Becoming a Music Teacher: Preservice Music Teachers Describe the Meanings of Music Making, Teaching, and a Tour Experience

• In Event: Roundtable Session 25
  In Roundtable Session: Music Education Roundtable 3

Abstract

This case study examined the music teaching identity development of nine preservice music teachers. Research questions included; How do participants describe: meanings of music-making (personally and professionally), meanings of teaching, and the impact of a week-long tour? Participants described music-making as being an essential part of their lives, selves, wellbeing, and music teacher identity. They believed their music-making would inspire students, assist in building relationships with students, and inform their pedagogical knowledge. The tour experience helped participants develop a sense of community with preservice and inservice music teachers, develop an awareness of the situational complexities of teaching, envision themselves in different teaching settings, connect their teaching philosophies with practical issues, and integrate music-making into the their developing music teacher identities.

Author

• Kristen Pellegrino, The University of Texas - San Antonio