The title is true for my school anyway. Amid the rigorous academics demands on schoolchildren these days, it is refreshing to see teachers keeping music in the classroom. Most people from my generation got some music instruction, or at least music appreciation, in elementary school. I will never forget Mr. Davis pulling us out of class once a week and teaching us to pluck the guitar saying “Santa Ana freeway” in time. I’ve been carrying that torch, in my small way, ever since I started teaching, keeping music in the schools. This year people including my Principal noticed and gave me 6 hours after school for nothing but a break in the action! It’s going great. To sweeten the deal, somehow in this economy he managed to find a place in the after school grant to purchase the kids 20 brand new nylon string guitars.
I start with the basics and work my way out: the parts, the strings, the chords, then teaching with songs, and later riffs and solos. We are scheduled to do a performance for the board and the parents around January of 2010 which is very good for me. It keeps me focused and energetic to get them doing something tangible. It is easy to just play solos for them for the 30 minutes I see each group. The funny thing is, while I like doing that, I even think they benefit from appreciate music.
I’m fortunate to teach music for a little pay. Having said that, I will always support the arts in school. Now, with these blinding budget cuts in California and across the nation, we need to dig deep to unveil what our true values are. I value language arts and mathematics very much. They are the cornerstone of any job out there. At the same time, music releases the mind to dream and it’s my belief we should do all we can to keep dreaming in the next generation alive. The ability to dream produces the drive to get a job in the first place. You might say where there is no dream, there is no economy. In my world, where there are guitar methods being taught, there are bound to be dreams.
5 Comments
Great story! I always keep a guitar in my classroom (along with a didjeridoo and a shaker or two) Kids are always interested in the instruments and often bring in something of their own to show me. Every once in a while I even play a technology song! Three cheers for Jonathan Coulton.
Keep strummin!
@Jeffrey Slough: That is really encouraging Jeffrey. Woody Guthrie would have called you a coal porter.
Our new music teacher has started a rhythm club. I hope to post video of them soon.
Our principal is going to start playing music based on the music curriculum in the Cafeteria during lunch.
@Kimberly: That is too cool Kimberly. May your tribe increase!
Love it! I have a guitar in my classroom too. Someone once told me all you need is a 5 song repertoire and you can teach just about anything through song!!