Should music educators be experts in jazz or American Folk music?
I believe music educators should be able to provide lessons
on both and be able to speak about either in great length, however when we talk
about “in great length” what does that mean.
I believe a music educator should be able play either on
their chosen instrument or a secondary instrument. In my experience, students are more engaged
when their teacher can play what they are teaching on an instrument.
The educator should have a library of significant songs from
each style that either they have researched on their own or from resources such
as educator journals. Having a public
opinion as to which piece to choose is very important and it helps the educator
eventually become an expert in the area.
In conclusion, educators should be experts in both genres of
music for the benefit of the students if not their own benefit. Will an educator be an expert in their first
five years of teaching probably not, with concerts and developing lesson plans,
there is much to do.
Being open to resources will help educators along the way.
A working list of American folk songs and composers that children should
know
Stephen Foster Wrote a some of the most popular music that
became a staple in American folk music.
Woody Guthrie Most known for his song “This Land is You
Land”. Woody was musically influenced by
his father had taught him folk songs from around the world.
Others
Teacher
resources
