Have you ever wondered how some of our students seem to naturally catch on and succeed in their studies? They may or may not have an extraordinary aptitude in any particular content area, yet they can grasp and apply the fundamental concepts in a variety of subjects and excel. Some would say it is because […]
Leading Voices: No, Really . . . They are Worth Your Time
They can be used once a week, when a choir starts learning a new song, or just before an adjudicated choral music festival. They are a quick and effective instructional and assessment tool appropriate for the upper Elementary Choir through the Collegiate Honor Ensemble. They can be designed using Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, aligned […]
Leading Voices: By Teaching, We Learn – Students Teaching Students
It wasn’t until I started teaching that I understood how to become a better student and a more effective teacher. The education I received as a child and adolescent was primarily subject-centered and focused on the acquisition and consumption of factual knowledge. As I moved from one grade to another, I formed the understanding that […]
Leading Voices: Promoting Student and Ensemble Autonomy: The Individual Ensemble Musicianship Project
Challenging, Frustrating, Depressing Encouraging, Disappointing, Intriguing. These are the words I frequently use to describe what it is like teaching high school vocal music during the pandemic. It has become quite evident in the last ten months that The Pre COVID traditional educational model is becoming outdated and may no longer be adequate for post-COVID […]
Leading Voices: Positive Reappraisal: Adapting Instruction and Managing Stress
Adapting Instruction and Managing Stress I am growing weary of being told that teaching virtual and hybrid vocal music is only “temporary.” I emphatically disagree. The virtual and hybrid vocal music model may be temporary, but its adverse effects on my music students and our program will be felt for years. In response to the […]
Leading Voices: Who is Your Vygotsky?
Who is Your Vygotsky or MKO? I learned to ask this question last spring when two of my theory students informed me that they were working together and helping each other out with their online assignments. At the time, I did not make much of their comment. As a seasoned K – 12 vocal music […]