Continuing Search for Excellence
By Lita Zagala
Why do we play music? Why do we listen? These questions have been asked over and over throughout the ages. Scholars and philosophers even scientists have offered different answers and theories but there is one thought common to all of them – that “music is an essential part of being human."
Excellence is the human quality of being eminently good or superior in what he does. If one tries to be excellent in music, does it follow that he is trying to be a good human being? Like Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and many other music educators, I do think it is fair to say yes.
A teacher is one who guides. A good teacher is one who guides students on the path to excellence. As music teachers we want to develop our students’ playing ability to the highest possible level. It means that we want our students to reach their potential and experience the satisfaction of having raised their performance to higher levels of finesse and artistry every time they perform. By helping students find the way towards continuing excellence, through motivation, inspiration and guidance, we teachers fulfill our primary obligation.
A good teacher must have the ability to develop good technique and musicality in order to succeed. University degrees are not enough. Continuing education and training are essential – taking special courses, attending workshops and master classes, participating in relevant conferences, being active in professional and related organizations. She must attend concerts and performances by renowned artists. She has to read articles, periodicals and books about the latest trends and teaching methods. Above all, a teacher must stay healthy and exercise regularly. All of these – on top of detailed daily preparations for each lesson she gives – take a tremendous amount of time and effort and requires disciplined time management. It sounds stressful, and often it really is. But it has its rewards.
The ultimate reward for any teacher is to see students develop their best according to each individual potential and to see them enjoy their music. As students get better the joy they feel and rewards they reap become greater. Practice becomes less of a task and more of an inspiration; festivals and competitions become less of a contest with other students and more of self challenge; performance in recitals and other activities become not just appearance in an event but more of self expression and sharing.
Parents should encourage by example. They should look at piano lessons not just as another activity to keep children busy but as a continuing education and character formation. Our children are learning persistence, commitment and dedication in their pursuit of excellence. This desire to discover their finest ability can become a lifelong quest for personal growth and beauty. By sharing their music, they develop their musicianship as well as their sensitivity to the fine values in life at the same time provide happiness to their family and service to the community.
