arrange • compose • conduct
Posts discussing education, both in and outside of music
Today I practiced saying, “I don’t know … but I think …” It’s a powerful statement to make, particularly to students. It’s powerful because acknowledging the real limits of our knowledge, particularly when we are in positions of authority is humanizing, builds connections, and empower students to recognize that their […]
Motivation can be external or internal. Each of us uses a mixture of the two to get our work completed. This pandemic, and particularly remote education, has compelled many students to become better acquainted with internal motivation. When the teacher is standing ten feet from you, it’s harder to disengage […]
Many schools have some sort of basic computer skills class. Often, these skills are far behind what adults need to know. If I were designing a 2020 curriculum, I would replace a curriculum centered on word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software with skills and knowledge like the following: Cloud backup. […]
I don’t think Chris Hayes is wrong. Compared to a typical year of school, this will be a “disaster” by traditional (standardized) measures of student growth. Compared to 180+ days of in-person learning, hands-on and personal instruction from caring teachers who feel safe and able to do their jobs without […]
I start my one-on-one coachings by saying, “How are you doing?” My students know I mean it, truly. Before I ask, “What did you practice?” or “When are you submitting your recording?” or “Where were you last week?” I need to make sure my students are surviving. It’s okay to […]
I am a work in progress. Well into my forties, I still learn how to do my work better every single week. I discover new approaches, new tools, new ideas. I seek them. It’s important to me that we make sure that this is the paradigm our students adopt: I […]
I am so glad that music classes rarely focus on winning. Even at state adjudicated festivals, even at the World Choir Games, judgements are based on objective assessments, not on a true head-to-head competition. So any awards or “wins” can be filed under “reaching the ensemble’s potential.” The reason I’m […]
There are two phases of skill growth. One requires solo work, the other requires help. There is a phase when you are developing a skill when doing it every day will lead to inevitable improvement. If you do sit-ups every day, you will get better. If you sing every day, […]
My friend Fred retired this year after several decades brilliantly teaching Calculus. While we didn’t get to interact as often as I would like while he taught (we were both occupied with reaching our own students) he has become a perfect example to me of what a great teacher looks […]
I’m teaching basic reharmonization techniques in my Jazz Theory class. The hardest part for students to wrap their heads around is that there are no easy rules. It’s easy to understand why. Their exposure to music theory is all in the traditional Western tonal theory. You know, the one with […]