This year’s VMTA Clifford Lecture is to be held at the State Library Theatrette on Sunday August 7, 2.00pm.

It will be presented by Prof Gary McPherson, Ormond Professor and Director,
Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

The topic is:

“Evidence based approaches to teaching music to children and adolescents”

Every year, thousands of Australian children begin learning a musical
instrument and embark on an aspect of skill acquisition that is not only
complex and time-consuming, but which also requires years of dedicated
practice and commitment in order to achieve success. A major challenge for
research, therefore, is to find better and more efficient ways for
developing the range of skills required to perform proficiently.

With the above as his context, Professor McPherson will describe recent
research that provides new insight into the nature of musical ability,
development and identity.  His presentation will be framed to show how
development is uniquely individual and how various forces act to either
enhance or hinder each learner¹s musical potential. Practical examples will
be included and discussed that teachers may like to consider in their
everyday teaching practice and that have been shown to enhance student
learning and motivation to continue learning and participating well into
adult life.

Tickets: $20 VMTA members/ $25 non-members/ $12 full-time students

To book, simply call 03 9415 1314 or email the office vmta@vmta.org.au.
Booking forms are also downloadable from our website
www.victorianmusicteachersassociation.org.au.