Sam Reese

Associate Professor Emeritus of Music Education

B.S. (education), Eastern Illinois University; M.S. (music education) and Ed.D. (music education), University of Illinois

Sam Reese teaches technology-based music instruction, philosophical foundations of music education, and middle school general music methods. Prior to joining the Illinois faculty in 1996, he had 24 years of music teaching and administrative experience in four city and suburban public school districts in the Midwest. Professor Reese’s publications include co-editing a book, Strategies for Teaching: Technology, and writing more than 30 articles and chapters in publications such as Music Educators Journal, Journal of Aesthetic Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal of Technology in Music Learning, and Journal of Music Teacher Education. Professor Reese’s current research focuses on professional development for teachers in music education technology and technology-based music composition instruction. Professor Reese is a frequent presenter at national and international music education and technology conferences such as College Music Society, Association for Technology in Music Instruction, International Society for Music Education, and the Technology Institute for Music Educators. Recently, he was the keynote speaker at the University of Miami Music Education Day conference, delivered via videoconferenceing from New York City using Internet 2. He is a member of the editorial committees of the Journal of Technology in Music Learning and serves on the advisory board for the Technology Institute for Music Educators. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by Illinois Music Educators Association in 2001.

My philosophy of teaching is rooted in the principles of aesthetic education. These principles hold that music is essentially sound which is used to explore and understand the vast realm of human subjective reality. Aesthetic education, then, is the education of feeling. This makes a direct contribution to improving the quality of both personal, inner life and social life. I approach my teaching of technology applications as a promising means to improve the types of active, engaging music learning experiences that can lead to the education of feeling. At its best, technology-based learning not only improves traditional instruction, it also helps educators develop new conceptions of teaching and learning processes and helps us overcome the shortcomings of conventional teacher-centered instruction. I use a teaching style that emphasizes knowing each student individually and personally. I strive to use a supportive, encouraging, and patient teaching approach while still challenging my students.