The weekly music assembly curriculum has changed in response to a student survey.
Wanda L. Bass School of Music officials sent a survey to music students in June and again in August asking for feedback about the music degree programs. There was high response about weekly music assembly.
Music assemblies are weekly mandatory student performances that take place 1 p.m. Tuesdays for all music students who aren’t seniors.
“The surveys were a part of what we call our continuous improvement,” said Dr. Mark Parker, dean of the schools of music and theater. “We’ve made many curricular changes recently and always continue to make changes to improve our curriculum and co-curricular activities.”
Curricular changes affect music theory, music history and music education. Parker said, originally, the music education degree took nine semesters to complete, but it can now be completed in eight semesters.
“We eliminated things, and, at the same time, we made it quite an innovative and distinctive program around the country,” Parker said. “Students are getting a much broader and deeper music education curriculum than most of their peers.”
This academic year’s music assemblies will feature more workshops and Q&As focusing on the business side of music. The goal is to focus on the practical side of the business by bringing in more guests, Parker said.
Alumni were brought in for last week’s music assembly to discuss how to handle being an artist after graduation.
“We’re using that gathering time to discuss the business sides of things,” Parker said. “We always get the request to do more of that.”
Current students were sent surveys through email in June and on Aug. 28. Alumni also were contacted to give suggestions from a different point of view. Focus groups were conducted during the summer to include these alumni.
Teddy Edgar, music theater/vocal performance junior, said he requested music assemblies to be more inclusive.
“I said that I wanted music assemblies to be more integrated and to incorporate all people in the music,” Edgar said. “We had one music assembly where alumni came in for a Q&A, and then they performed, and I want more stuff like that. I want more focus on music education or composition. Maybe once or twice a month they have a day where someone comes in, and the other days are performances.”
Parker said he encourages students to plan their own music assemblies.
“The parameters are going to be: program it, find a place for it, make it interesting, and find ways to attract the community to the event you are planning so you are now the impresario for the performance,” he said.
The most recent workshop was on Yoga for Musicians, led by Dr. Kristen Queen, interim director of the school of music at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.
“The response already from the students was fantastic,” Parker said. “It helps with stress and anxiety, and it helps keep your muscle toned as a performer, since every performer uses their body. We’re aiming for more things like that.”
Edgar said he is happy the school is working to continue improving its curriculum and adding new activities for students.
“Wanda L. Bass allows their students to sculpt their career under the right supervision and instruction,” Edgar said. “I am so appreciative for the effort and support of the music school and owe all of my future success and endeavors to them.”
Leave a Reply