Jennifer Rodriguez

1/20/16
MUSE375: Summary/ Reaction Assignment

The Quantum Conductor by Eugene Corporon, discusses many elements that combine
to create a positive music director. Corporon specifically addresses the process of learning, the 4
stages of development, and the overall planning, pacing, and evaluating of rehearsal repertoire.
The following reviews both the articles content, and how this work relates to my current areas of
success and development in teaching.
To start, Corporon discusses the process of learning as a whole. Corporon makes it very
clear that he believes music making should not be used to produce a product, but rather to learn
from its process. Corporon refers to technical, intellectual, musical, and personal levels of
teaching as the primary aspects to utilize. In a general sense, his perspective on teaching breaks
the elements into teaching skill as well as musicianship, through interpreting pieces emotionally
as well as literally. Other core elements Corporon addresses in the learning process are being in
tone, in time, in tune, and in touch. These elements, along with those previously stated, create the
core goals of a productive musical learning experience.
Following, Corporon addresses the four stages of working with a piece: conception,
preparation, implementation, and presentation. Basically, the ensemble should work with a piece
by playing it solely through emotional interpretation, and should follow this experience with
preparing it through road mapping, discussion, and paying attention to minute detail. Further, the
ensemble should then implement specific goals based on the recent analysis of the piece,
resulting in a meaningful and involved final presentation of their process. This cycle of musical
learning emphasizes the process and education in which Corporon wishes to keep as the core
element of music education. Corporon lastly addresses planning, pacing, and evaluating to tie
together the musical process. This part of the musical experience entails considering the overall

Jennifer Rodriguez
1/20/16
MUSE375: Summary/ Reaction Assignment

macro-micro-macro structure of teaching a piece, holding a clear and concise lesson by keeping
all students involved.
When analyzing my own teaching styles, I believe that I have both areas of strengths and
weaknesses. Currently, I believe my greatest strength is in creating lessons that can keep all
students involved, and enjoying analyzing how each part of a piece is important. By having these
qualities, I believe I can naturally discuss and facilitate conversation of a piece within my
classroom, after personal intensive score study. On the other hand, and area which I could use
improvement would be the word choice I use to keep my students motivated and engaged in a
lesson. Because I have not taught extensively, I am still developing how to express my
interpretations of music verbally to students who are on a beginning or intermediate level of
musical knowledge. Based on the advice within this chapter, I have learned that there can be
great benefits for choosing to use words such as create and develop rather than try to
initiate a goal. This is just one example of how I can utilize word choice to keep a positive
perspective in my classroom. In general, each diagram and word bank listed within this article
offered great visuals and tips as to how to better structure teaching students to enjoy the
procedure of music just as much as the musical product.