2: Music Curriculum Perspectives with Sean Lebrun

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Ideas and Themes

In this episode I speak with Sean Lebrun about his experiences and perspectives on music curriculum and curriculum development. We discuss ideas and themes such as:

• Addressing student needs with and through music curriculum
• Designing curriculum for the students in your music classes, ensembles, and program
• Varied metaphors for curriculum that can help us think more expansively about what music curriculum could be
• The degree of openness or specificity of projects and assignments
• How grades can be reductive and considering other ways of representing student growth and learning
• How we can support students becoming independent musicians
• Considerations for pacing
• Trying new things as music teachers

Notes, Resources, and References

• At one point Sean mentions the Spaghetti Monster religion to make a point – if you are unfamiliar with this phenomenon, check out this Guardian article: Pasta strainers and pirates: how the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was born | Religion
  • The official Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster site
• Every Noise at Once
• When discussing metaphors of music curriculum Sean mentions the Leap of Faith scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – it’s a great metaphor (along with the others). And if you haven’t watched the movie – go watch it!

Thank you Sean Lebrun for sharing your insights, experiences, and perspectives!