For our final project, we were instructed to take a song of our choosing and create an improvisational section within the second verse and chorus. I chose “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John for its upbeat, positive energy. This task was initially daunting, as it was my first time writing original music. However, the arranging process became an enjoyable and rewarding experience. 

The goal of Musicianship IV was to better prepare us for the future, and as an aspiring educator, I knew that I would eventually need to develop a personal teaching philosophy rooted in strong musicianship skills. Through this course, I strengthened my abilities in listening, analysis, improvisation, and creative decision-making, all of which are essential not only for performance, but also for effective music teaching. These skills have helped me think more intentionally about how I would guide students to engage with music both technically and expressively.