Music Philosophy

Music embodies human culture. Culture is life. What we think, what we do, what we feel. Music is the universal language. It has the power to bring humanity together by reminding us of our similarities. Our innate sense of soul, our vast range of emotions, and many questions from our analytical minds are summoned up in the echoes of music. Music evokes excitement, empathy, and exploration in all of its students.

Music is the organization of sound. When students are given opportunities to explore music, they will inevitably learn how to make order out of chaos. They can learn to take random notes or sounds and put them together in ways that make musical sense. When they do this, something beautiful emerges. A song, a creation, a piece of art. Music is a wonderful conduit for individual and group success. Many valuable life skills can be gained from the study, creation, and performance of music.

Music is an art-form with complex patterns, intricate details, and liberating depth. Music inspires all that hear it, expands all that create it, and fundamentally changes those who live within its flow. George Harrison put it best when he sang, “And the time will come when you see we’re all one, and life [music] goes on within you and without you.”

Core Values

Hello again self. Why is it important to have values? This is a questioning worth exploring. Core values are the principles that each of us live by. It is important to understand what your underlying principles are. If you are aware of them, you can change them or strengthen them or come to see yourself more clearly. We all have biases and prejudices that we need to recognize and often come to grips with before we can change or correct them. Our principles guide us on how to behave or respond to any situation that we are in. Unlike rules, principles don't tell us exactly what to do in each situation, but they give us a foundation to work from. Having core values or principles give us a healthy place to start when solving problems in the real world. When our values are good ones, they free us and help us to act in a consistent and appropriate way whatever our situation may be.

Some values I find most important as a music teacher are...

1) Love of children

2) Every child can learn

3) Music is worthy of study

4) Freedom of ideas & expression in the classroom

5) Classrooms are communities

6) Restore Integrity - Do the right thing, especially when no one is watching!

Hello, Future Me!

Here we finally are! It's been a long time coming. Too long really...I think we were ready for this a few years back. You've been institutionalized just in time to find that the real world can't be re-created in a text book. Now your education truly begins! Just try to tap into that excitement & energy that you had when you committed to travel this long road. Remember it's all about helping your students become better individuals. Music is an excellent medium for that goal. You're a teacher fist, then a musician!

Core values? They have certainly been changing & developing up to this point. The key is to never let them stop developing. You're not going to have it all figured out anytime soon, so stay open-minded to other perspectives. Listen to & learn from those that are placed in your path. Work hard, be passionate, think outside the box. Love people, love yourself, love what you teach. Be positive. Show your students what music can do for them by sharing shamelessly what it has done for you.

Music will need to be defended wherever you find yourself. Remember that you are on the front lines! If you don't do it, very few will. You are an advocate for music in your community, big or small. Show them by example. Let your program sing with excitement & energy! If you program is weak, make it strong. If it's strong, make it stronger. There will always be a need for the power of music in the life of a student, school, & community!
Most important thing to do right now? Pray like everything is up to God, & then go to work like everything is up to you! Be willing to work your but off. You're not in college anymore. This is your chance to do something great, to contribute to society, to do something that should be remembered. Don't blow it! Well, it's been nice taking to me. Good luck, self!