Teaching music for all

While the generation gap often explains differences between the old, the young and the in between, Joseph Barnett ’25 thinks that gap can be bridged through music. Music tastes and preferences change over time, but Barnett’s work as a student intern with the New Horizons Music Program shows that anyone of any age can learn, perform and love music. 

Barnett is a music education major at the University of Dayton, and while his primary instrument is the oboe, he has learned nearly every woodwind and brass instrument in his methods classes, plus, he sings, and plays piano and organ for his church. 

“I’m a pretty faithful person and so being able to combine my faith in music is really fulfilling for me,” he said.

Barnett’s started with New Horizons, a music program for older adults regardless of experience, when one of his music education classes had students work with the program as a practicum experience. He enjoyed it so much that he applied to be an intern and took on valuable responsibilities, like planning and copying music, organizing seating charts and running the group’s rehearsals. 

“They had to count on me to come into rehearsal well-prepared and having thought about what I’m going to rehearse and knowing my score,” he said. “It took a lot of intrinsic motivation and personal responsibility to make efficient use of the one rehearsal a week we had together.”

Utilizing organizational and musical skills was quite a valuable experience for Barnett. Working with the symphonic and concert bands’ brass choir let him work with instruments he normally does not play, and he liked working with a diverse group of people with different life experiences. 

“I think that it was a good for me to work to earn their respect and demonstrate the knowledge that I had,” he said.

“There was just a lot of giving and taking and learning from each other.”

New Horizons’ musicians were very receptive to Barnett’s teaching style and supported him throughout his time with the group. Anna Fricker, a player in New Horizons, can attest to Barnett’s knowledge and passion for music. 

“His direction is easy to follow and he does a great job of interpreting the music and helping us to play our best,” she said. “I know Joseph will do well in his career and his students will become wonderful musicians under his direction.”

The great deal of support he received from New Horizons’ members touched Barnett’s heart, and he is incredibly grateful for the encouragement he received from the musicians. Many of those from New Horizons attended his senior recital, which meant the world to him. 

“It's very fulfilling as a music educator and a musician to feel so supported and having that sense of community from musicians in all different stages of their lives.”

New Horizons emphasizes that “music is for the lifetime,” and Barnett embodies that sentiment. He is student teaching at local elementary and high schools this semester and attributes his confidence in his profession to the hands-on experiences and help from nurturing faculty members offered to him at UD. 

Music education is Barnett’s vocation, and he said he wants to teach music to everyone, regardless of their age and level of experience. He is looking forward to his career in music education, and ensuring that music can truly be for everyone. 

“I'm just so excited to get out into the world and share music with others. I don't care if they're 5 years old or 18 — I just wanna make music,” he said.