Paul Rolland: His Teaching Career and Contributions to String Pedagogy and Education

Abstract

When examining the chronological sequence of Rolland's teaching appointments, one realizes that from the beginning of his teaching career in the United States he taught students with varying degrees of musical development on the violin. In order to be successful in his work, meeting the challenges presented by the diversity of his students, he developed and honed the diagnostic expertise for which he became known. This study establishes his belief that in order to be an effective role model for one's students and colleagues, a teacher must be able to demonstrate, communicate, and generate the concepts of learning to play an instrument and performing music. These were basic tenets of his philosophy of teaching throughout his life, which he effectively conveyed through his professional accomplishments. Rolland's astute comprehension of the teaching/learning process in string performance, both musically and biomechanically, culminating with his examination of the kinesthetics of string playing in the Illinois String Research Project, was a significant factor in his becoming a prominent pedagogue in his profession. The final chapter of this dissertation is an assessment of Rolland's work by former colleagues, students and contemporary string educators.