Review

Elaine Schmidt
Hey Mom! Listen to This!: A Parent’s Guide to Music:

Milwaukee, WI, United States
Publisher: Hal Leonard Book
Date of Publication: 2010

Paperback. 172 pages.

Primary Genre: Study Material - book

This is certainly not the type of material one usually sees reviewed in the ITAJ but I encourage you to read on. This book may be an important addition to your reference collection if you teach at the public school level, teach brass methods or music education at the college level, or instruct future music educators in any facet.  One of the truisms of education is that the more knowledge that is gained; the more likely it is that we overlook the most basic elements when instructing others. Hey Mom! Listen to This! is a comprehensive resource for parents on everything from starting on an instrument to career paths available after college graduation. The author, Elaine Schmidt, is a regular contributor to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and has worked on nearly one hundred publications for Hal Leonard, G. Schirmer and Ricordi publications. Given the current state of public school music programs, a book like this can be indispensable as it will assist any parent in helping their child achieve success. Sections include: choosing a musical path, acquiring an instrument and proper care, selecting a private teacher, how to practice, dealing with performance nervousness and the ups and downs of the learning process. Milwaukee area instructors and performers including members of the Milwaukee Symphony provide anecdotes and brief words of wisdom. Each instrument is featured in its own section along with brief introductions of metronomes, tuners, music stands and other essentials. While it may not be practical for every beginning student to purchase this resource, it is a book that each aspiring music educator should purchase and read.  Our profession is unique in that if the public school music program is not successful it can be eliminated, unlike math, English etc. I believe it is our obligation to provide resources like this to educators and parents to help ensure success.

-Thomas Zugger
Capital University