Professor of Music Education
School of Music, HFAC-E569
Brigham Young University
Provo UT 84602
USA
801-422-2317
Email:
Website:
www.stringexplorer.com/bios.html
Travels to: Anywhere, especially west of the Mississippi and New England areas.
Biography:
Andrew H. Dabczynski is Professor of Music Education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He formerly served as Associate Professor of Music Education and Director of the Community Education Division at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Dr. Dabczynski also has held teaching and administrative positions in the public schools of Penfield and Mamaroneck, New York. In addition, he was the Supervisor of Fine Arts Education in the Waterford, Michigan, School District. Dr. Dabczynski received a B.M. degree in Applied Viola from the Eastman School and a M.A. from the University of Connecticut, serving there as violist in the graduate string quartet. He also holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Michigan. As a performer, Dr. Dabczynski has played viola in the Rochester Philharmonic, the Hartford Symphony, the Portland (Maine) Symphony, the Kalamazoo Symphony, and the Greenwich (Connecticut) Symphony orchestras. For six years, he was a member of the Colden String Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at Western Michigan University. He also has been an adjunct faculty member at numerous other colleges and at national string workshops. A strong interest in folk music has led Dr. Dabczynski to focus his research efforts on fiddling and the transmission of traditional music. In addition to his doctoral dissertation, he has written many articles on the subject of teaching and learning fiddling in contemporary America, and is co-author of the Fiddlers Philharmonic series, published by Alfred Publishing Co. He is also co-author of Alfred’s String Explorer series, a fresh and exciting new string class method book. Dr. Dabczynski frequently appears as a guest conductor and clinician for student ensembles in the United States and Canada, and has arranged and published numerous pieces for string orchestra. Dr. Dabczynski, his wife Diane -- a commercial vocalist -- and two musical daughters live in Provo, Utah.“How Firm a Foundation! A Standards-based Vision for Beginning String Instruction” Parts I and II
Instructing students in fundamental string performance skills while simultaneously developing comprehensive musicianship – all with limited time resources – can be a daunting challenge for even the most experienced string teacher. The National Standards, implemented with creativity and common sense, provide an effective framework toward this end. New and old materials and a variety of creative activities will be presented, discussed, and performed by participants. Bring an instrument and join in. (Part II, a continuation) By carefully and creatively constructing a curriculum for second and third year string students, strong performance skills can be reinforced upon a foundation of solid musicianship. The National Standards again provides an effective framework. New materials, complete resources, and a variety of creative activities will be presented, discussed, and performed by participants. Bring an instrument and join in.
“Fiddling with the Standards” and "Fiddling from Scratch in the Classroom"
Besides providing an excellent approach to teaching string technique, incorporating fiddling into the class serves as an excellent means for meeting the National Standards for Music Education. In addition, fiddling is highly motivating, builds a sense of community, and can connect our students with their heritage. Bring an instrument and join in! Teachers will receive free materials from Alfred’s Fiddlers Philharmonic series. Many classically trained string teachers recognize the musical and motivational values of incorporating fiddling into the ongoing string/orchestra class, but simply don't know how to get started. This session will familiarize teachers - even those with no fiddling background - with clear and uncomplicated strategies for introducing fiddling to all string students of any age level. Different fiddle styles, immediately successful approaches to improvisation, and identification of resources will be discussed. Bring an instrument and join in! Teachers will receive free materials from Alfred’s Fiddlers Philharmonic series.
"Fiddling from Scratch in the Classroom"
Many classically trained string teachers recognize the musical and motivational values of incorporating fiddling into the ongoing string/orchestra class, but simply don't know how to get started. This session will familiarize teachers - even those with no fiddling background - with clear and uncomplicated strategies for introducing fiddling to all string students of any age level. Different fiddle styles, immediately successful approaches to improvisation, and identification of resources will be discussed. Bring an instrument and join in! Teachers will receive free materials from Alfred’s Fiddlers Philharmonic series.
“Surviving the Big Squeeze: Strategies for Maximizing Instructional Time for String Teachers”
Even the most experienced string teachers may be daunted by the challenge of teaching beginning string performance and comprehensive musicianship skills within the constraints of limited time resources. Approaching State and National Learning Standards creatively and with common sense can provide an effective and exciting framework toward this end. New materials, technology, and a variety of creative activities will be presented, discussed, and performed by participants. Bring an instrument and join in.
"We Have Work Enough to Do: 21st Century Resources for the String Teacher"
In today's demanding educational environment, instructing beginning students in fundamental string performance skills while simultaneously developing comprehensive musicianship can be a daunting challenge for even the most experienced string teacher. Come explore a complete set of new resources for string teachers that help maximize instructional time, reinforce essential skills, address the National Standards, and most importantly, engage and motivate students. A variety of creative materials, technologies, and activities will be presented, discussed, and performed by participants. Bring an instrument and join in.
“We Are All Enlisted ‘til the Conflict is O’er: Proactive Strategies for Maintaining Music Programs”
Difficult economic circumstances – often combined with misplaced and administrative priorities – once again threaten string programs in particular, and music programs in general. Music teachers are more effective when equipped with well-defined set of professional core beliefs, information, and proactive, optimistic strategies that ensure the continuation of their programs. Come learn and share some common-sense and highly effective approaches for protecting and strengthening your program, even in a climate of uncertainty.
“String Reading Session”
New string publications from Alfred/Highland Etling
"I Can Do That!"
Fiddling in the string curriculum for motivation, personal fulfillment, building community, and technical development
“The New Horizons Orchestra: Beginning Strings for Senior Citizens”
The joys and eye-opening teaching benefits of a beginning, multi-generational string program focused on senior citizens
“Strings from Scratch”
Organizing, promoting, and teaching a successful beginning string program
"The Kid Who Bows a String Will Never Blow a Safe" (Designing music instruction to affect students' lives, and not just to gain skills and perform a concert)
"Don't Get Burned! Hot Topics for Music Teachers" (How music teachers can deal with current issues in education)
"Connecting the Dots" (Integrating strings with the other arts and the general school curriculum)
"It's All in the Delivery" (Purposefully planning and orchestrating personal teaching strategies – including non-verbal techniques, physical space, and voice quality – can lead to greater student achievement.)
"The Few, The Proud, The Orchestra: Building and Recruiting for the String Program" (Successful strategies for creating enthusiasm for and building the size of the string program.)
"Music with the Brain in Mind" (An introduction to the psychology of music and learning theory.)
Cross-Cultural Approaches to String Education" (Teaching cross-cultural concepts in the string class (also can be altered to be a more general music approach))
"New Structures for Music Education" (Building partnerships and alternative structures to further music education programs.)
"Curricular Chiropractic" (Steps in aligning the music curriculum with standards and core values.)
"The View of the Arts from an Administrator's Foxhole" (Tips for administrators for dealing with arts-specific issues)