Zerull Presents Research at 7th International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education

Chair of Conservatory Academics Division and Professor of Music Education David Zerull, Ph.D., presented research and curricular adaptations related to teaching the art of music at the 7th International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education held at the University of Florida from March 19, through March 22. The invitation to present included recording of the session for future use in graduate classes in assessment. His presentation was supported by a Faculty Development Grant from Shenandoah University.

Assessment in music education – and specifically instrumental music education – is challenging because music is a performance skill that can be refined and improved, a discipline about which one may study, and an experience that requires development or refinement to hear sounds organized to be expressive. Assessing student growth and achievement in music is complex. Dr. Zerull’s work includes a proposal to assess student learning on aspects of the art of music by way of studying the elements of music and casting those lessons in a framework that examines compositional techniques used by composers in crafting their art.