comprehensive musicianship through performance
technology, repertoire and resources we choose to the longer term outcomes that we craft. We need to know why we are doing what we are doing, for the good of our craft and our students.
5. Just because we can, should we?
In the last year, we’ve all been trained – officially, and often unofficially through trial and error and YouTube videos – on so many new programs. Some have gone from attending maybe one or two Zoom meetings in their life to leading several a day. Pear Deck. Jamboard. Seesaw. Flip- grid. Loom. At first, like me you probably felt like, “Now that I learned it, I have to use it.” And probably, like me, some of you have stopped using some of these technologies. Why? Because they didn’t really enhance our strategies, serve our students, help communication, or facilitate better learning.
The take-aways for me are in this realm: How many things have I done for YEARS that also don’t really serve me or my students that well but I keep doing them out of habit? It is easy to try Soundtrap, Noteflight or fill-in-the-blank new thing and realize that I have a better way already (confession: I actually do like Soundtrap), but what about my existing strategies? Am I perhaps blind to what doesn’t work as well, but less apt to be as discerning?
And also… I can still learn and use new things! There are tools out there to dis- cover that are worth it and being open to the possibility that there is a better way to demonstrate, present, facilitate and open discussion is exciting.
But I want to keep asking the important questions of ALL strategies – including new technologies – does it really serve my students? Is it breaking down barriers or building walls? Is this technology or strategy letting more people in or obscur- ing what I am hoping they learn?
An icebreaker question I have often asked my students: “When COVID is over, what will you miss?” Of course, there are so many aspects of life that we are eager to
Wisconsin School Musician
return to, but I hope that this reflection reminds you of the important questions you have asked this last year that you want to keep asking, of strategies you have employed to ensure equity and en- gagement that you want to continue, and of your own enormous capacity to learn, adapt and grow as a teacher! Let’s look forward to years where we can gather, play
and sing, but let’s not lose sight of what we have gained.
Margaret Jenks teaches general music and the- atre in several Madison schools, and conducts choirs for the Madison Youth Choirs, and leads professional development for the Carnegie Hall Weill Institute. Email:
majenks@madison.k12.wi.us
Summer at SNC
Summer Band Camp An opportunity for young instrumentalists in grades 5 through 9 to learn, practice and perform under the direction of St. Norbert College music faculty. Students of all ability levels are invited to join this fun and educational music-enrichment program.
June 21-25
9 a.m.-1 p.m. daily Concert on June 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Camp registration is now open!
snc.edu/music/camps
100 Grant Street De Pere, WI 54115-2099
snc.edu
Pursue what matters. 31
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