Nurturing
Artists & Innovators
in the
Music Ensemble
Project Design Lab / June 23-27
Burlington, Vermont
Where does Re-Creation End and Creation Begin in the Music Ensemble?
This course is for music educators looking to strengthen and diversify their musical skills and learn collaborative practices for their ensembles that nurture student creativity.
Through a blend of hands-on activities, collaborative learning, and reflective discussions, you will explore ways to nurture an innovative and creative musical community in your ensembles, strengthen student engagement, and build confidence in improvisation and composition.
You will take a deep dive into creative music pedagogy to develop practical tools and strategies for integrating improvisation, collaborative composition, and stylistic diversity in your ensembles.
No prior experience in jazz, improvisation, composition, or songwriting is required.
This course offers a collaborative, supportive, and fun environment for every music ensemble teacher.
By the end of the week you will leave with a toolkit of new approaches and a project plan to lead your ensembles that are adaptable to your unique contexts and student needs.
Guiding Questions
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How do we nurture an ethos of creation rather than re-creation in our ensembles?
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How do we support our students to become artists and creative innovators?
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How do we leverage the spirit of creativity and innovation into our ensembles?
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How do we teach elements of music in ways that are universal and can be applied across all ensemble types?
What To Expect
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Strengthen your instrument skills on primary and secondary instruments.
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Explore ways to remove the barriers to creativity and personal expression, such as sheet music.
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Group improvisation and composition activities – no prior experience needed.
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Guided listening and jam sessions.
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Learn with and from colleagues in a collaborative, supportive, and fun environment.
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Create connections with fellow music teachers.
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Leave with a toolkit and project plan to activate your students' personal creativity and deepen their engagement in your ensembles.
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Have fun and rejuvenate your creative spirit!
Workshop Themes
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Exploration of components of jazz, funk, rock and other genres, and ways to relate them to all ensemble types.
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Rhythm section fundamentals including keyboard, guitar, bass, drum set and auxiliary percussion.
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Songwriting exploration – alone, in small groups, and as a full ensemble.
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Customize your plan path based on your interests and skill level.
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Project templates and digital resources for use in the classroom, including interdisciplinary units that build collaborations between your ensembles and humanities and science classrooms.
Faculty
Matt Davide
Course Leader​​​​
Matt is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, and composer based in South Burlington, VT. He has shared stages across the Northeast on bass and saxophone with groups including Barika, High Summer, The Vermont Jazz Ensemble, A House on Fire, and Kat Wright.
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Brian Boyes (he/him)
Workshop Leader
Brian has worked in Vermont for over 20 years as a trumpeter, composer, arranger, band leader, multi-instrumentalist, and educator. As an educator he has twice received special recognition from the Vermont Arts Alliance for his unique and creative approach to music education.
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Tuition
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$2,000 - Three graduate credits
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$1,790 - Certificate of Participation for 40 hours relicensing credits
$100 later registration fee after May 1.
Tuition includes a private air-conditioned dorm room with a centrally located private bath at the University of Vermont, plus breakfast and lunch. Everyone is on their own for dinner in Burlington. Lodging is optional.
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Attend Solo or as a Team
You can attend solo or with a team from your school or district.
Teams can be composed of any educator – classroom teachers, councilors, paras, special educators, staff, administrators – and can be from the same grades and content areas, or mixed.
Teams may include educators from different schools in the district if you want to design a multi-school project.
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Teaching Artist Residency - OPTIONAL
If you would like information on how to schedule a teaching artist residency to support implementing your project, complete the PDL Questions Form and we'll get right back to you.
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FAQ
Visit the PDL FAQ page for answers to questions about team participation, tuition & fees, lodging & meals, daily schedule, teaching artist selection (optional), and more.
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Project Snapshots
See examples of previous projects created at the Project Design Lab here.
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Questions?
Complete the PDL Questions Form and we'll be back in touch soon.
We invite you to let us know about specific accommodations you may need to participate in the Project Design Lab when completing your Registration Form, and we will make every effort to honor your request.
Accrediting Institution
