SYLLABUS: Music Theory Working Group [1]


Handshake

After exchange of some introductory email letters an initial handshake encounter took place on 22.05.2003. Frank Clark (Georgia), Matti Ruippo (Kuopio) and Philip Donner (Kuhmo) met under the chairmanship of Fred Rees (Indiana). After the initial presentation of the participants, much of the discussion at the preparatory meeting focused on the formulation of a plan of action.

Here are some of the points presented:

Fred Rees presented the format of our contribution at the Syllabus Conference, which will take place in July 28. and 29. 2003 in San José, California. Fred explained that the session was divided into three sections: Our one was dedicated to music theory, another one to piano pedagogy and the third one to general issues of music pedagogy. The session is coordinated by Jennifer Sterling. The total input of our working group is limited to 15 minutes.

He noted that due to the time constraints of the members of the group, collaboration had started a bit late. This raised some doubts on our capability to produce a useful contribution demonstrating actual practices of teaching. Fred suggested that the cooperation should be conceived as an on-going process, with events taking place BEFORE the conference, some UNDER and some other AFTER the conference.

Matti Ruippo pointed at some problems stemming from the fact that end of July is an off season period when it comes to Finnish music pedagogy. He stressed that the demonstration should give real insight into the essence of distance learning, instead of being an artificial show piece. Matti hinted that collaborative use of notation software and exchange of related documents could be pedagogically productive.

Frank Clark gave a thorough description of his work situation at Georgia Institute of Technology. He suggested that our work should concentrate on a simple theme, such as the use of the II - V - I chord progression. Frank stressed that his approach to music theory pedagogy was open ended. The student would have to look upon the material from all possible angles, including all relevant styles. He also signaled interest in Kodaly pedagogy and MIDI based computer I/O applications, such as auditive furniture.

Philip Donner reported that he had recently agreed upon a cooperation project with the Finnish VC company Xenex Telecom, an innovator in video conference based distance piano teaching. The user interface of his MIDI Combo would be brought into their system for distance piano teaching with Yamaha Disklavier or PianoDisc equipped systems. Work would start on 01.06. and the Syllabus encounters could provide a good test case.

The participants agreed that the task called for a clear cut solution, simple enough to fit into the tight time schemes. Another preparatory meeting would be needed on Thursday 29.05. Fred Rees' participation would be appreciated by the other members. Ruippo and Donner would have to study the availability of students during the relevant period. They were also given the task of formulating a plan of action.

The sessions should demonstrate

Tentative Plan of Action

Ruippo and Donner met during the MOVE retreat in Järvenpää 23.-24.05.2003. Trying to synthesize the points which have been brought up so far, the Finnish group members drew up the following preliminary plan of action:

  1. Preparatory meeting (Thursday 29.05.)

  2. Step 1: GeorgiaTech hosted session for students in Kuhmo and Georgia (Monday 09.06.)

  3. Step 2: Kuopio hosted session for students in Georgia (Monday 16.06.)

  4. Reserve session or Step 3: GeorgiaTech hosted session for students in Kuhmo and Georgia (Monday 21.07.)

  5. Rehearsal (Friday 25.07.)

  6. Kuhmo session (Monday 28.07.)

  7. Syllabus session (Tuesday 29.07.)

  8. Steps 4, 5, 6

Most of the dates are tentative. The learning group at Kuhmo would include 2-4 students of Kuhmo Music School. Their age is approximately 17 years. Students at GeorgiaTech are around 18-22 years.

All sessions should be recorded at both ends. The group would have to agree upon storage formats. The recorded material should be available to all participating parties, including rights to quote the material outside the scope of the Syllabus Conference.

It is suggested that classes would be followed by discussion on the experience of each class. To give an analytic angle Rees or Donner could conduct interviewing after some period of free discussion.

-- phd 27.05.2003