Part 1: Classical radio in the classroom
Part 2: Classical public media, beyond the radio
(Note: this is the final installment of Nine Ideas on How to Use Classical Public Media.)
What can classical public media do for music students, beyond the classroom?
Part 3 includes ways teachers can leverage the power of public media in the real world.
7. Classical public media opens doors to careers in music.
Why? New York State standards mandate that "Students will know the vocations and avocations available to them in music." There are more opportunities for careers in the arts beyond performance or music education. This can be especially inspiring for students who want to continue with music but don't think that either of those two career paths are right for them.
How? Invite people from your local public radio station to come and talk to your students about various careers in the arts.
8. Classical public media connects students to live performances.
Why? State standards require students to "use various resources to expand their knowledge of listening experiences, performance opportunities, and/or information about music."
How? Many classical music stations have arts calendars (see WXXI's here). Updated often, calendars like these give details about events happening near you. Many of these events are free or inexpensive. They are great opportunities for students to experience arts alive in your community.
9. Classical public media helps fire students’ passion for lifelong music-making.
Why? Perhaps this is the most important--inspire your students to be lifelong producers of music, even if (especially if) they aren't going into music as a career. New York State standards ask students to "identify opportunities to contribute to their communities' music institutions, including those embedded in other institutions (church choirs, industrial music ensembles, etc.)."
How? Help students find opportunities to play outside of school--community groups are often looking for new members, especially young musicians. For the Rochester area, Mona Seghatoleslami put together a series of blog posts called Where to Play and Sing, listing community orchestras, bands, choirs, groups specifically for young musicians, and other groups. You could also turn this into a community service project for class.
This is certainly not a comprehensive list. It's just a collection of ideas that hopefully will spark other ideas. Music educators are the gatekeepers of the musical world. They inspire the musicians and the music lovers of tomorrow.
So we ask you, our amazing music teachers, to reach out to us--let us know what classical public media can do for you!
