Musician AND a Teacher

I love music!

No kidding. 

It is a part of my every day life.  I wake up to my digital radio.  I practice at least one instrument a day. (I will admit, some days that means singing harmony to the radio) I listen to music while I read, clean, and cook.  Music is integral to who I am.  

My point?

Music educators synergize two separate parts of themselves in the classroom. We are like an old school record.  Two sides to the same album.

SIDE A: Child developmental specialist, certified educator, reading and math integrator, educational researcher, continual learner, event coordinator, schedule master, curriculum writer, standards evaluator, teacher.

SIDE B: Musicologist, ethnomusicologist, music theologian, songwriter, singer, conductor, hymnologist, music sociology, history of music education, Kodaly, Dalcroze, Orff, instrumental education, vocal education, general music education, performer, music technology coordinator, musician.

Some of those descriptions could fit on either side.  But, what is important, is that neither side is replaceable in the music classroom. A general education teacher cannot replace a good music teacher.  A good musician cannot replace a good music teacher. It takes the complete package to have a good music education program, from private lessons to college classes.

It is imperative that music educators not only improve their craft as educators, but also continue to develop as musicians. 

This has come close to my heart over the last couple of years, but has really been a part of my life longer that that. Starting in high school, I became involved in community band. Over the years and travels to different cities, I have located and joined community bands, local orchestras, and worship teams.  Not has this endeavor served as a creative and social outlet, it has improved my musicianship.  

One year...

I didn't join...

I didn't realize how important it was to be a musician and an educator until that year.  It was a dark time for this musician.  

Now?  Community music, or not, I practice for me.  I practice for my own musicianship.  I practice for the joy of music.  I celebrate that I am an educator and musician.  

So how do you music?

Musically,

Jennifer

Jazz Apriciation Month

April is one of my favorite units.

Jazz Appreciation Month!

Jazz and Opera were the concerts I went to with my grandparents.  (And yes, I did think it was cool.)  Over the years I have enjoyed the Queen City Jazz Band, Diana Krall, Ron Miles, Miles Davis, my local jazz radio, Swing dancing in Denver, and much more.  I cant think of a style of music that is as unique and diverse as musical styles of Jazz.

To begin the month I read "Freddy The Frog and they Flying Jazz Kitten" to every class.  It comes with a read-a-long CD that has fabulous background music. There are also some fun coloring sheets online.

Then we talk about scat.  Thanks to the UWyo Faculty Jazz, and the Fabulous Dr. McKeage, I use assorted jazz prases to help students devlop guided jazz improv. "Blank Blues" is a must for practicing improv at any level  I also tie in recorder and chord structure for the older classes. This approach made teaching elmenary jazz extremely practical and approachable for this classical musician.

Choir is not left out.  I use some of the same materials from the classroom and use them for vocal warm-up time.  I also make sure I have my top 10 tips for vocal improvization posted.

I finish off the month with my favorite Dizzy Gillespie video

I have to say, I love to decorate with my assorted JAM posters, and jazz artist profiles.  The Smithsonian has more fabulous tips and you can even start your own poster collection. To learn more click on the JAM poster below.