Summer 2023 MECA
Continuing Education Courses
Overview
Concert preparation can be perceived as the focus of orchestra class and the pressure to present concerts as well as prepare music for contest can interfere with a thoughtful pedagogical sequence. When the curtain goes up on a concert it is, in many ways, an aural and visual scrapbook of the technical and musical curriculum the students have experienced in your classroom. Choosing repertoire to both engage students and develop technical and musical skills is one of the most vital components of a well-designed curriculum. The intermediate or middle school orchestra experience solidifies not only skills necessary for success in high school and beyond, but also illuminates the ensemble as a social and artistic cohort. This period of skill development is crucial for preparing the technical and musical skills that will foster continued involvement in music in and beyond high school ensembles. With well-chosen repertoire, the time spent in instruction can propel technical development while developing literacy, ensemble skills, and musical sensitivity. This course will present strategies for teaching shifting, string crossings, sight-reading skills, minor tonality and advanced finger patterns, vibrato, rhythmic sensibility, and advanced bow strokes in a heterogeneous setting. Participants will acquire a basic understanding of fundamental principles of learning, and practice creating successful learning experiences that effectively change student thinking and behavior. The technical aspects of the curriculum are focused on violin, viola, cello and bass, however transfer of learning principles and adaptation of materials can be applicable to any instrument.
Chat sessions:
Mondays: 9-12 CST Synchronous Group meeting/Lecture and Discussion
Wednesdays: 9-12 CST 20-30-minute small group (2-3 depending on like teaching situation groupings) meetings with instructor for project work and planning.
Fridays: Fridays will be reserved for office hour zoom in and individual work on collaborative projects and course capstone. Expect to work on the collaboration and capstone project 3-6 hours per week.
- NOTE: we will have synchronous meetings on July 24, 26, 28 from 9-12CST
Requirements
Chat Session
Prerequisites
Required Text(s)
- Mastery for Strings, Level One: A Longitudinal Sequence of Instruction for School Orchestras, Studio Lessons, and College Method Courses, William Dick and Laurie Scott, Alfred Music Publishers.
- Mastery for Strings, Level Two: Navigating the Fingerboard, William Dick and Laurie Scott, Alfred Music Publishers.
- Learning Together: Sequential Repertoire for Solo Strings or String Ensemble, Winifred Crock, William Dick, and Laurie Scott, Alfred Music Publishers (Volume 2 for your chosen instrument, Violin, Viola, Cello or Bass).
- Learning Together: Sequential Repertoire for Solo Strings or String Ensemble, Winifred Crock, William Dick, and Laurie Scott, Alfred Music Publishers (Volume 2 Piano Score).
- Pattern Play for Strings: A Sequential Introduction to Reading Music Parent/Teacher Volume, Winifred Crock, Forrester Press, Ballwin MO.
- Pattern Play for Strings: A Sequential Introduction to Reading Music Student, Winifred Crock, Forrester Press, Ballwin MO. (Volume #2 for your chosen instrument, Violin, Viola, Cello or Bass).
Learning Platform Information - Online Courses Only
Schoology is a learning management system that allows you to interact directly with your instructors, fellow students, and members of the greater VanderCook community.
The evening before your class begins, be on the lookout for an email from Schoology with log-in instructions. Once you receive credentials, visit www.online.vandercook.edu to login.
Some courses have specific online chat meeting times (please see course descriptions), while others have a flexible meeting schedule. You can expect all courses to meet together in a live online chat. If a live meeting time doesn’t work, you can work with your instructor to make other arrangements.
More information about Schoology can be found at www.schoology.com
Please see specific software/hardware requirements in the course description.
Online course grades are available within two weeks of the course(s) completion. If you need a transcript, please CLICK HERE to access the online transcript request form. For a faster turnaround time, please submit the transcript request to the registrar prior to the end of your course(s).
Instructor
