Smithsonian World Music Pedagogy Course
Mississippi State University’s Department of Music is excited to partner with the Smithsonian Institution to offer a World Music Pedagogy certification course.
As one of only six universities nationwide hosting the 2027 course, MSU invites K-12 educators to participate in this five-day immersive, hands-on course in MSU’s state-of-the-art Music Building.
June 1-5, 2027
Music Building
124 Hardy Road
Mississippi State, MS
| Time | June 1 | June 2 | June 3 | June 4 | June 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00-9:45 | WMP Dr. Campbell |
WMP Dr. Campbell |
WMP Dr. Campbell |
WMP Robert Damm |
WMP Robert Damm |
| Break | |||||
| 10:00-12:00 | Choctaw Song & Dance Dan and Ralph Isaac |
Choctaw Song & Dance Dan and Ralph Isaac |
Choctaw Song & Dance Dan and Ralph Isaac |
African Drumming Robert Damm |
African Drumming Robert Damm |
| Lunch | |||||
| 1:00-2:30 | MS Blues Libby Ray Watson |
MS Blues Eden Brent |
MS Blues Rising Stars |
Ghana Songs George Dor |
Ghana Songs George Dor |
| Break | |||||
| 2:45-4:00 | MS Blues Libby Ray Watson |
MS Blues Eden Brent |
MS Blues Rising Stars |
Ghana Songs George Dor |
Ghana Songs George Dor |
| 4:00-5:00 | Reflections | Reflections | Reflections | Reflections | Closing Ceremony |
About the Course
The course is designed to deepen your understanding of world music expressions from global and local communities while equipping you to facilitate instruction in ways that are respectful of the music and musicians and culturally responsive to student interests and needs.
You will have the opportunity to engage in singing, dancing, drumming, listening, creative activities and reflective discussion as you gain tools to authentically teach these musical traditions in K-12 and community settings. You’ll learn folk and traditional songs, dances and rhythms from cultures around the world, including children's music.
What You'll Gain
- Direct experience with traditional music from multiple world cultures
- Strategies for incorporating world music respectfully in educational settings
- Access to culturally authentic resources and recordings
- Certificate of Accomplishment and optional CEU credits
Registration Cost
Early Bird (Through Feb. 28): $250
Regular Registration (Beginning March 1): $300
Registration opening soon!
Certificate & CEUs
All course participants receive a Certificate of Accomplishment upon completion. CEU credits are also available.
Faculty
- Eden Brent, Piano Blues
- Dr. Patricia Campbell, World Music Pedagogy (Methods)
- Dr. Robert Damm, World Music Pedagogy and African Drumming
- Dr. George Dor, Music and Dance of Ghana
- Dan and Ralph Isaac, Choctaw Songs and Social Dances
- Rising Stars: Chris Mallory & Sharde Thomas Mallory, Fife & Drum Blues
- Dr. Jennifer Mellizo, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings Music Pathways
- Libby Rae Watson, Guitar Blues
Featured Areas of Study
The World Music Pedagogy course encompasses a diverse range of musical practices from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe with special emphasis on Mississippi's own cultural traditions and culture-bearers.
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Traditional songs and social dance
- Sessions led by William Dan Isaac and Ralph Isaac
- Mississippi Blues
- Regional history, performance practice and classroom applications
- 12-bar blues and riff-based playing
- Writing original verses based on traditional blues formats
- Sessions led by Libby Rae Watson, Eden Brent, and the Rising Stars Fife & Drum Band (Sharde Thomas Mallory and Chris Mallory)
- West African Songs and Drumming
- Traditional Ghanaian songs
- Hands-on learning of African drumming techniques and rhythms
- Sessions led by George Dor and Robert Damm
Accommodations
Contact
Questions?
For additional information, contact MSU’s Professor of World Music Robert Damm at rdamm@colled.msstate.edu.
