|
Ken Willy is a music teacher from down under who is
turning the St. Thomas Episcopal School music classes upside down with
his innovative teaching concepts.
Ken Willy
Willy, who arrived in Miami recently from Australia
with his wife, teaches grades three through six and holds class twice
a week; one for singing and the other for learning an instrument. The
classes are conducted very much like a band rehearsal.
At Willy's suggestion, St. Thomas purchased a
selection of instruments, enabling the students to list a preference
for an instrument to study and learn to play. There was a choice of
nine instruments, including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet,
trombone, drums, keyboard, electric guitar and bass guitar.
Willy's teaching philosophy stresses that learning
music should be a positive experience. Thus, it is important to learn
to play an instrument in small steps, like a baby learning to walk.
"Even in class with the band," said Willy,
"each lesson builds from the next, so that someone who has never
played the trumpet can achieve something. I think if students are
thrown in the deep end with an instrument, they can be turned
off."
An important element in Willy's class is teaching the
students to read music. Willy says learning to read notes is like
learning to read letters of the alphabet. And just like reading
letters allows us to form words and read a limitless number of books,
the ability to read music allows students to work out the notes to
play many different songs.
A unique idea that Willy tries to get across to his
students is that they have ownership of their singing group and band.
"If you take ownership," Willy explained,
"You are inclined to work at it. If they take ownership of their
learning, they will move ahead faster because they care."
One way that Willy implements his idea of ownership is
by asking students to comment on what the group can do to improve.
All of Willy's teaching methods come together when the
students perform. This year, the students had a Christmas concert and
a Spring program. There also will be a program for graduation. In
addition to concerts, the students have an opportunity to display
their talent by singing in chapel. Every morning a different class
leads the chapel in singing hymns.
Willy enjoys teaching at St. Thomas Episcopal School
and he says he is pleased with the enthusiasm of the students.
"What struck me here is how well the kids
sing," said Willy, "especially when it is one of their
favorite hymns. They just let go."
Willy says he is pleased when he learns that the older
children sing to the younger children and that they teach each other
the songs they've learned at lunchtime.
Willy also has been involved with St. Thomas' Lenten
lectures about the history of church music.
A native of Sydney, Willy says he always has had an
interest in music. He was a cathedral chorister and had good
instruction from his music teachers and choir directors. He graduated
with a bachelor's degree in music education in Australia and went to
England to earn his master's degree in choir training and conducting.
Willy has taught music in England and Australia, and is in his 10th
year as a teacher.
|
