Erik Johnson to present at International Society of Music Education world conference
In July 2024, Associate Professor of Music Erik Johnson will co-present a paper at the 36th annual International Society of Music Education World Conference in Helsinki, Finland. The presentation, titled "Music Teacher Identity Over Time: The Impact of Musical Experiences and Teacher Philosophy,” is one of only eight papers accepted for the empirical research category worldwide. Johnson will present with two other scholars from the U.S.
According to the society’s website, “The 36th World Conference provides a platform that invites music educators and other stakeholders to ask novel questions, imagine ways forward, and create new partnerships for change. The conference will open avenues to explore a sphere of possibilities for pursuing and advocating for sustainability in and through music education.” ismeworldconference.org
Bonnie Jacobi featured in the American Eurhythmics Society newsletter
Music Education Professor Bonnie Jacobi had an article featured in the 2024 Winter issue of the American Eurhythmics Society newsletter. The mission of the American Eurhythmics Society (AES) is to promote the use of eurhythmics among music and other arts educators. The AES provides education, outreach, and engagement on a national level. (americaneurhythmics.org)
In Dr. Jacobi's article, she stated, "One way to go back to the core of what eurhythmics is all about – is to remember that it all begins with a WALK. How easy it is to forget that the simple everyday walk enables us to feel: beat, meter, tempo, phrase, and even nuance. Whether you are working with children who are young or children who are new to Eurhythmics, a walking activity helps the child to feel comfortable because it is something they do on a constant basis. Every child can be successful with a walk!"
View the newsletter, including access to the full story, here.
Bonnie Jacobi’s research showcased nationally
Dr. Bonnie Jacobi's research was showcased several times in 2023.
In July, her article “The Importance of Developing the Child’s Sense of Touch in the Music Classroom” was published in the peer-reviewed publication Journal of General Music Education. The piece examines past theories and practices involving tactile learning, discusses research findings relevant to music instruction, offers strategies and ideas for using tactile activities, and proposes a rationale for integrating tactile learning within general music instruction. The article is available to read online.
In June, Dr. Jacobi was selected for a paper presentation at the Normal Symposium on the History of Music Education in Normal, Illinois, on the topic: “Music-Making in the Early Years of Vassar Female College 1865-1888: The Glorious Sunset.” The symposium was an event of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) History Special Research Interest Group, and Dr. Jacobi has previously presented at the association’s symposiums.
During the 2023 symposium, she was also one of five invited presenters in the U.S. to speak on conducting historical research in music education.
As a component of her music education historical research efforts, Dr. Jacobi has been named one of three researchers across the U.S. to construct a new digital archive database on women’s history for the Journal of Historical Research in Music Education and SAGE Publications.
Dr. Jacobi is the director of the Colorado Kodaly Institute; a master teaching artist with the American Eurhythmics Society; and on the editorial board of the Journal of Historical Research in Music Education.
Dr. Erik Johnson and alumna Christina Herman contribute to a new industry standard in pedagogy for teaching instrumental music
Dr. Erik Johnson, Colorado State University associate professor of Music Education, was honored to contribute his expertise to Teaching Instrumental Music: Contemporary Perspectives and Pedagogies, edited by Bryan Powell, Kristen Pellegrino, and Quincy Hilliard from Oxford University Press.
Press Description:
Teaching Instrumental Music: Contemporary Perspectives and Pedagogies reflects the music pedagogy of recent years while acknowledging traditional instruments and styles. Written by a diverse, expert team of 47 authors, the text covers both the teaching of individual instruments and the teaching of instrumental ensembles. It can serve as the sole comprehensive text to accompany any instrumental music education class, including concert band, jazz band, marching band, strings, and popular music.
Based on the latest methods and theories in music education, Teaching Instrumental Music offers rich information for those who will be working with student and community groups in a wide variety of classical, popular, rock, jazz, and world music styles.
Johnson co-wrote his contribution, “Peer-Assisted Learning in the Instrumental Music Ensemble,” along with CSU alumna Christina Herman (M.M. Music, '21).
Herman said, “I have been fortunate to collaborate with Erik on a number of projects, including co-writing this chapter, and I learn something new from him every time.” She noted it was fun discussing and puzzling different ideas out with Johnson. “This book is meant to be an accessible resource for music educators to reflect on traditional pedagogical approaches while also considering meaningful ways to meet the increasing needs of those teaching and learning in diverse contexts,” said Herman.
Herman found that the in-residence graduate music education program managed to strike a similarly wonderful balance between theory and practice. “As a graduate student, I was exposed to foundational literature and contemporary research that helped me further develop my scholarly work. As a graduate teaching assistant, I had the opportunity to apply what I was learning while helping undergraduate music education students develop their teaching skills,” said Herman.
Herman noted that one of the most important takeaways from her time at CSU was the development of long-lasting relationships with her fellow cohort of graduate students and the support that faculty provided. “Ultimately, those connections and relationships lead to meaningful collaborations like this one,” said Herman.
Dr. Erik Johnson
Johnson, who directs the CSU Middle School Outreach Ensembles and Trying-on-Teaching programs, shared information from his research, which he has presented worldwide. His contributions included information on curriculum development, peer-assisted learning, collaborative learning, and instructional design.
“This book is the new industry standard, filling a gap that hadn’t been addressed this comprehensively. It is user-friendly, boiling down a lot of heady concepts,” Johnson said.
Other contributors included the Chair of Music Education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and CSU Alumni Michael Hopkins. Johnson said, “It was an honor to appear alongside brilliant minds such as Michael Hopkins, Cynthia Wagoner, and Kristen Pellegrino.”
More Information
First Edition
Edited by Bryan Powell, Kristen Pellegrino, and Quincy Hilliard
Publication Date: 31 August 2023
ISBN: 9780190099725