Third-Stream Music Education

Can of Worms

May 13th, 2009

Here’s a can of worms:

The day after the big concert…..to party or not to party? Call it a bribe, call it unhealthy, call it what you will. Opponents insist that giving the students candy or other treats is not good educational practice. Supporters hold that goodies are a reward for a job well done when presented after a job and under the condition that the job was done well. Where do you stand on the treats debate?

For my part, I used to be a stick in the mud, following the principal’s/superintendent’s instruction that “every minute of class time must count towards meeting standards”. This seemed right to me, as I planned and focused on how to conduct, sectional, instruct and cajole my students to sweepstakes ratings. The day after the concert, even while critiquing last night’s performance, was the first day of rehearsal for the next show. I used to be much less smooth on the day after the concert: beating kids over the head with the critique process and then passing out the first piece of the next set of repertoire. However, as I grow into this profession, I find myself much more interested in whether the students feel good about being in Band. It can’t always “be fun”, but if I can just keep them in there long enough to feel the glory of the audience applause, then I know they will stick with it longer. I have come to see the benefit of letting the Band members feel as if they are not focused, as if learning has been paused for one period. Therefore, after the long, uphill fight to concert readiness, I now take a whole day “off”: watch movies, eat candy, have a party in class.

Except that even while we blow off learning for the day, the movies are of their own performance and then of professional ensembles, and the party is themed around excellence in music. And the sweets are diabetic-friendly. Party on, Wayne!

Entry Filed under: Recruiting & Retention