One of the most precious opportunities we have as string teachers is the possibility of long term relationships with our students and their families. It is practically impossible to mask our character or what we really value and care about over so much time-- sometimes as much as 15-20 years!
Any of the folks that have studied at the MBU String Prep School over the years can tell you that we have had wonderful opportunities to make great music and grow as musicians. However, they can also probably tell story after story of miscommunication, lack of proper lead time, etc., etc, etc.. Thankfully, many of those same folks have helped us (me!) to develop certain practices that help to improve communication and relations with our students.
In this particular forum, please share an anecdote of the best and worst incidents that you remember. If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve student relations at the String Prep School, please include those as well!
I really enjoyed reading this chapter. There were many things in this chapter that brought back memories when I was a kid, and also some important reminders that I needed as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's so important to take interest in your students. If a student is involved in other things other than just learning how to play a specific instrument, I especially think it's important to know your student. When you know your student well, you'll be able to adjust your teaching to their life-style. I especially find it important since I'm a visual learner. If you know what your student likes or dislikes, you might be able to give them better visual pictures that actually means something to them and therefore might help teach a concept to them!
Another thing that I think is really important is being able to jam and play with kids their age. Jamming is one of my favorite things to do especially since I have a lot of fun! I was so excited when we had our combined group class this past Tuesday. I think that this is so beneficial for the kids!! Not only will they become better musicians, but they will also become friends. Growing up, my teacher played with me a lot. Even though I liked playing with her, I enjoyed playing with my siblings and my friends from my group class much better! :)
The last thing that I thought was so important to be reminded of was to plan recitals. Personally, in my family, we plan little recitals for our grandparents all the time. When I was younger, we did it much more!! I was so proud of my progress and was happy to play for people, especially to make my dad proud. :) It's important to encourage our students to play for their families and friends. If your student is excited what he/she is learning, I believe that it will encourage more eager learning!! As for formal recitals, I think that it's important for a student to play in a formal recital. Even though most of the time they are nervous, it is good for them to play in front of an audience. Formal recitals are a great way to get the whole family and even extended family involved. It's our responsibility as teachers to make sure that our students have an avenue to display their progress that happens both in the lesson time and at the practice time at home. I know my parents were always encouraged at recitals. "I know it's worth it to pour all that time and money into lessons when I hear (so and so...one of my siblings) perform and I have tears in my eyes." I know other parents probably feel the same way mine do :) Not only is it good for your students, it also is good for you...it keeps you accountable!!!
I especially like your thoughts about adjusting your teaching for a particular student. We shouldn't be "robot" teachers - that would be not only be very boring but also counterproductive. Truly being interested in the lives of the students makes the student, the parent, and the teacher enjoy the musical experience of lessons.
DeleteI like what you said, that a teacher's student(s) are different learners. It helps to know the students better, so that you can meet those needs of their learning progress.
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DeleteI thought your idea of jamming was very compelling and true. Students love being able to play with other students and make real music with them. Personally, I can remember all the fun that I had playing in the many groups a Maranatha.
DeleteStudent relations are a vital part of teaching music, and making music lessons a career. But teachers must remember that they are not simply teaching to make money - although that may be the outcome - they are teaching individual people that have individual needs. Teachers must personally invest in their students to have the most successful outcomes both relationally and musically.
ReplyDeleteI was blessed to have very good violin teachers - both group and private - that took the time to invest in me. The best anecdote I have to share would be finding a new instrument. No, my violin teacher didn't have to help me in this process, but she gave of her time and researched with me to find the best instrument for me and my level of playing. It made the experience of purchasing a new violin enjoyable.
It is important as a teacher to have a balance though. A teacher cannot only be a friend because then the lesson times will be unprofitable. The teacher must be a mentor and critical eye for the student in question while approaching the situation with care and kindness.
I think that it is very important for us as teachers to be personally investing in the lives of our students. This is especially true, as it is very easy to get bogged down in teaching and forget that our students have needs.
DeleteI agree, I think its important to find a balance. I have to say that lessons can be the most encouraging part of my week. I think its so important that we are mentoring in a lesson! Sometimes we are the only picture of Christ that our students and their family will ever see!!
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ReplyDeleteI like what you said about how finding an instrument was fun and enjoyable. It helped when your teacher invested time in your life and helped you find a good violin. It made your making music more enjoyable. There definitely has to be balance on that teacher student relationship.
ReplyDeleteWow, the memories are flooding in! Here are a couple of memories that I experienced in my 14 years of playing violin. There are also a couple of things that I thought were important.
ReplyDeleteOne important thing is, the student getting to know the student(s) and the student(s) getting to know the teacher. Getting to know the student helps to teach the student more effectively. I was in two programs. In my previous program, I was not introduced or encouraged to get to know other students. I did not get the impression that the teachers were interested in my life. It seemed like they just wanted the money. At Maranatha, I had a very good relationship with my teachers and fellow students. Playing with my fellow students was a good experience for me. It also encouraged me to play better and become a better musician. It helps when we, as teachers keep that communication going with the student. It helps them grow and encourages them as a musician.
Another important thing is, your communication with the student. it could be sharing your experience in the recital room. This helps the student(s) be encouraged to participate in the recital room. Participating in the recital exposes the student to the public. It keeps them accountable. My memories in the recital room were complete nervousness. Even for the few minuets that I was up there, I was nervous. In fact my mom, at one time, reminded me of one of my first recitals. I did not want to go up there" in front of all those people". Mom said, if I did not go up there, I was going to get it when I returned home. I said, ok, I will do it! It has progressed better through the years. It is definitely a spiritual battle. One side of me battles, I do not want to do this. I was afraid to mess up or something. The other part of me battles, that I want to bless people with my music. I want to bring glory to Jesus. It was a good experience at Maranatha, church and other places that I ministered. People congratulated me ( really God through me). It made me feel really good that God was using me to help someone else be encouraged.
Another memory was playing and having fun together with other students at Maranatha. I did and enjoyed a lot of things that I thought I would never do. This helped me grow and encouraged me in my playing. In my other program, I really did not have as many opportunities to minister. Being able to minister helps them have the experience playing in front of people. It also helps with having fun together with other students. I think it is also important to play music that students like as a whole. It makes the students even grow so much more as a musician.
I liked what you said about sharing your recital experiences. It might have helped to delete some of my pressures if my teachers had told me that! One thing I've learned was that in order to play your best, you need to be relaxed and enjoy your playing! I'll definitely share with my students those experiences to help put them at ease.
DeleteYes, it is important for the teacher to be involved in the students' lives because the student will be more eager to learn and progress with the encouragement and genuine investment from the teacher.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this chapter and I thought that it presented many great ideas on how to connect to students.
ReplyDeleteOne idea that really struck me was how to connect student to one another. I had never thought about having a student come in early to a lesson and play with the student you are currently teaching. I can see how this could be very motivating to both students because they will have some peers that they will want to impress and be like. Also, this will help create friendships that could possible last for many years.
For instance, I think back to the time that I was in group classes at Maranatha. I still remember the many students I played with and how they helped to motive me to be a better player. Also, I created many friendships and several of these are still my good friends.
On the other hand, I think of several instances when I as a student that I did not know what was to be expected at an event because there had been a lack of communication. Therefore, it is very important for us a teachers to be communicating clearly to our students and to their parents. However, I retain many found memories of playing in different groups throughout my time at Marantha String Prep. Program
I've never had the experience of group class before participating in the string prep program, but I do see the benefits of such a class. It helps kids unite with peers who share the same musical interest and it encourages them to improve, especially if their peers are better than they.
DeleteI never thought of the idea of having students play in each others lessons. I think that it could be helpful and also encouraging. I think that this is another great way to introduce students to each other. I think that this is a great way to encourage studnts to play together...especially if your studio if just beginning and a group class hasnt been established yet!
DeleteThis chapter had a lot of interesting and helpful tips as far as promoting studios are concerned. The authors talked a lot about recitals and performing specifically.
ReplyDeleteI remember recitals being something that both my piano, and violin teacher did very well in later junior high and high school. I remember performing in a small concert house with a grand piano and professional accompanist and feeling like a professional musician. This definitely shaped my perceptions about performing.
I can still remember how teachers made (or didn't make) an effort to connect with me. My high school violin teacher always made sure to inquire about how my school was going, how my brother was, or about a recent family vacation at some point in the lesson. This showed me he was concerned about me as a human being and not just as a source of revenue. I trusted him more and was able to communicate better with him because I knew he had my best musical interests in mind.
ReplyDeleteTwo teachers before him, I didn't have a great experience. That violin teacher periodically fell asleep during the lesson. He even asked my mother to babysit his children during my brother's lesson - even when she wanted to be in it to take notes. His actions translated to me as being uncaring and money-focused. Your attitude and the way you treat your students even outside the lesson realm will affect their coming back and whether or not if they'll refer you to other potential students.