[Dixielandjazz] Teaching and Learning Music as a Profession.

[Steve Barbone]

Written by a music major at Jones College (MS) and posted on another chat
list by Norman Vickers. The other side of the coin about the teaching and
learning of music. It ain't that easy to do either. <grin>

Something we might think about the next time we casually criticize music
teachers and/or fellow musicians.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone 

ELLISVILLE ­ MS. There are many preconceived notions as to which college
major is more difficult than others. Some argue that nursing and other
medical-related areas are at the top of the list. However, music majors are
required to be somewhat proficient even before they enroll in college.

Most other majors don¹t have such requirements. Music is an area that most
people have had some experience, whether they have sung in a choir or in the
shower; but there¹s much more to majoring in music than meets the eye, or
ear as the case may be.

Most music majors begin singing or playing an instrument when they are eight
or nine years old.

Jones County Junior College Music Department Chair, Dr. Susan Smith said,
³If musicians don¹t have a good foundation in theory and in the technical
skills for their instrument before they come to college they will struggle
as music majors, but they can succeed. It will just take a little more work,
on top of the already challenging requirements.²

Music majors at Jones are required to perform in a major ensemble: marching
band, concert band, or concert choir and are also expected to participate in
small ensembles such as jazz band, concert choir, jazz vocal ensemble, or
other instrumental ensembles. Music majors also must take academic and
applied music courses including music theory, survey, ear training, private
lessons on their primary instrument, class and/or private piano, and recital
class, and this is in addition to taking all the required academic courses.
In return, they get their tuition paid, but they work for every penny.

As sophomore music major from Petal, Andy Smigielski noted, ³I read
somewhere getting a music degree is the second most difficult degree to
obtain behind medicine.²

This semester alone, the 26-year-old juggled raising a seven-year-old son,
planning a wedding, working full time at a discount store, actively
participating in church choir, and earning 15 credit hours. The voice
major¹s classes included college algebra, piano for non-music majors, small
singing group, voice for music majors, theory III, theory III lab, recital
class, and choir.

³There¹s no time for sleep!² said Smigielski. ³I¹m doing better because I¹m
older, but it¹s not easier.² Most colleges only give one or two credit hours
for band and choir. They don¹t count the hours it takes to prepare and
practice for performances, which also explains why it takes at least an
extra year to graduate.

³It¹s harder than most people think,² said percussionist Jonathon Benson of
Ellisville. ³The amount of time I put into practicing between choir,
marching band, jazz band, and percussion ensemble, learning music, lessons,
and keeping up with my academics is tough but I¹ve always wanted to be a
musician.²

College is the place to learn, and as a music major you not only learn
music, but also how to handle the pressures of working as a professional
musician.

³We are training students for the real world; teaching them how to juggle
the many responsibilities of being performers and educators, as well as
handling their personal responsibilities,² said Dr. Smith.

Most music majors practice singing or playing their instruments daily, for
hours. ³Music Theory,² said sophomore and Laurel native, Bailey Dixon, ³is a
lot like math and I love math and music. There is so much involved in music.
It is a lot like science too, because there are different rules and
exceptionsŠ.² Dixon is a vocal major also learning piano, which is required
of all music majors.

Musicians who decide not to major in music can often point to being
unprepared in the basics of music.

That¹s what sophomore and Hattiesburg (MS) mother, Samarion Pitts explained,
³Music theory is like math. If you don¹t understand or pay attention to the
basics, you won¹t pass because your foundation is weak. Every music teacher
at Jones is so well educated; I know I will succeed with their help. That¹s
why I chose Jones to begin my music major. I wasn¹t confident in my skills
because I didn¹t learn the foundations of music in high school.²

Before the academic finals week, music majors are tested on their skills and
performance. Some students had up to four ³juries² or music finals. They are
tested on their instrument or vocal skills or techniques and then they are
tested on how they perform. Also, music majors are required to Œjury¹ on
their piano techniques and performance. To top that off, there¹s the
intimidation factor.

³Every student has to perform solo literature and technical elements on
their major instrument or voice in front of all 13 music faculty. Their
primary teacher averages the grades and the Jury grade is 30 percent of
their total grade,² said Dr. Smith.

So why do music majors put themselves through such rigors? Most explain they
are not only passionate about performing; they are also passionate about
teaching. Few music majors specialize in performance, because few can make a
living solely performing.

³Everyone can¹t be an American Idol,² said Dr. Smith. ³Most of the students
we have at Jones are committed to becoming exceptional music educators, and
our goal as faculty is to provide them with a solid foundation and an
understanding of the need for high standards in public school music,² said
Dr. Smith.

Music is not an extra-curricular activity. It is a major core subject, but
it¹s often not treated that way in education. ³So many people just think
music exists to support other areas, but I want to emphasize that it is
unique and has unique value to education.²

The general public may think majoring in music is easy because performers
make it look easy and everyone enjoys music.

³Music affects you, changes you, it¹s everywhere, in your car, in the store,
in churchŠit touches hearts and it¹s a universal language that every culture
has and enjoys,² said Smigielski, Dixon and Dr. Smith.

There¹s a lot that goes into playing or singing, including reading the
music. Dr. Smith said a lot of musicians learn how to perform but they don¹t
know how to read music.

³It may not be rocket science,² said Smigielski ³but just like the medical
field, there¹s a lot of competition and you almost have to be cocky. You
have to own the stage and as our JCJC choir director, Dr. Mark Taylor says,
it¹s all about goose bumps; you got to give them and you got to get them.
You do it because you love it.²

Just like in medicine and engineering, we may not know what it took to make
someone well or why a building is striking to the eye, we just appreciate
it. Next time the music is playing, keep in mind, a lot went into writing
the music, and a lot of time went into preparing to perform it.

Many times, music majors are sacrificing time with family and friends to
follow their dreams and do what they love. Some would say musicians are
married to their profession.