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Music teachers, students take spotlight at Yakima convention

Troy Bennefield
Troy Bennefield

More than 4,000 people are expected at the multi-venue Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) conference, which showcases not only the influence of music in the schools but also where music education ranks among school priorities.

“We believe music education is important for all students,” said Scott Barnes, WMEA acting president. “Research shows music students stay in school, they do better, they tend to graduate and go on to college. They benefit from this for their entire lives. This is a chance for us to come together and look at ways to better our craft and reach more kids.” » More …

What is love? Local experts examine the mystery

Sue Peabody
Sue Peabody

It’s neurology and anatomy and hormones, inside the skull and below the belt. It’s soaring music and glowing art. It’s intimately personal and cosmically spiritual. It’s sensual pleasure. It’s high-minded sacrifice. It’s the survival of our species. And it’ll be the death of ya.

In 1929, the great American songwriter Cole Porter was only the latest to pose the riddle: “What is this thing called love?” » More …

WSU faculty featured in ‘Mozart Recomposed’

Karen and Jeff Savage
Karen and Jeff Savage

WSU School of Music faculty members Karen and Jeff Savage, also known as 88 Squared, discussed their work with prominent contemporary composer Lowell Liebermann on the National Public Radio program New Music from Bowling Green.

The now-married piano duo met while they were students at the Juilliard School, which is where they also met Liebermann. In 2015, 88 Squared recorded all of the composer’s works for two pianos, including a sonata that they commissioned. » More …

Professors Can Learn to Be More Effective Instructors

Bill Condon
Bill Condon

Studies of faculty development efforts at a liberal arts college and WSU suggest the programs can have an impact on student outcomes.

Intuitively, it makes sense that professors who spend time developing their teaching skills will become more effective instructors — and that that will eventually translate to better student outcomes. Practically speaking, though, the challenges of (and the variables involved in) tracing the effects of professional development on student learning are myriad. That’s probably why the research on the matter is patchy, relying largely on self-reported measures. » More …