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New Directions in Music Education: 2011 (Revitalizing Middle and High School Music)

If you teach music at the secondary level or have interest in doing so at some point, consider attending the 2011 New Directions in Music Education: Revitalizing Middle and High School Music Conference at Michigan State University this Oct. 6-8 The New Directions conference is designed to appeal to pre-service and practicing music educators as well as those in higher education. Here is the conference program – it looks fabulous. Additional information can be found on the New Directions conference… Read More »New Directions in Music Education: 2011 (Revitalizing Middle and High School Music)

Women, music, and music education: FTM11 Conference

When you think of the history of music education do the names Frances Clark, Lila Belle Pitts, and Julia Crane ring a bell? How about Mabelle Glenn, Marguerite Hood, Eunice Boardman, or Consuela Lee? All of these women and of course countless others had, and continue to have, a tremendous impact on music education. In light of the upcoming Feminist Theory and Music Confernce or FTM11 conference at Arizona State University, we might pause to reflect on ways that music… Read More »Women, music, and music education: FTM11 Conference

The [fill in the blank] ensemble reinvented?

The New York Times has an interesting article, titled “The String Quartet Reinvented,” about David Harrington’s (violinist and founder of the Kronos Quartet) role in broadening the stylistic oeuvre of string quartets and reinventing this type of ensemble. In addition to reminding me that some of my favorite groups are chamber groups and small ensembles such as the Kronos Quartet, Ethel, SO Percussion, and the many configurations of Bang on a Can, the article provoked a resurfacing of a question… Read More »The [fill in the blank] ensemble reinvented?

Practicing, Composing, & Thinking Creatively in Music

Dave Douglas recently posted a thought provoking email from one of his readers raising questions about practicing, composing, and thinking creatively in music. Both the post and the comments are worth reading and thinking about. While the email deals with a university context it could easily be applied to public school music programs. The lingering questions I’m left with are: “To what extent do we provide opportunities for our students to think creatively in/with music? And for instrumental programs: How… Read More »Practicing, Composing, & Thinking Creatively in Music

Fascinating Arts-Education Dialogue on ArtsJournal…….

A fascinating “Debate on Arts Education”, hosted by ArtsJournal’s Douglas McLennan took place on an artsjournal blog from Dec 1st-5th. The entire dialogue is archived on the blog. It is especially interesting to get a sense of where each contributor is coming from and consider their perspectives within the context of the roles they play in the arts. Unfortunately it does not seem that any public school arts educators or students were involved as invited bloggers. Of course, since everything… Read More »Fascinating Arts-Education Dialogue on ArtsJournal…….