Well, I’ve finally gotten around to reading that pile of books in the corner! These are just my most recent reads and re-reads, but I have more resources inside…regarding integrative teaching methods.
- Bacon, Denise: Hold Fast to Dreams; Writings Inspired by Zoltán Kodály. Kodály Center of America: Wellesley, 1993.
This a powerful personal story of inspiration and perseverance as one woman, Denise Bacon, tries to initiate Kodaly Programing in Wellesley, Massachusetts. To do this she enlists the help of Peter Erdei, a long-standing authority on Kodaly Education and pupil of Kodaly himself, to come over to the U.S. with a select number of colleagues to attempt a “trial-run” program for teachers and students. The results were absolutely phenomenal, and Newton-Wellesley became the epi-center of the Kodaly Movement we know today in America. If you are interested in this methodology, I highly recommend you read this book as an introduction. She truly had her training and mentorship from “the Hungarian source.” After that, if you wish to dive deeper, you should seek out studying with someone who was trained, and there are many valuable resources on the IKS, and OAKE websites.
- Bryson, Tina Payne & Siegel, Daniel J. The Whole-Brain Child. Bantam Books Trade Paperbacks, 2012.
This was a recent find! So well written, and it made me LOL several times. Even though I’m not an actual parent myself, I very much feel like a musical parent to my students and I also wanted to be able to tie in actual neuroscience with what we are teaching in music. This book really makes the stages of a child’s brain development accessible and easy to understand. It even provides strategies and work pages for parents (and teachers) on how to explain difficult concepts to children and help them overcome ‘developmental’ obstacles. I’ve already started using it and referencing it at parent/teacher chats, so I highly recommend this resource to anyone who wants to understand children’s cognitive and emotional development better!
- Coyle, Daniel. The Talent Code. Arrow Books, London, 2009.
This book was a really fascinating, discovery-based look at talent development. Mr. Coyle really dives into the nitty gritty of having all the “right elements” for nurturing super human beings and talent. I LOVED all of the stories and the variety of examples he gave as he tries to whittle down talent education to a formula. What I realized in reading this book, is that there are many, many, more factors at play, then just having the right environment, or the right coach, and even when those two things intersect it doesn’t guarantee success. But I’m getting ahead of myself, and I don’t want this to be a spoiler alert for those interested in reading this book!
- Duke, Robert A. Intelligent Music Teaching. Learning and Behavior Resources, Austin, 2017.
Such a great read; lengthy and exhaustive. You definitely want to go through it slowly, taking your time and re-read sections multiple times. You’ll need time to digest each chapter, so I’d suggest a highlighter and/or notes. With that said, it is a gold mine on how to approach teaching, student evaluation, and curriculum structure. An absolute gem and up-to-date course text for any music educator.
- Horner, Michele. Life Lens; Seeing Your Children in Color. MCP Books, Minneapolis, 2016.
A very interesting perspective on personality types through the lens of a Suzuki teacher. I knew Michele when she was at the Hartt School of Music, so I was particularly happy to see her success with this book. What I found most interesting from a teaching aspect was her “Practice Do’s and Don’ts” for certain personality types listed on color coded pages at the end of the book for quick reference. I think if anything, it adds another layer of thinking centered around learning preferences and styles with some good old-fashioned suggestions for teachers who may be approaching that student they just can’t seem to reach.
- Powell, Mary Craig. Focus on Suzuki Piano. Alfred Publishing Co., USA, 1988.
I came to this book just recently, which seems rather late when I think about how long I’ve been studying the Suzuki method. Mary Craig, is one of the foremost respected authorities on Suzuki training along with Doris Koppleman and Kataoka. Mary Craig and Doris have passed on at this point. I had the good fortune of having some of my teacher training with Doris, and I regret not having met Mary in person because everyone who has had contact with her, loved her. Even though we have never met, I could sense her warmth and dedication, even some of her insecurity about writing this book, which comes off as being fairly early in her career. It was a lovely sneak peek into the early approaches of Suzuki piano, and where it all began. I found it very affirming to know “what things were important to her,” and what things have continued to stand the test of time.
- Starr, William & Constance. Learning with Love; A Companion for Suzuki Parents. Miami: Summy-Birchard, Inc., ISBN 0875876060, 1\983.
Beyond Dr. Suzuki’s own book “Nurtured by Love” which I’ve already included above, this is my favorite resource to offer up to new Suzuki parents. I think it’s even more helpful than just the tenants of the philosophy itself, because it’s written from a parent’s perspective of Suzuki in actiton! These parents were also Suzuki teachers who bundled their entire family off to Japan to study first hand with Dr. Suzuki. This book details the journey they took with their children towards understanding the Suzuki philosophy, as well as their triumphs and struggles. Constance Starr is also credited with being one of the founding members of Suzuki Piano in the United States.
- Suzuki, Shinichi: Nurtured by Love, trans. Waltraud Suzuki, 2nd Ed. New York: Exposition Press, 1983.
I confess, I re-read this every year when parent Education begins each Fall semester. I never get tired of reading Suzuki’s anecdotal journey towards his concept of Talent Education. In fact, there are many things that make more sense now, then when I first read the book at the beginning of my piano pedagogy experience. I find new hidden treasures, depending upon where I am at in my own journey. Yep, It’s one of those books. Definitely worth reading.
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