A shorty…

Just a short thought to share…

Believe it or not, we just finished our second week of school. The students are super motivated, bring a positive energy to the classroom, and are already expressing their interests in music inside/outside of school. It is also clear that these interests are influencing their desire for quality in the classroom.
As we consider our assessment design and our space for student reflection, the vernacular musicianship the students bring to the classroom will play a prominent role.  We have spent as much time in our ensemble classes sharing our current interests and projects as we have rehearsing the assigned literature. Yet, the student performance has increased immensely. 

What is the balance in the classroom? Even in my second year, I am still learning and adjusting our balance. I wonder if others do the same in their classroom. If, as the facilitator of the classroom, I can blur the line between in school and out of school music, I believe the students will grow as musicians. Stay tuned…