ABSTRACT DEVELOPING MUSICIANSHIP AND 21st CENTURY LEARNING SKILLS USING THE LISK “CREATIVE DIRECTOR” SERIES SEPTEMBER 2018 THOMAS E. REYNOLDS, B.M.E., NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC M.M.E. ITHACA COLLEGE Ph.D., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Sara K. Jones The Edward S. Lisk “Creative Director” pedagogical techniques have been found to be invaluable in the instrumental music classroom for teaching overall musicianship skills. As educators address the teaching of 21st century learning skills through all of the academic disciplines, many of the Lisk techniques for teaching overall musicianship skills also foster the teaching of 21st century learning skills. Twenty-first century learning skills can help students to go beyond the simple acquisition of knowledge by enabling them to think critically and creatively about what they have learned, as well as collaborate and communicate with others. This collective case study was designed to examine the pedagogical strategies used to cultivate overall musicianship in the Lisk “Creative Director” band series and how these strategies facilitate the development of 21st century learning skills of instrumental music students. Teachers and selected students from band programs using the Lisk approach in three different school districts were observed in ensemble rehearsals and interviewed individually and in small groups. Students were able to identify and discuss the musicianship concepts and 21st century learning skills presented through their director's use of the Lisk approach. Teachers were able to describe how the Lisk approach enables them to effectively improve the expressiveness, sound and performance quality of their ensembles. Of the four learning skills, it was found that critical thinking skills received the most emphasis and creative thinking skills received the least attention from teachers and students alike. The teachers and students agreed that the Lisk approach is a philosophy and a process for preparing students in comprehensive musicianship and 21st century learning skills that goes beyond the techniques surrounding the circle of fourths. All participants emphasized that the Lisk approach was beneficial to the development of musicianship skills and 21st century learning skills in their band programs.