Philosophy
Philosophy of Music Ministry
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
I believe that the ultimate purpose of music is to bring glory to God. From grand choral performances with orchestras to the simplest of solos sung by a child, music in the church should be a gift to God, offered in thanksgiving and praise. While music brings both the listener and the performer a sense of fulfillment, music is also a means through which believers can examine and express their devotion to God. Music provides an outlet for our emotions and can convey our deepest sadness and our most profound joy. Music is the language of the soul, and its connection to our faith is forever linked. As a result, I believe music in the church should always be viewed through the lens of worship and never approached as a type of performance.
Blest Be the Tie That Binds
I believe that music ministries should provide a place for individuals to share their God-given talents while being encouraged through fellowship with other believers. Small groups in the church are essential for support and provide wonderful outlets for teamwork. Many choirs are like a family, and such relationships are an important aspect of ministry, especially in larger churches. Music is also an effective tool for outreach and evangelism, and can even be a channel through which people come to know God. Most significantly, choir families can be tremendous support systems for those who are suffering pain or loss. Music binds people together, and as a result, ensemble participation can bring about hope and healing.
Order My Steps
I believe that in order for a music ministry to function to its full ability, it must be well organized. Music for worship should be planned in a long-range fashion and rehearsed weeks out. Calendars and schedules should be published well in advance and in coordination with other church and community activities. Music libraries and equipment should be properly maintained, and choir rosters and contact information should be updated often in order to ensure accurate communication with ensemble members. Music budgets should be used in a responsible way, and programs should be evaluated on a yearly basis in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. Policies and procedures should be adhered to, and the workings of committees within the ministry should function in a way that brings about true progress and change.
Many Gifts, One Spirit
I believe that music in the church should be diverse and that an effective music ministry should not be defined by any one particular style of music. Diversity of style is necessary for true ecumenical worship, and more accurately reflects the diversity found within the body of Christ. A good music program in today’s culture should be able to present a wide range of repertoire, including but not limited to Classical masterworks, hymn arrangements, spirituals, gospel music, and even tasteful arrangements of contemporary Christian music. While music in worship should never be dictated by our own musical desires, fresh and eclectic music in worship ensures active participation by members of the congregation.
Wonderful Words of Life
Rather than be defined by style, I believe that music should be defined by quality. Musical texts should contain sound theology that mirrors that of the congregation or denomination, and the texts of hymns and anthems should always point worshippers toward the Scripture texts used in the worship service. Music should also feature beautiful melodies and harmonies that are not only of the finest compositional integrity but also pleasing to the ear. More importantly, I believe that music should be executed to the best abilities of the conductor and those under his charge, reflecting not only the beauty of the composition but also the utmost and fervent spirituality on behalf of the musicians. The devotion we put forth in our music reflects our devotion to God.
Take My Life and Let It Be
I believe that music in the church is a tool through which musicians and parishioners alike can be educated about their faith. In this way, music ministry provides an outlet for growth in many areas of our spiritual lives. Music conveys theology, music celebrates and learns from the past, and music challenges and inspires us toward the future. Ensemble participation provides musicians with numerous opportunities for discipline, accountability, and commitment, all of which reflect and support our relationship with God. Finally, I believe that a music ministry should empower musicians to reach their full potential and inspire total participation in the life of the church and its ministries. Responsibilities should be shared by all involved, with musicians working together to carry out the essential functions of ministry.
Philosophy of Education
Creating Impact Through Music
I believe the purpose of education is to impart knowledge, to challenge, and to inspire. I was fortunate to be mentored by several excellent teachers who went above and beyond the call of duty to help their students. I became a teacher to do the same and to make a difference in the lives of others. I love music, and I teach music as a way to share my passion with others. It is my goal to help students understand that music is about more than just a free A in an elective course. Music brings people together, music brightens our lives, and music has the power to stir the human soul like no other art form. Musical education should then celebrate diversity, cultivate critical thinking, aid in building problem-solving skills, foster teamwork, and build up the individual as a valuable member of society.
Creating Competency Through Music
I believe that the study of music should be all-encompassing. As a choral director, I spend part of my rehearsal time sharing with students about the lives of composers, the historical period of a composition, and the cultural impact of the music. I often employ the Gordon Method of music education, teaching my students to identify the basics of music theory and sight-singing as we learn a piece. I also seek to impart practical life application in my teaching. I never want my students to get into the professional world and wonder why something wasn’t taught in school. Sharing practical tricks of the trade, and demonstrating and explaining good classroom management and even budgetary responsibility, will benefit students as they transition into the world of education and/or performance. Music theory is math, the study of acoustics is science, text analysis is literature, performance practice is history, analysis of music’s impact on the mind is psychology, and proper vocal production and posture is physical exercise. Music teachers are the most fortunate of all educators because they teach every subject. As a result, music students are the perfect models of the well-rounded liberal arts education.
Creating Discipline Through Music
I believe that my teaching should be student-centered. People learn in various ways, and the understanding of different learning styles provides educators with opportunities to vary their teaching so that instruction remains creative and sensitive. When I teach, I seek to include various forms of differentiated instruction, including lectures, visual aids, musical examples, physical exercises, and group discussions. As a choral director, I use constructive feedback to improve choral tone, and I challenge students to be an integral part of the progress we make together. I provide my students with all of the necessary tools for success but expect them to put time and effort into their work to ensure that we meet and exceed expectations. For example, I will spend rehearsal time teaching parts of a piece to different sections of the choir, but by the next rehearsal, I expect the students to have retained that information so that we can build upon it and move on. To aid in this expectation, I provide singers with links to videos and recordings that will help them review their vocal part outside of class. I am also available for private help, and instruction should a student need it. Collaboration is a natural aspect of the art of music, but individual work and responsibility are also essential.
Creating Growth Through Music
I believe that a vital part of effective teaching is assessment and evaluation. Just as students must discipline themselves to achieve the desired performance outcome, educators and conductors must do the same if they ever hope to convey concepts and ideas to those under their direction effectively. I continually strive for excellence in the classroom and excellence in my teaching. Teaching is an ever-evolving field, and educators must stay attuned to their students to determine which teaching methods work best. Over the years, I have developed a strong sense of what works in the classroom. I often have to adjust my plans to suit my context, and I always gauge student progress as a way of evaluating the effectiveness of my teaching. Through the use of surveys, peer evaluations, and concert/lesson videos, I seek to improve the way I relay information to my students. The use of curricula can be helpful, and public school national standards can be useful benchmarks for assessment. Attending conferences and conventions and consulting with other musicians on current trends and innovations are other ways of maintaining high standards.
Creating Diversity Through Music
I believe that the educational environment must be one of diversity and inclusion. Diversity and inclusion in education make us all better and bring about a model of society that promotes creativity and harmony. Music provides an excellent opportunity for people to express themselves, and the educational setting should allow every student to explore ways of living into their true selves. In education, as in life, we benefit from those who are different than ourselves. Learning from other cultures and mindsets not only challenges our opinions but also broadens our minds to new ways of thinking. As a choral director, I think it is important to sing a wide variety of music from multiple cultures, time periods, and languages. When it comes to inclusiveness, I believe that the learning environment should be a safe place that is welcoming to all. Any who have been oppressed or marginalized should find a place of solace and worth in academia. I seek to provide a space for students to feel valued for who they are and what they bring to the table.