Secondary Music Educators’ Use of Pedagogical Creativity in Large Ensembles During COVID-19 School Shutdowns: A Literature Review

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize research related to music educators’ use of pedagogical creativity in response to the COVID-19 school shutdowns and provide implications for future research and praxis. This literature review begins with a presentation of pedagogical creativity, including an overview of how it is contextualized. I follow with a brief overview of COVID-19 school shutdowns and the implications for school music education, the application of the major principles of pedagogical creativity, and a discussion of the implications for music educators. Pedagogical creativity offers a framework of teacher characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes focusing on high situational awareness and flexibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, music educators overwhelmingly responded with adaptive and effective solutions despite increased stress and many unknowns.