A Dialogue of Necessity

Abstract

Many teacher candidates (preservice teachers) in a Bachelor of Education degree cross the threshold into an elementary music methodology course with trepidation. Thus, teacher educators (music education professors) ought to explore the ways in which they can attend to students’ music experiences so as to increase teacher competence. This article explores three relevant areas of literature: fear of teaching music, relevance of informal music learning on influencing teacher identity, and influence of such experiences on teacher education programs. Building on this literature, the article concludes with highlighting a 2-year narrative inquiry exploring how the daily music experiences of teacher candidates’ inform their teaching practices. Through the use of visual narratives (body maps), oral and written narratives, and conversational interviews, 20 participants gave voice to their multilayered experiences that influenced their perceptions about music teaching. Findings deepen conceptualizations concerning the power of informal music learning in shaping teacher identity and practice.