Devising Fresh Approaches for Group Teaching Methodologies
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, a renowned institution for music education, has adapted to the challenges posed by remote learning by leveraging technology and rethinking traditional ensemble practices.
In a bid to maintain ensemble experiences, the school has employed various strategies. For instance, video conferencing platforms are used for live rehearsals, with adjustments to account for audio latency. Individual parts are assigned to students who record themselves separately, and these recordings are synchronized and mixed to create a virtual ensemble performance.
Moreover, digital music production and collaboration software are incorporated to foster new ways of composing and performing music remotely. Students are also learning self-recording, editing, and producing skills, which are valuable in contemporary music careers.
These methods offer unique opportunities such as broader participation, including distance learners, development of digital literacy in music production, innovative ensemble formats blending live and pre-recorded elements, and enhanced creative possibilities through multi-track layering and editing.
The school's special topic courses, such as Improvisation for Classical Musicians and Discovery of World Music, provide students with opportunities to explore new areas of interest and expand their horizons. Courses like Creating Inclusive Orchestral Audition Lists and Historical and Recorded Perspectives: The American Choral Tradition delve into other musical issues as a replacement for large ensembles that cannot meet on campus.
Eileen Strempel, the school's Inaugural Dean, expressed pride in the faculty's efforts to develop innovative options for students. The special topics courses, which include Social Justice Issues in Classical Music and The Entrepreneurial Musician on Social Media, exemplify creative thinking in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Despite the anticipation for a return to in-person instruction and ensemble performance, these courses allow students to engage in meaningful discussions and creative projects during this period of remote learning. The school's commitment to innovation ensures that students continue to receive a high-quality education, even in these unprecedented times.
Online education and learning have been integrated into the curriculum of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, enabling students to develop digital literacy in music production and collaborate remotely. Self-development opportunities, such as mastering self-recording, editing, and producing skills, are now part of their education-and-self-development journey.
