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Date Posted: 07:16:53 02/14/05 Mon
Author: Jessie
Subject: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved?

Hello Everyone,
I was wondering how much is to much when it comes to being a music educator? Should music teachers also teach privately, lead a church choir, be active in community musicals, and perform? How does family, friends, and personal time fit into a hectic musical lifestyle.

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[> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Dr. O., 07:18:25 02/21/05 Mon [1]

This is one of the pressing issues facing us as music educators. Because music is both an art and an entertainment (remember class discussions?), we are often called upon outside the school setting. People often think: Gee, we need: a church choir director/pianist/soloist; someone to act/sing/play for the community musical; someone to entertain at our club meeting or event; or whatever. Who do they call on? Us, of course. Balancing our teaching, our families, and our professional lives outside teaching is a real challenge.

I sometimes hear people say that for musicians and music educators music MUST be the most important things in your lives. I just can't agree. It's clear to me that successful music teachers virtually always have a genuine love for music, and a passion to pass that music on to others. However, to suggest that you should place music ahead of family, personal life, professional growth...that seems to me to be treading a dangerous and slippery slope.

The most important thing to me is to prioritize. When we look back at various stages of our lives, what will we want to stand out? How will we want to remember those times? Each of us will have our own priorities, and our choices and activities will flow from that.

Dr. O.


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[> [> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Jessie, 09:47:01 02/28/05 Mon [1]

and
>music educators music MUST be the most important
>things in your lives. I just can't agree. It's clear
>to me that successful music teachers virtually always
>have a genuine love for music, and a passion to pass

I am glad you feel that way. I know that when I am finished with my certification I will be able to change a few things in my life. I just don't want to feel guilty that I will be unable to be a private instrucor and teach in a school. I have grown to really love my private students, and know that giving this part of my life up will be hard, but it will be necessary so I will be able to spend quality time with my family!


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[> [> [> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Jaynee, 04:14:07 03/07/05 Mon [1]

It seems like Heidelberg is trying to prepare students for a very busy and maybe stressful life in the real world with a career. But I have to believe that for me, my schedule will get lighter. Since last year I've had at least two breakdowns and I usually handle stress pretty well. I like playing in ensembles but I'm really looking forward to having free time and getting more than a couple hours of sleep each night. I was talking to my cooperating teacher about this and although he does teach some private lessons he is home by 6pm every night. I think the ability to say no is very important.


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[> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Erika, 18:23:29 01/30/06 Mon [1]

I believe that music educators should take every open opportunity they can find to be involved with music. There are a number of ways a music teacher can be involved with music outside of school. Giving private lessons is a good way to earn some extra money and will also make you a better teacher and musician. Being involved with a church choir is another way to be involved with music outside of school. Since usually church choirs only meet on weekday evenings and weekends being involved even if you are a teacher can be accomplished. Many of my past music teachers have also been involved with their church choirs. Performing in city musicals and other community ensembles is another way to keep musically active outside of school.
Even though I believe being involved outside of school is a good idea time management is a big problem. Even though to most music educators music is their passion most people still put their family first. I always have time for my family and I plan on keeping it that way when I become older. Being involved with music is a rewarding experience but families and personal lives come first. Music educators must balance their time so that they have time for what they feel is most important in their lives.


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[> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Honoree Pouly, 09:15:12 02/02/06 Thu [1]

I think that it is a great thing to be involved in music in multiple ways. There are a lot of opportunities, and I think that we as music educators should take advantage of these opportunities. There are many different musical activities to do outside of teaching, and with these options we could choose what fits best in our schedules. so that we are still able to devote time to both our profession and our family while still being involved in other musical activities. It is like putting together a puzzle you have to think through the options and find the piece that fits. Time management is also a very important skill to have along with preparedness.


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[> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Honoree Pouly, 09:16:28 02/02/06 Thu [1]

I think that it is a great thing to be involved in music in multiple ways. There are a lot of opportunities, and I think that we as music educators should take advantage of these opportunities. There are many different musical activities to do outside of teaching, and with these options we could choose what fits best in our schedules. so that we are still able to devote time to both our profession and our family while still being involved in other musical activities. It is like putting together a puzzle you have to think through the options and find the piece that fits. Time management is also a very important skill to have along with preparedness.


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[> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Derek, 11:40:18 02/04/06 Sat [1]

I think the biggest thing for teachers to realize is that people come first, then their subject(s). Base everything off of that. If you feel like you can do more, then do it. If you feel like you're getting burned out, then talk to people around you and see if there's something you could drop for a while. It's important for music educators to be out there involved with as much as they possibly can, and I'm not just saying that because it'll look good for them or their school --- I believe it's the way to live. Get out there and help people in the community -- don't just focus all your efforts on teaching. Be tired at night not because you didn't get any sleep the night before, but because you used all of your time and effort to help serve others.

Just remember that people come first, and teaching is second... (Unless you're applying for a job application, then make it look like you're the hardcore teacher everybody's been waiting for...)


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[> [> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Patrick Clinage, 23:44:36 02/05/06 Sun [1]

i do believe that people/ students do come first but teaching them should also come first... one is not more important than the other... both have to work to reach a common goal... we must learn as teachers to balance both teaching and helping students in the process


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[> Re: How Much Should Music Educators Be Involved? -- Tediyra, 00:01:24 02/06/06 Mon [1]

I could never do so much! Personally, I think you should be involed in your community. You have to give back to the people, especially such a precious gift, but I wouldn't say get involed in everything. It really depends on the person, but for me, it would be voice lessons and the occasional theater work.


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