When I was in fourth grade, I wanted to join the school band. For most, joining the band is almost a rite of passage, more a question of "when?" rather than "if?" I feel like this is a safe enough space for me to admit that I was a pretty nerdy kid. I loved school and homework and would cry (literally) if I got anything less than 100% on anything. So the school band seemed like a natural fit for the over-achiever in me. When I approached my fourth-grade teacher about signing up, his reaction was unexpected. Instead of encouraging me to test my talent, make new friends, or even to be the best clarinet player in Southern California (probably the most significant potential motive), he cautioned against it. Because I was already teetering on the edge of permanent nerddom, he thought it wise to avoid band and instead run for student government.* My dad was a musician and my friends were joining the band, but I decided that I should protect myself and pass up the potential social suicide that was awaiting me. I ran for secretary of the student government and won. Quite an accomplishment, I know.
Now, of course it's possible that I have built up this experience in my head over the years because, when I went away to college, I ended up being an even bigger loser because I couldn't play an instrument. I do think, however, that this sad little story of mine highlights two very important lessons.
When I became a teacher, I tried to remember this experience. As adults, it is often easier, especially when we're frustrated or are having a bad day, to forget that what we say can have a lasting impact. As a teacher, my experience taught me to really listen to my students. If my fourth graders showed even a small passion for a topic (like the five week span when Luis and Joshua were obsessed with Italy and devoured every related book in the library or when Mamadou's experiments behind a camera lens helped him overcome a language barrier and open up to his classmates), I would try to foster it. I didn't do it at the expense of reading, writing, and arithmetic, of course (just in case the testing gods are listening) but used it to supplement their learning and get them excited about coming to school. My task would have been so much easier if I had access to a database where I could search for all types of pre-funded opportunities for my kids. But, I digress.
Over the next few days, some of our biggest supporters will be sharing their perspectives and personal stories about music education. We'll be highlighting gifts that are available now and ideas for new donors who might want to enrich the academic experience by giving music related gifts. If you'd like to share the gift of music with students who wouldn't otherwise have access, please consider creating an account and then logging in to design a gift.
*I should mention that this particular teacher ended up being one of my favorites.