Reimagining Applied Music Courses through Online Delivery

This webinar explores the design of an applied music course suitable for various educational levels, ranging from middle and high school to college and university programs. Drawing inspiration from the online Associate in Arts in Music for transfer degree program at American River College in Sacramento, California, we will address the challenges encountered by music programs in the development of an effective applied music program, including innovative solutions in online pedagogy and emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds. This webinar will touch on: design of an online applied program; technologies and tools for implementation; funding; inclusion of applied studies in non-Western traditions and Electronic Digital Interface (EDI); inclusion of students with individual and diverse needs through equitable design; applications for establishing and/or increasing enrollment; and staffing and maintaining a comprehensive applied program at a small or rural school.

Steven Thompson directs the orchestra, lectures in music appreciation, and coordinates the online music degree at American River College. He designed curriculum and processes for online applied music as part of California’s first online music associate degree for transfer. He is music director for the Napa Valley Regional Dance Company, guest conductor with Symphony Napa Valley, and founder of the Symphony Orchestra of Northern California and has held several orchestral positions with the orchestras in in the U.S. and abroad. Previously, he directed instrumental and choral music programs at Archbishop Riordan High School, Capuchino High School, and San Leandro High School in the San Francisco Bay Area. He holds degrees from Wichita State University (BM) and The University of Southern California (MM, DMA).

NAfME presents this live virtual event at no charge to all as a service to the music education profession. To register, you must enter your NAfME member information or create a nonmember account. After registering, check your email for instructions. A recording of this program will be available to all registrants for one week following the live event. Members can also view archived NAfME webinars in the NAfME Academy. The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.