I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for in the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys of learning.

-- Plato

The Fine ArtsThe NYS Standards

for the Arts reflect the educational goals that are

common to Dance, Music, Theatre and

the Visual Arts while recognizing

the distinctive goals of each

discipline.

Why Music Education?Because of our easy accessibility to the arts in our society, some would argue that Arts Education in unnecessary in the schools.

Because the subject

is difficult.Music education provides us with appropriate instruction in music so that we can listen, respond, and “do” music skillfully and expressively, thus enhancing the “feeling” parts of our lives.

Through music we gain insights into and symbolize

the emotional and expressive

life of humans.

Students learn a unique Students learn a unique system of nonverbal system of nonverbal

symbols.symbols.

Music Education cultivates the imagination.

Music classes provide Music classes provide opportunities to express opportunities to express

individuality, creativity, and individuality, creativity, and promote healthy imagination promote healthy imagination

and fantasy.and fantasy.

Music Education also identifies and develops

musical talent.

Performing, composing, and listening to music stimulates our aesthetic imagination and exploits primarily the right side of our brains.

Eliminate music education and you fail to develop one of our basic human

capabilities.

Music Education preserves our musical Music Education preserves our musical heritage, involves students in the rites heritage, involves students in the rites

and rituals of society, develops a and rituals of society, develops a rewarding personal and social life, rewarding personal and social life,

fosters self-confidence, self-discipline, fosters self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-enrichment, and enlivens the and self-enrichment, and enlivens the spirit of the school and its students.spirit of the school and its students.

The range of human emotions is symbolized in music in a unique and profound way. Do not underestimate

either the importance of our emotional lives to effective living or the power of music to influence our

emotions.

Music is a powerful Music is a powerful force in our world.force in our world.

Personal Expression

The range of human emotions is symbolized in

music in a unique and profound way. Education in music allows us to perceive

and respond to profound emotional expressions of great composers of many traditions. Performance of music allows us to express

our emotions in socially acceptable ways.

“What more justification could possibly be required for the general music program that

that it serve not only the mind but the feelings as well.”

-Beers & Hoffman(1973)

Class Expectations

1. Be respectful of yourself and others- each of us are here to learn. We will respect that others are different from us,

experience things in different ways, and learn in different ways.

2. To keep an open mind about things we don’t know that much about- there are many kinds of music in the world. We will

learn about each kind to our best ability.

3. To follow directions so that we may learn as much as we can.

4. To learn about the elements of music, music notation, musical instruments, music history, the effect of music on culture,

music production, careers in music and musical expression.

5. We will listen, create and perform musical activities.

NYS Learning Standards

1. Creating, Performing, and Participating in the Arts

Students will actively engage in the processes that constitute creation and performance in the arts and participate in various roles in the arts.

NYS Learning Standards

Students will be knowledgeable about and make use of the

materials and resources available for participation in the arts in

various roles.

2. Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources

NYS Learning Standards

3. Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art

Students will respond critically to a variety of works in the arts, connecting the individual work to other works and to other aspects of human endeavor and thought.

NYS Learning Standards

4. Understanding the Cultural Dimensions and Contributions of the

Arts

Students will develop an understanding of the personal and cultural forces that shape the artistic communication and how the arts in turn shape the diverse cultures of past and

present society.

There is also the belief that great works of literature and music are

somehow better than popular literature which is here today and

gone tomorrow. The universal themes of great literature

and music, beautifully expressed, provide a deep, lasting, and life-

enriching experience to those who are educated to perceive and

appreciate with knowledge and insight.

- Ross E. Miller, Ph.d. (1996)

Education provides hope for the evolution of an art

through the development of new artists, new ideas, and new ways to express those

ideas.

The role of the music educator, then, is to reveal and explain the

whole world of music to students so they can understand

and come to enjoy music of many forms and styles and not

be limited to a shallow appreciation of popular music.

The Role of the Music Educator

Future Activities in Music Class

Attending local area concerts and theatrical events, visiting theatre

houses such as Kleinhans Music Hall and Shea’s Buffalo Theatre.

Performing in winter and spring concerts.Participating in the school musical.

Participating in cross-curricular activities with other academic departments.

Careers in MusicVocal, Instrumental, General Music Teacher

Private Music Instructor

Vocal or Instrumental Performer

Conductor

Instrument Repair

Specialist in Vocal Health (M.D.)

Radio DJ, Radio Station Manager or Music Director

Music/Record Producer, Director

Lyricist or Instrumental Composer, Composer of Musical or Movie Scores

Musical Theatre (Stage Performer or Pit Band)

Rock or Jazz Band Member, Back-up Singer

Opera Performer/Singer

Music Video Director

Stage Director, Technician, Lighting, or Stage Crew

Choreographer, Dancer

Arranger

Cantor

About the Teacher…

Greetings and welcome to Music class! My name is Miss Jenifer Grasha. I knew I wanted to be a

singer when I was 3 years old. My life lessons have been

experienced through music.

My Experiences in the Fine Arts

T rain in g, E xperien ce, C reat in g, P erfo rm in g, T each in g

M u sical Theatre an d D ram aT elevisio n an d C o m m ercials

P ro fessio n al P erfo rm an ceD irectin g an d P ro du ctin g M u sicals

In stru m ental M u sicV io l in , P ian o , P ercu ssio n

O rchestral and C ho ral C o ndu ctingBan d an d O rchestra

Ballet an d J azz D an ceC ho reo graph ing

T each ingP erfo rm ing

V o cal M u sicC ham ber C ho irs

Sho w an d J azz C ho irsC o n certs an d R ecitals

My Credentials

I have earned the following academic honors and professional appointments:

AAS Vocal Performance BS Music Education

BA Sociology MS Social Sciences

Central Avenue School, 2005-2006 St. Paul’s School, 2004-2006

2005 Winner of the Rock and Roll Library Song Lesson Contestwww.rocklibrary.com

Featured performer at NYC”s Singers Forum Foundation Vocal Retreat (2003)

MENC (Music Education National Conference), NYSSMA, (New York State School Music Association), American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, National Catholic School Association, American

Sociological Association, Alpha Kappa Delta

How to Contact Me…

Miss Jenifer GrashaCentral Avenue School

Lancaster, New York 14068686-3230

References

The University of the State of New York. (1996). Learning standards for the

arts.The State Education Department.

Miller, Ross E. (1996). Music education: Who,

why, what, how? An orientation to teaching

music. Nazareth College of Rochester.