Building Strong Music Programs

Charlene Ryan is associate professor of music education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and is the former chair of music education at McGill University in Montreal. She has taught at all school levels from pre-kindergarten through secondary school, and specializes in elementary music education. Professor Ryan founded the successful Very Little Musicians and Little Musicians early childhood program in Montreal, and she is past-president of the Quebec Music Educators Association.

• Chapter 1 Your First Job Chapter 2 Friends and Allies Chapter 3 Students Chapter 4 Performances Chapter 5 Courses Chapter 6 Publicize Chapter 7 Final Thoughts

Building Strong Music Programs comforts the emerging teacher by assuring him or her that a smooth transition into the profession is possible.This handbook covers a wide variety of practical topics which are either not mentioned or which get short shrift in the typical music education college curriculum. . The real world previews provided will help new teachers weather storms and avoid mistakes which can cause loss of enthusiasm, embarrassment, and premature burn out. It is practical, easily accessible, organized, and a valuable aid, full of sound advice for emerging music teachers who will enter their first jobs mentally and emotionally prepared for the steep learning curve of the first year. Even if this book is used as a text in college student teaching seminars, after graduation it will continue to be a source of comfort and guidance. This handbook is a valuable contribution to the music education literature for neophytes.