World Music in the School Music Program
Date
September 14-December 4, 2026
Online
Hybrid - Weekly Zoom Meetings: Thursdays 7:00PM - 8:50PM CST
Course Number
MECA: 8406C | MMEd: 568*
Credits
MECA: 3 | MMEd: 2 *
Tuition
$1,224
Course Description
This course will introduce students to various musical cultures of North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia through assigned readings, listening examples, video presentations, and lecture demonstrations. Multicultural educational materials currently available to music teachers will be examined and evaluated. Students will learn practical ways to incorporate multicultural music education into school music programs.
*This course is available at two levels:
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MMEd Program Students: If you’re enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook, register for the 500-level course in the student portal.
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MECA Continuing Education Students: If you’re not in the MMEd program but wish to earn graduate credit, register for the 7000/8000-level course.
The difference in credits earned and tuition costs reflects the varying tuition rates between the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you’re unsure which section is right for you, feel free to reach out to [email protected] for assistance.
Instructor
Michael Becker received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from North Park University, and a Master of Music degree in musicology from Roosevelt University.
At VanderCook, Becker teaches undergraduate and graduate music history and world music courses, and is co-facilitator of the community drum circles. He also teaches world music courses at Waubonsee Community College and Saint Xavier University.
An active performer, Becker is a member of Digitally Correct Meta-Troubadours, a group dedicated to exploratory performance of improvised and semi-improvised music, combining world music instruments with digital sound processing. He is also a co-founder of the Home Street Recorder Ensemble, a trio that performs recorder repertoire of the 13th-20th centuries. Becker collects and plays a variety of instruments, including Native American flutes, and sells instruments from around the world through his business Native Sounds.