This past week and the next two are some of my favorite of the year.  It’s when the sophomore lab class comes to visit from the university.  This year I only have eleven of them mixed in with my 3rd graders, some of them having never been in front of a class of kids before.  Some of them convinced that they want to teach high school but some of whom will change their minds after these three weeks.  I talked to my 3rd graders about them, letting them know that they would be helping to teach these older students in order to help them get ready to become future music teachers and they embraced the challenge.

The first three days have been all about observation and participation.  After all, it’s been about a decade since these “big” kids have been the age of my 3rd graders.  So, when it has been time to teach each other a new skill, my kids readily invited the practicum students into the activity, patiently “teaching” them how to hold the instruments and read the rhythm patterns.  Nervousness on the part of the college students turned to smiles and delight as they all sat on the floor together making music.  There were few questions afterwards as they’ve not even had enough experience to know what to ask yet, but they enjoyed making music together.

On the parking lot afterwards, my kids shared their thoughts about the college students.  “I loved working with Mr. M”.  “I like having UNL students and I like music”.  “Thank you.  I like my new friends I just made today.  It will never end”.  And isn’t that the truth? Making music with others is something that can last a lifetime and age is not an issue.  Old and young alike can find joy in working together to make music.

I watched the small groups working together today writing rhythm patterns to share, a mix of ages and saw the university students begin to take on some leadership as they now assisted the kids in their writing and counting.  I watched my kids’ faces as the university students sang a round with them.  One of my boys just stopped singing and looked in wonder, mouth open, eyes bright, as he listened to the older students sing with such a wonderful sound.  Maybe inspiring him to one day choose music education as his passion.  Or maybe just taking the opportunity to sing with a church or community choir.

There are very few disciplines I can think of where everyone can be on equal ground like music.  It wasn’t a big deal for one of my kids to ask the university professor to sit on the floor with them and teach him how to play the rhythm on the woodblock.  And it didn’t matter to the professor that he was sitting on the floor with a 9 year old.  They smiled and made music together.  Teaching collaboration as very few things do anymore.

Next week the university students get to wade in the water of teaching, having 10 minutes to teach a small activity, skill or concept.  Then it is my job to help and encourage them when they feel things didn’t go as planned or cheer them on when their idea works.  It’s an opportunity to let them know that we all learn from making mistakes and that in my room, making mistakes means that we’re trying and that we’re given opportunities to try again.  And in turn, I hope that one day they will take that message to their students, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone and try something new and perhaps they’ll make some music together.  It’s the idea of acceptance, that everyone has musical ideas they want to try and share and the expectation that we will listen and respect that creativity.  Perhaps we can all learn a lesson from this group of kids, young and old, who have found a way to work together and make beautiful music.

Yes. My favorite time of year.