The purpose of the session is to share the experiences of two string teachers whose primary instrumental and musical experiences began in band. They will share their stories on how they navigated playing and teaching each orchestral string instrument and building successful school orchestra programs. Their stories will include their fears, frustrations, motivations, what they did, student successes, and gratifying career outcomes.
Samuel Tsugawa
- Biographical Information
Samuel Tsugawa is an associate professor of music education at Brigham Young University and holds Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from BYU and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music education from Arizona State University. As a public-school orchestra teacher for 28 years, ensembles under Dr. Tsugawa’s baton were renowned as outstanding performing groups.
Dr. Tsugawa has presented papers and workshops at national and international research and practitioner conferences and published in the American String Teacher, International Journal of Community Music, Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, International Journal of Music Education, Research Studies in Music Education, and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. His research and recent publications focus on older adult music learning, music teacher education, action research, popular music, informal music learning, and orchestra classroom pedagogy.
Dr. Tsugawa has served as president of the Utah Music Educators Association, Western Division President for the National Association for Music Education, and a member of NAfME’s National Executive Board
Ed Candland began teaching band and choir in 1994. In 2000 he moved from Hurricane High School to Pine View High School in St. George, Utah. His teaching assignment changed to band and orchestra, group piano, and guitar studies. Over time the orchestra program expanded enough for Mr. Candland to teach strings all day. The bass became his primary instrument while immersing himself in string music and pedagogy. Ed conducts the Zion Youth Symphony Orchestra in St. George rehairs, repairs, and restores bows.