Music @ Mississippi State University: Faculty

Robert J. Damm has taught at Mississippi State University since 1995. His previous teaching experience includes public school band directing in the Krum, TX Independent School District (94), the Burleson, TX Independent School District (93), and the Dallas City/Laharpe, IL School Systems (87-90) as well as university instructing at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX (92-94).

Highlights of his continued education include attending the American Orff-Schulwerk Association National Conference (05), attending the National Symposium on Multicultural Music (04), study of African music and dance in Ghana (04), attending the Kosa International Percussion Workshop & Festival (03), study of Cuban music and dance in Havana, Madruga, and Matanzas, Cuba (02), and Orff-Schulwerk Level I and Kodaly Level I training (92).

Dr. Damm's recent honors and awards include the Mississippi Alliance For Arts Education Excellence in Higher Education Award (2007), the College of Education Clyde Muse Service Award (2005), the Ward-Stewart Outstanding Artistic Contributor of the Year Award (2005), the Sigma Alpha Iota Distinguished Member; Friend of the Arts (2005) and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society (1999). He has served as faculty advisor to MENC-MSU Chapter (2002-present), presenter for the John K. Bettersworth Leadership Lecture Series (1997-present), on the Board of Directors for the MS Alliance for Arts Education (2001-2003), and as President of the Percussive Arts Society, MS Chapter (1997).

Since 1990, he has presented hundreds of workshops for area children on topics including the Celebration of African Heritage, American Indian Music, African Drumming & Story Telling, Brazilian Drumming & Dance, The Intersection of Music and Architecture, Drum circle, Improvisation, and World Music, Caribbean Music, The Science of Musical Sounds, African Origins of Contemporary Instruments, and Musical Concepts.

Damm's refereed journal publications are "Education through Collaboration: Learning the Arts while Celebrating Culture" in Music Educators Journal (Nov. 06); "Gareth Farr's Kembang Suling: Three Musical Snapshots of Asia" Percussive Notes (Feb. 06); "Adventures in Samba With Carnaval in Sao Paulo" The Instrumentalist (Sept. 04); "Do You Udu?" Percussive Notes (Dec. 03); and "John Bergamo's Four Pieces For Timpani: A Performance Guide" Percussive Notes (Oct. 95).

His original compositions in publication through HoneyRock (Everett, PA) are "Ritmos de Congas" solo for 3 congas and CD playback, "Udu Dances," and "Pachelbel Island," "WorldBeat Sonata," and"Hoo Daiko" for percussion ensemble. His book, Repertoire, Authenticity and Instruction: The Presentation of American Indian Music In Oklahoma's Elementary Schools, was included in the series, "Native Americans: Interdisciplinary Perspectives" by Routledge Publishing, NY (2000).

Damm's freelance performing activity as a percussionist since 1995 includes work with Brice Miller and the Columbus All-Stars, the State Messengers jazz combo, the Bill Cooke Band, Jesse Robinson and the Hip Waders, Blues Axis, the Golden Triangle Jazz Quartet, the Starkville MSU Symphony, and the Delta Symphony. In addition to his annual performances in the Faculty Artist Recital Series at MSU, he has performed for the Calvary Episcopal Church's Guest Artist Concert Series, Seminole, FL (03, 02) the national CMS conference in Kansas City, MO (02), the CMS Southern Chapter conference, Jackson, TN (02), Holmes Community College, Goodman (01), Henderson State U, Arkadelphia, AR (01), New England Music Camp, Sidney, ME (01), the PAS-MS Chapter Day of Percussion (99, 98), the St. Paul's Chamber Music Series, Jackson (97), and Millsaps College, Jackson (97).

Creative Arts in the Elementary and Middle Levels (MU 3123)
An integrated, multicultural approach to teaching music and art with other subjects (e.g. math, science, and language arts) as recommended in national standards for education.

Planning and Managing Learning (MUE 3243)
Capstone music education course developed by Dr. Damm which covers the variables contributing to efficiency and competency for teacher-learner activities and the maintenance of a positive learning environment in music classroom. Topics covered include historical foundations, intellectual currents, advocacy, methodology, materials and tools, technology, assessment, philosophy, curriculum, rehearsing performing ensembles, managing music classes, MENC National Standards, lesson plans, teaching improvisation, and multicultural music education.

African-American Music (MU 1103)
A study of African musical elements and cultural traditions with focus on the impact of these traditions on the development and advancement of African-American music. This musical survey includes the African legacy, the Colonial Era, Antebellum life, the Civil War and emancipation, precursors of jazz, the Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance, gospel, blues, and rap.

Additional Courses
Other music courses which Damm taught include Teaching Internship in Music Education, Professional Seminar in Music Education, Practicum in Music Education, Functions & Methods of Research in Education, Instrumental Methods and Materials, Marching Band Techniques, Arranging/Orchestration, Applied Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, and Percussion Class.