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How do you program music for ensembles?

How do you program for ensembles? Jordan Randall Smith posted the following message on Twitter on 12/26/19 (along with some great connected questions): Many conversations about programming in music education tend to focus on the “what” (the repertoire). So, questions about principles and processes are refreshing! I suggest checking out the thread for varied perspectives on programming music. Here are some thoughts regarding programming music for an ensemble in an educational context. Consider these ideas as starting points to expand… Read More »How do you program music for ensembles?

Video Games & Music Education: The Potential of narrative & musical branching

What do you imagine in sound and imagery when thinking about video games and music education?

A theme I’ve explored throughout my writing and teaching related to video games and music education (O’Leary & Tobias, 2017; Tobias, 2012; Tobias & O’Leary, 2017) is that there are many more possibilities than focusing primarily on rhythm action games in connection to performing instruments.

Inviting students to create and perform dynamic and adaptive music for video games has so much potential. I have the sense that addressing this more non-linear approach to musical engagement is rare (at this point) in music programs. It is probably more common for students in music programs to perform arrangements of video game theme music in large ensembles than to create and perform their own music for video games.

When I saw this tweet by composer Austin Wintory, I wondered if the video clip he created could catalyze related projects in music programs:

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Expanding ensemble repertoire for diversity and inclusion

Phrases such as “the repertoire is the curriculum” have a sense of truth (though I think this is an extremely limited way of conceputalizing curriculum). Here I’m talking about the hidden curriculum, that which students learn through their engagement in school but that educators or schools do not make explicit in written or spoken form. A quick scan through an ensemble program’s repertoire can reveal much about the hidden curriculum that students experience. One way of thinking about the hidden curriculum… Read More »Expanding ensemble repertoire for diversity and inclusion

Deep Listening in the Music Classroom

[Originally posted August, 2007 & Updated Dec, 2016] Pauline Oliveros’s Inspiration The wonderful composer and performer Pauline Oliveros, recently passed away leaving a legacy of music, ideas, and thinking about sound and people. I first came across Pauline Oliveros during my undergraduate work and remember looking at some of her vocal scores in the library stacks, fascinated by her use of the voice as sound. Years later, I remember hearing her perform with a souped up accordion at the Knitting Factory… Read More »Deep Listening in the Music Classroom

EDM producing for music teaching and learning

Do you ever watch videos that feature musicians sharing their creative process? I find that listening to musicians speak about their music in connection with sonic examples helps expand the ways I think about and know music. It is also interesting to consider the format itself as a model for music learners to reflect on their own processes and share with others. This can serve as a great component of formative or summative assessment in learning contexts.

Consider the following video featuring Joel Thomas Zimmerman AKA Deadmau5 and Steve Duda discussing Deadmau5’s Imaginary Friends (hosted by Razer Music):

How might this connect to or inform music teaching and learning?

Here are just a couple of thoughts I jotted down as I watched the video (and I am curious about yours as well!):Read More »EDM producing for music teaching and learning