inexperienced students. He discussed his vision of arrang- ing field experience with Dr. Menard, and they developed an interesting collaboration as a component of the Music Plus Program. They took 20 minutes from the Compre- hensive Musicianship lab time and assigned each student to 20 minutes of private piano instruction. Typically, the TPS students are band and string students; many of them have never had private lessons on piano before. To many, the one-on-one setting seemed intense. At first, the gradu- ate students were apprehensive, but they eventually relaxed and provided very successful instruction. The TPS students learned to value and enjoy the piano lesson experience. At the end of the program, the graduate students learned so much more about how to teach and the way students learn, in comparison to peer teaching in the classroom. Dr. Burger and Dr. Menard were pleased with the growth they saw and hope to repeat the program.
Currently, the program does not have hard research data. It would be useful to have long-term data. Of course, this means it may be the perfect setting for a graduate research project. We do have anecdotal data. I see many of our Music Plus graduates return for the final concerts year after year. Some current students tell us they live for this pro- gram. At the end of the year, we ask students to write thank you letters to our donors: This is what being in Music Plus means to me. They are very meaningful letters to read.
Teacher Quotes
Abby - “The students can be hard to work with at first. I get the feeling that it takes time to earn their respect and trust. As they get to know you and develop a relationship with you, the teaching and learning process is built more on mu- tual respect. These students are all great kids…. They love music and learn just like any other kids.
Tim - “Working with these students helps me examine my- self as a teacher through my teaching behaviors, rather than my personal beliefs.”
Kaylee - “Music Plus has increased my confidence as a teacher.”
Christopher - “Music Plus is a good opportunity to work with students who come from different backgrounds. My Music Plus students have a wonderful enthusiasm for music and it is exciting to watch them improve musically through- out the semester.”
Student Quotes
Joy - “I have played the upright bass for 8 years. This Mu- sic Plus Program has meant the world to me. Over the past year, I have improved on the bass, learned how to play the piano, and studied music theory.”
17 FIND WEST MUSIC!
LaNeesha - “I love Music Plus and I like coming here and learning new things music wise. I love the creativeness and great things here. I have learned new songs and developed a new sense of music and hearing. One of the biggest things I’ve learned to do is tongue on my trumpet, and it really helped my to improve my music.”
Dante - “I have played the violin for six years now and I learned more this year than I have in the five before it. I have more confidence in my playing now. Music Plus has made a big difference in my playing and in my life.”
Elizabeth Menard teaches graduate music education courses at Bowling Green State University where she is Director of the Music Plus program. She holds a Ph.D. in music from Louisiana State University. Dr. Menard previously taught in Louisiana’s Talented Arts Program, providing accelerated music instruction to K-12 students identified as having ex- ceptional talent in music. Her research interests include: the development of student musical ability and creativity through composition, assessment of creativity, and collaborative outreach through music. Dr. Menard has published research in Update: Applications of Research in Music Education and the Music Educators Journal, and has presented research at regional and national conventions of the National Associa- tion for Music Education, the College Music Society, and the National Association for Gifted Children.
How do you get money for your music classroom? We want to know! We are always asked by our extraordinary customers for ideas on how to acquire more funds for their classroom. Share your most successful fundraising ideas with West Music (and your fellow educators and therapists!) and win the chance at earning up to $1500 in additional funds from West Music!
Here’s your chance to help each other with ideas that have worked in your school.
Visit
westmusic.com for details!
OUR NEW CATALOG HAS
ARRIVED!
CALL US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE!
800-397-9378
westmusic.com
A FUNDRAISING CONTEST AT
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46