Gumm, Alan

Alan Gumm, Professor of Music Education at Central Michigan University, has a four-decade career of well-rounded “music for all” teaching, conducting, and research. This focus is reflected in his extensively researched models of music teaching and conducting approaches that are recognized as the most comprehensive in the profession, his book Making More Sense of How to Sing that shows how to teach any and all to sing accurately and freely, and numerous other book chapter, journal articles, and website (alanjgumm.wordpress.com) posts and materials summarizing these and other education topics such as a historical choral music practices, expressive-dynamics score analysis, continuum of music education trends, and movement methods for musicians.

The success of his career efforts is reflected in numerous teaching excellence awards, invited membership helping to write the 2014 music ensemble National Core Arts Standards, practical and pedagogical applications of his research around the world, invited 2023 research-review article in the highest-ranked journal Frontiers in Psychology, and 2024 nomination for Senior Researcher award. As well, Gumm has helped promote others’ creative works as a member of the Research and Publications Standing Committee for the American Choral Directors Association and Journal of Music Teacher Education editorial review board, and as invited reviewer for submissions to multiple journals and book publishers. Career highlights further include directing, singing in, coaching, and touring internationally with choruses of diverse musical styles.

Gumm previously taught at McPherson College in Kansas, Ithaca College in New York, University of Utah, and K-12 schools in Kansas. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Utah, a Master of Music Degree from Fort Hays State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from McPherson College.

Gumm, A. J. (Conductor,) & Hadley, H. (Composer). (2021). Sanctus [Recorded by CMU Women’s Chorus]. On Romantic American Choral Music [CD]. Franklin, TN: NAXOS of America. 

Gumm, A. J. (2020). Multifunctional conducting: A short course with a broad view," in B. Winnie (ed.), The Choral Conductor's Companion: 100 Rehearsal Techniques, Imaginative Ideas, Quotes, and Facts. Delray Beach, FL: Meredith Music Publications.

Gumm, A. J. (2018). Music conducting functions: A mixed-methods evaluation of theory and survey validity. Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain, 28(4), 189-200. 
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-51005-001?doi=1