[HANASHIR:14682] Re: Starting a music program

[Burton A. Zipser <zipmusic...>]

Dear Reader,
        In response to the question of how t start or create a music
program, please consider the following as a possible prerequisite.
(After all, you wouldn't be teaching Hebrew if you couldn't read or
speak it, or both.)
        Since no one has ever taken a poll to find out what
qualifications are required in order to be a music teacher/song
leader in a Jewish congregation or school, please forgive the
following if it is something you learned while preparing to be a
music educator in most of the college music programs.
        Unless you are directing a choir, you are essentially
teaching what is referred to as "general music".  In public schools
it can begin in kindergarten or first grade.  It is taught in most
schools through grade seven (assuming that the music program has not
been cut or reduced in your school), and may continue in high school
with a music appreciation class.
        You would be expected (at least) to play a keyboard, a
guitar, know how to sing acceptably, and would have learned that
general music includes five areas of activity (in no special order):
singing, listening, instrumental activity, rhythmic activity, and
creative activity.  Many of you are doing all or most of these, at
least on a basic level. To wit:
        Singing involves unison singing, with simple harmony parts
being added around grade four (age 9 which is the age when children
can cooperate in groups).
        Rhythmic activity involves clapping hands, walking in rhythm,
or striking instruments, such as drums, tambourines, sticks, and even
some melodic percussion.  The child should be able to play steadily
and independently from the melody.
        Instrumental activity involves blowing, striking, or
strumming an instrument. Instruments used might be a recorder,
flutophone, or chord instruments like an autoharp, as well as
percussion instruments.
        Creative activity may include composing a melody, creating
new words to an existing melody, creating rhythmic accompaniments.
        Listening requires audio-visual equipment such as a record
player, tape recorder, or a CD player.
        The unfortunate part of general music in a Jewish classroom
is that it is usually not available every week and appropriate
printed and audio materials are not usually available.  However, if
all you are doing is singing, you are short-changing your students
and not taking advantage of skills they may be learning in the public
schools they attend.