Music Educator | Choral Director | Certified Choral Adjudicator | Elementary General Music Consultant
My Philosophy of Music Education
Music is initially experienced aurally, then it is received within our intellect--transferred and internalized in our bodies, evoking an emotional response correlating with the arrangement and style in which it was presented. Learning takes place through a pragmatic or praxial approach, which is, learning by active music-making. Once these experiences occur, we eventually develop an overall appreciation for music and its varied facets.
-Spencer Thornton
Guest Choral Director of Elementary All-City Chorus Events
Mr. Thornton has served the Portsmouth Public Schools' Elementary Performing Arts Department in directing All-City student participants in preparation for their debut concert. Such responsibilities included refining the ensemble's vocal production, diction, intonation, rhythmic/melodic accuracy, enunciation of lyrics, vocal expression, and more. His highly innovative choral strategies catapulted students' musical abilities to another level of authentic artistry. Mr. Thornton's interest is premised upon thoroughly cultivating younger children's musicianship skills and choral development through a vibrant fun-based lens. He desires not to only share his love of vocal music with the PPS staff/students but also with other school districts for All-City events.
To request Mr. Thornton's services for your next All-City performance, please proceed to the "Contact Me" tab, thank you!
Certified Virginia Choral Directors Association (VCDA) Choral Adjudicator
Beginning in 2013 to current, Mr. Thornton has served as a recurring middle school choral adjudicator for Districts II and IV in Hampton Roads, Virginia. He has also participated as a high school chorus festival adjudicator for both Smithfield High School and Nansemond River High School. Due to the mutual high respect shared between Mr. Thornton and local well-known choral directors, Mr. Thornton continues to provide meaningful feedback to local choral directors and the students.
If you would like to hire Mr. Thornton as a choral adjudicator for future forthcoming events, please proceed to the "Contact Me" tab and leave a message!
My Pedagogical Approach
Due to holding full certification in the Kodály, Feierabend, Smithsonian Folkway's World Music Pedagogy, and partially in SongWorks, Orff Schulwerk, and Dalcroze Eurhythmics, instructional strategies are blended to provide versatility to the learning experience. Some of these musical moments have been captured over the years in the pictures below.
Music Education in Osaka, Japan
On July 3, 2025, Spencer was granted the opportunity to deliver a brief instructional session to sixth-grade students at Torikai Higashi Elementary School in Osaka, Japan. The students actively participated in singing an American children's folk song, accompanied by a circle game. Spencer's musical activity was a pivotal component in partnership with the presentation delivered by graduate students of the University of St. Thomas.
