Ever wonder about a music teacher?

Life of a Music Teacher

Mrs. Bonzkowski the chorus teacher at Unatego has taken her time to answer questions about her life as a teacher. She has two children a boy and a girl.

1.      Was teaching music class your first choice for your occupation? “No.”

2.      What/who was your inspiration to become a music teacher? “My friends and my music teacher from eighth grade.”

3.      Is that why you became a music teacher? “Yes.”

4.      What college did you attend? “Hartwick.”

5.      What was your biggest dream in the music category? “To become a teacher.”

6.      Do you think it was worth becoming a music teacher? “Yes.”

7.      Do you enjoy your occupation every day? “Yes.”

8.      Have you ever regretted your decision to become a music teacher? “No.”

9.      Do you consider music class to be an important class? “Yes.”

10.  How long have you been teaching? “11 years.”

11.  What is the most important thing about music to you? “For it to be accessible to all and for everyone to experience it.”

12.  What is your favorite thing about music? “For everyone to hear it.”

13.  In general, do you enjoy listening to music? “Only music I do not like is Jazz.”

14.  Do you have a favorite artist? “No.”

15.  Do you consider yourself as a role model to your students? “I’d hope so.”

16.  As a music teacher, what have you learned from your mistakes? “You should always practice.”

17.  What is your philosophy about music? “Music is a language everyone can understand.”

18.  What is your goal as a music teacher? “To expose students to all kinds of music and give them an opportunity to appreciate and experience it.”

19.  Do you think taking a music class can be for anyone? “Yes.”

20.  What is your favorite thing about teaching? “The students.”

Life of a Music Teacher

Mrs. Nages the band teacher at Unatego has taken her time to answer questions about her life as a teacher. She has two children a boy and a girl.

1.      Was teaching music class your first choice for your occupation? “I knew I wanted to be a teacher, either math or music.” “I studied math in college, but I knew I could not live without music, but I could math.”

2.      What/who was your inspiration to become a music teacher? “My high school music director and being involved partly.”

3.      Is that why you became a music teacher? “Yes.”

4.      What college did you attend? “Ithaca College for my Bachelor’s and Syracuse for my Master’s.”

5.      What was your biggest dream in the music category? “To just be a teacher I never wanted to be a performance major.”

6.      Do you think it was worth becoming a music teacher? “Absolutely, I could not imagine doing anything else, or what I would be doing now if I did not.”

7.      Do you enjoy your occupation every day? “I do, it can be noisy and frustrating but you will have that no matter what.”

8.      Have you ever regretted your decision to become a music teacher? “No, but I do not like the new extra stuff that does not involve teaching.”

9.      Do you consider music class to be an important class? “Yes, very important for every student to be introduced to and it is a lot different than academics.” “Music uses a different part of the brain than academics.”

10.  How long have you been teaching? “Twenty years at Unatego and twenty two altogether.”

11.  What is the most important thing about music to you? “The involvement with music and appreciating the value of music.”

12.  What is your favorite thing about music? “To be able to be open to it.”

13.  In general, do you enjoy listening to music? “Yes, but not a lot at home because school is loud and I’m around music all day.”

14.  Do you have a favorite artist? “Styx, Queen, Pink Floyd.. those types of bands.”

15.  Do you consider yourself as a role model to your students? “I’d hope that students see that I care about them.”

16.  As a music teacher, what have you learned from your mistakes? “Listening to what students want to do with music, like what they want to play as an instrument.”

17.  What is your philosophy about music? “Everyone should be exposed and take those classes and try.” “There’s certainly ways to modify so that everyone can be successful.”

18.  What is your goal as a music teacher? “To develop a love for music.” “I loved the saying Mr. Lesh always said “Leave the place better than when I started.””

19.  Do you think taking a music class can be for anyone? “Yes, of course.”

20.  What is your favorite thing about teaching? “Working with the students seeing the students expression when they have been revealed.”

What Most People Want to Hear

As many of you know, who has read my posts, my blog is about music. It is interesting to see who likes music and who does not really care for it. Some say that music is distasteful or a sin but some say it is what gives life and the most precious thing in life. I however am on the side that can’t live without music. Making this blog had taught me more about music than I knew. I never would have thought that it was possible, but I was willing to research more and share information.

This blog was easier than I thought it would be. I believe that it was only because I already had prior knowledge to the subject. However, I did not have all the knowledge that is used in this blog. That is where the challenge came in. The part that everyone wants to know and hear is how to make work easier than it is. Well, unfortunately if you want something to turn out the best it can you need to take time and put effort into it; it is not just going to be simple.

In order to be good at something usually you need to practice. It is the same with making a blog.  To create a blog you need to practice and learn the skills required to make a blog. For example look over blogs to see the different types. Make sure the subject is what you want your blog to be about. You do not have to be really familiar with your subject it just seems easier if you do. Then try making one yourself and practice the format of your blog and get familiar with the blog site that you’re using before making an actual one.  

It was difficult for me to find the specific information I was looking for on my topic. It would have been easier if I did not follow a critique but just went with it on my own. Challenges are always good though and because I kept trying I had success from my blog and I could look back at it and feel good. Deciding what to post is challenging too. When you know and think what you want to post it does not always work out that way. Sometimes you change your mind and not just once maybe four times. You can also struggle like I did about choosing one topic when you have two different options on what to talk about next. I went back and forth on which one to use. Creating a blog is time consuming too.

I learned a lot about music that I never would have even thought of. I learned about Grammys and the difference between awards. It is not one of my posts but because I needed to research on my topic I learned about different things not just one subject. I discovered similarities and differences between several music related things not just different artists. For example the similarities and differences between genres, and the differences and similarities between music shows. Music has so many styles and different choreography.  I already knew that artists record and help other artists out, but what I did not know is that Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood did. I learned more information on how to become a successful performer and how to become one. I have performed before so I had a little insight information but I didn’t know that you should always be smiling because I always do because it seems like a natural instinct. I also forgot all about stage fright because I do not have it, seeing how I have never performed by myself. I learned about a performance by you all on your own compared to a duet or a group performance and how different they are. My favorite posts were the interviews. Coming up with the questions was challenging but after that it was easy and fun. I feel like I learned the most from them, maybe because I know who I interviewed personally. I feel like they were very rewarding lessons.

I have yet to decide if I am going to follow up with more posts or continue. It is challenging for me to because I do not have access all the time. I would like to, plus I have ideas for more posts. This has been a good experience for me. I hope you enjoy my blog. Thank you for reading and following.  

 

 

Ever Wonder About Artists and Compare Them?

Both Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are female artists that have a pop culture vibe and country vibe. They are both very talented people. They both auditioned for American Idol, where both won. After winning, both became famous and more successful. Clarkson sold “Over 20 million albums worldwide.”  Underwood “Went on to win multiple Grammys.” Both put aside their dreams of singing live. [Clarkson] may not have known how her early life would shape her artistry, [but she did know] the emotional power of music from a young age. Underwood went to Northeastern State University, [where she grew up and] there she studied for a degree in broadcast journalism. When they decided to audition for American Idol it changed everything. Both Underwood and Clarkson have worked together and are familiar with each other. Each artist songs are very successful and popular.

Kelly Clarkson a singer, song writer began her career “in 2002 during the first season of American Idol.” She won and became “an international pop icon.” However Carrie Underwood also a singer, song writer won American Idol for country music, where she won the “fourth season”, unlike Clarkson where she won the first season. Clarkson has “millions of devoted fans”, because of her personality.

Underwood grew up on a farm adapting to country life. Clarkson however did not. She actually had a difficult childhood. “Clarkson’s life has had its share of challenges”, unlike Underwood’s life, Clarkson’s “parents divorced when she was [only] six [years old]. Her poor mother came to financial difficulties. Underwood claimed that she “had a very happy childhood, full of the wonderful simple things that children love to do.” Underwood has been chosen to be “Winner for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.”

Even though both artists are different they are similar in ways.

Kelly Clarkson a success?

“Catch My Breath” by Kelly Clarkson has been a great hit. It is a very powerful song. Two lines from the song:

“Catching my breath, letting it go, turning my cheek for the sake of the show
Now that you know, this is my life, I won't be told it's supposed to be right”

The meaning of the song itself is powerful and when you add lyrics like above it becomes even more powerful. When I first heard this song I loved it. I listened to it over and over again full blast. It is a song that you just simply cannot get out of your head even if you try.

I feel like I can listen to it in any mood. The beat is great, the lyrics are passionate, and the way her voice hits every note, you can tell she was meant to sing the song. The emotion is there in every word. I have always loved her songs, but this one has reached the top. I was surprised when I first heard it because it seemed different from her past songs. It is a good difference though.

The song gives a good vibe through my whole body and I can feel my adrenaline rush. Singing along makes me feel as powerful as the song is. I feel like I can relate to the song. It is about how she has accomplished through her journey from winning American idol. Now she has realized she has become a woman instead of just a girl with a dream. She is now an artist and can show everyone how she deserves to have her dream come true.

In the end, she has made the listeners very happy. When I am with a friend and I have her song on, all I hear is good ratings of it, nothing ever negative. When you are as talented as her you would be successful too. “Catch My Breath” may not be as new of a song, but I still listen to it as if it was.

It’s challenging to pick a favorite artist

I personally do not have a favorite artist. It is very hard for me to even pick one from all the different genres. I listen to basically everything. I can also relate to so many different songs that I feel close with those artists. I’m not just inspired by one particular artist, it’s several from each genre. The only reason why I ever try at anything is because of music. It has helped me through the course of life; my philosophy of life was developed by music.

Whether the song came from a story, or is telling a story, that story is very meaningful and is what makes me love music so much. It is what connects me to the world, because without music I would be more separated and independent than I am now. I have met more people than I would expect through music and found that many people have a favorite artist or genre and only like specific ones not a majority. I never thought that was possible, but everyone is different.

 I like all songs equally, unless I really do not like it. In most cases I enjoy and like a new song there is very few songs I dislike. Since I do not have a specific genre, I listen to many different songs, more songs than what I would if I only had a specific genre I like. When someone were to ask me what my favorite artists or genre is I have to name off one artist of each genre and tell them I do not have one.

In 2011 the least popular genre was New Age compared to the most popular genre Rock. This was by 103.76 million. None of the genres are equal although some are close but only the small portions that were sold. I have never met another person like me who does not have a favorite genre or artist. I like being different than others but I feel like there should be others who think all the songs they like are equally, that one is not loved over another.

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How to Perform the best you can

So many people, whether their young or ageing, have a unique talent. So many with great voices, but simply do not have a high level of performance. If you are one with a great talent such as musically inclined, but you do not know how to perform and let your talent out, I am here to help. Just because you are not a part of a successful musicians family does not necessarily mean you can not become one.

Stage fright is one of the most common issues with talented people, you need to over come it. Make sure you are confident in yourself and your work. Even if you like someone else's work and style does not mean that will work for you talent. Enjoy someone else's work, do not look at it like you can be better, try something of you own.

When you are performing you should always be positive about yourself and others around. You should be polite and smile when you are pausing or performing. This can keep the audience happy and put them in an excited mood as well as you. If your audience is happy then most likely you will be too. This will make you more successful and at an advantage. The audience will always have their opinions and they should never bring you down. Not everyone will agree with what you like. Never let a few people bring you down, because that will affect your talent.

When you are singing, make sure the audience can feel your desire and passion. A lot of people like to relate to your work, since in most cases they are use to being able to relate to music. If you believe in yourself and performance the audience will be able to feel that. If you do not believe in it your performance will have a negative view.

 Be open minded, whether it be a fan, such as a family member, friend, or stranger, the audiences opinion, a judge you are performing for, a professional song writer, or even someone you may be working with possibly for a duet. A partnership can be hard especially for the first time. A first impression should always be positive; you do not want to be an unhappy, non-confident partner.

Since you are trying to be the best performer you can, make an effort to show how you are different from any other artist. Audtition to most any place you can. Do not every think you are not good enough for any judge, because the judges can tell if you are fearful, they look for whether or not you know what your doing and can be confident.

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