Special need students -- Heidelberg MusEd discussion

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 15:37:46 01/24/07 Wed
Author: Emma Hockenbery
Subject: Special need students

I read an article about special need students joining the band. It was nice to read about the inclusion of students like that in musical programs. Has anyone had to deal with students who had disabilities in their bands or choirs? Does anyone have an opinion on how to go about getting an inclusion program started, or how to get the administration and other teachers involved?

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Re: Special need students -- Nickie, 13:56:00 02/11/07 Sun [1]

Legally, inclusion MUST happen in all schools. To have a class of only special needs students is actually illegal. So I guess what I'm saying is... we will ALL have classes and ensembles with students with special needs.

Over the weekend, at OMEA Convention, I attended several workshops regarding inclusion, music therapy, and students with special needs. I learned a great deal about this topic, but unfortunately, for me to type out all that I learned would take too long. If anyone would like to get together to talk about these kinds of issues, I'd be MORE THAN HAPPY to share what I've learned.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about students with special needs and I've been wondering if I could tailor my career to work with these special learners more. Anyway, if anyone would like to hear more about what I learned, please be in touch with me, as it is a topic I love discussing!!!

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ Edit | View ]

[> Re: Special need students -- Chad B, 11:40:09 03/22/07 Thu [1]

I think it is wonderful that special need students are able to participate in music. The benefits and experiences music has to offer students should not be limited by such conditions. We had such a student in our high school choir and despite his condition, he was loving the experience and was well received by the choir and the teacher. There was really no change at all in the way rehearsals were conducted.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ Edit | View ]

[> Re: Special need students -- Amanda Jasko, 16:56:21 05/08/07 Tue [1]

I think that it is amazing that people are starting to include and accept special need kids into band. I think that they can still enjoys the experience and be well recieved in any ensemble that they join.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ Edit | View ]

[> Re: Special need students -- Brian B., 18:43:16 05/08/07 Tue [1]

This is an interesting subject to talk about. It may be illegal to have a special needs only ensemble, but my school actually hosted special needs students. A good portion of these students were actively involved in the choir (one of them actually talks to be at Horneman all the time). All that participated in choir thoroughly enjoyed the experience. As a performer I had mixed emotions about this but looking back I can see the opportunities that it presents. It would be interesting to find out just how that understanding could be spread out between the other members of the choir without singleing the special needs students out.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ Edit | View ]

[> Re: Special need students -- John Weber, 05:22:57 02/11/08 Mon [1]

A flute player back in my high school was mildly autistic, and couldn't ever handle a position in the spotlight or any attention at all, really. The band director placed her in the last chair of the wind ensemble (the better of our two band ensembles) and made it a rule that she couldn't lose that position to anyone who challenged up from the concert band. Instead, they immediately passed over her to the next flutist in line. The autistic girl was basically insured a spot in the better of two bands, even if it was low on the totem pole.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ Edit | View ]

[> Re: Special need students -- Tasia B, 08:27:56 03/25/08 Tue [1]

I absolutely love to work with special needs students! I've taught music to kids with down syndrome and autistism. To watch them learn music in their own special way. I believe they deserve a little one on one attention maybe more than the other students, but they should be encouraged as much as possible. Music is the best medicine for these kids, if your really interested in learning more about how music works with kids with disabilities, you should check out http://www.musictherapy.org/ You would not believe the improvement kids make when they have something in their lives that they can participate in and enjoy like music.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ Edit | View ]