Workshops & Lectures
Note: All Workshops/Lectures can be modified to meet the needs of the target audience and the given time frame.
Don’t Write the Epitaph Just Yet:
Strategies for a Classical Music Revolution
Claims of the demise of classical music have been raised for centuries. However, many proclaim that the art form is facing its most imposing challenges yet and is at risk of becoming obsolete. To be sure, the challenges are real, namely financial hazards and dwindling audience bases. Is classical music facing an insurmountable, systemic crisis?
Despite these threats, a wave of innovative new leaders is emerging. These passionate, outspoken advocates are brilliant educators and evangelists who are devoted to spreading the good news about the transformative power of this great music. Their message is that classical music is relevant and it has the potential to radically enrich lives. In many ways, their work is sparking a rebirth, a renaissance. For many, it is all about reimagining and reinventing the art form.
This presentation will explore exciting trends in the world of classical music and will equip piano teachers with robust yet practical strategies that can be deployed as part of an exciting classical music revival.
Strategies for a Classical Music Revolution
Claims of the demise of classical music have been raised for centuries. However, many proclaim that the art form is facing its most imposing challenges yet and is at risk of becoming obsolete. To be sure, the challenges are real, namely financial hazards and dwindling audience bases. Is classical music facing an insurmountable, systemic crisis?
Despite these threats, a wave of innovative new leaders is emerging. These passionate, outspoken advocates are brilliant educators and evangelists who are devoted to spreading the good news about the transformative power of this great music. Their message is that classical music is relevant and it has the potential to radically enrich lives. In many ways, their work is sparking a rebirth, a renaissance. For many, it is all about reimagining and reinventing the art form.
This presentation will explore exciting trends in the world of classical music and will equip piano teachers with robust yet practical strategies that can be deployed as part of an exciting classical music revival.
| classical_music_presentation_handout_.pdf |
The Secret Ingredient for Piano Teaching Success: The Powerful Role of Parents
Piano teachers commonly report an alarming trend of low student motivation and engagement, poor lesson preparation, slow student progress, and increasing student attrition. Worse yet, teachers often lament declining interest in piano study in general. While these trends can certainly be attributed to many factors, the clinicians contend that one factor in particular is usually at play: a lack of positive parental involvement.
This workshop will explore robust strategies piano teachers can employ to engage, educate, and encourage the parents of their students. The clinicians, who are piano parents themselves, will introduce and discuss the concept of parent practice retreats and their powerful impact. Additionally, participants will experience practical, time-tested practice techniques and resources that can be used to create a positive home practice environment while successfully inspiring effective, efficient, and joyful student practice.
Piano teachers commonly report an alarming trend of low student motivation and engagement, poor lesson preparation, slow student progress, and increasing student attrition. Worse yet, teachers often lament declining interest in piano study in general. While these trends can certainly be attributed to many factors, the clinicians contend that one factor in particular is usually at play: a lack of positive parental involvement.
This workshop will explore robust strategies piano teachers can employ to engage, educate, and encourage the parents of their students. The clinicians, who are piano parents themselves, will introduce and discuss the concept of parent practice retreats and their powerful impact. Additionally, participants will experience practical, time-tested practice techniques and resources that can be used to create a positive home practice environment while successfully inspiring effective, efficient, and joyful student practice.
| the_secret_ingredient_for_piano_teaching_success_handout.pdf |
Motivation, Mindset, and Grit: Fostering a Culture of Excellence
Do you believe your students are achieving their personal best? Do you sense a lack of motivation and purpose among your students? This session will distill a rather significant body of motivation theory and research and will present robust strategies that can be used to foster a culture of excellence and inspire joyful and purposeful music making in your studios.
Do you believe your students are achieving their personal best? Do you sense a lack of motivation and purpose among your students? This session will distill a rather significant body of motivation theory and research and will present robust strategies that can be used to foster a culture of excellence and inspire joyful and purposeful music making in your studios.
| motivation_handout.pdf |
The Many Hats of the Professional Musician: Practical Strategies for Young Professionals
Musicians wear many hats juggling myriad responsibilities while developing what is often a portfolio career. This interactive session will explore the joys and challenges young professionals often encounter and will present practical strategies for meeting these demands while finding meaningful and making an impact.
Musicians wear many hats juggling myriad responsibilities while developing what is often a portfolio career. This interactive session will explore the joys and challenges young professionals often encounter and will present practical strategies for meeting these demands while finding meaningful and making an impact.
Lessons Learned from a Tiger: The Parental Role in Piano Study
Amy Chua’s provocative new book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, has sparked a firestorm of frank and at times emotionally charged public dialogue about parenting styles and the roles parents play in the success of their children. What does it mean to be a good parent? To what lengths should parents go to ensure their children’s success? The ramifications of this discussion are certainly far-reaching, with specific implications for us as piano teachers.
This workshop will examine research from the realm of educational psychology as well as anecdotal information from parents and piano teachers in an attempt to discover a healthy and effective approach for leading students to achieve their highest potential at the piano. Practical advice for teachers and for the parents of their students will be detailed.
Making the Most of Every Minute: A Practical Guide to Student Practice
Designed for students, parents, teachers or a combination of the three, this workshop provides the audience with a variety of exceptional practice strategies that are expressly designed to maximize practice efficiency and overall effectiveness. A list of published resources will be detailed as to how they can be used to guide student practice. This workshop can be adapted specifically for parents in order to provide helpful tips to facilitate quality at-home practice for their child.
The Art of the Piano Duet: Teaching Artistry Through Ensemble Experience
The experience of making music with other musicians can be one of life’s greatest joys! The art of collaborative music entails specialized skills that are valuable to all pianists. Thus, the clinicians contend that collaborative music making should be an integral part of all young pianists’ early training.
This workshop will present a discussion of the merits of collaborative training for the intermediate pianist, benefits of the studying piano duets, a brief history of the medium, an exploration of ideas for the implementation of such a program in the independent studio, practical teaching and rehearsal strategies for both teachers and students, as well as demonstration of important works, both hot-off-the-press as well as time-tested gems, from the early and intermediate piano duet repertoire.
Two Heads (or Twelve) Are Better Than One: Applications of Selected Cooperative Learning Techniques to the Group Piano Learning Environment
The educational concept of cooperative learning is not a new one. The instructional model has existed for centuries and has been thoroughly researched and developed as reflected in the professional literature. The clinician contends that cooperative learning strategies may be effectively employed for group piano instruction, and may potentially produce greater learning and a more thorough understanding of basic keyboard musicianship concepts and principles.
This workshop will present a brief history of group piano teaching as well as a thorough discussion of cooperative learning theory, theorists, and techniques. An exploration of current research will be presented. Participants will learn how the basic principles of cooperative learning theory can be effectively structured for group piano teaching. Video excerpts of these instructional strategies in action will also be presented.
The Art of Group Piano Teaching: Inspiring Creative and Resourceful Pianists
Educators have long recognized the enormous power and potential of the group leaning environment. Indeed, most would agree that two heads are better than one. This workshop will highlight the proven viability of successful group piano teaching as well as exciting new trends. A discussion of effective and motivational instructional strategies, recommended curricular materials and resources, and instructional technologies will be featured. Video excerpts are shared to illustrate key points and strategies.
The following tracks are also available:
Once a track has been selected, the event organizer may choose from the following auxiliary topics:
Project-Based Instruction in the University Group Piano Program for Music Majors
University group piano programs for the non-keyboard music major serve a diverse constituency. These courses enroll students who major in music education, performance, therapy, theory, composition, and musicology. Each area of emphasis demands certain keyboard skills from the student/pre-professional. Indeed, the purpose and objectives of group piano study for the non-keyboard music major are certainly not the same as those of the piano major. As such, the curriculum and subsequent student training must be meticulously crafted and carried out in order to accommodate the specific needs of each music major emphasis and thus each individual student.
As group piano curricular coordinators and instructors, we must do our best to equip our students with the requisite keyboard skills necessary to be profoundly effective and confident musicians who are prepared to meet the demands of their profession. Our students must know that we are not preparing them to only survive in the profession, but rather to be successful and to thrive. Students have to be assured that we are their resource, and that we take pride in our role in helping them achieve these goals and expectations.
In response to this mandate, this workshop will demonstrate the efficacy of project-based instruction as part of the university group piano curriculum for music majors. In this model, students engage in a variety of projects throughout the group piano curricular sequence that serve to develop specific concepts and skills that are particularly applicable to their respective career paths. Both individual and group-based activities will be addressed. This session will explore a full menu of project ideas and will illustrate how such a program of study can be easily integrated into the traditional group piano curricular approach while making a lasting student impact.
Discovering Hidden Treasures: Intermediate Piano Teaching Repertoire by Selected British Composers
Piano teachers are constantly in search of new and novel teaching literature for our students. The music we seek must have clearly defined pedagogical and musical objectives, and must be material that will motivate and inspire our students while always serving their musical and technical growth.
This workshop explores the neglected gems of intermediate piano teaching literature by selected composers from the British Isles. Selections from such composers as Britten to Parry to Vaughan Williams will be presented, performed, and detailed as to their musical and pedagogical value. The presenter will also seek to highlight both common and distinctive stylistic traits among the composer represented. Examples presented will span the gamut from early to late intermediate levels, as indicated in Jane Magrath’s The Pianist’s Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature.
Adaptive Piano Teaching Strategies for the Physically and Cognitively Handicapped Piano Student
This workshop will present an overview of physical and cognitive learning disabilities piano teachers may encounter, as well as tips for recognizing and assessing symptoms of each. A guided tutorial will be offered detailing essential instructional strategies and planning techniques for the teacher of handicapped students.
A variety of adaptive piano teaching strategies for the physically and cognitively handicapped student will be presented and experienced. Included will be instructions for adapting standard piano methods, modifying learning environments, as well as alternative systems for the teaching of rhythm, music reading and notation for students with special needs. Also addressed will be helpful information on how to adaptively teach technique and ways to deal with issues of coordination and remedial motor skills.
© Dr. Christopher Fisher, 2023
Amy Chua’s provocative new book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, has sparked a firestorm of frank and at times emotionally charged public dialogue about parenting styles and the roles parents play in the success of their children. What does it mean to be a good parent? To what lengths should parents go to ensure their children’s success? The ramifications of this discussion are certainly far-reaching, with specific implications for us as piano teachers.
This workshop will examine research from the realm of educational psychology as well as anecdotal information from parents and piano teachers in an attempt to discover a healthy and effective approach for leading students to achieve their highest potential at the piano. Practical advice for teachers and for the parents of their students will be detailed.
Making the Most of Every Minute: A Practical Guide to Student Practice
Designed for students, parents, teachers or a combination of the three, this workshop provides the audience with a variety of exceptional practice strategies that are expressly designed to maximize practice efficiency and overall effectiveness. A list of published resources will be detailed as to how they can be used to guide student practice. This workshop can be adapted specifically for parents in order to provide helpful tips to facilitate quality at-home practice for their child.
The Art of the Piano Duet: Teaching Artistry Through Ensemble Experience
The experience of making music with other musicians can be one of life’s greatest joys! The art of collaborative music entails specialized skills that are valuable to all pianists. Thus, the clinicians contend that collaborative music making should be an integral part of all young pianists’ early training.
This workshop will present a discussion of the merits of collaborative training for the intermediate pianist, benefits of the studying piano duets, a brief history of the medium, an exploration of ideas for the implementation of such a program in the independent studio, practical teaching and rehearsal strategies for both teachers and students, as well as demonstration of important works, both hot-off-the-press as well as time-tested gems, from the early and intermediate piano duet repertoire.
Two Heads (or Twelve) Are Better Than One: Applications of Selected Cooperative Learning Techniques to the Group Piano Learning Environment
The educational concept of cooperative learning is not a new one. The instructional model has existed for centuries and has been thoroughly researched and developed as reflected in the professional literature. The clinician contends that cooperative learning strategies may be effectively employed for group piano instruction, and may potentially produce greater learning and a more thorough understanding of basic keyboard musicianship concepts and principles.
This workshop will present a brief history of group piano teaching as well as a thorough discussion of cooperative learning theory, theorists, and techniques. An exploration of current research will be presented. Participants will learn how the basic principles of cooperative learning theory can be effectively structured for group piano teaching. Video excerpts of these instructional strategies in action will also be presented.
The Art of Group Piano Teaching: Inspiring Creative and Resourceful Pianists
Educators have long recognized the enormous power and potential of the group leaning environment. Indeed, most would agree that two heads are better than one. This workshop will highlight the proven viability of successful group piano teaching as well as exciting new trends. A discussion of effective and motivational instructional strategies, recommended curricular materials and resources, and instructional technologies will be featured. Video excerpts are shared to illustrate key points and strategies.
The following tracks are also available:
- Group Piano Teaching and the Young Learner
- Group Piano Teaching and the Average-Age Beginner
- Group Piano Teaching and the Adolescent Student
- Group Piano Teaching and the University Music Major
- Group Piano Teaching and the Adult Recreational Music Maker
Once a track has been selected, the event organizer may choose from the following auxiliary topics:
- The History of Group Piano Teaching
- Qualifications and Characteristics of Exemplary Group Piano Teachers
- Group Logistics: Group Piano Teaching Formats, Group Size and Composition, Interview Placement Assessments
- Group Learning Theory: Group Dynamics, Learning Styles, Conceptual Learning, Discovery Learning, Cooperative Learning, Problem Solving
- Instructional Considerations: Curriculum Development, Implementation, and Evaluation, Lesson Planning, Teaching and Facilitating the Lesson, and Assessment and Evaluation
- Instructional Strategies
- Instructional Technologies
- Resources for Group Piano Teachers
Project-Based Instruction in the University Group Piano Program for Music Majors
University group piano programs for the non-keyboard music major serve a diverse constituency. These courses enroll students who major in music education, performance, therapy, theory, composition, and musicology. Each area of emphasis demands certain keyboard skills from the student/pre-professional. Indeed, the purpose and objectives of group piano study for the non-keyboard music major are certainly not the same as those of the piano major. As such, the curriculum and subsequent student training must be meticulously crafted and carried out in order to accommodate the specific needs of each music major emphasis and thus each individual student.
As group piano curricular coordinators and instructors, we must do our best to equip our students with the requisite keyboard skills necessary to be profoundly effective and confident musicians who are prepared to meet the demands of their profession. Our students must know that we are not preparing them to only survive in the profession, but rather to be successful and to thrive. Students have to be assured that we are their resource, and that we take pride in our role in helping them achieve these goals and expectations.
In response to this mandate, this workshop will demonstrate the efficacy of project-based instruction as part of the university group piano curriculum for music majors. In this model, students engage in a variety of projects throughout the group piano curricular sequence that serve to develop specific concepts and skills that are particularly applicable to their respective career paths. Both individual and group-based activities will be addressed. This session will explore a full menu of project ideas and will illustrate how such a program of study can be easily integrated into the traditional group piano curricular approach while making a lasting student impact.
Discovering Hidden Treasures: Intermediate Piano Teaching Repertoire by Selected British Composers
Piano teachers are constantly in search of new and novel teaching literature for our students. The music we seek must have clearly defined pedagogical and musical objectives, and must be material that will motivate and inspire our students while always serving their musical and technical growth.
This workshop explores the neglected gems of intermediate piano teaching literature by selected composers from the British Isles. Selections from such composers as Britten to Parry to Vaughan Williams will be presented, performed, and detailed as to their musical and pedagogical value. The presenter will also seek to highlight both common and distinctive stylistic traits among the composer represented. Examples presented will span the gamut from early to late intermediate levels, as indicated in Jane Magrath’s The Pianist’s Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature.
Adaptive Piano Teaching Strategies for the Physically and Cognitively Handicapped Piano Student
This workshop will present an overview of physical and cognitive learning disabilities piano teachers may encounter, as well as tips for recognizing and assessing symptoms of each. A guided tutorial will be offered detailing essential instructional strategies and planning techniques for the teacher of handicapped students.
A variety of adaptive piano teaching strategies for the physically and cognitively handicapped student will be presented and experienced. Included will be instructions for adapting standard piano methods, modifying learning environments, as well as alternative systems for the teaching of rhythm, music reading and notation for students with special needs. Also addressed will be helpful information on how to adaptively teach technique and ways to deal with issues of coordination and remedial motor skills.
© Dr. Christopher Fisher, 2023
