Those All Important Vowels A-E-I-0-U

It's the start of another school year! New school years, like new beginnings, are filled with the hopes, aspirations, and questions of students and teachers alike. Will this be the year that all the students finish their method book? Will the students gain a new appreciation for music? Will the students achieve their potential? How will the concerts go? How will we do in the festival? The list of questions goes on and on.

Only time will reveal the answers to chose and a myriad of other questions that will arise. Each of the aforementioned questions relate to a specific goal. But, perhaps equally important, is the process or the journey toward chose goals.

It is important for us, as music teachers, to keep our eye on our goal, or perhaps we should say-goals. Two of our goals should be: first to develop our band's musicianship providing an aesthetic experience to the highest degree possible, and second, providing each of our band members with a wonderful, comprehensive music education.

There is, however, a third goal-to nurture the growth of our students so that each one becomes a better person. To that end, use the vowels A-E-I-O-U. That is, more specifically, Affirmation, Energize, Integrity, Others, and Understanding.

Affirming your students involves noticing and praising them for who they are, not for what they accomplish. Make certain that you give as much attention and praise to the less talented students as you do to those "first chair" players. Show your students that you respect and appreciate them, regardless of their accomplishments. Demonstrate that they are validated and valuable.

Energize your teaching. To maximize your energy level, be sure to exercise your body and mind. Hike, bike, swim, jog, golf, or even walk routinely. Another tip is to eat less "fast food." Teachers (especially music teachers) expend themselves daily. It is difficult to affirm others when there is no energy left. One way to retain our enthusiasm for music is to treat ourselves regularly to great music whether it is live concerts or fine recordings.

Integrity, including honesty and commitment, is an important virtue to model. Make certain your students honor the commitments they make even when they don't feel like it. One way to teach integrity is to praise honesty and to create consequences for dishonesty, insincerity, and deceitfulness.

Others are equally important. In this "me-first" society, culture, and generation where the individual is the center of their universe, it is important to teach students to think of others and their welfare. It is sometimes helpful to remind students of the golden rule: "Do unto others what you would have chem do unto you." You can demonstrate chis principle by showing your students that you value the work and classes of your colleagues in other musical genres and other disciplines.

Understanding your students will allow you to be a better teacher and will provide the opportunity for more effective teaching. A good teacher understands students' learning styles, musical and personal needs-even their family situation. It is difficult for a student to "give their all" when they or a family member has been ill or if there has been a death in the family. Understanding your students implies that we, as teachers, demonstrate compassion and empathy for them. It's never too late to start using these vowels, A-E-1-0-U, to nurture the growth and development of your students so that each one becomes a better person.

Published in Kjos Band News, Fall 2003, Volume 8 Copyright © 2003 Neil A. Kjos Music Company 

BRUCE PEARSON is a world-renowned music educator, author, composer, and clinician. He is the author of the Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method— regarded as the most important contribution to the field in the last three decades—and the groundbreaking Best In Class Comprehensive Band Method. His latest contribution, co-authored with Ryan Nowlin, is the Tradition of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method. This next-generation performance-centered curriculum sets a new barre by seamlessly blending time-tested and innovative pedagogy with cutting-edge technology.