SRU to host music education workshop May 19
Slippery Rock University music students and local music educators can take part in a May 19 workshop geared toward providing new and innovative approaches to teaching music.
May 15, 2018
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University will host a workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 19 at Swope Music Hall to provide music education teachers and students with new and innovative approaches to teaching music.
Cassandra Eisenreich, SRU instructor of music, will host the workshop. Little Kids Rock, the leading provider of donated instruments, music curriculum and music teacher professional development in the country created the curriculum. Bryan Powell, director of higher education at Little Kids Rock will conduct the workshop.
The workshop prepares attendees, including SRU music students and area music teachers, to reach and connect with their students through Little Kids Rock's "Modern Band" music program, which teaches children the popular musical styles of the past 60 years, from rock and reggae to Hip Hop, Latin and R&B. The workshop focuses on improvisation, composition and getting children to make music immediately.
"The program complements existing music electives such as jazz band, choral ensembles, marching band and orchestra," said Eisenreich. "Children are given immediate access to the music that inspires them, whether it's Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Blink 182, Drake or AC/DC and helps to keep them inspired in school and better equipped to reach their academic goals."
Little Kids Rock is a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming kids' lives by restoring, expanding and innovating music education in schools. As the leader in inclusive, culturally-responsive, student-centered music education, the organization partners with public school districts to build diverse music programs.
Little Kids Rock trains teachers to run its innovative "Modern Band" curriculum and donates accompanying instruments and resources as necessary to teach popular music in a way that empowers students to experience instant achievement. What began as a single after-school guitar class has since exploded into a national movement that brings free, weekly music lessons to more than 400,000 public school children annually through the efforts of more than 2,300 teachers in 270 school districts across 45 states.
For additional information, contact Eisenreich at 724.738.2440 or cassandra.eisenreich@sru.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robb.king@sru.edu