Dr. Pat Fortney, University Professor

How did you first hear about Music Together and how did you become involved?

My wife first heard Ken Guilmartin speak at the Cincinnati MENC conference, and she said I needed to talk to this man because what he talked about is a lot like what I talk about. Later I went to an Orff conference in Dallas and heard Ken and spoke with him. In the meantime we had our first child, and my interest in early childhood music increased. Ken talked me into jumping into this thing. I also offered to host a Teacher Training workshop here, and a few months later we did. I took the training right here in Delaware, Ohio.

Have you found the program rewarding?

I've worn many hats, but Music Together has been the most gratifying experience of my professional career. If I could do it full time, I'd do it full time and leave college teaching behind.

Why is that?

First of all, this becomes a real mission in my life. I'm devastated by the lack of musicianship in my own students at the college. I do a lot of work with high schools—I started out as a high school band director. What I saw as a problem twelve years ago in high schools has gotten worse as the society becomes more and more passive about music. The positive impact that I'm having on young families is personally very gratifying. This goes beyond musicianship to affecting family life.

What do you see as your future in Music Together?

I would like to see myself move into teacher training. I would also like to see my program here expand. Many parents from Columbus have asked me to start a center there. It seems like the potential is endless.

What kind of person might this program appeal to?

First of all you must love children and care deeply about their well-being. And of course a love of music goes along with that. An easy-going personality helps. It wouldn't be for everybody, but you can take your own personality and blend it in with the Music Together program. I love the recordings. That's one of the things that first drew me to the program. The CDs are not over-produced—no symphonic or operatic sounds—and both adults and children sing on them. The families here take them home and really enjoy making music with them.

How do you feel about the theoretical basis of Music Together?

This is one of the things that drew me to the program. I'm a follower of the theories of Ed Gordon because when I first taught using his ideas, I found that I was teaching music, not instruments. What Ken and Lili have done with these ideas is just wonderful. They have combined Gordon's methods with other early childhood practices and created a model that makes it useful and useable for a wider spectrum of folks.

Dr. Fortney holds BA and MM degrees from University of Nebraska and a Ph.D. from University of Florida at Coral Gables.