Developing Unorthodox Approaches to Group Teaching Strategies
Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has taken a proactive approach to engage students in music education, introducing a series of special topics courses aimed at replacing traditional large ensemble participation. These courses have been designed to foster student involvement in new and adaptive ways, as physical distancing and remote learning became the norm.
The two-day virtual symposium organised by Department of Music Chair Travis J. Cross served as a platform to gather diverse perspectives and plan for a potentially remote fall quarter. The event facilitated the exchange of ideas and provided an opportunity for personal and professional connection during a time of physical distance.
One of the innovative courses offered is "Creating Inclusive Orchestral Audition Lists", which focuses on promoting diversity and inclusivity in the music industry. Other courses include "Improvisation for Classical Musicians", "The Entrepreneurial Musician on Social Media", and "Social Justice Issues in Classical Music".
Students can also learn about World Music from UCLA Ethnomusicology Faculty and Ensemble Directors in another course. The inter-disciplinary approach of these courses highlights opportunities unique to The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, with colleagues from Ethnomusicology and Global Jazz Studies joining the ensemble faculty from the Department of Music.
Courses such as "Composition and Arranging using Digital Platforms", "Music Technology and Recording Techniques", and "Music Education Theory and Practice focused on online or community contexts" have been introduced to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape of music education. Virtual ensemble projects, where individual recordings are compiled into ensemble performances, are also part of the innovative offerings.
Eileen Strempel, the school's Inaugural Dean, is proud of the faculty's efforts to develop these innovative options for students. The experimental offerings proved successful and have continued into the current winter quarter. The rapid transition to remote instruction presented challenges for music faculty and students around the country, but the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has risen to the occasion, providing a model for other institutions to follow.
The conducting faculty collaborated to devise unconventional, cross-departmental substitutions for large ensembles that could not meet on campus. For instance, "Historical and Recorded Perspectives: The American Choral Tradition" is another topic offered this quarter. These courses allow students to explore new areas of interest and expand their horizons, even during these challenging times. The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music continues to adjust and improve these special topics courses for students during the upcoming spring quarter.
In light of the pandemic, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has expanded its education-and-self-development offerings to include online education, with a focus on learning through a series of special topics courses. These courses, such as "Creating Inclusive Orchestral Audition Lists" and "Composition and Arranging using Digital Platforms," are designed to Foster student involvement in new and adaptive ways, allowing students to navigate the digital landscape of music education.
