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Musical Benefits Strike a Chord
Teresa Wilson is a
whole-hearted advocate of music education. As an elementary grade level music
teacher at Providence Academy, she draws on more than twenty years of experience
in her daily work. But her secret weapon is passion.
To Wilson, music is a method of self-expression and an emotional outlet. The
students see her musical enthusiasm and find it extremely contagious. Whether
they are performing the “Three Piggy Opera” or singing in a patriotic themed
concert, the smiles on the students’ faces couldn’t be more genuine and the
audience’s toes irresistibly start tapping.
“Music is almost like a sixth sense. It is a way to build community that works
beyond the brain and gets to the heart,” states Wilson. She stresses that every
student is desperately needed to enhance the group’s performance, whether they
pull the curtain, are a soloist or part of the chorus.
The connection between music and academic achievement has been well documented.
Wilson notes that rhythms divide time and are similar to basic math concepts
while musical symbols are the ultimate universal language. Critical thinking
skills are a natural lesson in music as students are persuaded to take ownership
of the songs they sing. Her classes are asked to critique their own sound, to
offer suggestions for improvements, to identify positive aspects of their
performance and compare and contrast with other musical pieces. She also works
on listening skills, which can be an overlooked discipline, and vocal health.
“I’m lucky to have an assortment of Orff instruments to enhance our songs and
dances,” says Wilson. Coordination is developed as well as concentration and
patience. It takes practice to successfully execute some pieces and hard work
somehow makes the delayed gratification just a bit sweeter. The skills of
playing independently at times and in unison at other times can be applied to
many life lessons.
Music is selected for both content and form to enhance topics from classroom
curriculum. She discusses songs that incorporate a sense of longing, grief,
gratitude or hope to better understand the author’s viewpoint or an event in
history. Students learn that song lyrics can be a healthy way to vent feelings
and a sad song can actually make you feel better.
Wilson has personally played the flute, harp, organ, guitar and piano but her
musical philosophy for parents is simple. She suggests exposing children to
quality music throughout their childhood, even before they are born.
Consistently listening to music on long car rides or before bed can develop a
child’s musical ear.
Besides classical pieces that are frequently mentioned in music education
literature, she suggests listening to the singing technique of artists like Amy
Grant. Wilson often compares singing to an athletic event and Amy Grant uses
the muscles of her entire body to achieve correct breath control and sound.
Favorites like Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunkel and the Kingston Trio
are groups that excel in chord harmony. Great artists such as Marian Anderson,
Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé and Frank Sinatra
expose students to styles and songs that deepen their music appreciation.
Wilson believes that exposure to quality music is valuable at all ages.
“The Hennepin County Libraries are a great help in locating a broad array of
music through their CD collections”, states Wilson. She uses an entrancing
series of videos from Devine Entertainment called “Composer’s Specials” on
Liszt, Handel, Rossini and Bach that are crafted as historical fiction to
creatively capture her students’ attention.
After twenty years of teaching, Wilson saves the elementary students’ favorite
song for the last day of class. On June 6th, she’ll break out
Raffi’s version of Day-O and her classroom will again be rockin’.
Photo Caption: Kindergarteners perform the “Three Piggy
Opera” for their spring concert.
Photo Caption: Providence Academy students find Teresa Wilson’s love of music
infectious. |
