Clinician Name: Richard Grunow E-mail Address: rgrunow@esm.rochester.edu
Clinic Title: Instituting Change in Beginning Instrumental Music Pedagogy
Clinic Synopsis: This musically interactive session will feature current research and a great deal of common sense about how children learn music and the impact such information is having on beginning instrumental music pedagogy. Of interest to all levels of instrumental instruction, the session will have particular relevance to those who teach beginning instrumental music or instrumental methods and techniques courses at the college level.
What is the target audience for this clinic? Beginning band and orchestra teachers.
What will the audience take away from this clinic? How to teach beginning instrumental music is often emphasized at the expense of how children learn music. I will engage the audience in a logical sequence of instruction based on an abundance of research, but characterized most by "common sense." As a result of this instruction, students 1) develop independent musicianship, 2) remain in an instrumental program, and 3) continue to make music for a lifetime. Teachers can apply the suggestions and procedures immediately to their current practice.
What is included in the handout? The handout includes suggestions for 1) building a repertoire of "tunes," 2) improvisation, 3) tonal reading, 4) rhythm reading, and 5) composition. Also included: a comprehensive list of suggestions and how to apply them to current practice at all levels of instrumental music education, and a reference list for further study.
Is there anything else you would like attendees to know about this clinic? The focus of this clinic is clearly on beginning instrumental music instruction. Regardless of your level of instruction, however, you will benefit by the "common sense" procedures put forth in this session..."common sense" that is unfortunately not so common today in much instrumental music instruction. Perhaps most exciting: teachers will experience impressive growth in their personal musicianship as they teach their students.
Biographical Information: Richard F. Grunow is Professor of Music Education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. A Wisconsin native, he received a BS in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and taught instrumental music for seven years in Beloit, Wisconsin Public Schools. He later received his MM and PhD in Music Education from the University of Michigan. A much sought after clinician, he is also a frequent presenter at state, national, and international venues. He is author of numerous articles and publications and co-author of the Instrumental and Choral Score Reading Programs, Instrumental Score Reading Test, Creativity In Improvisation, Developing Musicianship through Improvisation, and Jump Right In: The Instrumental Series, a comprehensive beginning instrumental method for winds, strings, and percussion.
Sponsor: GIA Publications, Inc.