Using the Purposeful Pathways model as our inspiration, Roger Sams shares lessons based on folk songs and composed pieces that lead into improvisation and composition. Beginning with grade 1, the course explores improvising four-beat rhythms and composing with icons. Model lessons will be presented for each grade through grade 5 that incrementally develop student skills and understandings resulting in skilled improvisers and composers at the end of the elementary school years. Participants will create improvisation and composition structures to be shared with each other. Beginning instrumental teachers who are interested in incorporating improvisation and composition in beginning instrumental instruction will also benefit from this course.
 

Instructor: Roger Sams

Roger_Sams_(guitar)Roger Sams retired from the music classroom in 2013 after 31 years of teaching music. He has been an active clinician and Orff instructor for over two decades and has taught in China, India, Indonesia, Scotland, Canada, South Korea, Poland and throughout the United States. Sams is trained in Gestalt therapy and is interested in the power of choice in the artistic process and in life. He is co-author of Purposeful Pathways: Possibilities for the Elementary Music Room, and the composer of several choral octavos published in the Crooked River Choral Project series, as well as a book of rounds and partner songs, A Round My Heart. He is currently the director of publications at Music Is Elementary.
VanderCook College of Music - (312) 225-6288