McNeese Music Education Students Provide “Excellence with a Personal Touch”

Presenter: Jan Scott, Assistant Professor of Music McNeese State University Co-Presenter: Mickey Smith, Band Director Maplewood Middle School Student Presenter: Andrew Fisher

ABSTRACT McNeese State University Department of Performing Arts integrated a service learning opportunity in partnership with the Maplewood Middle School band program. Junior-level music education students assisted the director, who must work without the aid of an assistant director or teacher’s aide. The mission of MSU is to provide “Excellence with a Personal Touch”. The McNeese music education students are providing that service by transforming the lives of the Beginning Band Student with this collaboration. This session will discuss the expected and unexpected outcomes of this first-time-tried, Service Learning opportunity.

What is Service Learning? A method of instruction that integrates community service with classroom learning A teaching and learning strategy that integrates classroom instruction with meaningful community service in an effort to enrich learning experiences, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

Who can be a Community Partner Service Learning partners can include: elementary schools secondary schools institutions of higher education community service programs government agencies non profit organizations faith based organizations tribal nations

Maplewood Middle School The School is located in Sulphur, LA approximately 10 minutes from the McNeese Campus. The school’s administrative staff has been very willing to try this new type of learning in their classroom. This is the first service learning class ever tried in the beginning band classroom in Southwest Louisiana.

Intention of Service Learning To benefit the provider and the recipient of the service equally. The Maplewood Student receives one-on-one mentoring and the MSU student gains knowledge through a real lab experience.

Participating in Band Class: Real lab experience

Woodwind Class at MSU Monday and Wednesday Fall semester-MSU class at different time and the lab had to be scheduled by student on their time Spring semester-time was changed to correspond with Community Partner’s Class Schedule: 7:50am

Attendance Class attendance first 3 to 4 weeks preparation for onsite lab. Beginning 4th week of class –Monday –on campus Wednesday –on site at Maplewood Lab attendance— 10 weeks Must dress professionally Must attend 10 labs, with no more than one per week

Service and Learning Objectives Service objectivesLearning Objectives Assistance for DirectorReal lab experience Small group sessionsSmall group experience Mentors to MMS studentsGain proficiency in beginning methods One-on-one tutorialsCollaboration

One-on-One Tutorials

Small group sessions

Participating in Band Rehearsal

Service Learning to be continued After completing two semesters in which service-learning has been combined with the Woodwind Methods Class, the confidence gained by the McNeese students during the year has been noticeable. This success supports service- learning becoming the norm for my Woodwind Methods Class. Based on data comparing the first and second semesters, the following insights were gained:

Time of Class ♦ The college course should be offered during the same time as the beginning band class. When students have to schedule their own observation time, attendance was 75% ♦ When the University course corresponded with the beginning band class, attendance was 100% (at 7:50 in the morning!)

Journal Students are required to keep a journal of their field experiences. In the fall semester, journals were turned in at the end of the semester-80% participation In the spring semester, journals were submitted weekly- 100% participation A weekly submission was received more favorably by the MSU students

Real lab experience The final (exam)/lab experience for the MSU students was the parent/student open house which provides the opportunity for fifth graders and their parents to visit the band room and try out all the instruments Traditionally, the school band director relied on other directors to assist For the spring display, the MSU students provided all the information and demonstrations for the students and their parents Mickey Smith was very impressed with the job the MSU students performed that evening

Mr. Smith’s comments When asked for his thoughts about the service-learning project, Mickey Smith responded “I have seen firsthand that the MSU students who actively participated in this project have developed in the areas of professionalism (punctuality, participation), pedagogy (technique required on each instrument), and ability to prepare beginning woodwind literature. Most of all, the leadership that has developed from conducting scheduled and supervised sessions with the beginning students has been quite instrumental to the development of all the students involved.”

Maplewood Student Survey Did you find the MSU Student’s helpful: 100% responded YES Would you like to see them return to your classroom? 100% responded YES What did you like best about having Ms Scott and the MSU students in your classroom? Student’s comments: ♦they helped us play better ♦teaching me new notes ♦ they gave us tips ♦ having time to speak with them

McNeese Student Sur vey What was the most memorable experience during your year of service learning? ♦Playing in class on instruments they had never seen or heard. ♦Working one on one or in sectionals with students. ♦Laughing with the students ♦Observing Mr. Smith on a daily basis What would you like to see improved? ♦Playing more with the students in class. ♦The same service learning technique transferred to all method courses ♦More opportunity to attend the beginning class. (not just once a week) Did you find this experience valuable as a music educator? 100% Yes

Student comments:

MSU Service-Learners