Author: Michelle Tuesday

It’s almost time for school to start again, and you should consider adding weekly music lessons to your family’s routine. Studies have shown that learning music helps kids with focus, counting skills, and spatial awareness while also unlocking their creativity!

When a child learns a musical instrument, they learn how to use a variety of skills all at once. Learning to read music helps with the alphabet for younger students while it encourages adaptability for older students. Reading music is like learning another language, and it takes time and patience but unlocks a whole new world!

Playing a musical instrument is great for energetic kids. In lessons, kids sit but still get to move. They have to focus on the movement of their fingers, the pace and strength of their breathing, or their internal sense of rhythm, depending on the instrument. For most kids, playing an instrument allows them to “get the wiggles out” by concentrating their movements to make music!

Playing music is great for the anxious child as well. Performing in front of others can be nerve-wracking, but it boosts a child’s confidence in themselves and their abilities. As they get older, they will have an easier time performing music for an audience, and will get more comfortable in front of a crowd. Additionally, many kids thrive under routine and setting a practice schedule encourages self-discipline.

There are tons of musical instruments, so your child is bound to find one that is right for them. Even though the back to school schedule can be a little hectic, consider enrolling your child in lessons today. The benefits will last a lifetime, and will help your child in many different aspects of school.

For more information, visit http://www.michelletuesday.com/learning-music/music-lessons/

Katie Ball, Gahanna Computer Lab Lead

MTMS is excited to announce that Mr. Clay Hammond will joining MTMS as an instructor! Clay has been a substitute instructor for MTMS for years, so maybe you’ve already met him!

Clay is a founding member of the Divertimento Flute Quartet (which our own Dr. Angela Heck Mueller also plays in!). He owns Hammond Flute Repair and Studio, and plays flute and piccolo in the Westerville Symphony.

Here’s some fun facts to get to know him better:

• Some of his favorite songs are “Change Your Mind” by The Killers, “Who’s Lovin’ You” by Michael Buble, and “It All Fades Away” from “The Bridges of Madison County” by Jason Robert Brown
• Clay has been singing since he was 3 years old, because his dad is a choir church director!

There is no doubt that technology has an increasing presence in everyone’s daily lives. Through access to technology, music can be composed, shared, discussed, and listened to on a multitude of platforms. Back in Mozart’s day no one could have ever imagined YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music. So how do we find a balance between music and tech in the modern era while still appreciating the roots established by the musical greats before us?

As musicians, the Internet provides more opportunities than ever before. It is now easier to find an ensemble or a gig, and with websites like the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) we can find sheet music online within a matter of seconds.

How does it affect how we learn music? The methods of music theory education are becoming more all-encompassing in today’s times. Teachers around the world can share their curricula with each other, and there are more platforms that students can use to fit their learning style. For visual learners, there are hundreds of music theory videos online, because not everyone learns very well with the conventional book and paper style. Almost any piece of music can be played back on command using the Internet, helping strengthen students’ aural skills with pieces that may be above their personal ability level.

Music history is now more accessible than it ever has been. Musicians can easily do research on a piece they are playing and understand the composer’s background as well as stylistic details from the time period to incorporate into their performance.

With the invention of MIDI technology (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), musicians can play electronic instruments and have their music transcribed or recorded into a computer rather than write all of the notes and chords by hand. This kind of technology allows for remixes, which reimagine songs and breathe new life into them.

The question may be asked, is all of this technological advancement drawing us farther from the musical traditions of the greats? Bach never got to use Finale or Logic Pro and he’s arguably one of the greatest of all time. Musicians today don’t have to go through the painstaking process of writing out all of their compositions on paper and seeking out others to offer help or critique. But that is more of a help than a hindrance. Technology is making all of the transcription processes easier, allowing for more effort to be put into the creativity and the musicality of a piece. With sites like SoundCloud, musicians who are just getting started can share their work with each other and actually have a chance at making a name for themselves.

So how do we keep this momentum going?

1. Take advantage of the age you live in. Stream an album or two from genres you are less familiar with. Expand your horizons and gain a broader appreciation for all the music that is out there today.
2. Share your own music with the world and accept the critique of others through the Internet. Be sure to check out other artists like you, you might be able to learn from them! Someone out there today is the next great composer. Maybe they’re in your SoundCloud feed.
3. Find a balance. Continue to support your local bands and symphonies, but also use technology to listen to artists from across the world. Practice your instrument “in real life”, but also try your hand at MIDI instruments and mixing music.

How do you feel about technology and music? Comment your thoughts and we can keep the conversation going.

Katie Ball, MTMS Gahanna Computer Lab Lead

Recently, MTMS student Jeila was awarded with the New Albany Eighth Grade Student of the Year Award. Jeila takes flute lessons with Angela here at MTMS, but she also plays piccolo and saxophone. She is a member of the MTMS Flute Choir as well as the concert band at school. Jeila will be pursuing Honor Band and marching band next year when she enters high school.

Jeila’s love of music started at a young age, and she began piano lessons when her older brother Jerrin showed an interest. But when she started band in middle school, it became clear that her true musical calling is playing the flute. She loves practicing on her own, but also plays with her two older brothers, who also study here at MTMS.

Jeila is on our most advanced program in the computer lab, called MacGamut. She works on ear training and scale notation at a very advanced level. She has taken lessons from MTMS for about seven years, and told me that what she has learned through MTMS carries over into her musical life outside of this school. I asked her about her plans for the future and she wasn’t quite sure yet, but told me she always wants to have music in her life.

We are very proud of you Jeila, and cannot wait to see what you do next!

A few weeks ago, we asked our younger students to fill out a survey so we could get better insight into what their thoughts and feelings are about music and learning. After a week of “wait how do you spell…” and “I can’t pick just one!” here’s what our students look for in a teacher:

“What do you think makes someone a good teacher?”

• “One who challenges students and studies ways to make the classroom a productive learning environment.” -Alycia
• “They are kind, helpful, and AWESOME!!!!!!” -Gargi
• “I think good teachers are those that are able to adapt to the way that the students learn the best.” -Trey
• “Treating your students as relative equals.” -Lauren
• “Someone who is funny, and understands what I am struggling with. Someone who tells me how I can make myself better because I know when I am not doing my best.” -Avi
• “One that is patient, one with personality, and a broad knowledge of the topic they teach. Also one that has humor.” -Mahir
• “A good teacher must be funny, kind, and smart.  My teacher is all that!!” -Sasha
• “Teach me stuff.” -Priya
• “The ability to listen and adapt based on what the students need.” -Thomas

It made me smile when one student said, “I don’t really know how to answer this question, but I think my teacher is a good teacher, can I just describe her?” At MTMS we know that learning is a lifelong process, and we have just as much to learn from our students as they do from us. Thank you for lending your input, we appreciate each and every one of you! 💜

Written by Katie Ball, Gahanna Lab Lead