Engaging Musical Practices

Engaging Musical Practices: A Sourcebook for Instrumental Music is a long awaited compilation of best practices for instrumental music education. This unique book contains practical and pedagogically oriented chapters written by leaders in the field of instrumental music education. Designed for instrumental music teachers or for use in instrumental methods courses, the book covers a wide range of topics, such as:

student readiness for instrumental musicbeginning an instrumental music programteaching instrumental music at the intermediate and advanced levelsworking with strings and orchestras motivating studentsincorporating improvisation into the curriculumselecting repertoire based on curricular goalsengaging students in assessmentmarching band pedagogy and techniquesintegrating technology considering “traditional” instrumental music practice becoming an instrumental music teachercommunicating effectively with stakeholders
Contributions by James Ancona and Heidi Sarver, Kimberly Ackney and Colleen Conway, Christopher Azzara, William Bauer and Rick Dammers, Brian Bersh, Suzanne Burton & Rick Townsend, Patricia Campbell and Lee Higgins, Robert Gardner, Richard Grunow, Mike Hewitt and Bret Smith, Dan Isbell, Nate Kruse, Chad Nicholson, Alden Snell, and David Stringham.

Suzanne L. Burton is professor of music education, director of graduate studies, and coordinator of music education at the University of Delaware. Her pedagogical and research interests focus on musical development, partnerships and collaborations, professional development of music teachers, and the role of technology in music education.

Alden H. Snell, II is assistant professor of instrumental music education at the University of Delaware. Dr. Snell has experience teaching instrumental music to students of all ages, with research interests in generative creativity, professional development for music teachers, and teacher musicianship.