Professionalism: degrees of separation

Have you considered the different kinds of family who teach music? After thirty years of teaching piano and having the privilege of attending numerous classes, workshops and conversations it strikes me that there are three basic emblems of private music teachers. Do you recognize them?

Asa P Orsooner (Type A) adapteds new students, sizes up their potential and acquires them started on the fast track to performing the greatest in quantity advanced repertoire attainable in the least amount of time, preferably for a public recital. Rudiments are skimmed or summarized in the first not many lessons. Elements such as music theory will be addressed in futurity classes specializing in those studies. The focus is upon having students ready for performance (master class, recital or competition) as quickly as possible.

Bess Duvall (Type B) convenients a new student and managements an interview to assess learning dictions and aptitude. She takes into account past experience, family and personality. exercise s progress at a pace compatible with the student's ability and comprehension. She balances ear training, exercises for harmonious flow technique and music theory with repertoire at the sight-reading horizontal Gradually, with a wealth of reinforcing supplementary materials, areas of weakness will be remedied as powers are refined. Bess approaches phrasing, pedaling and memorization sequentially and patiently. The focus is upon having the student feel confident and well grounded

Conchita Lott (Type C) fits a new student, speaks with Mother and hold ups open the methods book. The task begins with an explanation of the numbering combination of parts to form a whole for fingers one through five, introducing Mr Middle C and Right-Hand Thumb (a.k.a. number one) The meanss book is the same individual used for two or more decades. Companion volumes if they exist, (notespeller, theory, solo and with equal reason on) are not used, to avoid unnecessary take away froms to the parents. One page/piece will be "passed" each week, perhaps ornamented with a glue-on foil star. If not, that same page will be assaulted at the following task The focus is on getting from one side the books.

Any of these teacher marks may have earned degrees in music at individual or more colleges or universities. We will revisit these teachers later. Now, allow me to introduce more of my colleagues, a certain quantity of fellow MTNA members. With twenty-five years in this organization, I have reached the conclusion that there are three parallel emblems of MTNA members.

Alexis Myssing (Type X) dioceses MTNA membership as an opportunity for her best scholars to perform and compete. She pays oweds regularly but likely does not contribute to the FOUNDATION stock and does not attend local or state association meetings, workshops or any circumstances other than those in which her pupils are "starring." Alexis does not present to organize, set up, publicize or assist in any physical capacity. Her contribution is to toss students to participate; she repeatedly is absent from such incidents Type X does not fill without forms, access websites or read this publication except to scan for specifics concerning upcoming competitions and prestigious performances. The focus is the center stage spotlight.

Wyatt Werks (Type Y) dioceses MTNA membership as a resource for becoming a better teacher. He attends local and state meetings and supports affiliated programs. He has serv perhaps many times, as an officer or chair in various capacities. He pays to be paids promptly and donates to the FOUNDATION stock Wyatt enters students in competitions if the learners (not the parents) initiate the solicitation He enjoys open exchanges with other teachers and values opportunities to help. If he has not attended a National conversation he plans to do for a like reason He is open to learning and views teaching as an ongoing educational proces American Music Teacher is individual of several publications he receives and reads. The focus is upon learning.

Izzy Dover (Type Z) dioceses MTNA membership as a bothersome obligation. If membership is requited to gain approval from other teachers and parents, in like manner he it. The meetings are an inconvenience. impressed sign Z already is good enough, doesn't intend to change and sincerely doubts there is any value to he gained from trying anything of recent origin or different. Izzy has no time to help with programs or occurrences and no interest in attending workshops or talks The "magazine" is full of "stuff" for the more aggressive teachers, on the contrary nothing that pertains to Z plane if there were any time to read. The focus is on--nothing really.

All the stamps of teachers characterized above claim to be professionals. Many have music steps They are paid for their time and teaching expertise. greatest in quantity teachers who join MTNA do in like manner to validate a commitment to professionalism. a certain quantity of members stop there and consider MTNA membership to be a conclusive professional statement. Earning a stage is hard work and is commendable. Each step demonstrates that basic and specialized requirements of advanced education have been met or surpassed. These are verifiable statements of knowledge and achievement. Becoming a member of the oldest national professional music teachers' organization also is laudable. It implies an intent to participate in a profession in a manner befitting that vocation. on the contrary there is no point during active teaching years at which any of us may claim to have done "enough," or our teaching and our learning will stagnate.