Allyn Phelps he/him/his

First of a four-course sequence presenting foundational concepts and skills in music education needed for an initial music teaching license in Massachusetts. This course introduces historical, philosophical, sociological, and practical foundations in school and community-based music education in the United States and internationally. Students will explore various constructions of effective teaching, examine music education practices through the lenses of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and begin the development of their professional teacher identities. Twenty hours of observation in school or community-based music education are required. 

Instruction in guitar for students of all levels. No prior experience is required. Classes alternate between group lessons and individual practice to develop basic guitar technique and finger dexterity. Students will learn to play simple, notated melodies, gain fluency in fundamental chord fingerings and strumming patterns for accompaniment, study selected performance literature, and explore songwriting. Curriculum will be adjusted based on each student¿s prior experience and individual needs. The course may be repeated for credit up to four times.

Introduction to digital music notation software and music theory fundamentals. The course will include the setup and use of notation software and MIDI technology for the purposes of note entry and playback of scores. Elements of music fundamentals will be integrated into the course design to better prepare students for subsequent music theory and skills courses. The topics of music fundamentals (such as notation of pitch and rhythm, scales, intervals, triads, and Seventh Chords) and skills (solfege singing, rhythm performance, and conducting) will be introduced and reinforced through active music-making and the practice of digital notation. 

Qualified students audition to play with the Fall River Symphony Orchestra or other orchestra with the consent of the instructor. The course provides opportunity for qualified students to perform standard and contemporary orchestral literature.

Second in four-course music education sequence.  Students will engage with ideologies required for initial music teaching license in Massachusetts.  National, state, and district-based standards will be studied, and students will begin developing evidence-based music-teaching practices, and explore anti-racist, culturally sustaining, social and emotional, accessible, and inclusive practices and pedagogies. Twenty hours of outside observation required.  Music majors or instructor permission.

Small performing organizations devoted to the music repertoire of all stylistic periods.

Small performing organizations devoted to the music repertoire of all stylistic periods.

A fifteen-week full-time classroom experience under the direction of the university music faculty and cooperating classroom teachers.