Dr. Rebecca MacLeod
Dr. Rebecca B. MacLeod is Professor of Music Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she teaches string education and conducts the University of Illinois Philharmonia Orchestra. Her research on working with underserved populations, vibrato technique, music teacher education, and music perception has been presented at the International Conference of Music Perception and Cognition, Music Research and Human Behavior International Conference, International Society for Music Education, National Association for Music Education National Conference, American String Teachers National Conference, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Society for Music Teacher Education, and music educators state conferences.
Dr. MacLeod is the author of Teaching Strings in Today’s Classroom and co-author of Clifford K. Madsen’s Contributions to Music Education and Music Therapy: Love of Learning. She is also a contributing author to Teaching Instrumental Music: Perspectives and Pedagogies for the 21st Century, Rehearsing the Middle School Orchestra, and Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra. Her research is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Music Education, Bulletin for the Council of Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, String Research Journal, Psychology of Music, The Strad, American String Teachers Journal, and various state music education journals. She has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Research in Music Education, the String Research Journal, and as guest reviewer for the International Journal of Research in Music Education. She has received the UNCG Junior Research Excellence Award and the Researcher Award from the American String Teachers Association.
In demand as a guest conductor and clinician, Dr. MacLeod has conducted region and all-state orchestras in over 20 states. She enjoys expanding musical boundaries by incorporating a variety of cultures and styles into the orchestra and has premiered collaborations such as The Glass, Electric Guitar Concert by Demir Demirkan; Love Me and Fly for Folk Band and String Orchestra by El Rich; and At the Purchaser’s Option by Rhiannon Giddens featuring banjo, fiddle, and vocalist; among others.
Prior to joining the UIUC faculty, she was Professor of Music Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for 18 years. She is the recipient of the North Carolina Board of Governors Teaching Excellence Award, the UNCG School of Music, Theatre and Dance Outstanding Teaching Award, and a semifinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award.
During her early career, Dr. MacLeod taught elementary, middle, and high school orchestras in Hollidaysburg and Beaver, Pennsylvania. She received her undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and her MME and PhD from Florida State University.
Dr. MacLeod currently serves as the immediate past president of the American String Teachers Association.
Clinic Offerings
Achieving an Artistic Vibrato in the String Class
This session will review pedagogical literature and compare various approaches that have been used to teach vibrato. Video clips of artist level performers in real time and slow motion will be presented to clearly outline the component motions of a beautiful vibrato. Practical applications for intermediate and advanced orchestra classrooms will be discussed, as well as the relationship to professional performance practice.
Composing in the Strings Classroom
We often think of composing music as a very complex task involving extensive theoretical knowledge, but children compose original melodies from the moment they begin making sounds. Providing a safe and creative environment for both ourselves and our students, we can open myriad possibilities for original musical creations. This session will outline a process that provides structure as students compose through improvisation and reflection.
Developing a Beautiful Bow Arm (hands on)
From beginning bow hold to performing long tones and dynamics, this session will have something for beginners through advanced players. Flexibility, consistent speed, weight, contact point, bow distribution, and the execution of various articulations will be discussed. You can bring your instrument to experience this session hands-on.
Effective Rehearsals: Combining Artistry and Pedagogy (hands on or demo group)
Effective rehearsals include detailed musical expectations, excellent non-verbal instruction, clear goals, specific feedback, and effective pacing. Being an orchestra teacher requires the skills of a studio teacher and the skills of a conductor. This session will share how to effectively rehearse and teach simultaneously to provide important pedagogical information to students. Bring your instrument and baton to this session.
Increasing Creativity in the Strings Classroom
Children are inherently creative and musical, but we sometimes inadvertently discourage creative thinking and problem solving when teaching students to play an instrument. How can we as teachers support our students’ creative musical voices? This session will demonstrate how creative activities can be incorporated into any string classroom using improvisation and arranging. Sequencing creative activities involves engaging students with their personal musical strengths, and differentiating instruction so that every child feels both safe and successful as they contribute to the overall musical product. This session will actively engage participants as they create a cover band of a popular song, collectively make choices to create a group arrangement, and insert improvised musical lines.
Motivating Students to Learn
Why are some students internally motivated while others are not? How can you motivate every student in your classroom? Why do different students respond so differently to the same classroom management techniques that seem to work for everyone else? This session will share best practice strategies that increase student engagement and motivation. Focusing on student strengths, increasing student leadership, and creating individualized behavior plans will be discussed.
Teaching Strings in Today’s Classroom
The demographics of the United States are rapidly changing and string teachers are expected to be experts in music literacy, string pedagogy, culturally responsive practices, and motivation theory. This session will provide an overview of a sustainable teaching model that incorporates musicianship, instrument technique, motivating activities to engage every student, and the importance of cultural awareness.