Within the framework of the Knowledge Transfer Center South project “Interdisciplinary Knowledge Transfer Network: Teaching and Learning in Instrumental (Vocal)Pedagogy” (Network IGP), the professional development day Challenge accepted 2.0 took place on October 14th, 2017 – as a follow-up event of the Challenge accepted symposium, which was held in April 2016.  The Network IGP, supervised by Silke Kruse-Weber, invited participants to a daylong event at the venue of the Reiterkaserne featuring a diverse programme of lectures and workshops.

The overall concept of this event focused on the current situation of the Styrian instrumental and vocal educators. In this context, a lecture by Kruse-Weber addressed the following guiding ideas: Cultural, social and educational developments, as well as changing perspectives in the field of instrumental and vocal pedagogy require lifelong learning. This is necessary in order to not only maintain job satisfaction, but also optimism, professionalism and teaching quality as well as to increase competencies and teaching performance. This involves, on the one hand, the constructive devising of the professional future as an instrumental and vocal teacher. In doing so, it is important to consider the various dynamic developments and changes in this field. On the other hand, fostering determination to creativity and innovation provides a useful background for on-going optimisation of musical learning and teaching.

In a panel discussion, instrumental and vocal teachers from various municipal and private music schools, the state conservatory and the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz discussed their diverse and versatile professional activities as well as anticipated and contemporary occupational fields for instrumental and vocal pedagogues. As part of a ‘World Café’ session all participants had the opportunity to discuss current issues, problems, difficulties and challenges in the professional field of instrumental and vocal pedagogy. The discussions and comments of the participants indicated that it is imperative to provide the political and/or relevant authorities with pivotal arguments which could facilitate higher appreciation of instrumental and vocal education in our society.

Two international guest-speakers, Gerda van Zelm and Susan Williams (both from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague), completed the training day with workshops. Gerda van Zelm introduced her reflection method ‘InterVision’ and demonstrated an innovative way to analyse work related problems in a group, whereby possible solutions and/or options to modify behaviour are elaborated in collegial teams. Susan Williams studied musical practice for years. In her workshop, she presented her ‘Practical Guide’ for the first time. This new handbook includes hands-on practice methods and techniques developed in accordance with the latest scientific insights from education, psychology and neuroscience. Participants of the workshop had also the opportunity to reflect on and experiment with essential aspects of musical practice (such as self-regulation theory) in groups.

Picture: University of Music and Performing Arts Graz

Written by: University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, MS
on: 11/27/2017