A friend and colleague of mine, Christopher Fisher, has written a new book on group teaching. The book is Teaching Piano in Groups and is published by Oxford University Press. Though I have not read it yet, I am sure that it is a well researched, informative, and practical book that every piano teacher will want to read. At the MTNA conference next week, Christopher will be in the Music Mart booth for a book signing on Monday, March 22 from 4:30-5:30. Please drop by and tell him that I sent you. Christopher will also be doing an interview for the composecreate.com blog in the near future!
Oxford says this about the book:
Teaching Piano in Groups provides a one-stop compendium of information related to all aspects of group piano teaching. Motivated by an ever-growing interest in this instructional method and its widespread mandatory inclusion in piano pedagogy curricula, Christopher Fisher highlights the proven viability and success of group piano teaching, and arms front-line group piano instructors with the necessary tools for practical implementation of a system of instruction in their own teaching.
Contained within are: a comprehensive history of group piano teaching; accessible overviews of the most important theories and philosophies of group psychology and instruction; suggested group piano curricular competencies; practical implementation strategies; and thorough recommendations for curricular materials, instructional technologies, and equipment. Teaching Piano in Groups also addresses specific considerations for pre-college teaching scenarios, the public school group piano classroom, and college-level group piano programs for both music major and non-music majors.
Teaching Piano in Groups is accompanied by an extensive companion website, featuring a multi-format listing of resources as well as interviews with several group piano pedagogues.
