Five “Must Haves” for Non-String Players who Teach Orchestra Editor’s Note: This article appears as one of a series written especially for Ala Breve by experts in the field of music education.
Imagine that you have taught elementary and middle school band for the past five years, and today your principal announces that you will also be teaching orchestra next year. While some music educators may think that this is not a possibility, in reality this scenario happens quite often. According to the National String Project Consortium, 29% of school districts in the United States offer string instruction, and 30 % of the orchestra directors are non- string players.
Non-String players become orchestra directors for many reasons. There could be budget cuts in your school district. Imagine that your school lost funding for a full-time band or choral teacher, and you need to find a new teaching position. You then realize that the only opening is orchestra teacher. In other instances, your principal may decide to make you a part-time employee in order to budget for an orchestra teacher. In efforts to maintain your position, you have decided that teaching band and orchestra is better than becoming a part-time teacher.
Some other reasons for a shift in your music teaching career could stem from you deciding to relocate to a new school district. While in search for a new position, the only available positions do not include teaching within your specialty. For some music educators, you may have decided that you want to try something new because you have a desire to teach in a subject area outside of your primary instrument. Most importantly, there is a probable need in your community or in your school district for more string instruction. So, dust off those old violins, violas, cellos, and string basses you found in your instrument closet and place it in the eager hands of a student!
Must Have #1 In preparation for your interview,
30 you should rehearse your
answer to the most anticipated interview question which is, “I see that you are a (brass, percussion, woodwind, or voice) player, how are you qualified to teach orchestra?” Have you prepared your response? Are you truly competent teaching on a secondary instrument?
There are many websites and blogs dedicated to assisting non-string players on how to repair instruments, bowing techniques, and choosing repertoire, but there is little information on how one should prepare for the interview. The initial process of preparing to teach orchestra begins with you playing a stringed instrument. I strongly suggest taking private lessons until you feel comfortable teaching yourself.
starts with obtaining a K-12 Music Teaching Certification, completing string education courses, and conducting field experiences in an orchestra setting.
Must Have #2 Gauge your string playing ability. Do you consider your skills to be at the level of a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player? The ability of non-string players is not as important as other facets of your teaching practices such as rehearsal techniques and conducting. If you received your undergraduate degree in music education, you completed string education techniques courses. Do you still have your course binder and textbook? To polish your string playing skills, invest in a stringed instrument and search for a local private teacher who will be able to guide you through refreshing your skills from undergraduate studies. It is important that you are able to play at the beginner level of violin, viola, cello, and bass in order to adequately demonstrate various concepts to your orchestra students.
Must Have #3 Become familiar with teaching materials for orchestra. Ask
By Adrianna Marshall, Ph.D.
yourself these three important questions; what string method books are used in a public school setting? Who are the most popular orchestra composers and arrangers? What other teaching materials will I need for daily rehearsal? You can find the answers to many of your questions by communicating with other local orchestra teachers, contacting your former college music education professor, or by visiting the numerous websites dedicated to teaching strings.
Preparation for teaching string
Must Have #4 Join your local string community. Introduce yourself to fellow string teachers who teach in your area. If you are a new music educator and are also new to string education; it would be valuable for you to gain mentorship with a veteran teacher. Become acquainted with local private string teachers, your local chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). Joining your local community orchestra will also assist you in polishing your string playing.
Building your professional relationships with other string educators provides you a new group of colleagues to draw upon for advice. There are many facets of your new career in string that will be unfamiliar to you, such as what instrument dealers and luthier who will be of service to your students. In addition, you can discover local businesses and venues that support community concerts and events.
Must Have #5 Set first-year goals for your music program. By adopting the Doran (1981) approach to creating goals and objectives S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) you can systematically establish objectives for your orchestra program.
Specific: Your first-year goals should align with the mission of your school and
May/June 2015
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