Overview of my Proposal
In 2009, I wrote “Guitar Music for Children and Beginners” in response to needs that I saw in the classrooms that I taught, which I will describe later. The rationale is that “pre-reading” children ages 5-7 can learn simple ways to read music that are connected to their listening that are not necessarily the same literacy as standard notation, but will benefit them at their current learning level as well as the future. A simple example of this is guitar tablature, which has both the ability to expediently teach the method of guitar playing, as well as having a historical significance in 16th century lute music, (which was written in tablature) as well as multidisciplinary benefits, such as mathematical. An understanding of music in multiple representations has also proven to improve the brain’s functionality in a multitude of different ways, which we are working on in Music-In-Education (MIE).
In 2009, I wrote “Guitar Music for Children and Beginners” in response to needs that I saw in the classrooms that I taught, which I will describe later. The rationale is that “pre-reading” children ages 5-7 can learn simple ways to read music that are connected to their listening that are not necessarily the same literacy as standard notation, but will benefit them at their current learning level as well as the future. A simple example of this is guitar tablature, which has both the ability to expediently teach the method of guitar playing, as well as having a historical significance in 16th century lute music, (which was written in tablature) as well as multidisciplinary benefits, such as mathematical. An understanding of music in multiple representations has also proven to improve the brain’s functionality in a multitude of different ways, which we are working on in Music-In-Education (MIE).
Goals for my Internship
My goals can be summed up in three different categories: I would like to know how and in what ways my children’s book benefits children; I would like to make further steps toward creating a lesson plan that keeps students’ musical literacy skills in step with their technical ability and helps students who are stronger in areas other that music; and I would like to document my student’s progress based on their improvement in overall musical literacy. I would hope that by the time I finish my Internship that I will have articulated a method that improves a beginner’s overall musicianship as well as their technical skills on guitar.
Documentation
I plan to begin before the Internship begins by articulating a detailed rubric and lesson plans for the entire semester. During the Internship I plan to write down all of my reflections, which I will use to assess my progress. I also plan to assess the student’s musical aptitude according to a method developed by the MIE department. I also plan to occasionally record lessons through various electronic media which I will compare to the lesson plans and an after class assessment. I plan to use any media that I take during class for my after-class assessment. I will focus on key points and moments in the classroom and highlight them in my portfolio based on the material collected from my lesson plans, reflections and media.
Questions that I would like to like to pursue during the course of my Internship:
How does one integrate music theory, music history and ear-training into instrumental education at a young age?
How does the introduction of multiple literacies supplement traditional music education for beginning guitarists?
How does my “Guitar Music for Children and Beginners” book supplement traditional music education?
Details of Internship: Location
The tentative location of the Internship is the Wang YMCA in Chinatown. The music teacher there is Johnny McInnes. Wang YMCA has a variety of different programs for youth from an array of different ethnic backgrounds. I would like to do the same internship over the course of two semesters to improve the accuracy of my data.
Wang YMCA in Chinatown: http://www.ymcaboston.org/wang/
Applications of my Internship and Future Plans
After I receive my Masters in Music from the New England Conservatory I plan to return to my life as a full-time musician and teach and perform within the community. My desire is to use my time at the Conservatory to reflect upon my previous teaching experience, identify and learn key areas that are important to myself as an Artist/Teacher/Scholar, to try out and collect data on new ideas during experiences like my internship and to use this scholarship to build upon my current teaching and performing style. The hope is that this research will help me find new opportunities as a musician as well as work with more satisfaction.
As for my book, I would like to republish my “Guitar Music for Children and Beginners” book and method in a way that draws a broader audience of students, parents and teachers that are looking for material to supplement their traditional guitar program.
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