In a recent interview with Bill Henry, an elementary music teacher and YouTube artist, Bill shared his passion and journey in the field of music education. Bill has been teaching for 18 years in the public school system in Maryland, catering to students from pre-K through fifth grade. He initially taught at two schools but eventually transitioned to a single school, allowing him to focus on teaching general music to elementary students, a role he thoroughly enjoys.
One remarkable turning point in his career was right before the COVID-19 pandemic, where he had the opportunity to teach general music, band, and strings, conducting his first concert featuring all these components. Unfortunately, the pandemic disrupted this exciting journey, but Bill quickly adapted and continued his work in the elementary classroom, where he is now primarily responsible for pre-K through fifth-grade general music.
In addition to his teaching career, Bill is the creative force behind the YouTube channel “Mr. Henry’s Music World” and the corresponding website. He started his channel around four years ago, initially focusing on offering private piano lessons for children to do at home. However, his channel evolved to provide valuable resources for elementary music teachers. One significant milestone for Bill was the success of his video titled the “Halloween Rap,” which garnered 80,000 views in just two days, signaling the beginning of his journey in creating resources for teachers.
Bill discussed the expansion of his content to include a piano course and a new ukulele course for children. His channel features short animated music theory videos that have proven to be incredibly popular among elementary music teachers who incorporate them into their classrooms. The positive feedback he receives from teachers and students alike highlights the impact of his resources and his dedication to making music education engaging and enjoyable for all. Bill’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and adaptability in the field of education.
Bill Henry’s interview sheds light on his extensive career as an elementary music teacher, where he has continuously adapted to meet the needs of his students. His YouTube channel, “Mr. Henry’s Music World,” has become a valuable resource for elementary music teachers, offering engaging and educational content. Bill’s passion for teaching and his commitment to creating effective educational materials have made him a noteworthy figure in the music education community, positively impacting teachers and students alike.
———————————————————————–
What we talked about: These are affiliate links. The Happy Music Teacher receives a small amount of proceeds from sales.
Find Mr. Henry’s resources here.
Modern Recorder Lab Yearly Membership
The Happy Music Teacher Academy is now open for new members! Learn more and join here: https://storiesthatsing.net/jointhehappymusicteacheracademy
Send me an email: jeanette@storiesthatsing.net
Visit my website: https://storiesthatsing.net/
Sign up for my newsletter and receive THREE FREE Lesson Plans: https://mailchi.mp/5f337a46b85f/storiesthatsing
Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themusicteachergroup
Follow me on IG: @thehappymusicteacher
Follow me on TikTok: @thehappymusicteacher