Interesting Survey
Yesterday, I received a notification about a survey being conducted by Carnegie Hall and The Julliard School. (Click here if you are interested in taking part in the survey.) The survey is gleaning information from teachers about the plausibility of offering a National Music Achievement program. I think it’s an interesting concept, and completed the survey in about 10 minutes. I found a number of the questions somewhat thought-provoking, including this one:
What factors do you believe motivate your students to be engaged in music? Please think of your students between ages 5 and 18. (Please select all that apply)
* Playing music naturally excites them
* They enjoy gaining recognition for their skills
* They hope to use music to help them get into college
* Their parents urge them to continue playing music
* None, my students are not really motivated to study music
* Other (please specify)
I’d be curious to know how other teachers would answer a question like this. What do you find are the motivating factors for your students? I’m actually going to ask my students this question, too, to get their first-hand answer on what motivates them. That will be quite interesting, I think!
Personally, I find that my students are most motivated when they have an upcoming recital or audition. The idea of performing in public encourages them to work hard not only on technicality, but also on expression.
I wonder how many are aware that there already is a National Music Certificate Program? It duplicates all of my work within our state’s piano syllabus, so I’m not interested in it. http://www.nationalconservatoryofmusicofamerica.org/index.html Consequently, I see no need for another program of this type. I think it’s more of a ploy for business for Carnegie and Julliard. Appears that way to me, anyway.
As for answers for what motivates students, let me see: It’s fun! The teacher’s passion for music rubs off on the student. Students feel wonderful when they know everything their choir/band/orchestra teacher is teaching them in school. I recently had a 7th grade student tell me how proud she was that she already knew how to take rhythmic dictation and the other kids in class were totally lost!
Not to be a downer, but the only flaw I see in this survey is that the respondents (?) are likely music teachers. The overall results might be more accurate if they asked classroom teachers.
This is a great question, and one I struggle to find the answer to on a daily basis. For my students, and for me in my younger days, the motivation came from a combination of several factors: a love for the music I was working on, the impending date of a performance, and the desire to express myself to the best of my ability. Basically, all of these are tied to one another, and the bottom line is the student must WANT to play music!
I agree with AG. A variety of factors motivate my students: upcoming performances/auditions, encouragement from teachers/parents, a desire to learn and advance, and a love for music! The most motivated students are the ones who push themselves, while the least motivated students are those who take lessons to please someone else.
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