Music Connects Us: The Value of Music In Our Schools

We at Alfred Music believe that muic education is essential to a well-rounded education and that every person should have the opportunity to experience the joy of making music. In celebration of NAfME's Music In Our Schools Month ® this March, we're sharing stories from music teachers around the country that show how music connects us all, and the value of high quality music programs in schools.

"I have always pondered the meaning of this saying, 'Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.' (Luke 6:40) I always saw it as a challenge to me, as a teacher, that the students can only go as far as I can take them. I have also always felt that it is my job to prepare students for their next step musically. Nearing his graduation from college, I had the pleasure of gigging with [former student] Dustin for a week. It was a pleasure to perform alongside him and be able to enjoy his playing as a colleague and 'fully trained' musician—no longer as a teacher/student relationship."

— D an Meador, Nashville, TN

"Teachers with difficult-to-pronounce last names often go by nicknames, but I never thought I’d be one of them. When I started teaching, I assumed that students would call me 'Mr. Sargent' and that would be the end of it. However, between my high expectations for students and my own struggles with classroom management, I ended up with a nickname I didn’t expect.

One day during my first year of teaching, after insisting that my beginner saxophone students all use a fresh reed (something they all very badly needed to do), an eager fifth grader blurted out 'That’s why we call you Sarge VADER!' Apparently my evil ways were rivaled only by Sith Lords. At the time, I just rolled my eyes, figuring the name wouldn’t even last through the rehearsal. I was wrong.

Every day for the rest of the year, beginning band students referred to me as Sarge Vader—even in front of parents and other teachers. I don’t want to know what parents thought about a teacher their kids referred to as a movie villain.

I knew the only way to show these students that I was on their team was to meet them where they were, so to speak. For the last rehearsal before the concert, I purchased a plastic toy lightsaber (red, of course), and hid in my office until the entire band was set up. Then I came out wielding my new 'baton.' The kids predictably loved it, and I learned a valuable lesson: forming meaningful relationships with students is about more than just making great lesson plans or getting 1st at contest."

—Ryan Sargent, Boulder, CO

“I’m a private piano teacher, but I’ve seen first-hand the impact that music programs in school have on students. One of my little piano students is involved in music at her school. She learned recorder, like everyone else, but is also playing in the percussion section of the band. In our piano lessons, she loves to show me her worksheets and whatever new music or concept they’re learning, and she is always so excited about it! She’s a very enthusiastic student who already practices diligently every week, but I’ve also seen how playing percussion has improved her rhythm skills at the piano. And because she was already learning piano, jumping into music classes and ensemble rehearsals was a super easy transition for her. Through this I realized that music education isn't just classes in school or just private lessons. They go hand-in-hand and both benefit the other.”

—Heidi Smith, Lancaster, CA

"Most of the time when we think of 'great music,' our favorite band or famous composer will come to mind. But we have to remember that they all started out as beginners. No fame. No greatness. No fans (not yet). But it is at this novice level where I see so much growth and change happening in my students.

At Turtle Bay Elementary in Redding CA, I was blessed recently to be able to introduce our 3 ^rd graders, all of whom started playing recorders this year for the first time, to the Soundation website. Each of my four classes spent 30 minutes collaborating together, mixing and matching different beats and melodies. Starting with a basic beat and trying out different melodies with it, they were able to experience composing at a very basic level. The level of excitement grew with each added layer of music!

Once they completed their pieces, I used them as background music for a compilation of video clips from their winter concert and posted it on our YouTube channel. This was a whole new level of excitement for them! As they watched themselves perform, I could see their faces light up when their song began playing! They had such a sense of pride and accomplishment!

This is why I teach music—this is what it is all about. Sheer joy and excitement about creating music!"

—J.J. Wilder, Redding, CA

Do you have a story to tell on how music connects us? We'd love to hear it. Tell us in the comments below!