Episode 225: Growing Young Musicians in Elementary Music with Chy Billings

Choralosophy

Nothing we do as choral singers, directors teachers, music appreciators and consumers would be possible without the “garden” that grows our young musicians in elementary school. Music as a language grows best in the early years. Let’s water the garden.

This week, Elementary general music and choir director, Chy Billings from Olathe, KS joins me in my home studio for a lively discussion about our PRIMARY constituency. The elementary school music student.

Why do we teach music to kids in elementary? The idea of a “feeder program” misses the point? We build musicianship skills in order for kids to learn to MAKE music. Builds the brain, the spirit etc. But without opportunity to put skill into practice, I fear we lose students to the belief that music learning is not a practical skill. Young kids need to perform using their skills they are learning in music that empower THEM as makers of music.

We discuss the building blocks to establishing musicality, musicianship, and music literacy in the elementary music classroom (incorporating how musicianship and literacy are addressed in Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly-inspired lessons). We also touch the tricky topic of transfer of skills into Middle and High School ensembles. It’s tricky because it can’t really be separated from the reality of recruiting and the concept of “the feeder program.”

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Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

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Chy serves as the music teacher and choir director at Arbor Creek Elementary in Olathe, Kansas, as well as the assistant director of the Children’s Choir at Church of the Resurrection’s Leawood campus. Additionally, he directs the Allegro Vivo children’s choir (grades 3–6), inspiring young singers to develop their musical potential.

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Chy holds a Master’s degree in Music from Wichita State University, is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk approach, and has partial certification in Kodály. His training also includes advanced vocal studies at Bowling Green State University. In addition to his work as an educator, Chy occasionally performs with opera and musical theater companies, blending his passion for music education with real-world performance experience.

Through his diverse roles, Chy is dedicated to fostering a love of music and building strong foundations for young musicians

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