2012 Graduate Level Music Classes

Special note to Four-Summer Masters students: All graduate-level music classes are applicable to the four-summer masters degree. Classes from the 100- and 200-level do not apply. For more information on this program, visit the Four-Summer Masters in Education Degree page.

CPDU CREDITS for State of Illinois public school teachers are available for many of the summer courses. For information, including registration and prices, contact 847-491-3141 or summermusic@northwestern.edu.

Four-Summer Masters Degree

Individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and certification to teach can complete a master of music degree in music education in four summers. If you are interested in this program, please contact:

Office of Music Admission and Financial Aid
Northwestern University Bienen School of Music
Evanston, Illinois  60208-1200
musiclife@northwestern.edu

Philosophical Bases of Music Education
MUSIC_ED 421-0 Sec 26
Instructor: Peter Webster

• 6 weeks
• June 18 - July 27
• MT 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon; W 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Evanston Campus

Application of philosophical theory to practical issues and problems facing the field of music education. One of the primary goals of the course is the development of a personal philosophy of music education. Topics include art and feeling, the creative process, aesthetic meaning, aesthetic experience, musical meaning, and musical experience. This course is required of all students enrolled in the four summer master’s degree program in music education. This course is recommended for master’s students in their second summer.

Curriculum Development in Music Education
MUSIC ED 422-0 Sec 26
Instructor: Janet Barrett

• 6 weeks
• June 18 - July 27
• MW 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon; F 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Evanston Campus

Curriculum development and evaluation in music education raises fundamental questions about the purposes and characteristics of music programs in school settings. Curriculum as a field of study often draws upon closely related foundational disciplines—history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and educational policy studies—to examine what is taught and learned in music classrooms. We will also draw upon these fields to understand contemporary curriculum theory and practice, as well as examine educational policies and their impact on music programs, particularly in this climate of school reform. Students will analyze and critique available curricular models, and design comprehensive programs to foster students’ musical growth. This course is required for master’s students in their third and fourth summers.

Creative Thinking in Music
MUSIC ED 438 Sec 23
Instructor: Peter Webster

• 3 weeks
• June 18 - July 6
• MTWThF 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• Evanston Campus 

In sthis course, we will explore definitions and models of creative thinking in music. We will also review the research in music psychology on creative thinking in music and in general. Finally, we will apply this information to creative teaching strategies in music.

Performance Anxiety 
MUSIC ED 335-0 Sec 53
Instructors: Pamela Hinchman

• 3 weeks
• July 9 - July 27
• MTWThF 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• Evanston Campus

Crippling effects of performance anxiety can impede a promising career whether in singing, teaching or public speaking. Temporary memory loss, inability to support and breathe adequately, lack of self-confidence and inability to problem solve in the moment are signs of unmanageable anxiety. My pedagogical practice addresses this issue specifically with a portable biofeedback program that demonstrates both excessive anxiety and its resolution. Through breathing and focusing on heartbeat, it is possible to reduce and even eliminate performance anxiety.

Selected Topics: Music for Students with Disabilities
MUSIC ED 335-0 Sec 43
Instructor: Kim McCord

• 3 weeks
• June 18-July 6
• MTWThF 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. 
• Evanston Campus 

This course will explore current methods, research and law regarding students with disabilities in music classes and ensembles.  Topics will include universal design for learning, response to intervention, and assistive technology.

Orchestral Bowing: Style and Function

MUSIC ED 335-0 Sec 23
Instructor: James Kjelland

• 3 weeks
• June 18-July 6
• MTWThF 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. 
• Evanston Campus 

This is a three-week course designed to meet the needs of a) the non-string player, conductor, teacher, composer, to review and upgrade knowledge and skill in orchestral playing, and b) the string player to learn bowing pedagogy, performance practice, and section leadership. Topics include:  hands-on skill development, rehearsal techniques and protocol, style and performance practice, score preparation and analysis.

Selected Topics: Free Improvisation
MUSIC COMP 335-0 Sec 23
Instructor: Stephen Syverud

• 3 weeks
• July 9 - July 27
• MTWThF 12 noon - 2:00 p.m.
• Evanston Campus 

Various methods of improvisation are discussed and experienced. Students will develop techniques in the art of improvisation. Class sessions are a combination of listening to recorded improvisations, trying various ways of structuring improvisations, and listening/commenting on other students' improvisational attempts. All members of the class are expected to participate in performing improvisations.

Advanced Conducting: Before The Downbeat
CONDUCT 335-0 Sec 36
Instructor: Robert Hasty

• 6 weeks
• June 18 - July 27
• MW 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.; F 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
• Evanston Campus

Students will be coached on methods of analyzing and preparing scores for conducting. The selection of appropriate music for their ensembles will be considered with regard to orchestration/voicing, strengths and weaknesses of instrumental/choral sections, and appropriateness to age and abilities. Students will create a database of scores with instrumentation, assessment and annotations for reference. Open to choral and instrumental conductors.

Seminar in Jazz Pedagogy
JAZZ ST 440-0 Sec. 26
Instructor: Don Owens

• 6 weeks
• June 18 - July 27
• MW 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.; F 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. 
• Evanston Campus

A student-driven course of study emphasizing teaching jazz in the public school. Jazz theory and harmony, improvisation, basic arranging skills will be discussed in addition to issues driven by student input. Prior experience in jazz education is not required, only an interest and commitment to jazz in our schools.

The Beatles: Song Craft in the Recording Studio
MUS TECH 335-0 Sec 26
Instructor: Chris Mercer

• 3 weeks
• June 18 - July 6
• MTWThF  12 noon - 2:00 p.m.
• Evanston Campus

This course is a detailed examination of the studio production techniques the Beatles used to realize their songs, focusing on the significant merging of song craft and studio craft central to the Beatles’ achievement. The course traces the Beatles’ evolution from the standard production techniques of the early 60s to the innovative and experimental approaches of the late 60s. Topics include: daily recording schedule of the Beatles; specific miking, mixing, and effects techniques employed; in-class demonstrations of effects and other techniques; discussion of alternate versions and mixes of classic Beatles tracks. Assignments include papers/presentations with audio examples. Musical knowledge and/or audio experience are welcome but not required.

Computers, Technology and the Music Experience
MUS TECH 434-0 Sec 26
Instructor: Maud Hickey

• 6 weeks
• June 18 - July 27 
• TTh 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon; F 11:00 a.m. - 12 noon
• Evanston Campus

This is a course intended for master’s students in music education. This course will explore new developments in music technology while reviewing current software packages appropriate for school and personal use. Class members will write simple compositions, print music notation, work with digital audio, and learn about useful non-music programs. The accent will be on creative thinking in music and using technology as an aid to teaching. This course is required of all students enrolled in the four-summer master's degree program in music education.

Music Theory Review for Educators

MUS THRY 355-0 Sec 20
Instructor: Susan Piagentini

• 6 weeks
• June 18 - July 27
• MW 12noon - 2:00 p.m.; F 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
• Evanston Campus

A graduate level review of music theory course designed for the returning professional music educator with a completed bachelor of music degree. Students will review principles and techniques of tonal harmony, phrase and style analysis, and graphic representation of form. In addition to renewing and advancing analysis skills, participants are encouraged to consider the relevance of analysis to the field of music education and performance and new methodology to support teaching the AP Music Theory Curriculum.

Musical Repertoire and Political Repression

MUSICOL 335-0 Sec 20
Instructor: Jesse Rosenberg 

• 3 weeks
• June 18 - July 6
• MTWThF 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
• Evanston Campus

What happens to the musical life of a country when political pressures are applied to it? The phenomenon has occurred at many different times in history, with strongly varying ramifications. One notorious instance, the Nazi seizure of power in Germany, will provide a unifying thread for examining the impact of politics on music in an extreme situation. The violently nationalistic and xenophobic cultural polices of the Third Reich had an enormous impact on musical developments, with musical results both fascinating and disturbing, and deserves a full exploration through assigned readings, audio recordings, and films. Students in the class, however, are encouraged to relate these insights to the far less extreme experiences they have had in facing the political issues, pressures and dimensions in their own professional lives.