouraging every music educator in the state to join the organization this year. Please encourage those teachers in your district who are not members to join. The leaders are full of vision, energy and are willing and capable of leading this organization to accomplish great things for our members and students.
Best wishes for a fulfilling year with your students.
Jorgensen, Estelle R. In Search of Music Education. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1997.
Small, Christopher. Musicking The Meanings of Performing and Listening. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 1998.
Save the Dates
September 28, 2012 Elementary Music Festival, Samford University, Rollo Dilworth Conductor
September 29, 2012 Joint AMEA/AOSA Fall Workshop, Deer Valley Elementary, Rollo Dilworth Clinician
November 14 – 18, 2012 AOSA Conference St. Louis, MO
January 10 – 12, 2013 AMEA Conference, Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center
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