BAND SESSIONS
BEGINNING BAND TEACHER SURVIVAL KIT | Roberta Baril
Let’s face it - the truth is that no one can really prepare you for the experience of being a new teacher in the band room. There is so much to learn and never enough time. Add to that the fact that we are dealing with the challenges of a post-pandemic world…….well enough said!
But there is one “secret” that is guaranteed to help. (Hint: It’s your colleagues!) Why work in isolation when there are so many people who are willing to share resources, tips, and things they have learned along the way.
If you are a newer band teacher and want to connect with others, this is the session for you. Come to listen to the stories of like-minded people ranging from experienced veterans to first-year teachers. And leave with a connection to a network of colleagues that we hope will make the year ahead a little bit easier.
Let’s face it - the truth is that no one can really prepare you for the experience of being a new teacher in the band room. There is so much to learn and never enough time. Add to that the fact that we are dealing with the challenges of a post-pandemic world…….well enough said!
But there is one “secret” that is guaranteed to help. (Hint: It’s your colleagues!) Why work in isolation when there are so many people who are willing to share resources, tips, and things they have learned along the way.
If you are a newer band teacher and want to connect with others, this is the session for you. Come to listen to the stories of like-minded people ranging from experienced veterans to first-year teachers. And leave with a connection to a network of colleagues that we hope will make the year ahead a little bit easier.
BEYOND THE BRANDS - BACK TO THE BASICS OF INSTRUMENT SELECTION FOR SCHOOL BAND PROGRAMS | Dennis Adcock
Brand names do not carry the weight that they did when I first entered this industry. What once was a tried-and-true household name, may now only show the stamp of that name and it may not be designed or assembled with the quality you expect from the well-known brand name. So, in this session, we go beyond the brand labels and back to the basics of instrument quality, design, and durability. We will be discussing selection techniques that can be applied to any make or model of instrument.
The careful selection of school band instruments, the subject of this MCA session, is a skill that I have been honing throughout my 45 years of purchasing for The Bandstand’s resale. My experience with all mechanical aspects of an instrument, in addition to weighing the players’ perspectives given by many associates and myself, assure a rigorous selection process. In this session, we will delve into the traditions that have set the standards and that now provide the vast choice of quality instruments that are available. We will explore what selection criteria and selection techniques will most help you purchase appropriate instruments for your school’s needs and how to ensure your band program gets what it pays for, in terms of quality musical instruments.
Brand names do not carry the weight that they did when I first entered this industry. What once was a tried-and-true household name, may now only show the stamp of that name and it may not be designed or assembled with the quality you expect from the well-known brand name. So, in this session, we go beyond the brand labels and back to the basics of instrument quality, design, and durability. We will be discussing selection techniques that can be applied to any make or model of instrument.
The careful selection of school band instruments, the subject of this MCA session, is a skill that I have been honing throughout my 45 years of purchasing for The Bandstand’s resale. My experience with all mechanical aspects of an instrument, in addition to weighing the players’ perspectives given by many associates and myself, assure a rigorous selection process. In this session, we will delve into the traditions that have set the standards and that now provide the vast choice of quality instruments that are available. We will explore what selection criteria and selection techniques will most help you purchase appropriate instruments for your school’s needs and how to ensure your band program gets what it pays for, in terms of quality musical instruments.
MUSIC CLUE: DETECTIVE INVESTIGATION FOR BAND DIRECTORS | Shelley Jagow
What happened? Who did it? Where did it happen? Why did it occur? How can we fix it? Learn to be a musical detective and identify ensemble "mysteries" and learn rehearsal tips for solving common performance errors.
What happened? Who did it? Where did it happen? Why did it occur? How can we fix it? Learn to be a musical detective and identify ensemble "mysteries" and learn rehearsal tips for solving common performance errors.
THE INCLUSIVE REHEARSAL ROOM | Shelley Jagow
Differing perspectives can enrich the classroom environment, while acknowledging diversity improves critical-thinking and cognitive skills. Create a classroom culture where your students will generate mutual understanding and positive influence by embracing diversity and inclusion in the rehearsal room. Design a community that exhibits a safe and supportive environment to better prepare your students for practicing cultural empathy.
Differing perspectives can enrich the classroom environment, while acknowledging diversity improves critical-thinking and cognitive skills. Create a classroom culture where your students will generate mutual understanding and positive influence by embracing diversity and inclusion in the rehearsal room. Design a community that exhibits a safe and supportive environment to better prepare your students for practicing cultural empathy.
INSTRUMENTAL CONDUCTING FUNDAMENTALS | Taina Lorenz
This session will focus on fundamental conducting techniques through simple and compound meter patterns, posture and use of the baton, navigating tempo and dynamic changes, and hand independence exercises. A limited number of delegates will have the opportunity to work with a live band for practical application of the techniques. Please bring your baton!
This session will focus on fundamental conducting techniques through simple and compound meter patterns, posture and use of the baton, navigating tempo and dynamic changes, and hand independence exercises. A limited number of delegates will have the opportunity to work with a live band for practical application of the techniques. Please bring your baton!
REPERTOIRE SELECTION IN THE 21ST CENTURY | Angela Schroeder
The post-Covid dawn is upon us, and we've never been happier to dive into repertoire planning! However, finding appropriate repertoire that meets the needs for our specific ensembles has never been more daunting with the challenges we face as a result of changing demographics in our ensembles. This session will discuss the difficulty of reconciling our colonialist ensemble history through a modern lens of diversity that allows our ensembles to find a variety of musical perspectives from which to draw on. Topics to be discussed will include balanced programming, flex-band music, consortiums and commissions, composer diversity resources and examples, opportunities for cross-curricular engagement - all of which can serve to broaden our own musical influences and repertories.
The post-Covid dawn is upon us, and we've never been happier to dive into repertoire planning! However, finding appropriate repertoire that meets the needs for our specific ensembles has never been more daunting with the challenges we face as a result of changing demographics in our ensembles. This session will discuss the difficulty of reconciling our colonialist ensemble history through a modern lens of diversity that allows our ensembles to find a variety of musical perspectives from which to draw on. Topics to be discussed will include balanced programming, flex-band music, consortiums and commissions, composer diversity resources and examples, opportunities for cross-curricular engagement - all of which can serve to broaden our own musical influences and repertories.
THE SUCCESSFUL OBOE STUDENT | Beth Levia
Starting young oboists comes with a unique set of techniques specific to the instrument. From identifying students who have the best chance of success on the instrument, learning to play in a softer dynamic, learning to exhale before the inhale, being in control of pitch, and learning how to care for reeds, this session offers solutions to common challenges for the band teacher. The oboe is not difficult but it is different.
Starting young oboists comes with a unique set of techniques specific to the instrument. From identifying students who have the best chance of success on the instrument, learning to play in a softer dynamic, learning to exhale before the inhale, being in control of pitch, and learning how to care for reeds, this session offers solutions to common challenges for the band teacher. The oboe is not difficult but it is different.
TROMBONE TIPS AND TRICKS | Kathryn McIntosh
The basic technology of the trombone has changed very little in the many centuries of its existence. So why do the "ins and outs" of the instrument have a tendency to be mystifying and counter-intuitive? This session will offer some ideas on how to help beginning students get off to a good start on the instrument, and will also cover aspects of trombone playing relevant to more advanced students.
The unique challenges presented by the trombone slide will be discussed, including how to develop good intonation, natural slurs versus legato tonguing, and care and maintenance of the slide. Much of the material is relevant to the entire family of brass instruments, such as "extraordinary" breathing, range building, how to identify a healthy embouchure, and the vital importance of ear training.
The basic technology of the trombone has changed very little in the many centuries of its existence. So why do the "ins and outs" of the instrument have a tendency to be mystifying and counter-intuitive? This session will offer some ideas on how to help beginning students get off to a good start on the instrument, and will also cover aspects of trombone playing relevant to more advanced students.
The unique challenges presented by the trombone slide will be discussed, including how to develop good intonation, natural slurs versus legato tonguing, and care and maintenance of the slide. Much of the material is relevant to the entire family of brass instruments, such as "extraordinary" breathing, range building, how to identify a healthy embouchure, and the vital importance of ear training.
