Monrovia – More than 20 music teachers in Montserrado County have been trained to enhance music education in the country at various schools.
Reported by Christopher C. Walker 00231777898224 / 00231886723075 [email protected]
The two days intensive training in music education was conducted by Dr. Martina Vasil, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Director of the Modern Band, Orff Schulwerk, and Dalcroze Summer Institute at the University of Kentucky, United States under the auspices of the Agape National Academy of Music (ANAM)
According to the Executive Director of the Agape National Academy of Music, Sampson Teah Dr. Vasil agreed to run a Modern Band training to expand the capacity of music teachers at ANAM and music teachers of other schools in Liberia.
Speaking to a team of reporters at the climax of the two days training Dr. Vasil said the participants were very creative with their song writing and movement while on stage, something she said was a great experience for her.
The Assistant Music professor said that she thought the participants how to teach kids at a very early age more about music.
“I hopeful that they are able to bring instruments in the class room and successfully use them for their students because they explained to me that students only learn theory and not practical, and I hope they can understand that music education can be more active, you don’t go to theory first but create the practical experience and interest before theory,” she said.
The visiting music professor said the importance of the training is to make kids create interest in music because it is important for every society.
“The is a prospect for Liberian music if more attention is given teachers and musical institutions because the participants are excited,” Dr. Vasil asserted.
For his part, ANAM Executive Director Sampson Teah considered the training as wonderful which was to expand the teachers’ capacity to teach in their various schools and communities.
“They learned new and modern way of teaching music which is to teach kids in an artful and playful way, creating an environment where they want to come back again,” Teah said.
He said there are plans on the way to have the training annually so that the capacity of the teachers can improve.
Meanwhile, some of the participants expressed gratitude to the ANAM for the opportunity.
Julius Stewart said, “It was very good for us because it provided education for us; I am going to my church to implement what I learned”.
He encouraged Liberian musicians to learn formal music rather than local music because it limits a musician to only his country while formal music is international.
Eugene Clarke said he learned the basic methods to teach music from elementary to senior high.
He said Liberia has a future in music if the government invests in music because it is a source of revenue generation for every country.
Momoh Kemokai called on his follow participants to go out and teach others who were not part of the training.
The Agape National Academy of Music (ANAM) provides Liberian children opportunities to be successful through music and the arts. It provides training in worship and art-leadership, developing young leaders to lead the music and worship programs of churches and other religious organizations, educational institutions, and community organizations.
