University relations
Jeffrey Murdock
The June episode of Short Talks From the Hill, a University of Arkansas research podcast, features Jeffrey Murdock, Associate Professor of Music Education at U of A and conductor of the Inspirational Chorale and the Razorback Chorus.
Murdock was recently awarded the Grammy Music Educator Award 2021 by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum. The prestigious award recognizes current educators across the country who have made significant and lasting contributions to the field of music education and who are committed to the wider cause of maintaining music education in schools.
Along with winning the award, Murdock received a US $ 10,000 honorarium and scholarship to the U of A’s music division. He also appeared on CBS This Morning and was recognized on the Grammys national television show.
Much of his career has been dedicated to providing access to music and teaching music to students of all ages, much like he grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi. Murdock says his philosophy is “to meet students where they are … and develop a mindset that may be inaccessible in the traditional educational sense.”
“A lot of people think that a culturally engaging pedagogy is specific to diversity, equity and inclusion,” Murdock says on the podcast. “But culturally appealing pedagogy looks different to me as a black man. I have to find the common spaces between myself and maybe a wealthy white student who grew up very differently from me. Culturally engaging pedagogy means meeting every student – the wealthy, the under-half, the rich, the poor, the whites, the non-whites – and so on. “
To hear Murdock discuss more about the importance of music education in schools and how he feels about winning a Grammy, visit Arkansas Research, the home of research news at the University of Arkansas, or check out the On Air and Programs programs “-Link on KUAF.com.
Short Talks From the Hill highlights research and academic work at the University of Arkansas. In each segment, a university researcher discusses his or her work. For past podcasts, see the Short Talks From the Hill link on arkansasresearch.uark.edu, home of science and research news at the University of Arkansas.
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