129- Informal learning and creativity in the music room with Steve Giddings

Today's episode is with Steve Giddings, from stevesmusicroom.com, who is an amazing music educator not afraid to think outside of the box.  In this episode, we discuss rock and popular music ensembles and also what informal learning really is.  We also talk about creativity in the music room and how to help your students be their most creative selves while letting them be in control of the learning that happens in your music classroom.  This interview will challenge you to think of teaching music in a new way and will inspire you with fresh ideas to use with your students. Steve Giddings teaches 1-6 Music in Montague, Prince Edward Island where he coaches rock groups, singing groups, and is musical director for various productions at the school. Musically, his experience is very diverse, performing in various genres on various different instruments. He has been a long-time advocate for creative musical practices and a conduit for pushing the envelope in music education throughout Canada and across the world. He is a regular columnist in the Canadian Music Educator Journal where he writes on topics including popular music education and creativity, is author of the award-winning book, Rock Coach: A Practical Guide for Teaching Rock Bands in Schools, and just recently released his newest book, Creative Musicking: Practical, Real-Life Ideas to Get Your Learners Creating Their Own Music in early 2020. His website and blog, StevesMusicRoom.com, is a comprehensive resource for music educators of any experience level. You can connect with Steve on Twitter @stevesmusicroom and on Facebook at Steve's Music Room. Find out more about and sign up for the HARMONY membership waitlist here. Head to my website to grab your free music teaching resource. Join the Elementary Music Teacher Community Facebook group to continue the conversation and you can watch the Thursday Facebook lives on my Facebook page The Domestic Musician. I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.