Music kaiako helps ākonga orchestrate their own success

Issue: Volume 101, Number 10

Posted: 10 August 2022
Reference #: 1HAVPV

Jason Wilcox, head of Guitar and Commercial Music at St Peter’s, Cambridge, is also a professional musician who shares his knowledge with his music students.

Jason Wilcox shares his passion for music with ākonga.

Jason Wilcox shares his passion for music with ākonga.

It is 4pm on a Saturday and Jason Wilcox has just taken a break from rehearsals for the St Peter’s production of School of Rock.

“This weekend is set aside as production camp, so the students are here for the whole weekend. They will also be working into the evening on it, and they’ll be working all day tomorrow on it as well,” explains Jason.

The current production has both an off-stage orchestra, which plays the bulk of the production, as well as an on-stage band that is part of the storyline. This has meant one of Jason’s students has had to run between the two as he is in the orchestra and also performing on stage.

Jason is proud that this student is expanding his skill set by doing this, and that his other students have put the work into memorising their pieces as there are no music stands on stage.

The joys of music

This type of dedication and engagement on the part of Jason and his students is not uncommon. Since the creation of the head of guitar and commercial music position in 2020, Jason has assisted many students to discover the joy and benefits of producing music.

The course is structured so that students work through different levels of skill development. It is based around the stages that may occur in the career of an artist. The students start in the ‘garage’ where they learn to work with each other and practise together as well as developing technical skills.

“This is about the nuts and bolts of things; how to operate the equipment, how microphones work, how we can avoid having feedback, having bad sound. So, we’re setting ourselves up for success in the physical realm, where we make sure that we’re set up right, we’ve got our stuff ready to go,” says Jason.

They then move to working on their creativity, which may be re-working cover songs or writing their own music. This leads into performing first shows and recording their work. Future developments in the course would include building positive industry relationships and learning how to book and manage a tour.

Student-driven development

The course is flexible so students can start at whichever level suits their abilities.

“You might be Year 7 and already up to stage three because of prior work, or you might be 16 years old, but you’re just starting, so you’re in that stage one area.”

Each group of students brings in different needs for artistic development. While there are some constant threads, such as learning technical skills for setting up a PA system, the direction of musical styles and artistic development is student driven.

“They are architects of their own success in every way; everything that they do they’ve done for themselves. I guide them and give them what they need, of course. But essentially the motivation comes from within them. I just nurture it and water it. That’s all I do.”

Jason feels that a key to helping students achieve is being able to understand how the students are placed mentally and emotionally.

“Students need to be brought into the right frame of mind. It can be hard to walk out of a class where you’re studying one thing and then jump straight into music mode. Music is a very emotional thing for many of us, and we need to be in the right space to do it well,” he says.

Achieving the right space means ensuring students are heard and respected when voicing their opinions. This environment of respect and teamwork is fostered through the students forming their own music groups (bands) to work on their craft.

These groups tend to stay together through their music journey at the school, allowing them to work on more than just music theory.

Whilst music theory can be helpful, Jason says, “If all you know is music theory, then you may become limited as a musician. You need to develop feel, you need to develop the ability to play at tempo, and to listen to the musicians around you to play at the appropriate level so you’re fitting into a group.”

The School of Rock production is helping to extend the skills of students. 

The School of Rock production is helping to extend the skills of students. 

Advice for kaiako

For kaiako who are not music specialists, Jason says to always remember the greatest resource is the people around you.. 

“Get to know the staff at school. The itinerant tutors should have a grasp of what material is good for particular year levels, or what the students may like in terms of current contemporary music.

“You may well have a maths teacher who is also an excellent AV tech. Maybe your science teacher plays the drums, or you have an IT person who is an accomplished rock guitarist! Many of the people around you can be excellent sources of advice or resources.”

Jason also suggests joining the musicnet email group available at lists.tki.org.nz(external link), which gives access to the ongoing discussions of New Zealand music teachers.

“It’s good to know there is support, and many of those in the teaching community are very generous with their time in helping out fellow teachers.”

Education Gazette has published more articles on inspiring music kaiako.

Read about an Ōtautahi music teacher who hit the charts with student backing(external link).

Jason Wilcox shares his passion for music with ākonga.

BY Education Gazette editors
Education Gazette | Tukutuku Kōrero, reporter@edgazette.govt.nz

Posted: 12:11 pm, 10 August 2022

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