Multiple Intelligence Theory and its Application in Modern Vocal Pedagogy

of the Final Project Paper MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION IN MODERN VOCAL PEDAGOGY BY ROBBDENNIS Claremont Graduate University: 1998 In 1983, Howard Gardner shook the foundations of intelligence testing and the field of education by suggesting that there are seven distinct intelligences. These intelligences had testable and distinct attributes that were supported by his research at the Boston Veterans Administration. This research cited the existence of savants and prodigies, isolation by brain damage, and psychometric findings as support for Multiple Intelligence Theory. Widely accepted by the education community at large, the application of MI principles has been further elaborated in the writings of Thomas Armstrong and David Lazear. Can the principles of Multiple Intelligence Theory be applied in the area of modern vocal pedagogy? After surveys of the foundations of vocal pedagogy and the principles ofMI theory, the author suggests they can. What follows is an analysis of two current vocal pedagogy texts, Van Clu·isty's Foundations in Singing and Jan Sclunidt's Basics of Singing to determine the variety and use ofMI principles in each. After the analysis, the author suggests applications of MI principles, using aspects of their song learning chapters as a template that can be adapted to any vocal pedagogy