The Music Education Center of America (MECA) continuing education
program
offers graduate courses for teachers seeking practical knowledge and skills that can
be used in their classroom. Up to 12 credits earned in MECA classes can be
applied to a master of music education degree at VanderCook College of Music.
Take a moment to browse the college’s current offerings to see if
there’s
a
course
that’s right for you. If you’d like, join our mailing list at
www.vandercook.edu/meca/
to receive occasional updates on new
courses as soon as they are announced.
For information about the program call Rick Palese, director of continuing education,
at (312) 225-6288 x248 or e-mail meca@vandercook.edu.
If you’d like, you can
also
join our mailing list and
receive
occasional updates on new courses as soon
as they
open up.
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7500 Creating and Editing Ensemble Recordings Using Audacity – Online Course
3 graduate credits
Tuition: $870
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Bill Miller |
 In this hands-on, project-based online course, participants will learn how to create ensemble recordings, then mix, edit and master them using Audacity, a free cross-platform open sourcesoftware program. The course covers setting up for recording, miking, creating an Audacity project, editing, adding effects, and enhancing the recording, and mastering the recording to CD. Students should be familiar with using computers and have their own computer (either Mac or PC) with high-speed internet access. LIMITED ENROLLMENT
Students must enroll for class on or before September 24. Initial class materials will be e-mailed to students on September 27. Students must complete all coursework by December 10.
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6960 Building a Classroom Website Using Cloud Computing – Online Course
3 graduate credits
Tuition: $840
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Nikki Rinderer
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 The purpose of this class is two-fold: 1) to introduce music educators to cloud computing software and the many benefits and possibilities it brings to their teaching and 2) to enable music educators to design and create their own high-quality classroom websites, loaded with personalized features that enhance communication, provide a centralized location for class information and resources and create opportunities to show off the talents and skills of their students.
Users must have access to either a PC or Mac. No additional software is necessary. The course will be delivered online via a variety of important and contemporary cloud software. You may proceed entirely at your own pace, but the final project is due December 10, 2010. Initial class materials will be sent out on September 27, 2010. Participants will be able to download all other materials to their personal computers. Basic computer experience (i.e., setting up and using e-mail accounts, basic word processing and internet searching) is required. The instructor can be contacted at mrinderer@vandercook.edu. LIMITED ENROLLMENT
Students must enroll for class on or before September 24. Initial class materials will be e-mailed to students on September 27. Students must complete all coursework by December 10.
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Chicago Area Kodaly Educator (CAKE) 2010-2011 Workshop Series
6890 - 1 graduate credit for 4 Sessions
Tuition: $250
Tuition is due in full with registration
VanderCook Tuition is in addition to fees assessed by CAKE. Please visit http://cake.oake.org for more information.
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September 25 - Kodaly Kick-off! Start Your Year with
Kodaly-Based Ideas
Instructor: Dr. Susan Glass
Through a variety of activities, including a sample lesson plan, participants will experience the important hallmarks and tools of the Kodaly approach for use in the general music classroom. The session will include a variety of multicultural songs and games, and will address different learning styles. The second part of the session will look at applying Kodaly foundations in a choral setting. A select packet of quality choral materials will be introduced to the participants. Through this repertoire, we will explore ways to develop children’s musicianship skills, vocal skills, and understanding of music.
February 12 - Jewish Music to Dance and Sing
Instructor: Naomi Katz Cohen
During this workshop we will learn to perform many different styles of Israeli and Yiddish folk dances and songs. We will also learn the history and significance of these Jewish art forms, covering various religious and ethnic aspects of Judaism. Dances will range from very simple to more complex footwork. The songs will be in both Hebrew and Yiddish, both secular and sacred.
March 5 – CAKE Member Share
Bring your favorite Kodaly-inspired lesson to share with the group! Everyone leaves with tried and true lesson ideas!
April 9 - Let Every Voice Be Heard: Strategies for Reaching All Singing Abilities!
Instructor: Sharman Galezewski
This workshop will include choral octavos, singing games, and vocal technique strategies that are tried and true with today’s students. Learn strategies that will motivate the non-singer, the timid singer, the changing voice and even the in-tune singer.
Classes meet from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. |
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6740 Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Studies in Music Learning
3 Graduate Credits (MECA elective)
Tuition: $935
A $90 deposit is required at time of registration
Tuition balance is due in full on the first day of class
Instructor: Roseanne Rosenthal
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 This class will help students design and carry out a study that examines how humans learn to create and perform music. Students interested in studying problem solving ways to enhance musical practice and other aspects of active musicmaking may find the class to be of interest. The fundamentals of research design in experimental and quasi-experimental settings, including case studies, will be examined. Each student will design and carry out an independent project that may be used as their M.M.Ed. project.
Priority will be given to students seeking to complete their master’s project while enrolled in this class. Class meets six times over two semesters from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The class meets on September 25, October 30, December 4, February 5, March 19, and April 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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7330A The Midwest Experience: A Retrospective
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
7330B The Midwest Experience: A Retrospective
2 graduate credits
Tuition: $520
Tuition is due in full with registration
Coordinator: Rick Palese
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 Make the most of your Midwest Clinic experience! Earn 1-2 semester hours of graduate credit attending clinic sessions and concerts at McCormick Place West, located at 2301 S. Lakeshore Drive on December 15-18, 2010. Students must attend 12.5 clock hours* of clinic sessions and concerts for one credit and 25 clock hours* for two credits. A notebook summarizing and critiquing all sessions and concerts attended,including copies of all handouts, concert programs and other supporting materials, must be submitted no later than January 18, 2011. Sample notebooks will be available upon request at the VanderCook College booth in the exhibit area. OPEN ENROLLMENT
December 15 through December 18
* A student spends 750 minutes in class for each graduate credit earned.
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6160 Illinois ASTA Fall String Teacher Clinic
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: David Eccles
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 Spend a day learning String Pedagogy from experts in the profession. Sessions will include: leading effective rehearsals, building a string program, new music reading, violin/viola/cello/bass pedagogy, and incorporating the latest music technology. Participants should bring their instruments for hands-on participation. OPEN ENROLLMENT
October 23, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Site: York Community High School, Elmhurst, IL
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6320 Band Instrument Repair
3 graduate credits
Tuition: $935
A $90 deposit is required at time of registration.
Tuition balance is due in full on the first day of class.
Instructors: Gary Everett and Bill Rife
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 Don’t miss one of VanderCook’s most popular classes! Watch your instrument repair bills shrink after learning the basics of woodwind and brass instrument repair. Please bring instruments to repair and wear old clothes. This class is open to both beginning and advanced students. LIMITED ENROLLMENT.
September 25, October 9, October 23, October 30, and December 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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560 Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Studies in Music Learning
2 Graduate Credits
(residency elective)
Tuition: $920
A $90 deposit is required at time of registration
Tuition balance is due in full on the first day of class
Instructor: Roseanne Rosenthal
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This class will help students design and carry out a study that examines how humans learn to create and perform music. Students interested in studying problem solving ways to enhance musical practice and other aspects of active music making may find the class to be of interest. The fundamentals of research design in experimental and quasi-experimental settings, including case studies, will be examined. Each student will design and carry out an independent project that may be used as their M.M.Ed. project.
Priority will be given to students seeking to complete their master’s project while enrolled in this class. Class meets six times over two semesters from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The class meets on September 25, October 30, December 4, February 5, March 19, and April 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
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520 Theory Review – Online Course
2 graduate credits
Tuition: $950
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Mary Ann Krupa
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 This is a refresher course in basic and chromatic theory. Students who need to brush up on their knowledge of theory before registering for graduate arranging should consider taking this elective course. Theory Review will also serve as a residency elective for students seeking the master of music education degree at VanderCook College of Music. The registration deadline is September 20. ENROLLMENT LIMITED TO 15.
Chat sessions will be held on September 23, October 7, October 28, November 18, and December 2 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. The final project is due on Thursday, December 9.
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522 Band Arranging – Online Course
2 graduate credits
Tuition: $950
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Kenneth Snoeck
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 This is a graduate course that satisfies the arranging requirement (students in the band track) for the master of music education degree at VanderCook College of Music. Students develop skills and techniques for arranging compositions for the concert band/wind ensemble and become familiar with the instrumentation, devices, techniques and types of scoring that can be used. Students will prepare one full arrangement as part of this course. Students must have a full version of Sibelius or Finale music notation software. All project
submissions, grading and returns will be done electronically. The registration deadline is September 20. ENROLLMENT LIMITED TO 10.
Chat sessions will be held every Thursday, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., from September 23 to December 9.
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593 Introduction to MIDI – Online Course
2 graduate credits
Tuition: $920
Tuition balance is due in full with registration
Instructor: Nikki Rinderer
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Candidates learn fundamentals of electronic sound generation, uses of musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) technology, and fundamentals of sequencing. This hands-on course utilizes the latest in music software and hardware. ENROLLMENT LIMITED.
Students must enroll for class on or before September 24. Initial class materials will be e-mailed to students on September 27. Students must complete all coursework by December 10. |
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Band, choral, string, and general music educators spend a weekend focusing on a special topic in music education to complete one graduate credit. Tuition is due in full at the time of registration. Weekend classes meet at VanderCook on Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. See detailed schedule below.
Semester credit hours for the graduate and undergraduate degree programs are calculated using the 50 -minute academic hour or Carnegie Unit (750 minutes per credit). Semester credit hours for the MECA continuing education program are calculated using the 60-minute clock hour (750 minutes per credit).
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6300 Rehearsal Techniques for Middle School Band Success
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Stacey Larson
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 Careful planning and delivery is essential when teaching music to a middle school musician. Class participants will observe rehearsals with students participating in the Middle Level HonorFest (a one-day honor band for middle schools) and discuss strategies on how to implement these techniques and plans into their own rehearsals. Topics will include selecting age appropriate repertoire, creating warm-ups, and enhancing lessons to address the comprehensive musician. OPEN ENROLLMENT
September 25-26
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6290 Clarinet Immersion Weekend
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full at time of registration
Instructor: Ruth Rhodes
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 Problems with embouchure formation, tone production, tone quality, articulation, and technical facility can easily keep your clarinets from achieving the high level of performance you want for your band. Learn why these problems exist and how to fix them. Students must bring a Bb clarinet (in good working condition) and at least two reeds (Vandoren 2.5 or 3 or another good quality brand) to fully participate in this hands-on experience. Please contact Ruth Rhodes at rrhodes@vandercook.edu if you have questions about course expectations. OPEN ENROLLMENT
October 9-10
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6090 Guitar Class: Getting Started
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Julie Goldberg
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 Scheduled to teach a guitar class? This class will provide you with practical information to get you started. Students will learn basic technique for playing chords, notes, accompaniment patterns, ensemble pieces, and early solos. Varying approaches to guitar pedagogy and playing styles will be surveyed, and recommendations for instruments and classroom supplies will be provided. No previous guitar playing experience is required. Please contact Pete Frasso, director of ensemble and outreach, at (312) 225-6288 prior to October 8 if you need to rent a guitar for the weekend. OPEN ENROLLMENT
October 9-10
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6390 Turning Video Game Superstars into Real Drum Set Players
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Kevin Lepper
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 Starting your percussionists on drum set can be an
intimidating process. Busy teaching schedules make it even more difficult for teachers to find time to ensure that young set players receive the training necessary for sound development. Kevin Lepper takes the fear out of teaching beginning drum set with practical approaches to get your students off on the right foot. Kevin’s logical approaches to learning the drum set can even be applied in a band room setting to help all of your students learn to subdivide through fun, visceral activities. Students should bring drumsticks and any drum set score/recording that they want to work on. OPEN ENROLLMENT
October 23-24
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6110 General Music World Tour
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Ron Korbitz, Manju Durairaj, and Mike Becker
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 This session aims to provide general music teachers with resources that will enrich their music curriculum. A survey of hands-on general music ideas from different cultures will include three unique sessions. The first session, with Ron Korbitz, will explore Appalachian and Ozark music through singing, playing classroom instruments, and dancing. The second session, with Manju Durairaj, will cover music and dances from the Indian Subcontinent, with emphasis on the festivals of Diwali and Ramadan, and the third session, with Mike Becker, will explore and play traditional panpipe ensemble music from the Andean region of South America, southern Africa, and Lithuania. Instruments will be provided for this third session, with some available for purchase, if desired. OPEN ENROLLMENT
October 23-24.
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7360 GarageBand, not GarbageBand
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $300
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Carol Broos
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 GarageBand is part of the iLife suite of programs on a Mac. The loops are all ready to drop and drag into GarageBand, so anyone can compose a song, create their own loops, record their own instrument, and even create podcasts. This can pose a problem and many times it comes out sounding like garbage. You will be composing loops, making podcasts, creating movies, then posting on the web, and finally commenting on each other's work. There are simple steps and "tricks" of the trade in creating these files. This could be used for early elementary students to college age. Come and create, post, and comment! LIMITED ENROLLMENT
October 30-31
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6590 Choral Conducting: Rehearsals with Results
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Eph Ehly and
Robert L. Sinclair
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 One of America's most revered choral conductors and clinicians, Dr. Eph Ehly has appeared in 48 states, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, several countries throughout Europe and presented on more than 100 college and university campuses. He guest-conducts in Carnegie Hall, New York City several times each year, and he has conducted over 80 all-state choirs, and over 500 festival ensembles. This fall, he brings his extensive experience to VanderCook College of Music alongside our very own director of Choral Music Education and Conducting, Dr. Robert Sinclair. These two master teachers will work with a lab choir to present practical and proven techniques for you to incorporate into your choral rehearsals. This weekend will give you the tools
you need to produce rehearsals with results.
Dr. Ehly is Professor Emeritus at the Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he taught for twenty-seven years. Dr. Ehly received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder, his Master of Music degree from George Peabody College, Nashville, Tennessee, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Notable teachers he has studied with include Jean Berger, Julius Hereford, Warner Imig, Louis Nicholas, Lynn Whitten and Vincent Persichetti. OPEN ENROLLMENT
November 13-14 |
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6330 Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance in the Band Room
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Chris Gleason
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 Are you looking for a course that is practical, inspiring, musical, and fun all while helping you to become a better teacher? Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP)is a planning process that helps teachers explore the elements of meaningful music performance skills, knowledge, and affect, and integrates those elements into student-centered teaching plans. The training process helps music teachers clarify their priorities without the essence of their own approach. Chris Gleason will lead participants through the CMP model and share how CMP is used in his classroom. Participants will take part in rehearsal demonstrations and see many examples of projects, portfolios, concert ideas, teaching plans, technology uses, and student artifacts from a CMP classroom. Participants will need to bring two or three scores that they are considering using this school year, their major instrument and (if possible) a laptop computer. OPEN ENROLLMENT
November 13-14
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6120 Classical Improvisation Method for String Orchestra
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Racheli Galay-Altman
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 This course will train musicians in the basics of improvisation using the Classical Improvisation Method (CIM). The improvisation concepts learned are suitable for beginners to advanced levels. The main philosophy of CIM is that everyone can improvise. Freeing orchestra musicians from the written page would enhance their aural skills, creativity, expression and communication skills. CIM concepts are adaptable to different levels, instruments, as well as solo and ensemble settings.Please be sure to bring your major string instrument. OPEN ENROLLMENT
November 13-14
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6140 Orff and Classroom Instrument Repair
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $300
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Gary Everett
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This hands-on workshop will assist with repair and maintenance of your Orff and classroom instruments. Please bring any general classroom instruments you wish to work on. Repair of resonator boxes – including pins and suspension cords, drums, autoharps, and han- held instruments, as well as fabrication of small instruments and mallet fabrication and repair, may be covered. Standard concert percussion instruments may also be addressed. Topics will vary based on the interest of the participants, and the instruments and equipment brought in for repair.
Please let us know what instruments you plan to bring in so we can have necessary materials on site. Workshop participants are urged to contact us with additional topics of interest. Participants are urged to share their discoveries and equipment fabrications and modifications with the group. Be sure to log and mark (blue painters tape works well) all equipment brought in for repair. Feel free to contact Gary Everett via e-mail regarding this workshop at orffrepairclass@hotmail.com.
November 13-14 |
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6310 Band Conducting: Rehearsals with Results
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Charlie Menghini and Richard Miles
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 VanderCook College of Music is proud to present a weekend featuring two premiere educators and band conductors in what promises to be a spirited and energetic masterclass setting. Dr. Charlie Menghini and Richard Miles will present thoughtful discussions and focused exercises that will help you get the most expressive and accurate playing out of your band students. Dr. Menghini is currently serving as President and Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music. Learn the podium demeanor that has helped to produce countless award winning and nationally renowned ensembles. The VanderCook Symphonic Band will serve as a lab band under the direction of both conductors. Please bring your own conducting baton. The guest for this session will be announced this fall. Please visit www.vandercook.edu, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates. OPEN ENROLLMENT
December 4-5
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6080 Unlock the Power of your Lower Strings
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: David Eccles
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No instruments make bigger differences to the sound of a string orchestra than the cellos and basses. Make sure you
are getting the most out of your students by attending this
hands-on weekend course with VanderCook’s own
David Eccles. Eccles will cover tips and techniques that will help your young students feel confident in rehearsing and performing on these large and physically challenging
instruments. OPEN ENROLLMENT
December 4-5 |
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6790 Treasures of Literacy II - Using Children’s Literature in the Music Classroom
1 graduate credit
Tuition: $270
Tuition is due in full with registration
Instructor: Thom Borden
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 Children’s rhymes and chants engage little ones. Treasures of Literacy II continues our previous course with a variety of children’s literature titles available. Teachers will continue to explore different ways to integrate music standards into these familiar favorites. With singing games, play-parties and a look at the reading first initiatives, teachers begin to understand how to move beyond the pictures to address and assess concepts that lead to music concept mastery. Teachers should be prepared with a selection of favorite children’s literature titles and poetry selections since an overnight assignment will be required. OPEN ENROLLMENT
December 4-5
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