Alexander, Melanie
Actively Interactive: Approaches to Technology Integration in Elementary Music
In this session, participants will experience ways to use technology in the elementary music classroom while maintaining an active classroom environment—singing, moving, performing on instruments, and, most importantly, being playful. We will explore app and software options accessible on various student devices and individual, small-group, and whole-class tech-based activities.
Bassoon Bootcamp for Band Directors: Strategies for Success in Starting and Supporting Bassoonists in Your Band
There’s no way around it: the bassoon is a cumbersome and challenging instrument, and one that not many young students will have on their radar when they are deciding what to play. In this clinic, Dr. Nanci Belmont (Assistant Professor of Bassoon, Louisiana State University) will present some considerations and basic information for band directors looking to start and support bassoonists in their programs. Topics covered will include: getting students started, fundamentals of sound production, reed selection/adjusting, fingerings, and more.
Bratcher, Nicholas
For the Culture: Diverse and Inclusive Concert Programming for Secondary Bands
This interactive workshop will examine wind literature for secondary schools by underrepresented minority composers within the wind band medium (e.g. people of color, women, LGBTQ+). Topics discussed will include the value of incorporating these works within the secondary school band curriculum, resources for acquisition, programming literature for cultural and societal awareness, and the process for adding these works to various state music lists for evaluative performance.
Bray, Sara
Breaking the Ice: Building Respectful Culture in the Choral Program
By learning how to structure team-building activities in choral rehearsals and retreats, choral conductors can create the ideal opportunities for singers to develop skills that directly correlate with the National Core Arts Standards and National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) Rubric while growing in comfort and confidence among their peers.
Team building in retreats as well as during class will help students to celebrate their differences and rejoice in their commonality. While these activities are fun, they are pivotal to instructional needs as well because of their correlation to the National Core Arts Standards and NIET Rubric.
This session can help choir directors of all levels to rejuvenate the energy within their ensembles. Application to middle school, high school, college/university, and community/adult choirs will be specifically addressed. Participants will receive a handout featuring several team building examples, including instructions, purpose/goal, instructional use, length, group size, age group, and materials needed, as well as a correlation to the national standards and NIET rubric. Participants will also receive a template that helps them to create additional activities to apply to their own classroom culture and specific instructional needs.
Learning Outcomes:
Engage in team building activities designed to build community, create a healthy environment and respectful culture, and pave the way for student ownership in the choral ensemble
Learn how to plan effective retreats and in-class activities to establish a healthy learning environment
Explore the correlations between team-building activities and the National Standards and NIET Rubric
Byers, Craig
Understanding Copyright & Compliance
Copyright is not a topic we as educators want to deal with, but it is necessary to understand in order to protect ourselves, schools, boosters, and organizations that we participate in. This session will give a brief overview of U.S. Copyright laws and how they affect us as educators. Discussions will include compliance, Fair Use, infringement penalties, obtaining licenses/rights, and more. As the focus will tend to be on the marching arts (marching band, indoor percussion/winds, and winterguard) most of the session will also be somewhat general in nature.
Craig, Cory
“If they see it, hear it, say it, do it – they can play it!” – How to Help Your Beginners Remember
Most amazing music programs start with a solid foundation of fundamentals. With the increasing time restraints from RTI, study hall, TAP lessons, field trips, school events, block schedule and the like, we need to teach these foundations quickly and efficiently in a memorable way. When we lecture, have the students do worksheets, and then have the students play, we still notice that they forget or miss the content entirely, causing the instructor to have to reteach or retest in written quizzes, which takes up more and more class time. The more ways we learn a specific concept, the more connections we make in our brain to that concept to help us remember that concept.
This session will discuss the issues of “traditional” instruction and will dive into strategies that require more student engagement, thus helping them remember more across the board. Strategies such as chanting, raps, call and response, “pair it up”, pointing/touching the page, standing questions, popcorn playing, and having a note page or sticky notes for their binders.
Craig, Cory
The Baton Exchange: Empowering Band Director Mentees and Mentors
Davis, Trey and Luis Fabián González
Horses Not Zebras: A Diagnostic Approach to Rehearsal Pedagogy
“When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” It is believed that Dr. Theodore Woodward coined this phrase in the 1940s as a way to remind physicians that they should first consider the most common ailments to inform their diagnosis, rather than research less likely exotic illnesses. As musicians, this aphorism is strikingly applicable to our craft as well, since our ears are diagnostic tools that are constantly active in rehearsal and performance.
Our “hoofbeats” might include intonation, the balancing of harmonies, sections, and individual voices, vowel formations, vocalism techniques, and a list of myriad options that can easily feel overwhelming when the sound we hear does not match our desired outcome.
This interest session will explore a practical, sequence-based approach to choral pedagogy that is appropriate to both beginning and more advanced conductor-teachers. Davis and González will discuss fundamental components of healthy singing, outline physiological “horses” that can be easily treated with engaging, singer-empowered solutions for each, and present choral warm-up methodologies that further reinforce these voice building concepts.
Deaville, Patrick
LMEA: The History, Context, and Perspectives of Music Education in La. (1936-present)
In Pat Deaville’s session on the History of LMEA, he utilizes two approaches to telling the association’s nine-decade story. He begins by revealing the birth of LMEA through the lives and contributions of early Hall of Fame inductees. The second half of the session provides highlights of important eras, events, and members while providing a plethora of archived photos. Throughout the presentation, Mr. Deaville emphasizes and how the visionary mantras of LMEA’s founding members have endured from 1936 to 2023. Quantity: To encourage the inclusion of music education programs in all schools. Quality: To establish high standards of instruction, literature, and performance. Community: To promote a supportive environment within the music educator community.
DesLattes, Michele and Amy Wakefield
Vocal Roundtable Discussion
This session is designed to provide a safe space for vocal teachers to share their victories, concerns, frustrations and solutions. Opportunities for small group discussions and movement for a variety of interactions will be offered. Presenters will act merely as facilitators in this session. If you have a desire to connect with other professionals in your field and to have meaningful conversations to build real relationships that will, most likely, last past this week, this will be your favorite session!
Dwinal, Catie
Turning the Page: Teaching Literacy through Music
It all starts with one note to make the melody grow. Musical literacy is an essential building block skill for students as they learn how to read, write and beyond. Through activities like responding, singing, storytelling, and reading music, we build these skills. We will explore how to use digital resources and activities to enhance literacy skills and connect with today’s learners.
Folsom, Johnny
Make Concerts a MUST Go Event
Instead of concerts that are predictable and attended primarily by parents, learn how to present presentations that draw not only parents but are looked forward to by the entire community as well. Topics include
*music selection
*programing balance
*enhancements such as videos
*guest conductors and/or guest performers
*programs
*emcees
*inspirational concerts
This clinic was inspired by Dr. Quincy Hilliard composer and professor at the University of Louisiana Lafayette
Fonza, Dr. Frances, Dr. Sean Linfors, Sarah Smokay Linfors
Connect: Music I Know, Music of Others
This reading session will explore an array of literature representing works of diverse cultures. Music to meet today’s singers for mixed and treble choirs. Works of both published as well as the lesser-known, self-published composers will be presented.
Fortune, Elizabeth and Kelly Clingan
Teaching Bravery Over Perfection: Engaging Girls in Improvisation
This session will be an important discussion about how to facilitate an environment where girls feel welcome in the jam circle, feel invited to take solos, and can be their true selves while doing so. Learn effective ideas for approaching this challenge and for building a culture where improv is for everybody!
Topic 1: Strategies
· Improvise early & often
o Drones are within reach right away
· Prioritize this work
· Set time aside on a regular basis (you might need to cancel other things)
· Bring in clinicians to shift the power dynamic
o Put the community to work & make sure guests reflect school
· Book a gig
o Build community through music
Topic 2: How To (especially if you don’t have funds for clinicians)
· Circle up
o Around or facing rhythm section
· Learn melody BY EAR
· Sheet music does not enter this space
o Rhythm section too
· Theory free zone
o Use melody notes as improvisation notes
· Mandatory activity
o Opting out is not on the menu
· Drones are your friend!
· Explore intervals
· Build small groups (combos)
Topic 3: Why
· Students develop independent, entrepreneurial thinking
· Spreading the wealth — kids will take this outside the confines of the classroom walls and into adulthood
· Ear training: intervals, chord qualities, form, etc
· Stylistic awareness
· IT’S FUN!
Gillespie, Robert
Motivating the Adolescent: Research-based Strategies to Get to Buy In and Do Their Best!
Dr. Gillespie is the 2023 All-State Orchestra guest director.
Griffin, Gregg
Allons Louisiane, Show Me How to Two-Step: The Cultural and Musical Impact of a School-Based Cajun & Zydeco Music Ensemble
This study explores the impact of including Louisiana music in schools. Among the participants in the study were the students and parents of an ensemble sponsored by the school that performs Cajun and Zydeco music. The impact that experiences in these ensembles had on participants’ cultural identity and musicianship was a primary interest. This study investigated the impact of this experience on the participants’ family, cultural identity, knowledge of culture, language, and passion for Louisiana music. Impacts experience had on the musicality of participants in the areas of creativity and collaboration were also investigated. Furthermore, a comparison was made between the participants’ experience with the Cajun and Zydeco ensemble and their school band programs. It is evident from students’ responses that different methods of instruction were used, as well as different opportunities for students to explore music creatively.
Grohovac, Dr. Janet
Title TBA
Dr. Grohovac is the 2023 All-State Guitar guest director.
Hand, Judy
Wipe That Smile off Your Face! Flute Embouchure Development for Tone, Intonation, Color, and Dynamics
The main challenge in flute sections of all ages is control of tone and intonation. This session will address the subtleties of proper flute embouchure and air control or achieving a mature tone and artistry. The clinic will show proper angles, aperture, and air speed for mature flute playing, as well as dispelling some common myths about the flute embouchure. Other areas, such as vibrato and articulation may also be addressed as attendees desire and time allows.
Harper, Cordara
Engaging With Culturally-Relevant Leadership Learning In the Choral Setting
The session aims to provide insight and practical applications to help choral conductors engage in culturally-relevant leadership in choral spaces. Culturally-relevant choral conductor-leaders amplify the voices of ensemble members and understand the different frames of knowledge that each individual brings to the choral space. Choral conductors at all levels must remember the people, our students, our stakeholders as we are in the people business. In this session, I will share my research, experiences as a culturally-relevant choral leader, the approaches I have developed through connecting leadership, choral conducting, and high-impact practices. Attendees will leave with tools, resources, and insights to support culturally-relevant leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging.
Hart, Keith
The Lost Tools of Learning: A Journey to the Heart of Music
This session will take you on a journey to the world of Music Education Grammy Quarterfinalist, Keith Hart. As he brings his students to a place where their hearts, minds, and hands work together in tandem with each other to bring a piece of music to life. Through the Hart Method, students learn to read music for meaning with literacy terminology and connections. We take the lost tools of learning: grammar, dialect, and rhetoric and engage students in the art and science of expression in the universal language of music: beauty, truth, and virtue.
Hirst, Eddie
So Much Stuff, So Little Time: How to leverage all the “things” to serve your students
Honor Bands, Assessments, Contests, Band trips, Marching Events, Solo/Ensemble, Parades…..So much stuff. It can be overwhelming. Which should we do? How much do they matter? How do I keep it in balance? The reality is that none of things means everything, but they don’t have to mean nothing. Each can be used to serve your students, and be a part of fulfilling music education for students and directors alike. It’s not a once size fits all approach, but sharing from 21 years expereince how to formulate your own guiding principles that can allow you to make decisions that serve your students and program well. The goal is to spur thinking on the activities we do with our bands, and how to keep them in line with why we do what we do.
Jones, Beverly
Incorporating Teaching Oboe into Your Full Ensemble Rehearsal
Kilpatrick, Carlton
First Day to First Day: Making the Journey from Intern to Teacher
In just eight months, a music education student becomes a full-time music educator. In this session, attendees will walk through that period of time from the first day of their senior internship to the first days in their own classroom. The internship is a key time in the development of a young teacher. Working with a supervising teacher and working within their established framework will be discussed. The job application process and interview techniques will also be addressed. When that first job is secured- what’s next? Setting up the classroom, planning the first semester, and so many other details must be addressed, as well as working with students and parents effectively. A special emphasis will be made on working with special learners of all varieties as a young teacher and maintaining appropriate, positive relationships with students. Participants will be encouraged to take steps to maintain good mental and physical health while they take this important professional journey.
Kilpatrick, Carlton
The Musical Banquet: Intentional Repertoire Selection for Every Choir
The amount of repertoire available to conductors is a limitless banquet- which, though exciting, can be daunting. How do we choose repertoire for our choirs in a way that presents a balanced meal? We are called upon to select music that is rich in content, whether that content be artistic merit, historical and cultural significance, relationship to our community, representation of diverse or underrepresented voices, or powerful message. Making intentional choices can be challenging given the depth and breadth of choral music waiting to be sampled at the musical banquet.
This session will explore recommendations for using intentionality when selecting literature for every level and type of choir, from developing to professional. Participants will participate in activities to assess how a piece of repertoire will function in their overall program using pedagogical criteria and create a balanced “meal” of diverse literature for their choir. The use of theming to give direction to the repertoire search and create opportunities for expanding the musical palate of the choir and the audience will be addressed. Intentional repertoire selection over a season or multiple seasons in a purposeful sequence can allow a choir to build skills to perform increasingly challenging selections or move towards a goal of performing multi-movement works or masterworks.
Choosing repertoire is a task that must be approached with care and thought. By choosing repertoire with intention, choral conductors will unlock their ensemble’s limitless potential for successful performance and meaningful connection. Participants will receive a printed resource sheet and a link to a digital resource site.
King, Joshua and Michelle King
Grow and Cultivate Your Small School Program
Small school bands often come with unique problems that require unique solutions. Or do they? The Kings will show examples of how they were able to adapt, create, and utilize ideas from both small and large school programs to turn Beckville ISD into an award winning program.
Laird, Sharon
Smooth Sailing on Stormy Seas: Practical Suggestions and Strategies for a Long, Happy and Successful Career
Recent studies show that the average career span of a teacher in today’s educational environment is only 5 years and the average career span of a band director is only 4½ years. Why do so many promising teachers leave our field after only a few short years? This clinic is designed to help Band Directors, both young and old, avoid many of the common challenges encountered during their career. Clinic attendees will gain a “real-world” working knowledge of skills and strategies that will assist them in meeting those challenges while developing a high quality program and avoiding burn-out..
McCardle, Tony
Ignite! Engage! Impact!
A round table discussion with school and district leaders on delivering a new level of support to your music program.
Medina-Hamilton, Ginny
Advocate at the Capitol Building Planning Meeting
Meeks, Dr. Brandon
Don’t Throw Away Your Shot! Establishing a Culture That Produces Results!
This session is geared for beginning teachers and undergraduate. A concern for new teachers is how to hold high expectations while still keeping students excited. This session will explore ways on how music teachers can establish a culture that promotes discipline and responsibility while still being fun and productive for students. Ideas discussed in the session are meant to serve as a guide for new and future teachers to use once they return or enter the classroom.
Minear, Dr. Andrew
Title TBA
Dr. Minear is the 2023 All-State Mixed Choir guest director.
Mirvil, Dunwood
Dotting the I’s and Crossing the T’s: Developing the Effectual Habits of an Intentional Trombonist
The trombone can often seem intimidating. Its nature as a slide instrument can make grasping it a challenge for younger trombonists who may feel inadequate compared to their brass counterparts. That said, building musical confidence in your trombonists isn’t as daunting as it may seem, but it does require attention to detail.
This presentation will outline methods designed to help middle and high school students build habits focusing on trombone performance’s finer details. Topics discussed will include the proper technique of holding/moving the slide, embouchure placement, partials in the overtone series and their tendencies, the f-attachment and its corresponding slide positions, tonguing styles, and clef studies.
Nassar, Joseph
“Other Factors” How choice of music directly determines your assessment outcome
The latest revision of the Large Ensemble Assessment rubric has removed “Other Factors” as a scored category. However, the way you approach choice of music has one of the greatest impacts on your preparation and outcome at assessment. Taken from many years a judge, trainer, teacher, and listener, we will explore how music selection ultimately drives your ensemble’s successes and failures.
Raymond, Tina
Big Band Drumming 101
Ms. Raymond is the 2023 All-State Jazz Ensemble guest director.
Redfield, Molly
An Organized Approach to Jazz Ensemble Warm-ups
Join Dr. Molly Redfield, Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at LSU, for a presentation on incorporating jazz warm-ups into your rehearsals. Learn how to develop a fundamental routine using established jazz vocabulary, jazz chorales, rhythm and articulation workouts, and improvisation techniques all following the jazz mantra hear, sing, play. Utilizing these techniques will elevate your ensemble’s performance and help transition classical musicians to the jazz idiom.
Russell, Dayshawn
Don’t Despise Small Beginnings: The Importance of Elementary General Music
Many music education majors dream of working as a high school choir, band, or orchestra director. However, there is a great need for qualified elementary general music teachers as well. Elementary general music teachers play a vital role in providing young children with a strong musical foundation. Additionally, it is very possible that many graduates may not be hired for their “dream” job immediately following undergrad. In this session, we will discuss the importance of elementary general music, the need to absorb all information provided in elementary music methods courses, the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective elementary general music teacher, and how to connect with local organizations that provide professional development for elementary general music.
Saccardi, David
Level Up: Choosing Repertoire for Mixed-Experience Ensembles
Often scheduling demands of our schools place students in our ensembles who have diverging amounts of experience on their instruments, resulting in a hotshot who’s’ been in private lessons for years sharing a stand with a rank beginner, even if they’re the same age. Programming music and sequencing instruction can be difficult for these types of class in a climate where we want to provide individualized instruction for all of our students every day. This session will discuss curricular and repertoire options for these types of classes, including score marking and study strategies, music for “flex” ensembles, and specific repertoire written with this issue in mind.
Saucedo, Richard
The Non-Negotiables of the Concert Band Rehearsal
Mr. Saucedo is the 2023 All-State Symphonic Band guest director.
Schlegel, Dr. Amanda
HOT Music Classes and Rehearsals to Foster Identity, Belonging, and Agency
Higher-order thinking (HOT) through structured questioning, repetition of key ideas, and awareness of the differing musical identities among students are important strategies for successful teaching. In this sessions, pre-service teachers will practice skills and strategies related to priming student attention through HOT questioning, varied repetition of key ideas and concepts, and sincere interest in student musical interests that propagates belonging, agency, and independence in the music classroom and rehearsal. Musical scores and scenarios will be used to create hypothetical scenarios for practice and application.
This session is intended for pre-service teachers, but the tenets and principles of the session are applicable to all music teachers/directors.
Shabankareh, Ashley
Incorporating Music Therapy Techniques to Foster an Inclusive Music Classroom
Music, including popular music, serves as a foundation for our everyday lives. As music educators, we have seen firsthand the benefits of utilizing music our students enjoy, providing opportunities for them to play, perform, and improvise. However, how do we support our students beyond active music-making?
In this interactive workshop, Ashley Shabankareh, Professor of Music Therapy and Music Education at Loyola University New Orleans and Professor of Music Education at Xavier University, will guide participants in ways to incorporate music therapy interventions into their popular music education practices. Music Therapy intersects with music education in many ways, and by incorporating music therapy, educators can support the development of functional, non-musical skills. Educators will be provided with techniques and ideas they can incorporate into their classrooms to support a variety of learners.
South, Abby
Trauma-Informed Instruction in the Music Classroom
Childhood trauma is associated with negative academic, social, behavioral, and health outcomes across a lifetime. Students in Louisiana are particularly at risk of experiencing trauma given our state’s high rate of poverty and frequent natural disasters. Trauma-informed instruction aims to create psychologically safe learning spaces and begins with an understanding of how adverse childhood experiences may inhibit the ability to learn. This clinic will introduce attendees to trauma-informed approaches and highlight how these practices have a natural home in a healthy music classroom. Resources will be shared to guide those interested in implementing trauma-informed approaches in their music programs.
South, Abby and James Square
The other 80%: A discussion about widening the umbrella of LMEA
Research has suggested only 20% of students in the United States participate in traditional school music programs. As LMEA moves toward a more inclusive vision of music education, this panel will address how LMEA can widen its umbrella to support musicians and music educators in the other 80%. We aim to discuss how collaboration amongst music educators of all types may (1) provide meaningful music-making and learning experiences to more students in Louisiana, (2) foster a sense of community within our profession, and (3) build support for music programs across our state. Panelists include music educators from the k-12, university, non-profit, and merchant sectors.
St. Cyr, Melanie and Emily Maurer
Learning Community Concerts for Recruitment and Retention
Recruitment and retention has always been an issue for most choral programs, but especially after covid. While all music was heavily restricted, it hit our middle school and junior high programs the worst. In response to that, and to give a shot of adrenaline to my feeder school programs, we started a new event called the learning community concert. This event was a joint concert where we invited all of my feeder school programs to work together to have a fun event, learn some music, and create a community with choral music within our feeder schools. Thankfully, we have now had two successful learning community concerts. Our first event had about 230 singers and our second one had 246. The programs in our feeder community are growing and we would love to share this idea. This is a field trip for younger singers to come to the high school, have a great time, meet some other singers, and build excitement for continuing choir from 5th grade to 12th grade. This has also created a much needed support network with our music teachers. This event has worked to grow our programs, increase administrative support, boost our school performance score (Slidell High received the maximum number of points for community outreach because of this event), and let parents and families know that students have opportunities to continue singing all through their time in our learning community. We will be sharing how we have made this work, sample schedules, concert programs, videos from past events, and answer questions about how teachers can use this to help grow and sustain programs. Since LMEA is expanding soon to include younger singers in all state ensembles, this could help younger singers and middle and junior high teachers to build a network to increase participation in our expanded LMEA events as well.
Tolson, Jerry
The Jazz Commandments: Guidelines for Successful, Authentic Swing Performance
The interpretation of jazz style is crucial to the element of swing in any jazz ensemble performance. Many charts today for both large and small jazz ensembles are well marked with articulations and expression markings. However, in some cases there is nothing to guide the instructor or student. In this clinic I address some of the articulation and style situations that are commonly found in jazz music. In doing so, I present a set of guidelines that can be used to guide decisions regarding the treatment of notes and rhythms in the swing style of the jazz idiom. Armed with this set of general guidelines, it will be easier to sound more stylistically accurate and authentic.
Tyson, David
Core Arts Standards in General Music: Opportunities for More Meaningful Teaching
The National Core Arts Standards are recommendations for music educators to use at every age level and teaching area. However, many preservice and inservice teachers have expressed frustration when planning to meet each of these standards. While using a predetermined framework for planning, these standards can support teachers trying to create and extend their lessons in a meaningful way and enrich the student experience. This session is intended to model a lesson with activities from each of the four major categories (performing, connecting, responding, and creating). This is a participatory event where the group will experience a ukulele lesson while discussing the possibilities to extend learning. Participants will engage in rote learning, performance of popular music, creative musicking, and opportunities to create connections to students’ musical lives outside of school. A limited number of ukuleles will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible.
Ware, Dr. Patrick
It’s All in the Hands
Participants will learn handclaps appropriate for all ages. Come pat, clap, snap and more. Using body percussion, song and creative play we will explore hand-clapping patterns from kindergarten through grade 5. From the simple to the complex, from nursery rhymes to jazz, everyone will have fun, because it’s all in the hands.
Ware, Dr. Patrick
Read, Sing, Dance – Exploring Children’s Literature
Participants will find the music in picture books. Everyone loves a good story. Every child has a story to tell. Together we will discover the opportunity for magical music making in picture books. Appropriate and engaging for all ages; come play with us as we further our reading comprehension and enhance our musicality through children’s literature.
Ware, Dr. Patrick
Hip Cats and Cool Kids; Jazz in the Classroom
Participants will use Orff instruments to play in the jazz style. Join us as we explore the world of jazz in the general music classroom. Be prepared to scat, swing, move and grove as we mesh the Schulwerk with America’s music – Jazz! You will experience all aspects of the Schulwerk from speech and song to rhythm and movement. Student success guaranteed.
Ware, Dr. Patrick
Creative Movement Big and Small
Participants will experience different types of creative movement. Looking for ideas for creative movement? Help us tell a story without words. Join us as we explore the world of movement in the Orff-Schulwerk classroom. Come play, come move, come share your creativity.
Weatherford, Dr. Cameron
Title TBA
Dr. Weatherford is the 2023 All-State Treble Chorus guest director.
Young-Bridges, Annie
Orchestrate Your School – How to Start a Beginning String Program
Learn specific strategies to start a program from scratch or improve your current program, gain school and community support, and select quality, affordable instruments. Specific teaching tricks and tips will help ensure success in the string classroom.
Zeigler IV, Odell
An Unconventional Approach to the Urban Chorus Classroom for the New Choral Director
Rather than point to the overall barriers within urban education today, I want to share a few issues for the new choral director that may permeate through their urban choral program. Choral leaders may face a few of these issues.
1. Solfège (they may have always sung on words)
2. Sheet music (they may have always been taught by rote without a score)
3. Sight-reading (May be completely foreign)
4. Maintaining an arched soft palate (It feels weird to sing like this)
5. Tongue placement (what is this?!)
6. Classical literature (unfamiliar with the style overall).
These are not indicative of all urban chorus spaces and may apply to some who teach outside the urban space. Notably, I want to share a few suggestions that will bring success to teaching in this setting. The first part of the project will be a PowerPoint presentation & the second part of the presentation will be application-based. I am passionate about introducing this approach to the novice choral director entering the urban secondary choral setting. The goal is that this approach SHOULD NOT replace the traditional way of teaching chorus but act solely as a jumpstart.
Zingara, Ginger
Servant Leadership: How to Get It
Need an effective system to create leadership in your organization? Want students to automatically step up to lead their peers? Servant leadership develops initiative and guardianship in your students; making your job easier and creating ownership among the group.