Music Education Philosophy

Brendan O’Neal

Towson University

Like every student, I have had educators that, though I would consider excellent, have

made mistakes. It is extremely important--as future professional music educators--to analyze and

reflect on every learning experience and form our own philosophies on music education. Based

on my experience, the three primary facets of my current philosophy on music education are

organization, practicing your craft, and respect.

The first step in my music education philosophy is organization. I have it as the ‘first

step’ because it is something you don’t need an ounce of talent for, just preparation, hard work,

and attentiveness. I have been witness to rehearsals in the past that weren’t what they could have

been because the director was overwhelmed and did not organize and plan the amount that was

necessary for a great rehearsal. When you’re a member of an unorganized ensemble, you know

how it feels. When a director feels rushed and stressed the performers know it, and it affects

them directly. Unorganized rehearsals would always make me feel unconfident and unprepared

when it would come time for the band competitions, no matter how much I practiced by myself.

In my experience as a student and an instructor, consistently having a set plan gives students

confidence and is the fastest way for them to grow as an ensemble.

The second subject in my philosophy of music education is one that I don’t believe

occurs as much as it should. It is extremely important to me that when I get a full time education

position, I continue performing, conducting, composing, or at the very least, practicing outside of

my primary career path. As with any field, there is a danger in music education to become

unmotivated, stagnant, and to rest on your laurels. I have had some instructors and band directors
in the past that continue to do music activities outside of just their primary teaching and some

that do not. I believe that staying connected to the current professional atmosphere in music

makes an already good educator excellent. In my experience, music teachers that go above and

beyond practicing their craft by performing on the side are also more likely to be driven and

passionate about their teaching. As a student, I’ve found that it can be very helpful to be shown

how to do something by example in combination with the information. However good the

information is, sometimes it is just not enough to fully understand a concept. I’ve found it not

just helpful, but necessary at times, to watch an expert’s technique, interpretation, etc. to fully

understand a concept. Practicing your craft as an educator is very important to me because of the

audience of a music teacher--performers. To reach one’s fullest potential as an educator, one

must create a uniquely excellent connection with their students, and one way of bolstering this

connection is by continually being reminded of what it takes to be an effective performer.

The final step of my music education philosophy is respect. An unwavering respect for

your students as people and as performers builds their confidence and raises expectations,

maturing them in the process. Treating a student a certain way will impact their view of

themselves, and could cause either emotional distress or great satisfaction. I have been in both

types of rehearsals and had both types of teachers. In a scenario where the teacher or band

director is condescending, demeaning, or just disrespectful in some way, in my experience it

causes the student to lose interest, possibly even for good, in a certain subject. Giving them

respect and positive reinforcement is necessary for a student’s growth. This is not to say that you

should not have high expectations for your students. I believe that a huge part of showing

students respect as people and performers is holding them to a high standard. Teaching students

valuable lessons on being good students and focused, determined individuals that can achieve
what they set their mind to is arguably more important than teaching them music. Teaching

students these qualities is most effective by listening to the needs of your students intently and

and always having an open heart and mind to new perspectives.

Consistent organization, practice, and respect are traits I’ve found in my best teachers in

the past. It is important to reflect on what teaching strategies and perspectives have worked best

for yourself and others in the past, in both the positions of student and teacher. Reflecting gives

aspiring teachers (and current ones) ideas of various education methods and promotes

experimentation and goal-setting to find one’s true potential.