Arts Leadership Program
Teaching Guidelines
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The Arts Leadership Program exists to provide Eastman students with stronger and more extensive professional preparation for the many and diverse career paths pursued by Eastman graduates. Through course work, meetings with many visiting professionals, internships and externships, and continuous career counseling, participants in the program broaden their professional vision, formulate and prepare intelligently for career goals, and take initial steps toward professional placement after graduation.
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The mission of the ALP is “to inspire students with a personal vision, to equip them with the professional skills and experience that will allow them to take charge of their career prospects, and to encourage them to provide leadership in the musical culture and marketplace.”
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ALP courses have traditionally fallen into one of five areas: i) Entrepreneurship & Careers; ii) Leadership & Administration; iii) Performance; iv) Contemporary Orchestral Issues; v) The Healthy Musician. Consult semester course schedules for examples of courses offered in these areas.
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ALP courses are normally offered in 1-credit hour, 7-week (half-semester) units. These classes normally meet two hours each week. Some courses are designed to be 2-credits over 14 weeks or even more.
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Enrollments are kept low, normally not more than 15 students. Classes are made up, normally, of a mix of undergraduate and graduate students from every major and degree program. (Freshmen only are not allowed to register for ALP classes.) Many participating students are ALP Certificate students; these are students completing at least 6 credit hours in the ALP curriculum and participating in a range of other ALP activities besides course work. Certificate students are normally guaranteed admission to ALP courses of their choice. Other students are offered remaining places in the courses. If your course has already reached capacity enrollment, some students may approach you about “signing in” as overloads. They need your permission. This is purely your decision. We would only ask that students enrolled in the ALP Certificate Program be given first consideration.
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ALP classes tend to emphasize what is practically and professionally useful over the theoretical or purely academic. Readings, activities, assignments, group projects, special speakers, etc. should have this emphasis. When possible, students in ALP classes should learn through “hands on” practical experience. Students take these courses, in many cases, as electives on top of everything else they are required to do. Out of consideration, workloads in ALP courses tend to be light. Instructors should consult with the ALP staff about appropriate workloads.
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There’s a proper place for the ivory tower, but it’s not in the ALP. Wherever possible, undermine the isolation of the Academy by introducing students to non-academic professionals in relevant fields. Everyone teaching in the ALP should organize guest visits, discussions, demonstrations, “field trips,” etc. Due to the generosity of the Catherine Filene Shouse Foundation, we have funding to help defray some of the inevitable costs of such visits and projects. The ALP Office can help instructors budget and plan for guests.
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ALP courses, though they’re not required for any degree program, are for-credit courses. Consequently, students will need to receive a grade at the end of the semester. Students will also need to understand that they’re being held to some minimal performance expectations (e.g. attendance, preparation, etc.) (If your class ends at mid-semester, you may not receive a grade sheet from the Registrar; you can submit your grades in a signed memo to the Registrar or to the ALP office.)
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Near the end of your course, you will be getting an ALP course evaluation form for your students to complete. Please have them fill it out and return it as instructed. The results will be returned to you.
For more information or advice about designing or offering an ALP course, contact Ramon Ricker, Director, Institute for Music Leadership at 274-1113 or rricker@esm.rochester.edu