Developing Resources for Contemporary Musicianship in K-12 Programs with TRUVONNE
Background
While K-12 music educators at the secondary level experience success at maintaining the typical large ensemble (band, orchestra, choir) model based on Western European Art Music, many struggle to address current popular music practices and young people’s related needs and interests. This project applies principled innovation to develop curricular resources with potential to support music educators in updating and expanding their programs in ways more aligned with the ways that people know and do music in contemporary society.
More specifically this project joins a music teacher educator, a local artist/producer, and K-12 music educators with varying degrees of experience and expertise addressing contemporary musical practices to develop educative curricular resources that 1) guide music educators in facilitating students’ contemporary music engagement and 2) develop music educators’ pedagogical content knowledge in relation to contemporary music and musical practices.
This project is supported by the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts as an initiative to embody and demonstrate the potential and possibilities of Principled Innovation.
Who are we? (The Team)
- Evan Tobias – PI & Curriculum Producer (Contact for additional info or to be involved)
- TRUVONNE – Lead Artist Consultant
- Michael Ferraro – Educator Consultant
- Richard Maxwell – Educator Consultant
- Nick Popovich – Educator Consultant
- Laura Meador – Educator Reviewer
- Roger Wagner – Educator Reviewer
The Project
Phase 1 (December 2024)
Phase 1 of the project involves the design and rapid prototyping of curricular resources that address contemporary popular music practices. During Phase 1 we recorded music breakdown sessions with TRUVONNE that include discussions of TRUVONNE’s musical process and creative decisions and conversations that relate to pedagogy and curriculum for K-12 music programs.
We then collaborated as a team to rapid prototype the creation of activities, lessons, and unit plans that build on TRUVONNE’s creative process, musical practices, and aspects of her music. These drafts were then reviewed by K-12 music educators.
Phase 2 (January – May 2025)
During Phase 2 we are revising the drafts prototyped in Phase 1 and piloting the curricular resources to inform further revision and development.
If you would like to be involved in this project or would like to learn more, contact Evan Tobias.
