Philosophy

Music is one of the major modes of knowing (cognition). Music allows us to know in a unique way something about our human condition by exploring the inner realm of subjectivity, discerning the nature of that subjectivity, and sharing this information with others. Music is as precise to human feelings as science is to the objective world, philosophy is to ideas, and math is to relationships among quantities. 1

The value of studying music is that it provides students with the opportunity to explore the feeling side of their nature as no other subject in the curriculum allows. The understanding of music means to deeply experience music as an immediate inherent experience of subjectivity or feeling in its broadest sense.

My philosophy advocates natural development of a child’s skills allowing them to experience music more keenly and and discernibly. The skills become a means rather than an end. Technique and performance are used to make judgements and creativity is used to express genuine composition.

Each student is given the opportunity to learn to play an instrument as means of self expression and as a way of heightening their aesthetic sensitivity. The primary purpose of music lessons is to provide the student with frequent and varied musical experiences of increasing complexity. The choice of literature and the methods used are of great importance as well as my creating an environment where the students know they are unique, truly a marvel, and loved. i believe in being part of the community that surrounds the child and when I am no longer in their life teaching weekly lessons, music still will be.

In a society that searches for meaning in life this sort of genuine arts experience can go far in teaching the whole child in ways that satisfy some of his/her deepest needs.

1 Bennett Reimer, A Tape Of Philosophy Of The Arts