Summer Workshops in Piano Pedagogy
August 8-12, 2011
Please join us for an extraordinary week of sessions by nationally-renowned presenters.
General Information
Housing Request Form
Registration Form - Summer Workshops in Piano Pedagogy
Summer Program Information
2011 Workshop Schedule
August 8: Bruce Berr
August 9: Andrew Hisey
August 10: Michelle Sisler
August 11: Melody Bober and Katherine Faricy
August 12: Scott McBride Smith
Monday, August 8
Bruce Berr
MUSW 501-51: Dynamic Markings Are Overrated! Teaching Music From the Inside Out
9:15-11:45 a.m.
Surprisingly, many expression marks in scores are redundant. When students can perceive a piece on its own terms—harmony, rhythm, melody, pianistic texture, gesture—they play more convincingly because they understand more about the music. This workshop explores how students of all ages and levels can be taught to hear and respond to important musical events in their pieces with a minimum of traditional music theory. The final half hour has "Pedagogy Puzzlers" involving the entire group in applying these principles!
MUSW 501-52: Pedagogy in Pictures: Video Clips of Piano Students Caught in the Act of Being Themselves & Putting It All Together-Demonstration Teaching of Children
1:15-3:45 p.m.
Pedagogy in Pictures: Video Clips of Piano Students Caught in the Act of Being Themselves
An entertaining program of past and recent videos of Dr. Berr's teaching that reveal not only specific pedagogical principles but also special personal moments. This acts as a springboard for discussing pedagogy at many levels.
Putting It All Together-Demonstration Teaching of Children
Several children from local teachers will play some old and new pieces for Dr. Berr, who will work with them in a combined private and group format. This is always a fun and exciting event because how can you examine teaching and learning without having real students?
Tuesday, August 9
Andrew Hisey
MUSW 501-53: Exercises and Etudes for Pianists
9:15-11:45 a.m.
A look at the development of finger exercises and etudes, their place in pedagogical history, and their relationship with “real” repertoire. Though extensive use of such material has largely fallen from favor over time, participants will leave with a rough outline of what exists; how to categorize, evaluate and use it; and questions to consider when thinking about whether and when to include them in your studio nutrition pyramid.
MUSW 501-54: Spaced Out
1:15-3:45 p.m.
A workshop focused on issues of timing, breath and movement for those who make music at the piano, those who teach them, and those who receive the gift of our music-making. Participants will consider ways of understanding with the body as well as the mind, think about matters that affect effective phrasing, rubato, and body perceptions of tempo, beat, and meter. Wear comfortable clothing and come prepared to move, breathe and make some noise.
Wednesday, August 10
Michelle Sisler
MUSW 501-55: Technology at Your Fingertips: Bring Your Studio Up to Tempo with Technology
9:15-11:45 a.m.
While computers may be innovative to people like Bach, they are really everyday tools for our students. Our creative skills must pull together traditional repertoire and teaching methods with technology for our students to learn music making skills for their lifetime. In this session, we will explore how adding technology to a teacher's studio will increase their teaching time to help students learn and develop their skills, increase time spent practicing these skills, make a teacher's studio more marketable and increase a teacher's income. We will explore strategies for lab set up including scheduling, marketing and tuition, lab content and curriculum, internet, MIDI, and resources. Teachers will leave with an action plan and tools to incorporate technology in their studio and bring their studio up to tempo with technology.
MUSW 501-56:Tried and True Technology: A Review of Studio Software and Lab Materials
1:15-3:45 p.m.
Join us for a review and demonstration of a wide variety of software and materials for your studio. Get insight to what makes software programs effective and motivating to students. Learn how to choose software appropriate for your students to teach theory, ear training, sight reading, rhythm, score following and notation and music history and effectively correlate it to your lessons.
Thursday, August 11
Melody Bober
MUSW 501-57: Energize Your Studio & Composition 101
9:15-11:45 a.m.
Energize Your Studio:
In this session, Melody will share tips for creating a positive lesson experience in five "SE" areas: studio environment, studio engagement, studio entertainment, studio excitement and studio excellence. She will demonstrate strategies for making the teaching space appealing, interesting and special, engage the students musically when they arrive for lessons, help students learn and have fun at the same time, generate excitement and interest about being part of the studio, and developing character traits to give their best to students.
Composition 101:
This interactive session will offer ways to jumpstart students in composition. It is intended to give a quick yet successful strategy for students to begin composing. A teacher may use these ideas in a private or group setting. Even if you do not offer composition as part of your studio experience, this basic introduction will be a fun and helpful way to introduce composition at any level. Melody will also share tips for budding composers as they continue to experiment and create.
Katherine Faricy
MUSW 501-58: The Art of Pedaling I & II
1:15-3:45 p.m.
The Art of Pedaling I: The Pedagogy of Pedaling
This session will provide a systematic approach to teaching pedaling to students from the very beginning of their studies. Covered will be some basic techniques of damper pedaling including long pedals, simultaneous pedal, syncopated pedal, slow application and release of the pedal, and introducing different levels of pedal.
The Art of Pedaling II: Stylistic Use of the Pedals in Baroque and Classic Music
Contrary to popular belief, the subtle use of the damper and soft pedals is not only appropriate but necessary for beautiful interpretations of this music. Many examples will be discussed and demonstrated in this unique presentation.
Friday, August 12
Scott McBride Smith
MUSW 501-59: Memorization: Psychological Data and Some Practical Tips & Preparing Students to Handle Stagefright
9:15-11:45 a.m.
Memorization: Psychological Data and Some Practical Tips
“Does it really matter if you got it right? Does it really matter what was wrong or right? (yeah)”
~ “Memories” (2005), The Backstreet Boys
Playing from memory. It’s easy for The Backstreet Boys to sing about it, but we piano teachers know that it’s not so easy to do. Join Scott for an enlightening (and humorous) look at the history of memorization, along with some practical tips to make memorization skills a strong point of each of your students.
Preparing Students to Handle Stage Fright
Stage fright doesn’t sound so scary any more in this interactive workshop in which participants learn practical, hands-on methods for coping with nerves. The session will include actual case studies and teaching techniques. Attendees will receive a handout filled with up-to-date information and a list of proven survival strategies.
MUSW 501-60: Teaching vs. Correcting: Every Teacher's Dilemma
1:15-3:45 p.m.
Most of us became music teachers because we love music and want to help young people. So why, too often, do we end up feeling like repairmen, endlessly fixing rather than creatively teaching? There is something you can do about it. Student motivation, musicianship and your own presentation all play a role. This practical, hands-on workshop will expand on these ideas and more.
MUSW 501-61
Register me for all 10 sessions at the discounted rate of $375.
MUSW 501-62, 1 cr.
Register me for credit. I am registering for 5 or more sessions and will submit an essay as specified by Graduate Credit for Workshops. To obtain credit there is an additional fee of $125.
