Professional Development Opportunity
for NEMFA Members

Newly added for NEMFA Professional Development Opportunity:

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For additional course information

Edward Wilkin: wilkine@lhedu.org

(201) 575-1233

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Blueprints for Creativity: Building Composing & Improv into Your Music Program Course Dates: March 15 - April 25, 2026

Castleton University

for 3 Graduate Credits

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Course Dates: March 15 - April 25, 2026

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Course Description:

This graduate course invites music teachers to step beyond the concert and into the creative studio, positioning students as composers, improvisers, and songwriters in every classroom setting. Participants will explore practical approaches to integrating composition, improvisation, and songwriting into band, choir, orchestra, and general music programs, with or without advanced technology. Through readings, listening, and hands-on music-making, teachers will design and test strategies for nurturing student voice, risk-taking, and musical identity. Emphasis is placed on low-floor/high-ceiling tasks, inclusive and culturally responsive practices, and authentic assessment that values process as much as product. By the end of the course, participants will leave with a portfolio of ready-to-implement lesson sequences, projects, and rubrics tailored to their own teaching context, along with a renewed vision of their role as facilitators and co-creators of music with their students.

 

Course Goals::

• Introduce key frameworks and research on student composition, improvisation, and songwriting in K–12 music education.

• Engage participants in hands-on creative music-making (composing, improvising, and songwriting) that mirrors the experiences they will design for their students.

• Apply UDL and culturally responsive practices to design creative tasks that honor diverse learner profiles, identities, and musical backgrounds.

• Explore and experiment with practical tools and technologies—from acoustic strategies to DAWs and mobile apps—that support student creativity in a variety of teaching contexts.

• Develop and refine usable teaching materials and assessments, including prompts, lesson plans, project outlines, and rubrics that embed creativity into existing music programs.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Be able to analyze and articulate a personal philosophy of the music teacher as facilitator, producer, and co-creator, supported by current research and course texts.

• They will be able to design and justify multi-lesson sequences or projects that embed composition, improvisation, and/or songwriting into their existing band, choir, orchestra, or general music programs.

• Participants will apply principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and culturally responsive pedagogy to adapt or redesign lessons so that creative work is accessible, identity-affirming, and empowering for diverselearners.

• They will also be able to select, implement, and evaluate both acoustic and digital tools (such as DAWs and mobile apps) that support student composing, improvising, and songwriting in their own teaching contexts..

• Finally, participants will create and pilot an assessment system—including at least one rubric, one student reflection tool, and one peer feedback structure—that values creative process, risk-taking, and growth alongside musical products.

 

Assignments: Assessment is based on these major projects:

• Songwriting Mini-Project Plan – Design a 2–5 class-period songwriting project for your own teachingcontext.

• Tech Integration Mini-Project – Create a creative task using at least one digital tool to support studentcomposing/improvising/songwriting.

• Creative Unit Plan – Develop a multi-lesson unit that embeds composition, improvisation, and/or songwriting with UDL and tech.

• Assessment Toolkit & Reflective Essay – Submit an assessment toolkit plus a 3–4 page reflective essay linking your philosophy to course readings and practice.

 

Grading:

• Weekly Discussions – 15% of final grade

• Creative Skill Labs / Participation – 10%

• Short Written & Design Assignments

(Week 1 Reflection; Micro-Creativity Lesson; Improvisation Activity Design) – 15%

• Songwriting Mini-Project Plan – 15%

• Tech Integration Mini-Project – 15%

• Creative Unit Plan (Final Project) – 15%

• Assessment Toolkit & Reflective Essay (Final Project) – 15%

 

Who Should Take This Course:

This course is designed for music educators, graduate students, and anyone passionate about exploring the intersection of technology and music education. No prior experience with AI is required.

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Professional Development Options:

• 3 Graduate Credits: Credits issued from Castleton University.

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Course Cost for 3 Credits: $2,000.00 (Please reach out if the full cost is not covered by your school!).

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To sign up for the course, please email

Eddie Wilkin: wilkine@lhedu.org

Email Eddie with any questions!