Kids Love Music
Children’s Music Education is too important to be minimized or overlooked.
Articles and lists of why children need to be learning music are easily found on the net.
Everything from improved brains to social and educational benefits. So we can conclusively establish that learning to play a musical instrument is vital for everyone.
Yet, educational authorities have allowed music to be marginalized in many schools.
It seems kids have stopped listening to classical music or learning to play an orchestral instrument? And apparently, 75% of high school students in the US never or rarely take lessons in arts or music. This is not looking good.
I would like to see every school with orchestras, bands, choirs and a good supply of musically competent teachers. Because there’s nothing like enjoying an orchestra playing your favorite music to help you feel great as it rebuilds you from the inside out.
Anyway, what does Richard Gill the highly respected advocate for Children’s Music Education say?
“Don’t be fooled into thinking that because children are listening to pop music at school they are receiving a music education. Indeed, just listening to music of any kind is not music education. What’s more if you peel away the pop jargon, the music the kids are listening to is essentially a simple melody – lots of rhythm and just a waste of time.”
Call me grumpy perhaps, but I have to say, nothing annoys me more than seeing children choosing entertainment through technology.
For instance, kids on a device. IPhone, iPad, spending time scrolling through Facebook and Pinterest images while sorting out twitter feeds.
And there is more. In general education, formal learning is under fire. Have you read about the growing attitudes of some groups of children towards learning in general. A ten year old said this in our local newspaper.
“You Don’t Do School and you just live and learn things…I do whatever I feel like I want to do.”
Mmmm – he will struggle learning music with this attitude. Music is a privilege and a joy but does include attitudes of commitment and hard work.
So! How can we motivate kids to Learn To Play Music? And, how do we motivate the reluctant ones to do so?
Perhaps we might learn something from Youth Sports?
Many children participate in youth sports each year? Viewed as a rite of passage in a child’s development, parents believe that youth sports are good for their kids.
If the clichés that permeate sports broadcasts and locker room speeches are to be believed, sports participation teaches children the value of hard work, builds character, and develops future leaders.
Young children follow and like their sporting heroes and want to be as good as them.
I’m not going to beat about the bush. I think it’s time we considered this a model for Children’s Music Education? Finding music heroes for children to choose to like and follow? Asking this question: ‘Who is your absolute favourite classical musician?’
The real problem is so often children don’t know what music they don’t know about! The music they haven’t heard.
They don’t know what they’re missing until they hear it. And, by tapping into their inner core that loves music, and selecting music outside their experience which will inspire, encourage and motivate, kids can be encouraged to turn around for another look or listen or both. And then it’s: “Oh! I lOVE this music!”
As a former teacher and musician I realise that Kids think classical music is all too complicated and long. My conversation with Kids can go a little bit like this.
“Oh! Chrissy! You actually like Classical Music? Oh I’ll never listen to Classical Music! I don’t like it at all”
“Classical Music” I reply, “should be a grand excuse for stepping out of the world to share exquisite moments of sheer bliss. There’s the have to have music you love to listen to, over and over again. And the magnificent music that keeps us spellbound – the music that you don’t want to ever end.”
As my friend Ginny says: “With classical music you never know what you’re going to get. Some concerts are so exquisite I have to stop myself sobbing out loud.”
Teach Kids Music!
Anyway, moving on. Whether kids play an instrument, sing along, or enjoy the music played by others, every child deserves an adult who will understand how a child can become the very best they can possibly be.
To be sure, teachers who patiently sit through countless music recitals and question their sanity at encouraging those trumpet or violin lessons need do so no longer. A musical moment shared with even one other person, is a treasure that exists at no other time, in no other way.
To be honest I believe the way forward is in ‘Live Music’ being a part of everyone’s day to day. Yet it is not for the majority of people. So why be part of it? Why not we need to ask?”
Stephen P Brown says: “Think about what your plans are tonight or this weekend. Are there simply not enough concerts? Yes – I did just say that.”
When most people think of classical music they think of an orchestra at a large concert hall, but music is far greater than being confined to an exotic square box for a night out once a month or twice a year When someone comes home from work without anything in the calendar (i.e. kids’ sports or band practice, etc.), what do they do? They think of going to a movie, or a restaurant. Perhaps visit a museum at the weekend, or a walk in the park. Some like to annoy a neighbour or family, whilst others potter in the garden.
The more concerts we host, the more they will enter people’s minds; the more the press will include them in the “what to do” listings online and in their papers; the more they will be accessible at times and places more convenient than now. The more concerts you arrange, even for a handful of people, the more music grows to become an essential part of their lives, and at the moment that is truly a God-given gift that most people are missing out on.
Now, hold that thought! On this theme of ‘Go to a concert’ Everyone likes Street Concerts!
And, what can be more exciting for most people than the involvement in sharing live music, whether it be classical, jazz or pop!
Which brings me to the very recent street concert in Sydney. “Visions of Vienna”
The sails of the Sydney Opera House were alive with moving images of paintings by famous Austrian artists. And the music presented in the Opera House Concert Hall by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Austrian Conductor Ola Rudner was a colourful selection of polkas, waltzes and marches. As the music played the people in the street began to dance. It was wonderful, colourful and glamorous!
I think it’s time we found new and innovative ways to make music training more widely available to young people, and to start this during childhood.
When his Auntie left him a piano in her will, Welsh singer, Aled Jones decided he wanted to learn to play Beatles Songs on his very own piano. Needless to say this intriguing beginning began his career with the end result – Aled’s first self-titled album by the time he was 11.
We’ve reached the beginning of the end.
Which brings me to Kids’ Educational Stories about Music. You see, I can’t resist the opportunity to once again mention my children’s books. Just thought I’d throw in a plug for it while we’re all here.
Classical music! Coffee and a good book!
Sounds like a plan!