Boston University
Master of Music Degree in Music Education
Starr Desmond attended Boston University on 25% Tuition Full Scholarship provided by the College of Fine Arts. Through her coursework she participated in many professional development seminars, taught micro-units at several schools. Starr also volunteered her time to non-profit work with ZUMIX, all while working towards her licensure.
Coursework and Class Experiences
Elementary Methods - Fall 2019
In this class, Starr and peers were able to observe classes at several different elementary schools. One of the schools being at Harrington Elementary School located in Lexington, Massachusetts. Starr and peers visited the school for 6 weeks, and planed and taught a 4-week unit.
​
Starr wrote a piece titled 'In The Forest' and her group came up with an orff orchestration and dance to the song that the children learned over the four weeks.
Instrumental Lab - Fall 2019 & 2020
In this class, Starr and her peers were placed on non-principle instruments and learned how to play new instruments.
​
Through these courses, Starr learned how to play the violin, cello, clarinet and trombone.
She also conducted 4 pieces; March of The Metronome, Fiddles on Fire, Ye Banks and Braes O'Bonnie Doon, and Gustav Holst's St. Paul Suite. She learned how to lead string orchestra and band ensembles in warm ups and how to conduct a large group rehearsal.
Choral Lab - Spring 2020 & 2021
Due to the pandemic, this class was modified and adapted for online learning. In this class, Starr and her peers were able to take part in online observations, create choral arrangements, teach chorus classes over ZOOM and create virtual choir projects.
​
Philosophy of Music Education and Curriculum Classes
Throughout her coursework at BU, Starr developed a strong interest in social justice education, and equity and access issues in the American PreK - 12 education system. This interest quickly turned into a passion and heavily influences her teaching philosophy. At BU Starr wrote many research papers regarding these topics.
​
Starr took part in a friend's virtual choir project. She sang the Alto part in this arrangement of Wild Cherote by Vivek Patel
​
Screenshot from Starr teaching a virtual lesson of Best Days of my life.