Testimonials | Sample Courses

String pedagogy studies at Northwestern are designed to add an important dimension to School of Music degree programs in string performance and music education. Students may select from nine string pedagogy courses, or design an independent study tailored to their individual needs. Both undergraduate and graduate students may add such courses to their regular program, with graduate students also able to pursue masters degrees in String Performance and Pedagogy, and Music Education and Pedagogy. 

Key to string pedagogy studies is Northwestern’s Music Academy – a pre-college division serving young musicians in the greater Evanston area. Through the Academy, students receive hands-on teaching experience and guidance from experienced pedagogues. From this experience and the coursework offered, students are exposed to a variety of proven methodologies as well as hands on teaching experience.

James Kjelland serves as the director of string pedagogy and teaches several courses. Other faculty members come from the School of Music and Music Academy string faculty, including Stacia Spencer and Paula Kosower.

For complete information on the String Pedagogy offerings and curricula, please contact musiclife@northwestern.edu.

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Testimonials

Excerpt from "String Project Success Stories: Lessons to be Learned" by Gregory C. Hurley
American String Teacher, volume 48, no. 8
November 1998

The String Division of the Music Academy at Northwestern University was reactivated in 1995 after a period of dormancy. It provides Northwestern string students with the opportunity for authentic teaching experiences in both individual and group settings. Pedagogy classes offered in the program are part of the requirements in the Master of Music in string performance and pedagogy and the Bachelor of Music programs. In addition to serving the needs of the students in these degree programs, the academy also serves the surrounding community by providing violin, viola, and cello lessons. Although there is virtually no age limit, participants in the program are primarily of elementary and middle school age.

James Kjelland, coordinator of string pedagogy, serves as liaison between the School of Music and the String Division of the NU Music Academy, the preparatory division of the School of Music. Kjelland teaches four of the nine pedagogy courses in the curriculum. Stacia Spencer is the coordinator of the String Division of the Music Academy and teaches three levels of violin and viola pedagogy; she also mentors apprentice teachers. Other academy teachers also mentor Northwestern University students who teach in the program.

The Academy is primarily self-supported through lesson fees, and university facilities and administrative support are provided by University. Northwestern students who are selected for teaching assistant positions in the Academy are offered a tuition reduction as compensation for their teaching duties.

The Northwestern Music Academy does not offer large heterogeneous ensemble experiences, but future plans involve a chamber music program. The program is designed to serve the degree requirements of string performance majors at the undergraduate level and the Master of Music in string performance-pedagogy at the graduate level. Undergraduate music education students may opt for the course work, although not specifically required of their degree program.

What people are saying...

I took various string pedagogy and education classes during my DM Degree in Cello Performance at NU. At first I wasn't aware to how much is there in this field. Eventually, I realized I got an enormous and very practical knowledge like how to teach beginners to college level students, mixed string classes, technique classes, various string methods and much more--all that with the best faculty I could have hoped for. My performance career coupled with a broad string pedagogy background proved the smartest choice I could do in my professional life.
-- Racheli Galay-Altman, Cello teacher, Chicago Music Institute

I had a wonderful experience at NU and I wouldn't have traded it for anything else! I received very personal attention and all the professors were quite knowledgeable. I thoroughly recommend anyone interested in string pedagogy to have their education at NU.
-- Elaine (Yen) Lee, Middle school string teacher

"I certainly enjoyed my experience at Northwestern. Having a masters ... holds a lot of weight when applying for college teaching jobs. [My pedagogy classes] prepared me well for teaching the younger private students I have now and they also assist me when doing recruiting sessions at high schools."
-- Nick Curry, Cello teacher, University of South Dakota

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Sample Courses

For complete information on the String Pedagogy offerings and curricula, please contact musiclife@northwestern.edu.

STRINGS 311-0 Suzuki Pedagogy
Introduction and in-depth study of fundamental principles of Suzuki philosophy and materials. Available to violin, viola, cello, and double bass players with emphasis on violin. (Open to all string players, required of all MM String Pedagogy majors, waived with prior experience)

STRINGS 312-0 String Class Pedagogy
Teaching strings in heterogeneous groups. Covers group teaching strategies, program administration, materials, techniques and pedagogy for all four instruments. Offered for the performance/pedagogy major to learn about secondary instruments, group teaching, and college level techniques classes. (Open to all string players)

STRINGS 313-0 History of String Pedagogy
Historical survey of the major violin, viola, cello, and double bass pedagogues from the early Baroque through 20th Century, including publications and contributions to contemporary schools. Seminar format. (required of all MM String Pedagogy majors, open to all string players)

STRINGS 314-0 Comprehensive String Pedagogy
Comparative study and application of the principles of successful string teaching. Includes communication skills, observations, comparison of contemporary approaches of Suzuki, Rolland, Havas, et al. Lecture, discussion, and demonstration format. Open to all string players. (Required of all MM String Pedagogy majors, open to all string players)

STRINGS 315-1,2,3 Beginning Violin & Viola Pedagogy
Developmental approach to individual and group teaching of elementary level violin and viola students. Includes Rolland and Suzuki approaches, apprenticeship teaching, and observations. (Open to all string players, one quarter required of violin and viola majors in MM String Pedagogy)

STRINGS 316-1,2,3 Beginning Violoncello and Double Bass Pedagogy
Developmental approach to individual and group teaching of elementary-level cello and/or double bass students. (open to all string players, one quarter required of cellists and double bassists majoring in MM String Pedagogy)

CONDUCTING 345-0/445-0 Orchestral Bowing: Style and Function
In-depth analysis of bowing function, styles, and performance practice. Open to string and non-string players. Includes rehearsal protocol, individual projects, hands-on applications. Final project: Bowing analysis of major work. May count as required pedagogy course.

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