CHAPTER TWO: TEACHING MUSIC WITH ALL HER HUMANITY

Emmanuel Chukwuemenam Umezinwa

Abstract


Our essence as human beings is in being; not in thinking, as Descartes had thought. Not in doing things. It is man's ontological priority to keep being who he or she is. Recognizing this pervasive nature can only be sustained through an elevated sense of awareness or consciousness even for music teachers in particular and teachers in general. This brings together random thoughts provoked by reflecting on the unique model of teaching music closely observed while Professor Young-Sook Onyiuke spent her active years among her many students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Her special wand was to be found in her overflowing love for music, her subtle insistence in making the violin a well-received member of the ensemble at a time when the instrument meant nothing there, unquenchable desire for performances, her great deal of attention to minute detail and the rare disposition for interaction towards all she mentored. Beyond having deep knowledge of the subject matter, contents and methodology required of a professional teacher, she laced it with a modicum of devotion, commitment and grace found only in the vocations. For this, she stood out among a people whose music was different, most ancient, deep, following alternate laws and defying a lot of what the West is talking about music.

 

Keywords: Teaching music, Humanity, and Professor Young-Sook Onyiuke


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