by Franklin Willis
In today’s educational environment, we must meet our students where they are. Not only does that make pedagogical sense, it makes common sense. Effective instruction begins with something that is known and that students feel comfortable exploring. Then, when we have their attention, we can take advantage of that energy and desire for learning by introducing new musical concepts and genres. But giving students a new opportunity to learn in a way they previously thought they couldn’t while teaching in a way you previously thought you wouldn’t often requires that you think outside the box.
An example of how I used popular music in my classroom is a project that my students completed in the Spring of 2019. A great friend and colleague shared with me the song, “The Champion,”1 sung by Carrie Underwood and featuring Ludacris. I immediately knew I had to teach this song to my choir students. I loved this song because of the powerful message of being a champion in all aspects of life and also the fusion of Pop, Country, and Hip Hop elements in the music. While teaching this song to the students, it became evident that this was a special song. The students, adults involved, and I knew we had to do more than just perform if for parents at a concert.
We decided that the way we wanted to share this was to shoot a music video. To accomplish this seemingly monumental task, we rallied our parents, local churches, community partners, nonprofit organizations, and the Nashville music industry to make our dream a reality. As we continued to rehearse and prepare for our music video shoot the students began to express ownership of this project. Students wrote video concepts, created new choreography, designed stage formations, sang new ad libs, and more. The music and creativity was overflowing from my students, their parents, and the community. It is safe to say that the song, “The Champion,” had taken over the school.
We recorded the video and held a Video Release Party for the students and parents at a local church near the school. We had a red carpet for the students to enter the party, pictures, special gifts, and a plated dinner for the families. Each student received an award for their participation in choir in front of their friends and families. Then, we premiered the video. There were tears of joy, dancing, hands in the air, and many more reactions. The students loved the video. They loved it so much, they asked could they watch it AGAIN! (to watch the video, click here)
It was a musical memory that I will never forget. Imagery is everything. For my students to see themselves on the big screen as musicians, singers, dancers, creative producers, models, brought me pure happiness. Only time will tell what this experience meant for my students and their families. For me this experience was a reminder to continue to do the “work” of building children up through the transformative power of music education. I’ll never forget watching that video with them and seeing the poise, the swagger, the excitement and the love of music that my students displayed through their performance.
There are so many fun and engaging ways to expose our students to all genres of music. I love to listen to all music and as I do, I continually ask myself, “How can I use that in the classroom?” You may never have an occasion to make a music video but, by being open to your students’ ideas and preferences, you gain their respect. When you dismiss student’s music as being irrelevant, you dismiss the student. When you respect their selections, you can then guide them into considering other genres such as folk, classical, along with instruments, composers, and music from around the world. As music educators, it is our responsibility to help students make informed decisions about the music they listen to, dance to, sing, and enjoy – and if you do not like a particular song, rapper, genre, be prepared to tell students why not. My goal is to use what students are comfortable with and sprinkle a little of the unknown to create a masterpiece!
1 “The Champion,” written by Brett James, Chris De Stefano, Christopher Brian Bridges, Carrie Underwood.
Mr. Franklin J. Willis currently serves as the Elementary Music Coach for the Metro Nashville Public Schools district. For the past decade Willis has taught both general music and choir at the elementary and middle school levels. He is a three time recipient of the prestigious Country Music Association Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence award. He specializes in providing musical instruction that will empower and engage all children to achieve their best through authentic culturally relevant teaching experiences. To learn more about Franklin and his advocacy for music education visit his website at www.fwillismusic.com