MUS-3210-J01

Secondary Music Methods

Fall, 2010 – Johnson State College

Mondays, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Dibden MIDI Lab

Instructor: Steven Light

Email: steven.light@jsc.edu

Home Phone: 802.426.3498

Office Phone: 802.635.1345

Class website: www.fyreandlightning.org/jsc

Course Description: Emphasis in the course is on vocal and instrumental music in the secondary school, organization and rehearsal techniques, general music and middle level issues. General topics include philosophy, curriculum development, administration, advocacy, recruitment and retention. In addition issues such as multiculturalism, music theory, literacy, history, the National Standards, Vermont Standards and student-generated topics will be addressed. The class will be organized around discussions of our readings, personal reflections, project work/discussion/summaries of writing assignments and peer teaching as well as general question and answer time.

Materials: Readings will be selected from various MENC publications, articles, and two standard secondary music methods texts including:

*Teaching Music in the Secondary Schools *Primary text – must purchase

Charles R. Hoffer, 5^th edition 2000

Agenda For Excellence in Music at the Middle Level

MENC: The National Association for Music Education, 1994

Music in the High School: Current Approaches to Secondary General Music Instruction

Edited by Timothy Gerber and William O. Hughes, 1988

TIPS: Thinking Skills in the Music Classroom

Jennifer Davidson, 1993

What Works: Instructional Strategies for Music Education

MENC/Compiled by Margaret Merrion, 1989

Reforming Secondary Music Teaching in the New Century

Peter Webster, Journal of Secondary Gifted Education, 2000

Learning to Teach Music in the Secondary School: A companion to school experience

Chris Philpott, 2^nd edition 2006

Course Objectives:

Secondary Music Methods students will…

• Formulate a personal philosophy of high school music education
• Gain awareness of the many issues related to teaching
• Become equipped with the basics needed to be a successful secondary school music teacher
• Have a working understanding of the National Standards in the Arts and their value
• Gain experience and expertise in writing and delivering lesson plans

• Participate in the VTMIDI Project as collegiate mentors for young composers

• Become reflective prospective music teachers

Assignments: **Always be prepared to discuss the assigned readings in class**

Detailed descriptions of assignments and projects will be given and discussed in class and will include:

• Assigned readings (from Hoffer and photocopied handouts)
• Summary/critique of your high school music experience
• Personal philosophy paper
• Research paper on Middle level strategies
• Mentor in the VTMIDI Project
• Research various curriculum designs
• Create sample written lesson plans and teach/present to the class (multi-cultural, active listening & original)
• Design recruiting presentation
• Write one week choral/instrumental rehearsal plan
• Choose repertoire for a sample school concert
• Leadership style self-reflection paper/interview

Grading: Today’s teachers must be able to communicate ideas through verbal and written means. Grades will be based on student attendance, participation in class and successful completion of all assignments including the writing quality of all papers.

Attendance: Because class participation is such an important component of the class and because much of the class is centered on student projects, class attendance is of the utmost importance. Remember: because this class meets only once a week an absence is like missing an entire week of a class that meets 2 or 3 times per week. Unexcused absences will affect your final grade.

Communication: Students are encouraged to contact me for any reason. There will be time at the end of class for one on one meetings.