Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Commentary


  • Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/sbomagazine/public_html/site/wp-content/themes/timeless2021/functions.php on line 437

    Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/sbomagazine/public_html/site/wp-content/themes/timeless2021/functions.php on line 438

    Conducting a Historical Inquiry

    Mike Lawson | May 1, 2002

    Our school was about to close and be merged with the other two high schools in our district, due to declining enrollment and budget pressures. Before the baby boom necessitated multiple high schools, our school was the original high school for the town. This lineage provided us with a history covering more than 125 years. As director of bands at the time, I wanted my students and the community at large to know at least a little bit about the history of bands at this school before it was dissolved.

    I did some homework of my own, going through old yearbooks, scanning old newspaper clippings, talking to former band members and, when possible, former directors. This process proved to be time-consuming but intensely rewarding. The more I found, the more I wanted to know.

    Already resolved to have the students learn something of the band’s history, I decided that telling them wouldn’t be enough. These students would have to experience the discovery process first-hand in order to take a greater interest in the band’s history. In this way, they could take ownership in their own band heritage.

    Read More...

  • Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/sbomagazine/public_html/site/wp-content/themes/timeless2021/functions.php on line 437

    Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/sbomagazine/public_html/site/wp-content/themes/timeless2021/functions.php on line 438

    Mixing Music and Politics

    Mike Lawson | April 1, 2002

    Politics. Now there’s a word I’ve seen many of my colleagues try to ignore. Politics is nothing more than perception. Politics is how we are perceived by others. Many music teachers do everything in their power to not let politics control their programs. And yet, it is a part of what we do, whether we like it or not. When I hear music teachers complain about politics, it usually means they have lost control of their programs.

    Over the past several years, I have been called into schools on numerous occasions to help resolve issues from requiring participation in marching band in order to be in jazz band to whether it is okay to charge for concerts to cutting music programs. In most situations, I found the music directors were just not speaking at the same level as their administrators. I’ll have to admit that most administrators, unless they have been trained in music education, have little or no understanding of just what we are doing as music educators. Most administrators truly want to understand music education but have little or no time to observe and study the subject.

    When it comes time for your administration to evaluate your performance as a teacher, most of us get a positive report. In reality, most administrators admire what we are doing, but have very little knowledge of the subject to know whether things are going well or badly. Usually, administrators only get involved when something goes terribly wrong. Even then they often have no understanding of how dealing with music education should be handled.

    Read More...
The Latest News and Gear in Your Inbox - Sign Up Today!