The Midwest Online Education Network: Retrospective
Date
February 9-May 1, 2026
Online
Course Code
7226A
Credits
1
Tuition
$180
Course Description
As a co-founder of the Midwest Clinic, VanderCook College of Music offers participants an opportunity to earn 1 Graduate Credit (one semester hour) by viewing prerecorded sessions online followed by the submission of observation summary outlines and reflection essays.
* Participants will be required to compile 6 session reports total.
– Participants are provided with specific details for each prerecorded session (including date, time, room, presenter(s), ensemble name, set list, etc.) and are required to upload a screenshot clearly showing session details to Schoology, VanderCook’s online learning platform.
– Participants are to develop written summary outlines of each session.
– Participants are to write personal reflection essay reports (2-3 pages) of each session.
For participants enrolled in this course in a prior season: your reports for this season must be entirely different from the reports submitted in previous seasons. Please ensure that all content is new and original to reflect your current participation and learning.
Instructor
Sarah Giordano is a professor at VanderCook College of Music, where she teaches Secondary General Music Methods and Musical Theatre Methods. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she serves as a master’s project advisor and contributes to the MECA program, with ‘Combat Piano for the New Choral Director.’ She is an active choral clinician, adjudicator, and accompanist.
Sarah Giordano brings over 24 years of experience in the Chicago suburbs as an educator and musician, having dedicated two decades as a middle school general music teacher, choir director and drama director. Ms. Giordano holds a Bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in choral music education from VanderCook College of Music. Furthering her academic pursuits, she is currently enrolled as a doctoral student at Boston University.
Ms. Giordano has a passion for musical theatre. She directs and serves as music director and vocal director with various youth theatre programs and both professional and community adult theatre programs. Among her recent youth theatre works are Madagascar JR, Frozen JR, R&H Cinderella: Youth Edition, The Pirates of Penzance, and Godspell. Recent mainstage productions are Spamalot, Guys and Dolls, The Bridges of Madison County, Hairspray, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.