Matt Frye
Fifth-grade students, from left, Brook Deaton and Jordon Lewis beat their mallets on cardboard boxes during a music performance at Smithville Upper Elementary School April 25.
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Music to tiny ears
Smithville early music education programs soar
By: Ashley Vasquez
Music education for youngsters is no longer about repetitive songbooks and upright pianos. It's now about cultural acceptance, handmade drums, electric keyboards and teaching children about rhythm, rhyme and appreciation.
The Smithville R-II School District music education programs for children in kindergarten through fifth grade offer a dynamic view of music, according to teachers Terry Johnson and Jenny Phipps.
Johnson, who has been a music teacher for 26 years, now teaches grades K-2 at the Primary School. She says music education is essential for young children.
“Music is a core curriculum area,” Johnson said. “Music crosses all boundaries of language and time, and it gives so much to children. They should be exposed to it as soon as possible.”
Johnson said that the music program at her school was interactive and taught students about the basics of music as well as culture.
“We learn about all types of music and the cultures they came from,” she said. “It is a great opportunity to teach about tolerance. A lot of the music we learn that is from other countries is something these kids have never been exposed to before, and it does sound strange to them, but by learning it, they understand more about those cultures and are excited about them.”
Johnson said that music education also provided a link with the other core learning areas.
“Research proves that the more you expose your child to music, the better they will do in math, science, reading and social studies,” she said. “There is a huge connection with music and math skills. All of the fine arts contribute to a child's overall learning.”
Phipps, who is new to the district this year but has been teaching music for eight years, said that music education was essential at the third through fifth grade levels as well.
“We see the same thing,” she said. “Music helps them learn in a way no other core area does because it does cross all boundaries. We learn about math, history and language right here.”
Both teachers said they worried about funding for music education in general but were confident that Smithville would continue its programs.
“Music education is always in jeopardy,” Phipps said. “It is scary because in many districts when funding is low, it is the first to go. Luckily, I don't think that will happen here because everyone is so supportive, but I think it will always be a worry in the back of music teachers' minds.”
Both teachers agreed that beyond the basic academic value of music, their teachings helped students in their general lives.
“A lot of students that might not be as academically inclined or aren't athletes will flourish in music,” Johnson said. “There is something so wonderful about watching a student connect with music and feel like they have accomplished something even if they aren't going to be professional musicians. It is a self-esteem builder because everyone can be a part of music.”
Phipps said that the advent of “American Idol” had also helped get kids excited about music.
“They love 'American Idol' and 'Dancing With the Stars,' and I try to use that in the classroom,” she said. “We will have quizzes and reviews where I will be the judge like the shows, and they love it. Those shows have really popularized music and dance, and it doesn't hurt in getting kids interested in music class.”
Being a part of music can be elevated even further by enrolling your child in the Primary Elementary School's MIDI For Kids music program. For the two years, the school has provided an after-school piano program with seven electric pianos provided through a grant from the MIDI For Kids national program. Tuition is required, but the money goes toward paying off the pianos and toward the school's music program.
“It is great,” Johnson said. “We meet for 45 minutes after school for 30 sessions during the school year. The kids learn the basics of playing the piano but have a really great time doing it.”
The electric pianos allow for background music and teaching tools that make piano learning much more fun than learning scales.
“The first day they learn to play a song,” Johnson said. “By the end, they are playing more complicated music and working together as an ensemble.”
The program will be available again this year at the Primary Elementary School, and Johnson and Phipps are working to implement the program at the Upper Elementary School. For more information or to enroll, call 532-0589.
Smithville Editor Ashley Vasquez can be reached at 532-4444 or ashleyvasquez@npgco.com.
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The Smithville R-II School District music education programs for children in kindergarten through fifth grade offer a dynamic view of music, according to teachers Terry Johnson and Jenny Phipps.
Johnson, who has been a music teacher for 26 years, now teaches grades K-2 at the Primary School. She says music education is essential for young children.
“Music is a core curriculum area,” Johnson said. “Music crosses all boundaries of language and time, and it gives so much to children. They should be exposed to it as soon as possible.”
Johnson said that the music program at her school was interactive and taught students about the basics of music as well as culture.
“We learn about all types of music and the cultures they came from,” she said. “It is a great opportunity to teach about tolerance. A lot of the music we learn that is from other countries is something these kids have never been exposed to before, and it does sound strange to them, but by learning it, they understand more about those cultures and are excited about them.”
Johnson said that music education also provided a link with the other core learning areas.
“Research proves that the more you expose your child to music, the better they will do in math, science, reading and social studies,” she said. “There is a huge connection with music and math skills. All of the fine arts contribute to a child's overall learning.”
Phipps, who is new to the district this year but has been teaching music for eight years, said that music education was essential at the third through fifth grade levels as well.
“We see the same thing,” she said. “Music helps them learn in a way no other core area does because it does cross all boundaries. We learn about math, history and language right here.”
Both teachers said they worried about funding for music education in general but were confident that Smithville would continue its programs.
“Music education is always in jeopardy,” Phipps said. “It is scary because in many districts when funding is low, it is the first to go. Luckily, I don't think that will happen here because everyone is so supportive, but I think it will always be a worry in the back of music teachers' minds.”
Both teachers agreed that beyond the basic academic value of music, their teachings helped students in their general lives.
“A lot of students that might not be as academically inclined or aren't athletes will flourish in music,” Johnson said. “There is something so wonderful about watching a student connect with music and feel like they have accomplished something even if they aren't going to be professional musicians. It is a self-esteem builder because everyone can be a part of music.”
Phipps said that the advent of “American Idol” had also helped get kids excited about music.
“They love 'American Idol' and 'Dancing With the Stars,' and I try to use that in the classroom,” she said. “We will have quizzes and reviews where I will be the judge like the shows, and they love it. Those shows have really popularized music and dance, and it doesn't hurt in getting kids interested in music class.”
Being a part of music can be elevated even further by enrolling your child in the Primary Elementary School's MIDI For Kids music program. For the two years, the school has provided an after-school piano program with seven electric pianos provided through a grant from the MIDI For Kids national program. Tuition is required, but the money goes toward paying off the pianos and toward the school's music program.
“It is great,” Johnson said. “We meet for 45 minutes after school for 30 sessions during the school year. The kids learn the basics of playing the piano but have a really great time doing it.”
The electric pianos allow for background music and teaching tools that make piano learning much more fun than learning scales.
“The first day they learn to play a song,” Johnson said. “By the end, they are playing more complicated music and working together as an ensemble.”
The program will be available again this year at the Primary Elementary School, and Johnson and Phipps are working to implement the program at the Upper Elementary School. For more information or to enroll, call 532-0589.
Smithville Editor Ashley Vasquez can be reached at 532-4444 or ashleyvasquez@npgco.com.