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motivation are really high in this vigorous program. Dr. Michael Magruder, director of bands and department chair, has been my primary teaching influence. Dr. Magruder has mentored me through words of wisdom and giving me teaching opportunities with the wind band ensembles at Winston-Salem State University. I was recently invited to join the “Red Sea of Sound” Marching Band staff as an assistant and music arranger. I have also been a guest student conductor with the University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, in which I conducted standard wind band literature as well as some of my own arrangements for those ensembles. These experiences helped me to have a very successful preclinical and student teaching experience in which I proved, with a sense of bravura, to both of my cooperating teachers that I am very capable of running and leading a successful band program. I have learned not only how to be an effective and efficient band director, but also how to be a leader in the classroom and an advocate for education everywhere. When our students graduate with a degree in music education, they are able to teach in the public schools or continue their education in graduate school. Our recent graduates have been able to quickly secure teaching positions in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Charlotte. Other graduates are currently enrolled in graduate school at the North Carolina School of the Arts, George Mason University, and Howard University. Our music education program is designed to give students the tools they need in order to be successful in their teaching career. Recent graduate Rolyndria Anderson reflected on her time at WSSU and how it has prepared her for her future endeavors, including her recent admission to Howard University’s Master of Music program in jazz vocal studies. Being a music education major at Winston-Salem State University has certainly been one of the most life-changing experiences I've had thus far. I came to the university expecting to improve upon my musical knowledge and enhance my musical skills but left with the latter, including a more mature outlook on life, a stronger sense of respect for those who teach, and
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a heightened sense of passion for all things musical, especially when it comes to singing. I have made global connections traveling with The Burke Singers, one of many ensembles featured at the university. As a member of this ensemble, I formed lifelong bonds with other highly-talented, female vocalists, traveled to Ghana, West Africa for an intercollegiate conference, embraced the art of improvisation, arranging, and composition through singing a cappella music arranged by members of the group, and served my collegiate community through performing at various events for a plethora of occasions. One of the greatest pieces of knowledge that I take away from my college experience encompasses the anatomy and preservation of the voice. Many vocalists do not succeed because they do not have a full understanding of what it takes to preserve their voice, how the voice works, how the human body works in tandem with the voice, and how to sing properly. To this day, I am grateful to my voice instructor, Ms. Deena Moore, who not only took time to coach me in regards to performance, but also in how to correctly take care of my vocal instrument. One of the beautiful things about being a music major at Winston-Salem State is the fact that you are being placed in some of the most giving, protective, supportive, and patient hands of all the faculty on the yard. Once they see your tenacity and drive, they immediately plug in and will do all they can to ensure your success and graduation from the program. Being a music education major has served as a way to do children's outreach, to do community service with various churches, and has definitely prepared me to serve in the professional world as a music educator and performer. During and after my tenure at WSSU, I have taught in many musical workshops as a vocal instructor and coach, been a music teacher assistant in public schools, and performed for the Inaugural Prayer Service in 2009 and 2013 with the Greensboro Symphonic Orchestra, the famous R&B recording artist Patti Austin, classical pianist Awadajin Pratt, and much more. I have been accepted and plan to attend Howard University in fall 2013 for a master’s degree in jazz vocal studies. The music education is proud of its students’ many accomplishments and looks forward to the challenge of adding more music education teachers to the field to help inspire, coach, and excite young children about music. Several studies show a strong correlation between music and academic performance. Our students have demonstrated the interdependence of these two factors and, as music educators, they are excited about adding to young children’s enjoyment of and participation in music and, clearly, they accept the challenge of employing their musical talents to help children improve their overall performance in the classroom and beyond. n
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