Contact Information

Biography

Rachel Whitcomb is Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Music Education at Duquesne University where she currently teaches Primary General Music Methods and Elementary General Music Methods. In recent years, she has also taught Music Education Seminar, Senior Seminar, Popular Music Pedagogy, and Inclusive Teaching Strategies for the Music Classroom. Her teaching focuses on early childhood and elementary general music methods, creativity, popular music pedagogies, professional preparation for first-year music teachers, and music for students with special needs.

As an active songwriter and vocalist, Dr. Whitcomb strongly believes that music of all types should be included in schools so that children can have an outlet for expression that is relevant to their lives outside of school. Through her work as a teacher, educator, and songwriter, she hopes to inspire others to unapologetically embrace the music they love and not be afraid to study it in and out of school. As a recipient of the Modern Band Higher Education Fellowship from Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), Dr. Whitcomb has implemented informal music learning processes and popular music pedagogies into undergraduate methods courses to allow future music teachers to learn strategies for incorporating new approaches into their public school music classrooms.

As an administrator, Dr. Whitcomb currently serves as the Associate Dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music (MPSOM). Dr. Whitcomb previously served as Chair of the Department of Music Education and Music Therapy, as well as the Program Director of Music Education. As Associate Dean (i.e., Chief Academic Officer), she works with all Department Chairs and Program Directors to ensure the academic success of students in all music degree programs. She has led efforts to bring the entire school community together regularly for a variety of events such as convocations, faculty performances, health and wellness lectures, DEIA events, staff presentations, guest artist performances, master classes, and award ceremonies. Dr. Whitcomb oversees all policies and procedures within the MPSOM and, along with the leadership team, has steered efforts to implement strategic priorities within the MPSOM 2021-2024 Strategic Plan, including sustainability, academic programs, and diversity and inclusion.

Dr. Whitcomb is the creator of Musical Families, a group music class for very young children (birth through age 4) and their parents. Musical Families has been part of the City Music Center within the Mary Pappert School of Music. Dr. Whitcomb can often be found teaching preschool music classes on and off campus at various child care centers in the Pittsburgh region. 

Dr. Whitcomb's professional interests have included improvisation in elementary general music, rubrics as evaluative tools in music instruction, and the role of music in the lives of preschoolers. She has conducted studies focusing on the nature and extent to which improvisation is occurring in elementary general music classrooms. Her work has been published in Journal of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, Research and Issues in Music Education, Teaching Music, The Orff Echo, The Kodály Envoy, and General Music Today. She is a frequent presenter at international, national, regional, state, and local professional development conferences for music educators and early childhood teachers.

Education

  • Ed.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • M.M., Northwestern University
  • B.S., West Chester University

Areas of Expertise

  • Preschool Music Education
  • Elementary General Music
  • Creativity
  • Music Teacher Education
  • Popular Music Pedagogy
  • Inclusive Music Strategies

School

Associated Programs

2019: Recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching at Duquesne University

2018: Recipient of the Modern Band Higher Education Fellowship from Little Kids Rock for travel, professional development, curricular materials, and modern band instruments used to advance informal music learning processes and popular music pedagogies within undergraduate music education methods courses.

2018: Faculty Development Grant ($2500) from Duquesne University Office of International Programs for the creation of a study abroad course, Music Learning in Ireland: Analysis and Application of Traditional Irish Music and Methodologies for Classrooms and Performances

2013: Recipient of the West Chester University Distinguished Alumni Award

2012 - 2013: Grant ($10,000) from The Helen Ruth Gordon Charitable Trust of PNC Charitable Trusts for The Early Childhood Music Initiative

2012 - 2013: Grant ($35,000) from The Pittsburgh Foundation for The Early Childhood Music Initiative

2011 - 2012: Duquesne University Learning Assessment Mini-Grant for the Music Education Gateway Assessment Project

2010 - 2011: Grant ($100,000) from The PNC Foundation for The Early Childhood Music Initiative

2003: Recipient of the Marilyn Pflederer Zimmerman Fellowship in Doctoral Studies in Music Education (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Whitcomb, R. (in press). From vulnerable teacher to vulnerable songwriter: A reflective journey toward authenticity. In M. Kaschub (Ed.)., Oxford Handbook of Music Composition Pedagogy.

Whitcomb, R. (2019). Discussing LGBTQ-inclusive strategies with pre-service music teachers. PMEA News: The Official Publication of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, 84(2), 56-57.

Whitcomb, R. (2016). Research in music education: So what? PMEA News: The Official Publication of the
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, 80(3), 64-65.

Whitcomb, R. (2015). [Review of the book On staff: A practical guide to starting your career in a university music department, by Donald L. Hamann]. Music Educators Journal, 101(4), 19-20.

Gruenhagen, L.M., & Whitcomb, R. (2014). Improvisational practices in elementary general music classrooms. Journal of Research in Music Education.

Whitcomb, R. (2013). Teaching improvisation in elementary general music: Facing fears and fostering creativity. Music Educators Journal, 99(3), 43-50.

Whitcomb, R. (2012). [Review of the book Learning from young children: Research in early childhood music, edited by S. L. Burton & C. C. Taggart]. The Orff Echo, 44(4), 34-35.

Whitcomb, R., Berger, L., & Schmidt, C. (2011). A general music experience in China: Reflections and lesson ideas. General Music Today, 25(1), 14-18.

Whitcomb, R. (2011). The early childhood music initiative: A model for partnerships between preschools and universities. Proceedings of the 2011 Symposium on Music Teacher Education. 

Whitcomb, R. (2010). Rhythmic characteristics of improvisational drumming among preschool children. Research and Issues in Music Education, 8(1).

Whitcomb, R. (2007). Improvisation in elementary general music: A survey study. The Kodály Envoy, 34(1), 5-10.

Whitcomb, R. (2007). Elementary improvisation in New York state: Survey results. The School Music News: The Official Publication of the New York State School Music Association, 71(2), 31-33.

Whitcomb, R. (2005). A description of improvisational activities in elementary general music classrooms in the state of Illinois (Doctoral dissertation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005). Dissertation Abstracts International, 66, 12A.

Whitcomb, R. (2003). Step by step: Using Kodály to build vocal improvisation. Teaching Music, 10(5), 34-38.

Whitcomb, R. (1999). Writing rubrics for the music classroom. Music Educators Journal, 85(6), 26-32.

Whitcomb, R. (1998). Involving and educating parents in elementary music programs. Tempo: New Jersey Music Educators Journal, 53(1), 43-44 and Segue: The Journal of Arkansas Music Educators, 20(3), 12-14.

Selected International Presentations

Whitcomb, R. (2021, July). A Popular Music Pedagogy Course for Undergrads: Victories in Approximation. Ninth Annual Modern Band Summit, Montclair, NJ. (Online)

Whitcomb, R. (2016, July). Improvising with confidence: Ideas for the elementary general music classroom. 32nd International Society for Music Education World Conference, Glasgow, Scotland. 

Whitcomb, R. (2016, July). Rhythmic characteristics of improvisational drumming among preschool children: A replication study. Early Childhood Music Education Pre-Conference Seminar of the 32nd International Society for Music Education World Conference, Ede, Netherlands.

Whitcomb, R. (2012, July). The role of music in American preschools: Teachers' practices and attitudes. Early Childhood Music Education Pre-Conference Seminar of the 30th International Society of Music Education World Conference, Corfu, Greece.

Whitcomb, R. (2012, July). Meaningful early childhood musical experiences: How undergraduate music educators crafted and implemented music lessons in underserved American preschools. Early Childhood Music Education Pre-Conference Seminar of the 30th International Society of Music Education World Conference, Corfu, Greece.

Whitcomb, R., & Gruenhagen, L. M. (2012, July). An investigation of improvisation in elementary general music classrooms. 30th International Society for Music Education World Conference, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Whitcomb, R. (2009, December). Improvisation in elementary general music classrooms in the United States. National Music Ensemble of Xuhui District Aiju Elementary School, Shanghai, China.

Selected National Presentations

Whitcomb, R. (2021, August). Songwriting in the Classroom: Embracing and Celebrating Vulnerability, Authenticity, and Creativity. Creativity in Today's Classroom Symposium: Oberlin Center for the Arts.

Whitcomb, R. (2019, March). Songs from across campus: Developing a songwriter showcase with preservice music teachers as the house band. Enacting Curricular Change in Music Education through Vernacular Musicianship: Music Education and Popular Music Conference at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.

Whitcomb, R. (2018, June). A university-wide songwriter showcase with pre-service music teachers as the house band: The adventure has begun. Association of Popular Music Education Conference at Middle Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.

Whitcomb, R. (2015, October). Take a risk: Modeling improvisation in the elementary music class. 2015 NAfME National In-Service Conference, Nashville, TN.

Whitcomb, R. (2012, December). Improvisation in the elementary general music classroom. Learning Network Webinar of the National Association for Music Education.

Whitcomb, R. (2011, November). Improvise with a mix of Orff and Kodály. American Orff-Schulwerk Association Professional Development Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Whitcomb, R. (2011, September). The early childhood music initiative: A model for partnerships between preschools and universities. Symposium on Music Teacher Education: Intersections of Practice, Research, and Policy, Greensboro, NC.

Whitcomb, R. (2009, November). Rhythmic characteristics of improvisational drumming in preschool children. American Orff-Schulwerk Association National Professional Development Conference, Milwaukee, WI.

Whitcomb, R. (2006, March). A description of improvisational activities in elementary general music classrooms in the state of Illinois. Organization of American Kodály Educators National Conference, Charlotte, NC.

Whitcomb, R. (2002, April). Rubrics as evaluative tools in the general music classroom. MENC National Biennial In-Service Conference, Nashville, TN.

Selected State/Local Presentations

Davis, S., Denison, C., Eisenreich, C., & Whitcomb, R. (2022, April). Redefining General Music for the 21st Century. Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual In-Service Conference, Poconos, PA.

Whitcomb, R., Schmidt, S., Beaver, L., Tomaro, N. & Osiol, A. (2018, April). If I had only known! Advice from music educators at different career stages. Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual In-Service Conference, Lancaster, PA.

Whitcomb, R. (2016, March). Fostering improvisation in elementary general music. West Virginia Music Educators Association State Conference, Charleston, WV.

Whitcomb, R. (2016, March). Creative approaches to preschool music. West Virginia Music Educators Association State Conference, Charleston, WV.

Frescura, A., & Whitcomb, R. (2016, March). What to expect as a first-year teacher. Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual In-Service Conference, Hershey, PA. 

Whitcomb, R. (2016, February). Job search success for first year music teachers. New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conference, East Brunswick, NJ.

Whitcomb, R. (2016, February). Revitalizing preschool music: Creative ideas for active learners. New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conference, East Brunswick, NJ.

Whitcomb, R. (2015, February). Meaningful musical beginnings: Ideas for early childhood music. Pittsburgh Golden Triangle Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Pittsburgh, PA.

Whitcomb, R. (2014, October). Popular music in early childhood: Developmentally appropriate activities for lifelong music-making. Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children and Allegheny County Family Support Conference, Inviting Ideas, Inspiring Innovation, Pittsburgh, PA.

Doutt, K., & Whitcomb, R. (2014, March). Success for the beginning music educator. Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual In-Service Conference, Hershey, PA. 

Whitcomb, R. (2012, September). Musical play for young children: Explore, discover, sing, and move! Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Play: Transforming Children, Families, Communities, and Lives, Pittsburgh, PA.

Talbot, B., & Whitcomb, R. (2012, April). Developing collaborative school-college partnership models across the state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual In-Service Conference, Lancaster, PA.

Whitcomb, R. (2011, April). Interview preparation: Tips for getting the job! Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual In-Service Conference, Hershey, PA.

Whitcomb, R. (2010, December). Ni Hao! General Music Experiences in China. New York State School Music Association State Conference, Rochester, NY.

Whitcomb, R. (2010, February). Improvisation in elementary general music: Facing fears and fostering creativity. New Jersey Music Education Association State Conference, East Brunswick, NJ.

Whitcomb, R. (2009, December). Rubrics: Exploration and creation. New York State School Music Association State Conference, Rochester, NY.

Whitcomb, R. (2007, November). Professionalism + portfolios = A promising future in music education. New York State School Music Association State Conference, Rochester, NY.