Teaching Music Philosophy

My Teaching Philosophy and Vision for My Classroom and My Educational Goals

                                                                                                             By

                                                                                                    Amy Braica

My teaching philosophy

         I believe that music is the greatest gift I can give my students. Music is a profound expression from the human soul. Music connects human beings to one another. In solitude, music stimulates the mind and combines ideas in ways that only music can. Music is a mode of expression that goes beyond mere words and it is a culturally binding force that can bring us together as a species.

         Through the discipline of practicing music and thinking creatively, it is my job to encourage self-awareness and self esteem in my students through intellectual and social exploration of music as an art form. I know from experience that music can draw many troubled students back into participating in school culture and education as a whole. An important part of my work as a teacher is to encourage students to more fully engage with all of their classes and teachers. A successful music program is not just successful when it trains professional musicians but also when it plays a major role in the personal growth of every student in the program. No student regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual preference or physical or mental ability or disability should be considered a throw away human being. I have been taught to play the violin by a deaf violinist who had to lip read to understand my questions as her student. She taught me well as a budding violinist and as a future teacher that students shouldn’t be underestimated.

My vision for my classroom

            I want my classroom to be a place of learning and experimentation. I want students to feel comfortable taking musical risks because that will lead to greater mastery over music expression. Trying a new way to perform a song or composing a new piece of music is very personal and the rejection of the effort may make be taken by some students as a rejection of themselves. My classroom should have order and efficiency but it should also be a place where people feel comfortable trying out new musical ideas.

My educational goals

            As a music teacher, I believe that I have a duty to make sure my classes meet national and state standards as well as exceed these standards in one or more content areas every year. I believe in a strong general music program that couples music appreciation with musical performance. Every student should have opportunities to perform on instruments from the various sections of the orchestra. Students should also have opportunities to learn to read music, to learn music theory and to compose music as well. While it is common to have elementary classes that use folk songs and world music folk songs, I believe that it is also important for students especially those in the upper grades to be exposed to current music from around the world. Students should become aware that other countries and cultures have thriving arts communities that are generating new and complex music.

             As a professional singer and voice teacher I will have a significant amount of singing content in my curriculum. Much of the vocal music that I plan to use in my classrooms will come from the western classical tradition, folk music, musical theater, gospel, Jazz, Latin music and world music. As a teacher I also believe that it is important to incorporate music from the musical and cultural backgrounds of the students that I am teaching. Additionally, students should perform at state and local civic events and events that represent school pride.