expressive qualities (dynamics and rel- evant stylistic elements).


With regards to written assessments, if an examination on music theory and terminology is employed, it should also include terms specific to string playing. Any assessment on music history could include histories of bow and instru- ment making, orchestra development and inclusion of instruments within the orchestra, and perhaps stringed instru- ments in other cultures.


Conclusion


An evaluator should be able to ask a string teacher to produce the following: 1. A plan of assessments of skills re- flecting district and state standards. 2. Information regarding organiza- tional structure including: Enrollment, instrumentation, inventory, auditions, and seating. 3. Details of program development, including: Recruiting, retention, com- munity involvement (playing at gradu- ation), community outreach (playing at a nursing home), inclusion of special guests and activities.


Finally, the evaluator should also in- clude as part of their review curricu- lar issues. Among the questions to be raised are: Whether the teacher is using a method book to dictate curriculum, or is the book a tool to further curricu-


lar goals? How is repertoire selected? Are works chosen based on reinforc- ing technique?


Is consideration made


to historical period, style, and culture? The evaluator may want to include the curriculum in the evaluation process. The teacher and evaluator should dis- cuss how all activities observed in the classroom further the orchestra curricu- lum.


An evaluator of string teachers must know what they are looking for. They must be in a position by experience or training to properly make judgments in the observation and evaluation pro- cess. Perhaps this has never been as important now that evaluation may be connected to teacher salaries and rankings.


Therefore, with all that an


evaluator should know and be able to understand about a string teacher and their classroom, is there a need for mu- sic specialists as teacher evaluators in our schools?


References


Culver, R. (1989). Master teacher profile. University of Wisconsin- Madison, Extension.


Dr. Mark Kotchenruther is currently an orchestra director for the Forest Hills Public Schools. Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in music educa-


Dan Scott is Director of Orchestras at Jenison High School. He earned his BME Degree from Western Michigan University and his MM Degree in Technology Edu- cation from Grand Valley versity.


State Uni- He is a


regular clinician at music conferences, camps, clinics, and


school districts around the state and was named MSBOA Orchestra Teacher of the Year in 2014.


MMEA Membership Campaign Updates Karen Salvador


The mission of the Michigan Music Education Association is to advance the quality of music instruction in our state. Among our many efforts toward achieving this mission, we advocate for music education, music teachers, and music students; we strive to foster connections and dialogue among music education stakeholders; and we offer professional development opportuni- ties. We believe that strong connections among an active base of well-supported


teachers makes us stronger as a profes- sion and better able to advocate for and offer an outstanding music education to all children.


To better advance our vision of high- quality music instruction for all chil- dren in Michigan, MMEA partnered with the National Association for Mu- sic Education (NAfME) for a member- ship drive in 2013-14. NAfME helped us develop beautiful materials to show-


case the benefits of membership in MMEA. If you haven’t seen them, please visit http://mijoin.nafme.org/


The numbers are in, and our active membership has increased by a little over 30% since last summer. We are excited to welcome these new mem- bers to MMEA & NAfME, and hope they will take advantage of all we have to offer. We are especially proud of our (CONTINUED ON PAGE 42)


38


tion from the University of Michigan, a Master’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in music ed- ucation, also from the University


of


Michigan. He cur- rently serves on the conducting


staffs


of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Knollcrest Music Camp at Calvin College. Mark has


also been an adjunct professor at Albi- on College and Western Michigan Uni- versity where he has taught stringed in- strument methods. Mark was the 2013 MASTA Teacher of the Year.


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