Chapter 2

Secondary Music
8/31/09
Kelsey Wilhelm

#4 What two attributes should music teachers posses?
Hoffer states in the text that the two qualities a music teacher should have are the true and pure enjoyment of music and the ability to deal with people. These are great reasons for this answer because they underlie two very broad topics. The latter, dealing with people, relates to many different age groups. The teacher must be able to cooperate well with students of a younger age, know how to teach them, interest them, and make them feel excited about what they are doing. You may think this is the only personal relations they must produce, but it is wrong. Teachers must also have good relations with others within the school. They hold a lot of responsibility in becoming a part of different school boards and groups that deal with issues at hand. Look for instance at the cost of a timpani. You must understand that instruments and their maintenance takes a great deal amount of money. Being on the school’s bargaining team or financial board would be creating good personal relations to help benefit the music program’s facilities that may normally have been overlooked.
As an example, an article in the Music Educators Journal announced the “Rally for Music Education” where teachers, professors, and music personnel went to the Capitol to present new ideas for educational reform in the schools music programs. Such personal relationships and skill must be presented in order to get full points across and help the other parties understand the current situations. As many know, music programs tend to be a bit neglected and these types of situations can be addressed properly.
Fehr, Rosalind C., from Music Educators Journal; Jun2009, Vol. 95 Issue 4, p10; accessed 8/30

Secondly, being a true enjoyer of music. Being an enjoyer of music is something COMPLETELY different than being an enjoyer of performing, or being an enjoyer of the applause. To be able to find something enjoyable from a fifth grade band performing the ever over played “Ode to Joy”, not because of their weaving intricate melodic lines or thick gruesome harmonies, but rather in the sound of a young band finding that enjoyment and understanding of music is what the teacher must enjoy in music.
An article written by Rhonda Bernard asks the question, “What is the difference of teaching and making music and how do you mingle and combine the two.” First of all, like Hoffer, she states that you must know your personal objectives and know that you are there to teach the student and not fulfill personal musical performance goals (for personal praise). The underlying idea here is that being a teacher is primarily and foremost about the STUDENTS, not the professor, coach, or whatever it maybe. You must ask yourself, “What will I teach for, to entertain, learn, babysit, or personal goals?” These all play a large role in how you will project yourself to your students and the potential audiences.
Bernard, Rhonda, from Music Education Research; Nov2004, Vol.6 Issue 3, p281-298, accessed 8/30

#5
Continually self evaluating is a large role in the constant learning process. You must always find a way to better yourself and you can’t do that if you feel nothing is wrong. Joining in groups such as MENC and other conferences can help you be able to network with people in the similar education areas. This gives you clinics and people to communicate and ask questions to. Bringing in outside directors or musicians into your classroom can also help you and your students to witness something new and learn from another point of view.