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Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Band Director Wants Kids to Bedazzle
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A sorta metro-Atlanta teacher send this to me via e-mail the other day:
“Here is a subject I have given much thought, and I wonder what other teachers think about this issue…
I have been teaching (band) for almost 10 years. I have had some very good students over the years, but there is something missing in most of the kids I teach on a daily basis - the desire to ‘bedazzle.’
When I was a kid, I wanted all of my teachers and peers to think I was the wittiest, sharpest, and most talented kid around - and most of my friends were the same way. No one had to “show” or “teach” me all the fingerings on my trumpet…once I had the basics, I took off from there, developing a lightning fast chromatic scale (that I can’t even replicate today - I really need to practice my horn…). I had some great teachers along the way, but deep down I know that most of my ambition and drive came from within.
As I was helping a young clarinetist learn her chromatic scale, note by note, for an upcoming audition, I started wondering where students’ initiative to learn on their own has gone. I am glad to help this student, and I am pleased to see a spark in her to improve, but am I responsible for teaching her everything about playing the clarinet? At some point, the student must be responsible for learning the nuts and bolts of playing their instrument, just as they must learn the nuts and bolts of writing a paper, solving equations, etc.
Where has the desire to do well gone? Where has the desire to do well, because it is expected and you want to, gone? At what point do we hold students (and parents) responsible for their learning and education?”
Thoughts?
