Exploring and Developing New Methods for Group Teaching Approaches
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music continues to push boundaries in music education, with the special topics courses continuing into the spring quarter. These courses, designed to address current issues and explore unique opportunities, have seen new additions for the current term.
Among the new course topics are "Social Justice Issues in Classical Music," "The Entrepreneurial Musician on Social Media," "Discovery of World Music," and "Improvisation for Classical Musicians." These courses reflect the school's commitment to interdisciplinary learning, with faculty from Ethnomusicology and Global Jazz Studies joining the ensemble faculty from the Department of Music.
The school's faculty have been working tirelessly to adjust and improve these special topics courses, ensuring they remain engaging and relevant for students. This dedication is a testament to the school's Inaugural Dean, Eileen Strempel, who is proud of the faculty's efforts to develop innovative options for students.
During the summer, the Department of Music Chair, Travis J. Cross, organized a two-day virtual symposium to gather diverse perspectives and plan for a potentially remote fall quarter. This event, along with the special topics courses, facilitated the exchange of ideas and provided an important opportunity for personal and professional connection during a time of physical distance.
In addition to the special topics courses, the school has been innovating its large ensemble music curricula. This has involved adapting teaching methods to maximize student participation and learning despite physical distancing constraints. New classroom management techniques focused on remote environments and fostering positive virtual engagement have been introduced to compensate for the lack of in-person interaction.
Technology innovations have also played a significant role in music education during this era. Accessibility advancements with MIDI devices and software that support diverse forms of musical expression have become increasingly prevalent, illustrating a growing trend to incorporate technological tools in music curricula.
One such example is the course "Creating Inclusive Orchestral Audition Lists," which aims to address issues of diversity and inclusion in the music industry. Another is "Historical and Recorded Perspectives: The American Choral Tradition," which delves into the rich history of choral music in the United States.
The experimental offerings proved successful during the fall quarter and have continued into the current winter term, with students moving into different classes and some new options added. The school's dedication to innovation and student success continues to set it apart in the realm of music education.
- In a bid to expand horizons beyond music, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has introduced new courses in areas such as 'Sustainable Living for Musicians' under the 'home-and-garden' and 'education-and-self-development' sections, encouraging students to explore aspects of a balanced and eco-friendly lifestyle.
- Recognizing the growing importance of technology in our society, the school has also integrated 'online-education' into its curriculum, with courses like 'The Future of Online Music Learning' providing students an in-depth understanding of digital learning platforms and their applications in the music industry.
- Delving deeper into interdisciplinary learning, the school has also launched 'Lifestyle and Music: Understanding the Connection', a course that investigates the intersection of music and various facets of life, including fashion, art, and cultural movements.
