general music
and/or possibly connects them to the rest of their community and to the world.
How Do We Stay Strong?
First of all, develop a strong curriculum by selecting excellent music for your stu- dents. Give them only the best examples of music that enriches them. Analyze your music so that you know all of its elements and why those elements are important to teach your students. Be intentional about what you want the students to learn. Se- lect outcomes that are important skills, knowledge or affect to be taught and find inventive ways to assess what the students have learned.
Next, enrich your own teaching skills by taking classes and workshops. Work- shops on general music are offered at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education each summer as well as during the school year. Colleges and universities also offer
courses in a variety of teaching techniques that are helpful. Our own Wisconsin Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance (CMP) project offers a week- long course in the summer that includes a general music component. There will also be lots of great opportunities to learn at this year’s Wisconsin State Music Con- ference, October 26-29 in Madison. There are lots of sessions on a variety of topics, great musical performances, wonderful exhibits of teaching materials and instru- ments and an opportunity to be inspired and immersed in music teaching.
Finally, be sure to network with other gen- eral music teachers. Meet locally in pro- fessional learning communities (PLC’s) in your own district or community. Reach out and communicate with other general music teachers from your area or even across the state via email, Skype, district meetings or other community events.
Be Strong!
Doing all of this is no easy task. Many gen- eral music teachers teach 600+ students and are responsible for adapting to all levels of learners including a wide range of students with disabilities, different social and economic backgrounds, and a variety of gifts and challenges. Many gen- eral music teachers serve more than one school and have limited budgets. It is only through the dedication that music teachers have to the music and to their students that creates this strong foundation. Every time I meet and talk with music educators, I am inspired by the passion for teaching that permeates our conversations. So my challenge to one and all is to begin this school year with energy, dedication and inspiration and be MusicStrong!
Kathy Bartling is a general music teacher for Waunakee Community Schools and is a member of the Wisconsin CMP Committee. Email:
kbartling@waunakee.k12.wi.us
Wisconsin School Musician
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