Teaching Music in a Montessori School Featured Guest Writer is: Dan Evola Dan Evola received his Bachelors and Masters of Education at Wayne State University with an emphasis in Vocal Music. He attained 3rd level, Orff Certification and received musical training at the Detroit Institute of Music and Art. He has recently retired from his position as as Department Chairman of the Vocal and Instrumental Music program for the Grosse Pointe Public School System. While teaching at Grosse Pointe, he receivied the "Excellence in Education Award" from the United States Department of Education. Some of Dan's other musical endeavors include directing Church Choirs and Operatic Productions. He is currently a private teacher of piano and voice and is an arranger and composer.

The Montessori Approach:

"Every child carries within them the man or woman they will become. In order to develop their "whole self," a child needs the freedom to achieve through order and self-discipline. This is the basic goal of the Montessori approach to education.

Through the use of the "prepared environment", the child is encouraged to explore and learn. Self-motivation also plays an important part in the child's learning. The Montessori teacher is there to prepare the environment, direct activities, and offer stimulation to the child. But, it is the child himself who learns; who is motivated through the work itself to persist in his task."

The statement above is why I continue to teach.

I fell into teaching at a Montessori School when a friend asked me to fill in for his position while he underwent an operation. I had never taught pre-school before so I was more than a little concerned about the Pre-school part. But after I saw the first class walk in with their hands behind their back, sit down and look up at me, waiting for instruction . . . I was hooked! What kind of a school had such discipline? What kind of students are these?

Montessori schools start at 2-1/2 years old (potty trained), and can go up to 6th Grade or higher.

Students have music twice a week. Classes are small, generally about 8 to 10, per class.

The Schedule:
2-1/2 – 3 years old – 25 minutes. 2 times per week
(Total-50 minutes)

4 years old – 35 minutes – 2 times a week
(Total-70 minutes)

5-6 years old – 40 minutes – 2 times a week
(Total-80 minutes)

Elementary-Grades 1-2-3 – 40 minutes – 2 times a week
(Total-80 minutes)

Elementary – Grades 4-5-6 – 40 minutes – 2 times a week
(Total-80 minutes)

Basic Curriculum:
Primary classes learn Basic Beat , Bordun, Alternate Hands.
We use Thunkers to prepare students to play Orff Instruments. This is very effective in developing students to play Bordun with correct posture, etc. We also use Boom Pipes, which is very helpful in developing Basic Beat.

Kindergarten classes learn Moving Bordun, Melody on Orff Instruments and Playing alternate Boom Pipes with selections.

Elementary – 1-2-3 – Start Soprano Recorder

Elementary – 4-5-6 – Start Alto Recorder

Recorder Techniques:

1. We use the "Dry Spit" method of playing. (GROSS - but it works instantly) Students "Dry Spit" on their hand – then use that method of playing.

2. We also incorporate the "Suzuki Method" where students learn all basic notes by rote before reading music.

3. All music given to students is printed from "Finale" Software with music on the staff with the letters written under the notes. (Yes, that's what I said) Students first learn the technique of playing the note, before they receive the music. (Concentrate on only one technique at a time. Once they learn how to play BAGDE by rote, you would be surprised how much music the students can play by just looking at the letters on the music staff).

We have a Pilot Program which involves teaching the Alto Recorder.
Students in Grades four, five and six, start playing Alto Recorder, using the same fingering as on the soprano recorder.

Soprano Recorders use Concert pitch. Alto Recorders use music pitched a 5th above concert pitch and consequently use the same fingering as the soprano.

Presentations during the year:

Christmas: December

Parent Night (Approximately late February)

Arts Workshop: (Easter Break) Dance Teacher, Art Teacher, and Orff Teacher combine in a one week workshop for all Montessori students in school. At the end of the week, there is a presentation given for parents.

Spring: End of May

All Montessori music teachers are dedicated to the students. Montessori students are dedicated to do the best for themselves and their teachers.

Here are some complementary links:

American Montessori Society
AMS is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization dedicated to stimulating the use of the Montessori teaching approach in private and public schools.