STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS - Tarleton State University’s Department of Fine Arts recently received a $33,600 grant from the Dana Foundation for music education.  The Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation with principal interests in brain science, immunology and arts education. The grant was obtained through the foundation’s Rural Initiative Grant program.

Specialized training and certification in Orff-Schulwerk teaching methodology will be provided to 20 elementary music teachers in the rural north and central Texas areas. Two Tarleton faculty members and three Tarleton music education majors will also participate.

The Orff method of music education emphasizes active music making through singing, instrumental ensemble on special instruments, movement and improvisation. The curriculum is based on the sequence outlined by the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Grant funds will cover all training costs, a small teacher stipend and a $500 instrument allowance for participants schools to purchase Orff instruments.

“Our purpose is to provide this training and other allowances for instruments, etc. to our regional rural elementary music teachers to improve the quality of music education in our area,” said Vicky Boucher, Tarleton music instructor and project leader for the grant. “We are also excited about sending our music education majors to teach with some of these teachers in the future.”

The training sessions will be held this summer in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center.  After the training, Tarleton faculty mentors will visit the participating teachers’ classrooms during the fall and will host two follow-up sessions for continued professional support and collaboration.  The Dana Foundation grant will be instrumental in Tarleton’s continued support of music teacher professional development in the area.

“This project is such a worthwhile endeavor because the Orff approach to elementary music education not only furthers teachers’ development, but it also enhances students’ musical skills,” said Dr. Teresa Davidian, department head for the fine arts department.

The grant will serve eight counties in 21 target districts—Brownwood, Cisco, Comanche, DeLeon, Dublin, Early, Eastland, Glen Rose, Gorman, Granbury, Hamilton, Hico, Lingleville, May, Mineral Wells, Morgan Mill, Palo Pinto, Ranger, Santo, Stephenville and Tolar.
For more information about Orff teacher training at Tarleton, contact Boucher at (254) 968-9238.