Where will all the music have gone?

I find it amazing that in all of the plans and common core standards and all of that, well, yes important stuff, music programs in schools all over this country are facing cuts.  I have heard it at board meetings, only recently and in budget discussions both far and near.  It is incredibly disheartening.  Even colleagues at times have said such disparaging remarks like "why do we even need instrument lessons?  Why can't kids just take private lessons?"  My answer:  because it's a PUBLIC SCHOOL!  (Sorry for the cyber shouting.)  If it wasn't for a public school education, I would never have been able to have music lessons, though I loved music from a very early age.  But I digress...


And yet, I have a question that no one seems able to answer:  If there are no music classes, or music ensembles (or art classes for that matter) who is going to create all of the images and sounds, music  that everyone clamors for in project-based learning, in technology, in multimedia presentations, for differentiated instruction?    If music programs are eradicated from the curriculum for whatever reason, what will the future hold for our culture, our society and the legacy of our nation? 


I'm not going to debate the validity of the pop music culture and the "artistic license" some individuals take.  That's a different discussion.  My question I believe is down to the very core of the issue, as it has been since I started as a music education major years ago now.  What is the value of music education in our society?  


I know, I get it.  Students need to read and write, and perform mathematics for various reasons.  But as educators are we going to face the truth?  If we are to "educate the whole child"  (don't you just love that phrase?) then we must  include the arts as well.  Music is part of the very core of our being.  From mother's womb when she sings to us (good or bad singing notwithstanding) or listening to music and feeling it in herself, her child inside feels it too.  


I know, not every child is going to be a musician, just like not every child will be a doctor or lawyer or ......NOR SHOULD THEY BE.  Each person is unique and therefore has something unique to themselves to contribute to our society in their own way.  But in order to do that, children need the opportunity to learn in ALL fields of learning to make their own informed decisions as to how they want their life to be and how they will contribute.  That information is obtained by a time of study in every field, especially and including the arts.  


Heard this before have you?  Yes, I know.  I've been defending my work for 22 years.  As a music teacher, I still have to "defend" what I do as valuable to some who see me as a nuisance.  We hear the cry for deeper understanding, for data-driven instruction, for common core standards of learning, for teacher accountability.  When will the powers that be follow their own advice, take a look at the data and see the scientific proof that music and art are not only important, but VITAL to the education of every child? 

So what?
So a lot of things.  Taking care of family is so important and usually something has to give.  In my case it was my blog which I actually enjoyed doing.  Now that Mom's health is somewhat better and changes loom in the air, I thought it was time to start writing again.  


So what's the deal with Common Core Standards, SLO's (in NY) APPR's (teacher evaluations) and a whole bunch of other changes coming down upon us next year, at least where I live?  (Really, do we need MORE acronyms in education?)


In doing some research and making some realizations; after contemplating all that I've learned at Full Sail, (and then my navel) and what I've been doing in the last 20 years in my classroom it's time to make a HUGE change in what and how I teach.  


New York State is making huge and admittedly necessary changes in its approach to education.  It has embraced the Common Core State Standards (engageNY.org) revamped teacher evaluations which includes student progress as 20% of a teacher's overall grade and SLO's (Student learning objectives) complete with a formalized format and expected for every student for every lesson, OR unit OR quarter OR year, OR all of the above.  


So what?  In the information age, it's no longer what you know, but learning how to obtain information and then use it.  The idea is to create "deeper" and more "meaningful" learning experiences.  Academic research supports this premise (see Eric Jensen's Book Brain-Based Learning 2nd edition, 2008 just for starters!) and now the paradigm shift begins from "knowing facts" to "knowing how to find and use facts."  (That's not a quote, it's my little mind trying to grasp a concept and put it into simple terms.) 

So what?  What now?  What to do about it?  Change or get run over!  Embrace the change or resist it but change is still coming.  I'm looking back and seeing a few things as I get ready to move ahead.  For me, personally, change is NECESSARY!

One of the reason's I attended Full Sail University last year was because of my district's push to use technology in class (see last year's archives if you want more details).  Little did I know how much that one decision would change my outlook on these changes coming ahead.

I want to amend a familiar saying:  There are only 2 things of which we can be certain: death and taxes.  Rather it should say "There are 3 things of which we can be certain:  death, taxes and CHANGE.

Change is inevitable, even if it's cyclical.  Even if it has already been here before, like fashions or the seasons, it is still change.  It may have hallmarks of being here before, but it's never quite exactly the same as before.  Some change is easily assimilated, some is not.  Each person handles it differently.  But I think success in these changes in education will best be met by accepting rather than fighting the change.

I have learned I cannot always control what happens to me.  I can only control how I handle what happens to me.  I can be reactive or proactive.  I am choosing the later.  

So now the next phase of my Full Sail experience begins.  Using the examples of my course directors as a guide, it's time to embrace the new ways and carefully discard those ways that are no longer useful.  Constructivism learning theory is the order of the day.  Now how to make it work?

So what?  So in a nutshell it means using project-based learning (PBL).  I was looking for help in this area.  How do I go deeper into musical learning, meet Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Math, STEM and all of the other requirements and still provide a  meaningful musical experience?

So, that's what this blog is now going to be about.  Perhaps if I chronicle what I learn, it will help me keep it straight in my mind, and just possibly help someone else along the way.

So let's start simply.  I found a website that might be helpful as a starting point.  Buck Institute of Education has very clear and simple step on how to start in project based learning.  They also offer resources for sale, samples of lesson plans (complete with rubrics) for those who want them.  I recommend taking a look if anyone is  interested or needs assistance.

So what?  So here we go.  Let the change begin.  I just hope I can keep up!  (LOL!)