Philosophy of High School Music Education: Kalli Spaugh
As an educator, I strive to inspire and encourage my students. My ultimate goal is to positively affect lives by giving my students tools to live life as a successful citizen and cultivating a lifelong passion for music. A collaborative classroom that incorporates the methods of Carol Krueger, a vocally healthy and sequenced rehearsal process and a culture of mutual respect and understanding creates the perfect environment to achieve these goals.
The methods of Carol Krueger are being used across the nation to help students easily comprehend complex rhythms and difficult tonal patterns. One way that this can be applied in the choral classroom is when learning a new piece of music. To …show more content…
My ideal rehearsal begins with a focus activity such as journaling, discussion, music literacy activity or a music listening. After this, I move on to a five-step sequenced warm-up; activating the body and mind, breath, phonator, resonator and lastly the vocal range. If needed I could also have a music literacy review here to help introduce concepts relating to our repertoire. After warm-ups, I sequence the music they are learning using the method outlined in The School Choral Program (Holt & Jordan 2008); familiar piece, new piece, piece that needs work, and the fun/choir favorite. During my rehearsal, I also listen to the sound of the choir. If the tone becomes too pressed, breathy, strained or tired I may have to modify my teaching and rehearsal to fit the needs of my …show more content…
As the Choral Director, I would take time for each choir to get off campus and bond over new music and ice breaker games. These games break boundaries that teens often set up to protect themselves and avoid vulnerability. As we break down these boundaries a team like bond will emerge. To continue this bond throughout the year, the choirs will participate in district MPA’s, group trips and service projects. These types of experiences allow students to grow closer together by working towards, or for, something greater than themselves.
In my high school choral classroom, my students will know their voice is always heard and that the choir room is a safe place. Using the aforementioned methods, I can and create musicians and respectful citizens. The focus, sequencing, collaboration, bonding and methods used will allow students to go forward and have a clear understanding of true musicianship as well as the knowledge of what it takes to be a respectful citizen of the modern
As an educator, I strive to inspire and encourage my students. My ultimate goal is to positively affect lives by giving my students tools to live life as a successful citizen and cultivating a lifelong passion for music. A collaborative classroom that incorporates the methods of Carol Krueger, a vocally healthy and sequenced rehearsal process and a culture of mutual respect and understanding creates the perfect environment to achieve these goals.
The methods of Carol Krueger are being used across the nation to help students easily comprehend complex rhythms and difficult tonal patterns. One way that this can be applied in the choral classroom is when learning a new piece of music. To …show more content…
My ideal rehearsal begins with a focus activity such as journaling, discussion, music literacy activity or a music listening. After this, I move on to a five-step sequenced warm-up; activating the body and mind, breath, phonator, resonator and lastly the vocal range. If needed I could also have a music literacy review here to help introduce concepts relating to our repertoire. After warm-ups, I sequence the music they are learning using the method outlined in The School Choral Program (Holt & Jordan 2008); familiar piece, new piece, piece that needs work, and the fun/choir favorite. During my rehearsal, I also listen to the sound of the choir. If the tone becomes too pressed, breathy, strained or tired I may have to modify my teaching and rehearsal to fit the needs of my …show more content…
As the Choral Director, I would take time for each choir to get off campus and bond over new music and ice breaker games. These games break boundaries that teens often set up to protect themselves and avoid vulnerability. As we break down these boundaries a team like bond will emerge. To continue this bond throughout the year, the choirs will participate in district MPA’s, group trips and service projects. These types of experiences allow students to grow closer together by working towards, or for, something greater than themselves.
In my high school choral classroom, my students will know their voice is always heard and that the choir room is a safe place. Using the aforementioned methods, I can and create musicians and respectful citizens. The focus, sequencing, collaboration, bonding and methods used will allow students to go forward and have a clear understanding of true musicianship as well as the knowledge of what it takes to be a respectful citizen of the modern