Random Access: your upcoming summer "sabbatical".(Professional Resources)

Summer is a great time to get out of our usual habits, cast off the mantle of daily lessons, focus our musical energies on our own needs (as opposed to those of our students) and enjoy a period of musical rejuvenation. Unfortunately, not all readers of this magazine are full-time college or K-12 faculty who can look forward to a three-month summer teaching hiatus; many of us must still teach during most of the summer. However, creative teachers who keep their studios open during the summer usually try to treat this time of year somewhat differently than the other months.

Some teachers use the summer months as a way to provide different musical activities for their students. Often, the perceived need to do this is born out of necessity. For example, our students' family vacations may disrupt the normal rhythm of our teaching. In other cases, we may have to get really creative in order to attract our students to the indoor activity of music making. Although school is not in session, swimming, outdoor sports and other summer activities can provide stiff competition for what music teachers usually offer.

Given these circumstances, the question I pose is this: if you plan to teach this summer and are looking for creative ways to keep your students engaged--especially those that include group projects, have you also considered how you can use your summer teaching to move your personal musical objectives forward? Is it not possible to be creative on behalf of both your students and yourself?

New Technologies Knocking at Your Door

If you are going to be creative about meeting your needs as well as those of your students, let's start by looking at yours. Many teachers tell me the pace of technological change makes them feel like they are being left in the dust. Yet, these same teachers tell me there is no time during the school year to learn anything new for themselves.

So, let's take a look at some tools of the contemporary music teacher and find ways to start using them this summer! At the same time, let's also examine ways students can put these tools to work immediately in rewarding summer projects.

A Couple Practical Suggestions