Innovations in Instrumental Music Education – Creativity & Improvisation - MUE 603
July 27 – July 31, 2026
In-Person - 3 Credits
An intensive experiential workshop on creativity and improvisation in the school ensemble. Building on historical examples of creativity and improvisation throughout the history of Western Music, this course aims to expand the teacher’s toolkit for giving their students agency as creative musicians. Participants will gain experience in techniques for expanding and manipulating scores already in their library, arranging for their students with the student’s needs in mind, Butch Morris’s Conduction techniques for free improvisation, and ways to cultivate practice materials aimed at giving creative license to students. Participants will be asked to make music during the workshop (does not need to be primary instrument), and also work on a deconstruction of music for their school ensemble.
COURSE
DETAILS
Daily Schedule
Monday
- 8:00am-9:00am – Welcome and Orientation
- 9:00am-12:00pm – Reframing Creativity and Improvisation
- 12:00pm – Lunch
- 1:00pm-3:00pm – Arranging & Deconstruction 1: how to amplify the materials you already have for your ensemble
- 3:00pm-5:00pm - Undefining Jazz: Reconsidering Improvisation in Music Education and its tools for you
Tuesday
- 8:00am-12:00pm – Teacher as Musician: The Power of Variations
- 12:00pm – Lunch
- 1:00pm-3:00pm - Arranging & Deconstruction 2: how to amplify the materials you already have for your ensemble
- 3:00pm-5:00pm – Introducing Conduction and The Free Chorale
Wednesday
- 8:00am-10:00am - Meaning and Absurdity in Music: how to use elements of musical risk-taking to build courage in your students
- 10:00am-12:00pm - Arranging & Deconstruction 3: how to amplify the materials you already have for your ensemble
- 12:00pm – Lunch
- 1:00pm-3:00pm – Discussion and Review
- 3:00pm-5:00pm – Conduction and The Free Chorale
Thursday
- 8:00am-12:00pm - Historical Insights: Medieval Music, Baroque Music, The Classical Era, Jazz and Modernism as expressions of the improvisatory spirit of music making.
- 12:00pm – Lunch
- 1:00pm-3:00pm - Arranging & Deconstruction 4: how to amplify the materials you already have for your ensemble
- 3:00pm-5:00pm – Arranging and Deconstruction Workshop – review of attempts by participants with in-class feedback
Friday
- 8:00am-10:00am - Conduction and the Free Chorale: applying it to written music
- 10:00am-12:00pm – Final Considerations: Arranging & Deconstruction
- 12:00pm – Lunch
- 1:00pm-2:00pm – Final Considerations: Creativity and Improvisation in the Classroom
- 3:00pm-5:00pm – Final Considerations: Group Discussion and Review
Course Enrollment and Workshop Registration
Course Enrollment – MUE 603
| Enrollment Options | In-State | Out of State |
|---|---|---|
Masters+ |
Tuition - $316 per credit* Fees - $139 per credit *Reflects $200 tuition discount |
Tuition - $574 per credit* Fees - $151 per credit *Reflects $200 tuition discount |
Non-Degree Seeking |
Tuition - $516 per credit Fees - $139 per credit |
Tuition - $774 per credit Fees - $151 per credit |
Masters Students |
Tuition - $516 per credit Fees - $139 per credit |
Tuition - $774 per credit Fees - $151 per credit |
Workshop/Act 48 Hours**students enrolling for the workshop do not receive graduate credit |
$1200 - Participant $500 - Audit (for students that have previously completed the course) $500 - Current WCU Undergraduate Student |
|
