Title
El Sistema USA: an exploratory study of the pedagogical approaches in beginning violin classes
DOI
10.17077/etd.9177188e
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Degree
Spring 2017
Degree Name
DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts)
Degree In
Music
First Advisor
Wolfe, Katie
First Committee Member
Jones, William L
Second Committee Member
Rutledge, Christine
Third Committee Member
Arnone, Anthony
Fourth Committee Member
Orhon, Volkan
Abstract
El Sistema USA has grown to become an organization with over 100 programs across the nation. The organization has become known for offering free music instruction to the poorest neighborhoods and school districts in the country. The vast majority of these programs offer string programs that focus on ensemble- based learning. What is lacking is a uniquely El Sistema method of instruction for strings. This doctoral essay will discuss the current state of violin pedagogy for beginning violin group classes in El Sistema USA programs, examine areas where there is a lack of unity in teaching styles using information collected from a national survey, and propose a first-year teaching prospectus that incorporates the organization’s core values to be used for reference by instructors.
Public Abstract
El Sistema USA has grown to become an organization with over 100 programs across the nation in the short span of eight years. It drew its inspiration from Jose Antonio Abreu’s El Sistema in Venezuela that was started in 1975. Abreu envisioned a music group that would offer free music instruction to the poorest areas of his country. Through music, his students would be able to become contributing members to society and develop into upstanding citizens. Just like its Venezuelan counterpart, El Sistema USA is known for offering free music instruction to the poorest neighborhoods and school districts in the country. The vast majority of these programs offer string programs that focus on ensemble-based learning. What is lacking is a uniquely El Sistema approach for teaching strings. This doctoral essay will discuss the current state of violin pedagogy for beginning violin group classes in El Sistema USA programs, examine areas where there is a lack of unity in teaching styles using information collected from a national survey, and propose a first-year teaching prospectus that incorporates the organization’s core values to be used for reference by instructors.
Keywords
El Sistema USA, Strings
Pages
vii, 144 pages
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 140-144).
Copyright
Copyright © 2017 Timothy Hsu
Recommended Citation
Hsu, Timothy. "El Sistema USA: an exploratory study of the pedagogical approaches in beginning violin classes." DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) thesis, University of Iowa, 2017.
https://doi.org/10.17077/etd.9177188e