Readings #3

Annie Thiese
Music 23241
9/22/11

Campbell, Patricia. (2008). Musician & Teacher Chapter 3.

       The article is about the importance of listening to music.  There are many ways to play music, and to be truly musical you must listen first.  There are three different ways of learning music, formally, informally, and unconsciously.  Formal would be a teacher in school teaching a student how to play music.  informally would be like a parent teaching their child something musically.  unconsciously would be influences from culture.  There are many ways to play music, and you don't always need to follow the notes written on a page, exactly.  The formality of the music generally depends on what time period the music is from.  The article explains how solfedge  was created.  The article gives a history of music from many different cultural backgrounds.
       I have experienced all three forms of learning music.  I have learned from a teacher in school how to read music, and play the French Horn.  I have informally learned how to play chords on a guitar from my father.  I have learned from culture, different songs, and musical rhythms.  I have grown up with music all around me.  My parents sing all the time, just because they want to, which influences me greatly in my love for music.  I have learned from them, and from popular culture.
       I agree with this article because I have experienced all of these forms of learning.  Music is very important in culture, and it influences everyone.  People learn from schools, family, and the culture of society.  Schools are important for learning the math and technicalities behind music, which is important for understanding why people prefer certain music and sounds to others.  This formal learning comes from a deep history which started with Gregorian chant.  This form of learning is used by many of today's societies as a way for people to better understand music.
       Informal learning can be found everywhere.  This is when a parent, friend or neighbor help you learn something musically without getting detailed.  An example would be your brother teaching you how to play the drums.  There is no formal schooling, and you are being taught by someone you know personally.  This is found in all cultures, and is a primary way of teaching, or learning music.
       Unconscious learning is perhaps the most important form of learning.  This learning happens without you realizing it.  This is when the culture of your society effects what you know about music.  An example of this would be a nursery rhyme that you learn as a child.  There is no one directly teaching you how to sing the song, but you learn it, and are able to sing the song.  Culture plays a large part in what kind of music we learn and how we learn it.

Adamson, David N. (2006). The business side of OMEA.

       This article is about how the exhibits at OMEA conferences help you, and how you can help them.  The article talks about the reasons the businesses come to show their products.  The businesses are there, because they sell products that help music educators with their jobs.  When a member of the OMEA finds a product they would like to buy, from an exhibit, they should tell the business that it was from the conference, so the business continues to go.  These exhibits help the members of OMEA find the supplies they need to succeed, which are important to the organization.
       I agree with this article because the exhibits help the businesses sell products they have.  The companies are able to show OMEA members new products, and old products that could be useful.  without the fair, the companies would have a hard time selling products, because consumers may not know the product exists.  This exhibit helps the companies get their products known.  It also provides feedback for the companies, which can help them improve in the future.
       The consumers and members also benefit for these exhibits.  The consumers are able to see what products are on the market, and where they can find them.  If a band director needs something for their band, they need only walk around, and they will be able to find what they need, and find a high quality product.  The products that are advertised at a convention may be something an OMEA member would not otherwise find.

Barton, Gary. (2009). Getting the most out of going to convention.

       This article is about how to spend your time wisely at conventions.  If you do not spend your time wisely, you will not learn anything valuable.  You should plan to attend as many events as possible.  You should attend workshops for all age groups regardless of what your specialty is, because you can always learn from what is above or below your specialty level.  If there is a concert, you should attend because you can learn about the literature, the level of the children and it can inspire you.  You should always have fun at conventions, and try to learn as much as possible.
       I have been to only one convention in my college career.  I went to as many workshops as possible, and I learned a lot.  The workshops motivated me, and helped me realize what I needed to improve, and how I could improve myself.  I attended the concert, and it was amazing.  I was very impressed and I loved the music.
       I agree with the author because he believes that if you do not learn something, then you did not go to enough events.  There is so much to do at a convention, and it is so easy to learn new things.  If you spend your time wisely, you can learn how to improve.  The concert is a big part of the convention.  The concert helps you hear and learn new literature, and how talented, or advanced a group needs to be to play it.  It can inspire you to find music like the pieces played, or as challenging as what was played.

Thomson, John. (2010). What we learn along the way.

       This article is about what a director can d to become better.  The author wishes he had known what he does now, when he started.  He says that you cannot do everything on your own, and you need to ask for help from other people.  Also you need to trust the students to get their job done.  Though students are used to having everything done for them, you must teach them how to be successful and work hard.  You must also focus less on what you want to play, and more on what will help your students learn.
       I agree with this article because a director must depend on other people as well as themselves, because one person cannot get everything done by themselves.  If a director has students take responsibilities, the students are given a position of responsibility, and the director has more time to finish their work on charts, or drills.  A director must also be prepared, and expect their students to be prepared.  Also one must appreciate the custodians and secretaries, because they do the dirty work, and will be more willing to help you if you show your appreciation.