When students enter your school, you overhear them discussing an artist they all know. One is singing the chorus to the singer's latest hit, and you remember you don't know not only the tune, but also who the singer is. Jay Gabler, Ed.M.'98, multimedia producer for Minnesota Public Radio's The New, a music radio station, provides five ideas for educators interested in keeping in touch with their students' musical preferences.

Take a look at the news. And with everything else going on these days, the best major news organizations are always making time to cover music in depth. Pitchfork and Rolling Stone, for example, provide plenty of food for thought and can help you distinguish between a fad and a meaningful trend. If your ears have more time than your eyes, many even offer podcasts.

A flower crown is not required to attend a music festival. Festivals are a perfect way to learn about what people are passionate about while still being low-risk: There's bound to be something you want in a wide lineup. Many music festivals worth your attention are held in Maryland, for more details visit https://southernmarylandchronicle.com/2020/12/31/a-history-for-students-maryland-musical-heritage/. The biggest festivals are increasingly using live video as part of the kit, allowing you to virtually attend.

Look for a cool radio station to listen to.Radio remains an unrivaled source of carefully programmed music with insightful analysis from experienced hosts who can render tracks more available than an algorithmic stream. Local stations are fantastic, but keep in mind that you are not limited to your dial. Almost every station has a live stream available online, and several have their own apps. Furthermore, every major streaming service offers curated playlists and ‘radio' features that allow you to delve deeper into genres and artists that interest you.

Inquire of them. Enable your students to choose the playlists for classroom listening when it's necessary.Consider integrating music into your students' coursework by making them compose an essay about their favorite songs or explore the lyrics as poetry. Tell your students what they're listening to to start a conversation, and then check it out later. Maybe they'll turn the tables on you and inquire about your preferences.

Maintain an open mind. Your students don't have to like anything, and neither do you! Simply listen to their music and let them know what you think. It's important to remember that any rigid rules about language should need to be relaxed — not necessarily in the classroom, but with respect to your own ears. Over time, ideas about what terms and phrases are suitable develop. Give your students' music a chance and give your truthful feedback. After all, studying is all about free sharing, and music is all about it as well.