2018-2019 Georgia Music News | Winter

ASSOCIAT ION NEWS | D IV ISION N E WS | R E FLE C T ION S

GeorgIa music news MUSIC THAT CONNECTS JIMMY OWENS

IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

CLINICIANS + PERFORMANCES

PERSONALIZED LEARNING MEGAN ENDICOTT

CONFERENCE

EDITION

VOLUME 79 | NUMBER 2 | WINTER 2018

GeorgIa music news NEWS FOR TODAY'S MUSIC EDUCATOR

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GMEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Evelyn Champion

District Chairs 1 - Michael Nestor 2 - John Scanling 3 - Angelia Davis 4 - Christine Kraemer 5 - Seth Gamba 6 - Stan Kramer 7 - Douglas McConnell 8 - Alan Carter 9 - Michael Oubre 10 - Katie Bennett 11 - Jay Davis 12 - Andy Esserwein 13 - William Owens 14 - Dennis Naughton

President-Elect Carl Rieke Vice-President for Performance Evaluation Events Jon Cotton Vice-President for All State Events Amy Clement Past Presidents’ Representative Frank Folds

13 REFLECTIONS

JAY WUCHER WITH SHELDON FISHER

PERFORMING GROUPS

IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

12 PERSONALIZED LEARNING MEGAN ENDICOTT

64 MUSIC THAT CONNECTS JIMMY OWENS

68 HELPING MY KIDS BECOME YOUR KIDS SCOTT BOAL

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Editor, Georgia Music News Victoria Enloe

Executive Director Cecil Wilder

For the complete list of Board Members please visit:

Band Division Chair Dr. Matt Koperniak Choral Division Chair Kim Eason College Division Chair Dr. Keith Matthews Elementary Division Chair Emily Threlkeld Orchestra Division Chair Dr. Bernadette Scruggs

GMEA Staff Dr. Bernadette Scruggs Aleta Womack Brandie Barbee Ryan Barbee Advertising/Exhibitors Cindy Reed

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THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS from the National Executive Board. If you are a new or pre-service teacher, please attend our session called “GMEA and NAfME 101” on January 25 at 4:30 in Athena G.

GMEA PRESIDENT Evelyn Champion Greetings, fellow music educators!

I hope that you have had a successful first half of your school year. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone at the 2019 In Service Conference in Athens at the end of January, so we can all recharge and get inspired for the long haul until the end of the school year. Be sure to arrive in time for the Opening Session in the Classic Center theater at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 24, where our annual awards and honors will be presented. The chorus from Alexander High School, directed by Sandra Chandler, will present the national anthem, and Dr. Tim Sharp will give the keynote address. © Photography by Zelda

Tim Sharp is Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association and has pursued an aggressive agenda of strategic planning and progressive and innovative initiatives to keep ACDA energized and relevant in the 21st century. He represents choral activity in the United States as a member of the Board of the International Federation for Choral Music and is Vice-President of Musica International. Dr. Sharp appears regularly as guest conductor and clinician throughout the world, with recent performances in Austria, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Ireland, England, and China. He will surely give an inspiring presentation!

Dian Eddleman, our NAfME Southern Division President, will also be in attendance at this years’ Inservice Conference. She will meet with officers and members and be able to offer perspective

READ THE LATEST GMEA NEWSLETTER @ GMEA.ORG 4

G E O RG I A M U S I C N E W S | W I N T E R 2018

I am pleased to report that significant progress has been made on the redevelopment of the OPUS platform. How do you explain all that GMEA does through OPUS to someone with no experience with our organization? You spend hours and hours… that’s how! Countless THANKS goes to Brandie Barbee for her involvement and contribution to this project, and to the Executive Committee for their support.

Our latest membership data shows that the Georgia Music Educators Association is now the largest state in the Southern Division and third largest in the country (behind New York and Pennsylvania). Our strength is in our unity, with all divisions participating in GMEA events. We are one of the few states with an executive director, three full time employees, two part time employees, and an office space. But with hundreds of events and only a few employees, the majority of our activities are managed by volunteers. GMEA officers, organizers, and hosts often work year-round to make our events happen, all while managing their own full time jobs, families, and personal performances.

If you are a volunteer for GMEA in ANY capacity, THANK YOU for your contribution and service.

I would like to thank you again for the honor of serving as GMEA President, and if I can help you in any way this year, please contact me at president@gmea.org.

Respectfully submitted, Evelyn Champion

EDITOR'S CORNER GMN EDITOR Victoria Enloe The 2019 in-service conference is right around the corner! I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read through the session titles and performer and presenter biographies to begin selecting those you wish to attend. This would also be a great time to befriend a new music teacher to invite along (maybe sponsor their registration fee….).

Articles within this issue present practices focused on including the diverse body of students music classes bring together. Megan Endicott discusses components of personalized learning, practices responsive to individual students’ needs, Jimmy Owens provides suggestions for bet-

ter incorporating multiculturalism in the music classroom, and Scott Boal provides tips for recruiting students from your feeder programs.

These articles are quick reads, but will provide a lot of great food for thought.

In closing, I want to thank Evelyn Champion, Derik Clackum, Kim Eason, Megan Endicott, Matt Koperniak, Martin Norgaard, Jimmy Owens, Bernadette Scruggs, Emily Threlkeld, and Jay Wucher for your fine contributions to Georgia Music News!

Best wishes for a restful and joyous winter break!

Victoria

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GMEA HISTORY THE LETTER HISTORIAN Derik Clackum

To say that the GMEA Archives have a lot of material on file would be a huge understatement. Even going into my fifth year as your historian, I am yet to make it through my classification research even once. And since I am constantly discovering material that is new to me, I try to be careful not to overlook truly historical gems in the life of our association.

On my last trip down to our Archives in Milledgeville, I was sorting through some files from the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. As I searched for some of those historical gems, I came across a very ordinary looking letter. I paused to read it and was about to note it in my files, then move on. But, suddenly I realized what I was reading. This letter was about one of the most important decisions in the life of our association. The letter looked like this: June 2,1980 To: Applicants for the GMEA Administrative Positions From: Julian J. Creamer, GMEA President The Executive Board of GMEA wishes to thank you for your interest in the Administrative positions, that were open in our organization.

After careful consideration, the Executive Board has hired a full time Executive Director and a Secretary to take office July 1, 1980. We have contracted with Mr. Donald Robinson to be the Executive Director of GMEA. Don is retiring from the Fulton County School System and we feel we are most fortunate to obtain his services.

Mrs. Lois Cox, who has temporarily replaced Edna Crusselle, has agreed to stay on as Secretary and Treasurer to the Director. Lois is very familiar with GMEA procedures and has done a great job in filling the position left vacant by Edna.

As President, I wish to thank all of you for your interest in GMEA. It is with interest such as yours, that we are all destined to see a much stronger organization, that will benefit all of us.

I would like to mention that there were some 15 applicants for the two vacant Positions.

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It was a fairly simple business letter from the head of a professional organization, announcing the hiring of professional staff. There was nothing to see here folks, move along, move along. Then, as I re-read the letter, I suddenly realized that it marked a milestone in our GMEA History. But, for some of our younger members, a little background is probably in order.

GMEA, like many young organizations, started life as a small all-volunteer special interest group. We were originally the Music Department within the Georgia Education Association. We conducted most of our business using the standard small-group format of four elected officers, consisting of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Our goals were to encourage the development of school music programs throughout the state and to increase our membership. Our first enlistment goal was to reach the 100 member mark. Quite tame by comparison to our present 3000+ membership !

Since our organization was small, paperwork and planning needs were easily handled by the four elected state officers. We were sort of a mom and pop organization (see my GMN Fall 2018 article about Max Noah and Maggie Jenkins). This four officer format worked fairly well throughout the 30’s, 40’s, but we added Division Chairs to assist with the specialized demands. During the 50’s, Georgia saw a rapid growth in school musical groups and thus many more music teachers that were joining GMEA. The workload continued to exceed our elected leadership format. To help with the growing demands, we created a Corresponding Secretary position to handle the growing volume of mail and correspondence.

GMEA continued to grow in membership through the 60’s. Every other year we elected new officers, and our leadership joked that they were the “Cardboard Box Brigade.” This was because we had no central office for files, and thus all our correspondence, membership forms, all-state forms, and student event forms ended up in cardboard boxes at the homes of our officers. Every other year, the out-going officers handed their cardboard boxes of files to the newly elected officers to take to their homes. As the membership continued to increase, the workload increased, until the Secretary and Treasurer’s positions became like full-time jobs, with more paperwork and bookkeeping than the average member could handle.

All of this growth inside the old elected officer format came to a head with the election of Boyd McKeown as the new GMEA President in 1965. The first event was the retirement of long-time treasurer, Maggie Jenkins. Due to the amount of bookkeeping involved, Boyd

was unable to find a member that would agree to stand for election as Treasurer. Maggie’s retirement was followed shortly by the resignation of Corresponding Secretary, Jack Broucek. Jack told Boyd that he just didn’t have the time to handle the volume of state mailings and correspondence that had become almost a full time job. As I explained in my GMN Summer 2018 column, Boyd’s wife, Edna, agreed to set up a GMEA office in their home and to handle the duties of Treasurer, as well as assist Boyd with correspondence, mailing, and paperwork. This worked well through Boyd’s term as President. However, with the next election, came the question of how to handle this growing volume of paperwork and financial affairs. As a stopgap measure, Edna Crusselle was hired as our first GMEA employee and given the title of Secretary-Treasurer.

Executive Director became more and more apparent to the GMEA Board of Directors, until finally, in 1980 we took the plunge. Then President, Julian J. Creamer was authorized by the Board to advertise an Executive Director position and to fill the position of Secretary-Treasurer that Edna Crusselle was leaving.

As President Creamer’s letter tells us, the Board selected Don Robinson as our first Executive Director, and they also selected Lois Cox as our second Secretary-Treasurer. What the letter doesn’t tell us is that the Board also rented an office in downtown Atlanta and all the officers brought their cardboard boxes full of files and happily deposited them there. And thus a new era in GMEA History began.

As GMEA continued to grow, the workload continued to expand beyond what even one employee and the elected officers could handle.

The need to establish a GMEA office, with a full-time professional

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DIVISION NEWS BAND DIVISION Dr. Matt Koperniak Have you registered for our GMEA In-Service Conference? We have an outstanding program of concerts, clinics, and exhibitors in Athens, January 24-26, 2019, along with networking and sharing ideas with band directors from around our state. Work with your administration to secure leave for our annual, statewide professional learning.

Align the clinics and concerts you plan to attend with TKES standards. Demonstrate to your administrator the value of our conference to you and your students. We are excited to recognize our first-year band directors during our Thursday evening concerts. Please RSVP to band@gmea.org if you are a first-year band director planning to attend the conference, so we can communicate additional information.

What an amazing fall season of marching band shows! Thank you to every director who hosted a marching band contest—it is a massive undertaking and valuable service to our profession. We had over forty marching band festivals and competitions in Georgia this year.

Whether a school’s marching band is competitive or not, it is a unique activity that is the lifeblood of the community and the most visible aspect of the band program. Simultaneously, marching band can contribute greatly to the social growth of students, while developing leadership skills and qualities in students that will impact them for life.

Thank you to every director for providing these important experiences for their students, and best wishes to the remaining few who are still attending playoff football games.

When the All-State Bands meet in Athens, February 28-March 2, 2019, we will hear the finest student-musicians throughout Georgia.

Thank you to every All-State audition organizer and host in our fourteen districts. If you registered students to audition, remember it is your

professional responsibility to attend and work auditions. Failure to do so results in an ethics letter to your principal.

Band directors are the busiest teachers in the school, and it is easy to forget the lasting impact we have on our students. Take a few moments to consider which of your students might one day become a band director. The future of our profession depends on new teachers, and it is never too early to plant that seed. A word of encouragement goes a long way! Many directors organize a mentoring program for high schoolers to work with middle school band students. Others allow interested students to conduct a piece in class or on the spring concert. These experiences allow students to understand the joy of teaching firsthand.

Teaching is a noble profession, and we should actively encourage potential teachers to explore this career path. It is often easy to focus on the negative aspects of teaching, such as salary, meetings, schedule interruptions, and standardized testing. The positives far outweigh the negatives. Invest in our future and encourage interested students to consider a career as a band director.

I close this column by highlighting a first-year teacher, Chandler Dickerson, assistant band director at Woodland High School in Henry County (District VI). Chandler balances a busy schedule, teaching Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble II, AP Music Theory, and a community service learning course, as well as daily travel to the feeder Middle School. Additionally, he is involved with all after school rehearsals for two concert bands, two percussion ensembles, marching band, jazz band, steel band, and pep band. Chandler offers wise words for any future first-year teacher: “Adjusting to the schedule of being a public-school band director is no walk in the park. As a first-year teacher, I have learned to block out the idea that ‘If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life’. Yes, I have learned that I love what I do, but at the end of the day, it is still work, and with work comes challenges. I try to find my motivation not in what I am doing, but in what the students are able to do.” It is a good reminder for all of us. Let’s remember to focus on the students first and foremost, and the rest takes care of itself. Best wishes to all for a wonderful winter!

BOOK YOUR

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CHORAL DIVISION Kim Eason Greetings! I hope the first half of your school year is going well! It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to start thinking about our annual In-Service Conference, but I am so excited about this year’s offerings. Our conference sessions and performances offer something for everyone! Whether you are looking for creative strategies to improve student sight-reading, ways to include technology more effectively, or fresh ideas to recruit and retain singers, you are sure to find something you can take back to your classes on Monday!

But while the information and practice is wonderful, for me our conference always comes back to the people. When most of us are the only choral director in our school building, spending a few days surrounded by supportive colleagues and talented young musicians is certainly the inspiration we all need to keep going in the middle of the year.

In addition to educational sessions and local school concerts, the All-State Reading Chorus will also rehearse and perform during the In-Service Conference. Once again we had more students audition to

participate in this group this year than ever before! A big thank you to Michelle Levesque for organizing this group from the beginning of the audition process all the way through to the performance in January.

Deanna Joseph will conduct, and it is always a pleasure to see and hear the musicianship these students are able to demonstrate in such a short time together. Their performance is a great reminder of why we do what we do every day!

In addition to the conference, the other exciting events that always happen in the winter are Sixth Grade Statewide Chorus and AllState Chorus. Our conductors this year are Courtney Connelly (Sixth Grade), Margaret Heron (Sixth Grade), Julie Skadsem (Middle Treble), Ken Berg (Middle Mixed), Andrea Ramsey (9/10 Mixed), Elizabeth Schauer (Senior Women), Matthew Oltman (Senior Men) and Craig Zamer (Senior Mixed). I also want to thank our choir organizers and our region audition organizers. These folks devote countless hours to make these events possible for your students, and I am truly grateful for their hard work!

As always, I am here to support you and your choral program however I can, and I look forward to seeing you all in January!

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DIVISIONNEWS ELEMENTARY DIVISION Emily Threlkeld

ORCHESTRA DIVISION Dr. Bernadette Scruggs

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

- Maya Angelou

Happy Fall, my wonderful colleagues!

I say the word “colleagues” with a great deal of pride because I realize how lucky I am to teach orchestra in the state of Georgia, with a number of outstanding teachers who have been generous with both time and talent. I am not certain that I would feel quite the same way about co-workers if I were employed in the business world- where, I have heard, people use the backs of others to climb higher in their field.

Isn’t our profession lovely? Yes we are busy, and yes we are always on the move, but we are teachers of the arts. Robert Frost said it well when he pointed out that we are not teachers, but awakeners.

Isn’t this true? The creativity that we get to be a part of as elementary music specialists can be purely magical, and it is endless. Fortunately, we as professionals have many opportunities in Georgia to keep our wells from “running dry”.

The presenters and performances scheduled for the 2019 GMEA In-Service ( January 24-26) are sure to give us just what is needed for renewal and refreshment. Plan to hear the Suwanee Singers, led by Marti Parker at 6:30 on the 24th, perform at First Baptist Church of Athens. Then head back to the Classic Center for an exciting drumming session with the always dynamic Dave Holland. Friday night, on the 25th, the Cheatham Hill Elementary School Fifth Grade Chorus, led by Margaret Grayburn, will treat us to a concert, also at First Baptist Church of Athens, at 7:00 p.m. These performances promise to be absolutely lovely.

If you need help getting administrators to understand the benefits of your attendance, explain that we have exciting sessions that can be useful in so many areas at your schools: including steam support in Stem schools, technology in the elementary classroom, implementing the New Georgia Music Standards of Excellence, differentiation in modern dance, keeping older elementary choral students engaged, organizational tips for success in the elementary classroom, and positive classroom music management methods . There will also be sessions for percussion, movement, ukulele, recorder, and Orff. We are delighted that Dr. Robert Amchin will lead us in several of these. He is in demand as an international presenter and educator; and veteran and beginning music educators alike will have much to take from his expertise. Graham Hepburn and Emily Burch will present with methods for working with older music students. We will also glean from the wisdom of several of our Georgia Music Educators, because we really do have it going on in our state with some rock star music specialists!

More inspiration will happen with our Elementary Statewide Honor Chorus, which will be in Athens, the weekend of February 22, and 23. This event promises to be meaningful and exciting for our elementary choral students, their teachers, and for the audience. Melissa Keylock and Craig Hurley will be our clinicians. Be sure to check out their impressive bio’s on the GMEA website. As you see, we have so much happening in our elementary division. Make plans to attend the in-service in January. I cannot wait to see you there!

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Teaching orchestra in Georgia has meant that I have a number of friends and co-workers who I can call on when I need assistance. In a middle school position for the first half of my career, changing to high school meant I was mostly untrained regarding a number of common practices associated with that age student. I knew there would be many challenges, but I also knew I could count on orchestra co-workers for assistance.

The first handbook I created out was mostly stolen from Cathie Hudnall. The ideas for much of the repertoire I programmed for several years were from Tim Mooney, Peter Lemonds, Kathy Saucier, and John Harriman. What selections can you successfully play with a strong cello section but weak first violins? These are issues that many of my colleagues have dealt with over and over again and they are happy to share their experiences if someone asks. When I needed a harp player, I asked directors who regularly incorporate harps in their programming to give me suggestions. My friend, Tim Aucoin, who has an enviable program is always happy to share information with me when I’ve asked. I cannot think of a time when I have asked someone I admire to share a technique and they have refused.

No matter how many years I have taught, I realize that there are still things to learn. After thirty-something years, one would think I have such an amazing arsenal of techniques stored up that I would be able to solve anything. When I talk with other orchestra teachers, however, I come away with new and different things to try or techniques that make more sense than my practices. Not only that, I always feel new energy when I incorporate my co-workers’ suggestions. Not only have I learned practices from colleagues with greater experience, but Shawn Morton, Amanda McClellan, Dana Lu, and Janice Yoon have shown me myriad organizational and classroom customs that I have “borrowed.” As far as GMEA practices go, Sarah Black and Amy Clement have super mentors for my position as State Orchestra Division Chair.

Yesterday, I observed Nicole Thompson, with the assistance of her husband and six parents to haul instruments, pack 60 kids (including seven bass players, eleven cellists, and a set drummer) onto a bus and perform at an assisted living home. They were out of the school building and onto their bus, with instruments loaded, in fifteen minutes.

After an excellent concert, in a tightly packed and overly warm dining hall, the students displayed the same sense of responsibility as they returned all of the equipment back to the school. I was so impressed that I wanted to start my own program again, just to see if I could teach middle school students the same kind of impressive behavior.

I wish I could mention every person that has helped me or that I have learned from in this article. Rest assured, if you have come into contact with me, I have probably taken something valuable away from the experience. Here is my best advice to all orchestra teachers: Take advantage of email and ask all the questions you need to ask.

Go to conferences to reenergize yourself. Take care of your health, put everything you have into the time you are with your students and then go home and take care of your relationships. I want to end by saying that the job of teaching students to play music has to be the best job ever. It is hard to remember that when you feel undervalued by your administration or alone because you are the only one at your school. Spend time developing work relationships over the next several months. Those kinds of connections will save your sanity.

RESEARCH Dr. Martin Norgaard I am excited serve as the new Research Chair for GMEA and look forward to seeing everyone at the 2019 GMEA in-service conference. As noted in my column in the fall issue, my main goal is to encourage and facilitate communication between practitioners and researchers. As the profession progresses, researchers not still teaching in K-12 settings need to continue to keep abreast of new challenges and opportunities experienced by music teachers.

Music teachers can learn how research in music perception, cognition, pedagogy, and learning has the potential to influence the way we teach music. The GMEA conference in Athens has several opportunities for interaction between researchers and practitioners. First, the GMEA research poster session will have significant increased visibility at the 2019 conference. Thanks to the commitment of Evelyn Champion and the GMEA staff, the event has been moved to the Classic Center Atrium and the posters will be displayed on large dedicated poster boards.

They will be up all day on Friday, January 25, and researchers will stand by their posters from 11:15am-12:15pm. Please come by and hear about this outstanding research taking place in Georgia and beyond.

Viewing the posters, you can learn about error detection among music education majors and how that is related to interval identification.

Another music cognition study investigates gaze patterns during sight singing. Two posters look at different aspects of conducting including the lag between gesture and musicians’ response and the trust between conductor and ensemble. Several posters describe pedagogical issues including cross-cultural competencies among conductor-teachers of children’s choirs, pedagogy and leadership in marching bands, repertoire for beginning band, use of feedback by pre-service music educators, and upper elementary students’ experiences in collaborative music compositional activities. Three posters describe the lived experiences of select groups including doctoral students, women composers, and urban band directors. Finally, one poster looks at job vacancies for music teachers and another describes music therapy outcomes for stroke patients.

I also hope you will attend several of the research presentations that happen throughout Friday and Saturday. Here we will learn about results of an analysis of edTPA, TKES, and teacher evaluations, whether music performance evaluation systems are still working, how movement can affect perceptions of choral performances, the community within a girls choir, conditions or circumstances within schools that promote fair and inclusive learning for all students, what motion cap-

ture can tell us about beginning woodwind performance, improvisers from different cultural traditions, and how the music teacher can influence the lives of boys in high-poverty urban schools.

See you in Athens!

RETIRED MEMBERS Jay Wucher Please remember to register for the GMEA In-Service Conference to be held January 24-26 in Athens. Retirees have no registration fee! We will be hosting two sessions at GMEA. On Thursday, January 24th, at 4:00 pm there will be a session on Social Security 101, Retirement Planning Basics and on Friday, January 25th, at 8:30 am the session will be Pre-Retirement Planning with TRS. Special thanks to presenters Alicia Lipscomb and Michael Zarem and to hosts Dr. Zandra Bell-McCroy (Band Director, Cedar Shoals HS) and Dr. Robert E. Lawrence (Band Director, Clarke Central HS. Please be reminded that our Student NAfME state chapter is planning a reception where all retirees are welcome guests.

Thanks for all you have done and all you continue to do for our members our students and our profession.

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DIVISIONNEWS

REFLECTIONS with Jay Wucher

WISDOM FROM RETIRED GMEA MEMBERS

SPECIAL GUEST: SHELDON FISHER

Having been a GMEA member for over forty-five years I have had the privilege of working with so many talented, dedicated and selfless individuals. That in itself has made my journey as a Music Educator worth every minute of it. It is my joy to share one of those amazing people with you in this article. Sheldon Fisher and I worked together for approximately twenty years in Fulton County. He is an inspiration to me personally and professionally. When I asked Sheldon to share his story and his wisdom with me, this is what I learned:

JW: WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL? SF: I grew up in Okeene, Oklahoma graduating from OHS in 1972. I earned my Bachelors in Music Ed. in 1976 and my Masters in Education (Music) in 1978 both from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. I completed the coursework for the DMA at Boston University in 2011.

JW: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MUSIC EDUCATION AS A PROFESSION? SF: I was inspired and encouraged by my piano teacher, my band directors and most important, my parents through-out my early schooling to consider music as a career. While I had to practice to get better, I seemed to have a natural aptitude for it. My pre-college and college music instructors were the type of people that I wanted to be like. Also, my 8th grade Math Teacher, Dr. Don Wahl, was particularly encouraging and kept up with my career all the way through my retirement. His grandson become the director of the Strolling Strings Ensemble that I started at Putnam City Schools in Oklahoma.

JW: WHERE HAVE YOU WORKED (OR ARE STILL WORKING)?

SF: 1976 - 77 1977 - 1985

1980 1955 - 1989 1989 - 1996

1996 -2000 2000 - 2004 2004 - 2016 May 2016

Band Director at Hinton, Oklahoma Marching Band Director at Jenks Public Schools, Jenks, Oklahoma Started the orchestra program at Jenks Orchestra Director at Enid Public Schools Orchestra Director in the Putnam City Public Schools in Oklahoma City, OK Orchestra Director at Sandy Springs MS Orchestra Director at Roswell HS Orchestra Director at Alpharetta HS (Fulton County) Retired

JW: WHAT DO YOU DO NOW THAT YOU ARE RETIRED OR SEMI-RETIRED (BOTH IN AND OUT OF MUSIC)?

SF: I am working part-time at Haynes Bridge Middle School in the mornings, so after 12:30; my time is generally open to do whatever I would like to do. I take time now to garden and work in my yard, volunteer at church, go see the grandchildren in the afternoon, or go have afternoon coffee with friends or just by myself. I also try to keep up with former students and friends through Facebook. Susan and I travel more than we did before retirement.

JW: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE TO THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERING MUSIC EDUCATION AS A CAREER? SF: It is a career that will take a lot of energy, but the lives that you will touch will matter for eternity as those students go on to be productive responsible adults and affect other’s lives. 2 things…… (1) Never stop learning and (2) plan, plan, plan.

Regarding #1 – my father told me the day I graduated from college that I didn’t know it all. He said, “…. son, as long as God gives you breath in your body, you have something to learn.

The day you think you know it all, you are useless to society and they might as well go ahead and bury you.” Regarding #2 – in all aspects of life, if you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail. Whether it be with your classroom, your personal life or your finances …….. plan, plan, plan!!

JW: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER RETIREES OR TEACHERS WHO ARE GETTING CLOSE TO RETIREMENT? SF: 3 Things…..plan – plan – plan! (1) At least 5 years before you retire, go to a TRS meeting and see what the retirement will look like financially from the TRS stand point. If you have years of service to buy from other states, do it asap! They only cost you more money every day you wait. Put that income against your monthly bills and see how far it goes. If you have anything left over, travel or do whatever you would like. You will see that you might be able to retire sooner, or…………..you may have to work a few more years to make it work.

(2) Think about your legacy where you are working. Think if you were moving into your position, how would you want to find things? Do not just walk away leaving things undone. Do everything you can to have everything in order i.e. library, inventory, student rosters, past programs, past handbooks and procedures (so they can see how you did things which makes it easier for them to change what they would like to change). Also, instruct the students to carry on, after all it is really THEIR program. The worst thing that can happen is for students to drop out because you are retiring – it isn’t time for them to retire, just you!

(3) Walk away and don’t look back! Enjoy retirement…..you’ve earned it!!

JW: PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO COMMENT ON. SF: Cherish your family and friendships, they are God’s gift to and they will keep you going!

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CLINICIANS CLINICIANS CLINICIANS “Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.”

Aldous Huxley

INFORMATION LISTED AS SUBMITTED

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C L I N I C I A N S

SUSAN AHMAD

•FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD. IMPLEMENTING THE NEW GEORGIA MUSIC STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE Susan Ahmad is a graduate of Shorter University. Mrs. Ahmad retired last year after teaching general music and serving on the leadership team in Fulton County for 30 years. She currently works part-time at Lake Windward Elementary and is the chairperson of the Fulton County Curriculum writing team. Susan has presented at music conferences in Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee….including TKES readiness, choral techniques, differentiated instruction, teaching music from a cart, rigor in the music classroom and PBL. She holds certificates for Expert Teacher, Master Teacher, and Teacher Support Specialist. Mrs. Ahmad has also served as the Minister of Music at Clear Springs Baptist church for 32 years.

REBECCA ALEXANDER

•MUSIC, MAGIC, MOTIVATION: LET'S GET SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WITH CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Born and raised in the beautiful Republic of the Philippines known to many as “Pearl of the Orient”, Becky Alexander has been known to make life in her music classroom impossible to forget. Becky Alexander received her BM in Music Education from Adventist University of the Philippines and eventually earned her spot as Choral Director of the University Children’s Choir. After serving there for five years, her family moved to Barbados, West Indies, where she was offered a position as Choir Director for the Abingdon SDA Secondary School Chorale. Her love for music and children gave her the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the Music Education Department of St. Lucia School of Music, St. Lucia West Indies.

Becky and her family decided it was time for a change of scenery (and weather) and moved to Manitoba, Canada where she pursued her MA in Music Education. She also holds an MA in Education Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix, Arizona. She is a Certified Level I, II, III and a Masters Level Orff Teacher. She works in Atlanta Public School District as a General/Choral Music Teacher at Dobbs Elementary School. She has been involved in numerous Music Curriculum developments in DeKalb County and Atlanta Public Schools. She is also an active member of the Atlanta Public Schools Art Recourse Team. In addition to teaching, Becky is one of the organists at Atlanta North SDA Church.

VIRGINIA ALLEN

•USING SCORE PREPARATION TO REHEARSE EFFICIENTLY •PANEL DISCUSSION WITH WOMEN BAND CONDUCTORS

Virginia Allen has conducted ensembles on stages around the U.S. and in Europe, South America, and Asia. As a pioneer for women in military bands, she was the first woman conductor of The U.S. Army Field Band and The Soldiers' Chorus in Washington, D.C., The U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point, The U.S. Army Forces Command Band in Atlanta, and the West Point Glee Club. She is Artistic Director Emerita of the Philadelphia Wind Symphony which she founded. Dr. Allen teaches "The Art of Teaching in the Music Studio" at The Juilliard School, where she previously served as Associate Dean for Administration, Assistant Dean for Orchestral Studies, and Artistic Director of the Conducting Workshop for Music Educators. She also taught conducting at Juilliard, The Curtis Institute of Music, University of the Arts, and Teachers College, Columbia University. As a published composer and arranger, Dr. Allen’s music has been premiered, performed and recorded by members of the Chicago Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the Washington Opera Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, The Juilliard Trombone Choir, The U.S. Army Band, The U.S. Army Field Band, and The U.S. Military Academy Band. Dr. Allen studied French horn and conducting and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Music degree in Performance from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and a Diploma in Wind Conducting from the University of Calgary. She received a Doctor of Education in the College Teaching of Music at Teachers College, Columbia University.

DR. ROBERT AMCHIN

•ALL ABOUT BAG - A RECORDER BAG OF TRICKS •MOVE IT! EXPLORE IT. A SESSION USING MOVEMENT AND ORFF INSTRUMENTS IN HARMONY •UKE JAM: EXPLORATIONS IN USING THE UKULELE IN THE GENERAL MUSIC CLASSROOM

Robert Amchin is Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music Education and Concentration Coordinator for Music Education at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He teaches both graduate and undergraduate classes and supervises student teachers at the U of L. Dr. Amchin studied at the Orff Institute, N.E. Conservatory Memphis State, and the University of Michigan. He also taught at the elementary school level in Spring, Texas. Dr. Amchin composes and arranges music for recorder and general music classes. A sought-after clinician, he has presented at many AOSA conferences and workshops. His many presentations have taken him to lead sessions in the USA, Russia, Poland, Singapore, Austria, China, Canada, and Israel.

DR. MATTHEW ANDERSON •THE ARPEGGIO NEXUS

Dr. Matthew Anderson is an Assistant Professor of Music at Reinhardt University where he serves as the Music Program Coordinator, the Guitar Studies Coordinator, and Director of the Reinhardt University Honors Guitar Orchestra and Festival.

Dr. Anderson received both his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Georgia as a student of the late John Sutherland. He also studied with John Sutherland at Georgia State University for his bachelor’s degree. Dr. Anderson is an active soloist, chamber musician, and guitar clinician on both classical and electric. He is a founding member of the Athens Guitar Duo, and over the past decade his concertizing and teaching have taken him all over the world. He is both a Claudio Records Artist and a Hill Guitar Company Artist. Dr. Anderson’s recording activities have included chamber music, pedagogical recordings, and session work. His most recent recordings are the Athens Guitar Duo’s sophomore album, Recuerdos, and as the soloist for Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Romancero Gitano with Dr. Martha Shaw and the Reinhardt Chamber Singers, as recorded on their recent CD, Canciones del Corazón. Dr. Anderson is an active adjudicator and clinician within Atlanta’s growing middle and high school guitar scene, and he recently gave a masterclass in Kazan, Russia, during the Athens Guitar Duo’s 2018 Russian tour. Matthew lives with his wife and two children (daughter and son) in north Atlanta, where he serves as a board member for the Forsyth County Arts Alliance.

C L I N I C I A N S

MADISON ARGO

•STRIKE UP THE STANDS: INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR ATHLETIC BANDS

Madison Argo is the Assistant Director of Bands at Whitewater High School.​​Mr. Argo, a native of Alexander City, Alabama, graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. Madison's primary lessons instruction was on trumpet with mentor Dr. Mark DeGoti. During his time at Auburn​University​, Mr. Argo served as a Drum Major of the Auburn University Marching Band. He also participated in the Symphonic Winds, Concert Band, Community Orchestra, Jazz Band, Trumpet Ensemble and Brass Ensemble. He was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, where he held p ​ ositions as Recording Secretary and President. Additionally, Mr. Argo holds memberships in the National Band Association, National Association for Music Educators, Music Teacher's National Association and the Georgia Music Educator’s Association. ​Mr. Argo ​has ​​served as a clinician for various leadership camps​and currently serves on ​the music staff for the Macy's Great American Marching Band that performs in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.​​He continues his playing as a member of the Cobb Wind Symphony, under the direction of Mr. Alfred Watkins. Madison was a member of the group when they performed at the Georgia Music Educator's Association In-Service Conference in 2015. He has also served two seasons with the Emory University Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Paul Bhasin. M ​ r. Argo has studied conducting with notable conductors such as Dr. Travis Cross, Dr. Rick Good, Dr. Craig Kirchoff, Dr. Kevin Sedatole, Dr. Corey Spurlin.

ALAN ARMSTRONG

•THAT'S IT! THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF WORDS AND OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN OUR MUSIC CLASSA native of Dalton, GA and graduate of Jacksonville State University, Mr. Armstrong is in his 31st year of music education in the public school systems of Alabama and Georgia. He currently is in his 23rd year as the Director of Bands at Northgate High School in Newnan Georgia. His bands consistently receive superior ratings and championship honors in marching, concert and jazz events. The Northgate program was one of the first three high schools recognized with the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award in 2012 for excellence in all facets of music education His marching bands have appeared in the Alabama Governors Inaugural Parade and holiday parades in San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, IL, New York City and Hollywood, CA. He has had an extensive career in the Drum and Bugle Corps activity over the last 37 years and currently serves as the Program and Instructional Coordinator for Atlanta CV, a consultant for the Spirit of Atlanta as well as a member of the brass staff for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. He is active as a clinician, consultant, adjudicator, composer and arranger for marching bands, concert bands and drum corps in the United States as well as Japan. He has served as an adjudicator for band circuits nationwide as well as Drum Corps International. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Educators, National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

MYRIAM I. ATHANAS

•OPPORTUNITY-TO-LEARN AND YOUR MUSIC CLASSROOM: CONCEPTS, STANDARDS, AND CONSIDERATIONS Myriam Athanas is a Ph.D. student studying music education at the University of Georgia.

JENNIFER BAIN •GUITAR 101 FOR DUMMIES

Jennifer Bain is the Guitar and Orchestra Director at Charles R Drew High School. Mrs. Bain was raised in Clayton County has been teaching in Clayton County since 2013. She holds a bachelor degree in music education from Clayton State University. Bain is a low string specialists, has taught orchestra for six years and guitar for three years.

KATHLEEN BALLANTYNE

•MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE: CHORAL MUSIC FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL VOICES •THE MUSIC-MAKERS: A READING SESSION FOR MIXED AND WOMEN'S CHOIRS

Kathleen Ballantyne is a composer, conductor, and editor. She made her debut as a composer with Women's Works of Ithaca in March 2014 with “Petition,” a choral work based on a 1874 petition to the US government in support of women's suffrage. Recently, she has guest conducted premieres of her own works with the Siena College Chamber Singers. Ms. Ballantyne is the owner/founder of Forte Music Editing, which provides music engraving, editing, and proofing services.

Previously, Ms. Ballantyne taught choral music and theater at Johnson City High School in upstate New York, which received repeated national recognition as a Grammy Signature School and a Best Community for Music Education during her tenure. She is an active guest clinician, voice teacher, and currently serves as a board member of the Cayuga Vocal Ensemble.

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C L I N I C I A N S

RUDY BARRACA

•TEACHING MUSIC APPRECIATION TO STUDENTS WHO DON'T APPRECIATE MUSIC!

Rudy Barraca is currently the choir director at Baker Middle School in Columbus, Georgia. Rudy is also an adjunct instructor at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Alabama and at Vincennes University-Fort Benning where he teaches music appreciation at both institutions. During his 37 years as a public school music teacher, Rudy has been a high school band director, an elementary music teacher, and a middle school choir director. Rudy has an Associates of Arts Degree from Pensacola Junior College, a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Music from the University of West Florida (Pensacola), and a Master of Music Education Degree from Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge).

BRETT BAWCUM

•PSYCHOTHERAPY TOOLKIT FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS

Brett Bawcum is Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Georgia. He shares responsibility for all aspects of the Redcoat Marching Band, directs the Basketball and Volleyball Bands, co-conducts the Symphonic Band, and teaches courses in a variety of areas including Instrumentation/Arranging, Marching Band Techniques, and Songwriting. Dr. Bawcum is also an active composer and arranger for marching and concert bands. His conducting, arranging, and/or performing work can also be found on commercial recordings by such artists as Band of Horses, Half Dozen Brass Band, and Modern Skirts. He has also served as producer, associate producer, or editor for seven recordings on the Mark, Summitt, and Naxos labels. Dr. Bawcum’s professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi (Honorary).

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C L I N I C I A N S

JUDITH BEALE •SPEAK, SING, MOVE AND PLAY!

Judith Beale taught elementary music in Douglas and Cobb County Schools for 39 years and now teaches parttime at Kennesaw State University. She holds a BS Degree in Music Education from Geneva College, a Master of Music Education Degree from Georgia State University and a Specialist of Creative Arts Degree from Lesley University in Boston, Mass. She is certified in Kodaly Level I, Orff Levels I, II and III, Master Class, and the AOSA Teacher Training Program. Judy served as the State Elementary Division Chair and District XII Elementary Division Chair for GMEA, Co-Chair of Registration for the National AOSA Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, and President of the Atlanta AOSA Chapter. She has been an instructor for the AOSA teacher training courses at UGA, presented workshops throughout the Metro-Atlanta area, various colleges, GMEA, as well as for the Long Island, New York; Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah, Georgia, Atlanta, and Mississippi AOSA Chapters. Judy has conducted the Elementary Honor Choruses for the GMEA District VII, Rockdale, Carroll, Paulding, Gwinnett, Muscogee, Newton and Douglas Counties and has served as a Clinician for the GMEA District XII Elementary Large Group Performance Evaluation. While teaching Judy’s students performed for many school and community functions, as well as Washington, D.C., Carnegie Hall in New York City, Pittsburgh, Pa, Birmingham, Ala., Charlotte, N.C., and the GMEA Conference in Savannah, GA. Music has been a part of Judy’s life since she was a child and continues performing now with The Georgia Festival Chorus and Ensemble where she also serves as Business Manager and Soprano Section Leader.

DR. RICHARD BELL

•PLANTING SEEDS: CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STRING MUSIC EDUCATORS

Dr. Richard Bell is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Orchestra and Instrumental Studies at Clayton State. His teaching areas include orchestra, double bass, music education and music theory. He holds bachelors and masters degrees from Florida State University and a doctorate from the University of Georgia. He taught middle and high school orchestra in the Clayton and Henry County Georgia schools for 29 years. He is the conductor of the Southern Crescent Symphony and has served on the faculty of Reinhardt University and as president of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the Georgia Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Dr. Bell has presented sessions at the Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference, the American String Teachers Association National Conference, the Music Educators National Conference and the National Association for Music Education in Ireland. As a composer, he has numerous published and commissioned works for school orchestra. His double bass teachers included Ralph Jones, Lucas Drew and Pamela Andrews.

CHRISTIAN BIGLIANI

•GLOCKEN-WHAT? ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY THROUGH POP SONG COVERS...

USING CLASSROOM INSTRUMENTS!

Christian Bigliani is in his second year as chorus director at DeSana Middle School. He received a B.M. in piano performance from Shorter College and a M.M. in Music Teaching/Learning and Piano Accompanying from Eastman School of Music.

Prior to teaching, Christian was a freelance pianist in Georgia, and New York. In addition to teaching at DeSana, Christian sings with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Choruses and continues to freelance in Atlanta, GA. You can always catch Christian with a ukulele in hand or talking about improvisation and creativity in the choral classroom.

MELISSA BLIZZARD

•FUNDING PREK-12 MUSIC PROGRAMS WITH DONORSCHOOSE.ORG Melissa Blizzard is a music educator in McDuffie County, GA. A veteran of the US Air Force bands program, Mrs. Blizzard since taught High and Middle School Band as well as elementary music. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from James Madison University and Master's Degrees from Western Michigan and Georgia Regents Universities. She is currently serving as a National Teacher Ambassador for DonorsChoose.org, a non-profit organization committed to helping public school teachers fund their classrooms. She currently teaches K-5 general music in McDuffie County, GA.

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C L I N I C I A N S

ERIKA BROWN

•STEAM IT UP! HOW THE MUSIC ROOM CAN SUPPORT A STEM CURRICULUM

Erika Brown is an Orff certified Elementary Music Specialist in the Cobb County School District. She has been the Music Specialist at Big Shanty Intermediate School since 2006. Previously, she taught in San Antonio and Pasadena, Texas and in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She earned her undergraduate degree in Music from Louisiana State University in 2004 and her Masters in Educational Leadership and Technology from Kennesaw State University in 2010. At Big Shanty she directs two choral groups, the Eagle Chorus and the Little Eagle Chorus, and a drumming ensemble called the Drumming Eagles. Big Shanty is a STEM certified school and she has found numerous ways to integrate the STEM process seamlessly into the Music curriculum. She has presented her “Classroom Drumming and Literacy Connections” and “ STEM in the Music Room” to various local groups. Mrs. Brown is a member of NAfME, GMEA, AOSA and TMEA.

PAUL BROWN

•THE NEW CHARMS/CONNEXEO INTEGRATION - MORE FEATURES, MORE EFFICENCY Paul Brown has been a product development / training / sales specialist with Charms for 9 years, and demonstrates the Charms system at MEA conferences nationwide.

JONATHAN BURNS

•GAME ON! USING TECHNOLOGY AND ORFF TO BRING GAMELAN MUSIC TO YOUR CLASSROOM

Jonathan Burns is a graduate from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia where he earned his Bachelors of Arts in Choral Music Education. Here, he was a member of the Honors College where he conducted research and completed his thesis in select vocal pedagogy topics. Mr. Burns is an Alumni of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. His interest always been in bridging science, technology and music together.

DR. STEFANIE CASH

•SACRED RENAISSANCE CHORAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE PRACTICE, SCORE STUDY, AND REHEARSAL TECHNIQUES

Dr. Stefanie Cash is Director of Music Education at Berry College. Dr. Cash is responsible for teaching methods and techniques classes, conducting the Berry Women’s Choir as well as supervising student teachers. She has previous experience conducting multiple collegiate choirs and also taught classes in conducting, choral techniques, choral pedagogy and choral methods. Dr. Cash also frequently serves as a guest clinician for various district and All-State honor choirs. Prior to joining Berry College, Dr. Cash served at the collegiate level as both Director of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities. Cash taught at the middle school level in Kentucky and both the high school and collegiate level in Georgia.

Choirs under her direction have performed for KMEA and GMEA in-service conferences as well as the 2008 ACDA Southern Division Convention. Dr. Cash’s research interests include world music usage in choral ensembles, partnerships between music education programs and public schools and performance practice techniques. Dr. Cash received her Ph.D. in Music Education with a choral conducting emphasis from Florida State University, M.M. from the University of Kentucky and B.M.E. from Morehead State University. Dr. Cash studied conducting and music education with André Thomas, Jefferson Johnson, Richard Miles, Judy Bowers, Lori Hetzel and Larry Blocher. She currently holds professional membership with the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education and the Georgia Music Educators Association. Dr. Cash resides in Rome, Georgia with her husband Courtney, daughter Caroline and cat Ryleigh.

EVELYN CHAMPION

•NAFME AND GMEA 101 FOR NEW AND PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

Mrs. Evelyn Champion graduated Magna Cum Laude with High Honors from the University of Georgia in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, and holds her Master of Music Education and Education Specialist degrees from the University of Georgia as well. Mrs. Champion taught orchestra at Daniell Middle School in Cobb County for nine years before transferring to Sprayberry High School in 2003. Mrs. Champion also chartered the Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter at Sprayberry. In 2016, Mrs. Champion moved to Northwestern Middle School in Fulton County. Mrs. Champion is the 2011 Georgia American String Teachers Association String Teacher of the Year and the 2012 Georgia Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year. Mrs. Champion is a 2013 “Woodruff Arts Center Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders” finalist for Music Education. Mrs. Champion has been a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) since the early nineties and is currently serving as President. An active clinician in the North Georgia area in middle school and high school, Mrs. Champion has judged performance evaluations and conducted honor orchestras throughout Georgia, and is also a GMEA Certified Head Adjudicator.

She has also been involved in the selection process for Governor’s Honors Program music candidates at the state level. Mrs. Champion was elected Vice-President of the Georgia Music Educators Association and served a two-year term from 2007-2009, followed by a two-year term as the GMEA Orchestra Division Chair, also an elected position, from 2009-2011. A freelance violinist, Mrs. Champion performs with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and is the Co-director of the Encore Orchestra Camp. She lives in Marietta with her husband J. Champion, and sons David, Charlie, and Sam. Her hobbies are gardening, biking, and of course, playing violin!

C L I N I C I A N S

ANNALISA C. CHANG

•THE BLUEGRASS BREAKDOWN: TEACHING IMPROVISATION IN THE CLASSROOM •PLANTING SEEDS: CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STRING MUSIC EDUCATORS

Annalisa C. Chang is Assistant Professor and Director of Music Education at Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia.

She received her Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University. She also holds degrees (M.M. and B.M.) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. Prior to her appointment at Clayton State, Dr. Chang was the Director of Orchestras at Leon High School and the Director of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras Fundamentals program in Tallahassee, Florida. Before moving to Florida, Dr. Chang taught orchestra, chorus, and general music in the North Carolina Public Schools. At CSU, Dr. Chang teaches music education courses, string methods, applied violin, and supervises student teachers. Her research interests include string teacher education, the inclusion of students with exceptionalities in string classrooms, music education for students in underserved populations, and traditional (folk) music instruction in the schools, Her research has been presented at state, national, and international music education conferences. Additionally, she has been a clinician at state in-service conferences (Florida and North Carolina), the American String Teachers Association National Conference, and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.

ELIJAH CLARK

•SO YOU DIDN'T GET YOUR DREAM JOB - WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

Elijah Clark is a 2017 graduate of Auburn University and currently teaches music at Flint Hill Elementary and serves as the Assistant Marching Band Director and Director of the Jazz Band at Eastside High School in Covington, Ga. At Auburn, Mr. Clark performed in a variety of ensembles including the world-renowned Auburn University Marching Band, Pep Band. the Symphonic and Concert Band, and other small ensembles. Clark served as section leader of the Tuba Section, and the Freshman Adviser for the AUMB. He studied tuba with Dr. Matthew Wood and conducting with Drs. Richard Good and Corey Spurlin. As a performer Clark performs at every opportunity he gets. In 2015, Mr. Clark travelled to Italy to perform with the Auburn Symphonic Winds, and following the Tigers’ miraculous victories against Georgia and Alabama in 2013, he travelled to California with the AUMB for the 2013 BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl. Mr. Clark plays trombone in the Newton County Community Band. Mr. Clark has long been an active church musician and youth leader, and loves giving back to his community.

DR. RUTHIE COLGROVE •YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT? I'VE GOT TO DO WHAT??

Since 2001, Ruthie Colegrove has served as the Middle School Band Director at the Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. While at Wesleyan, she started the middle school band program which has grown to include 5th through 8th grade students participating in all GMEA activities and regional festivals such as Southern Star Music festival and Festival Disney. Dr. Colegrove holds a Bachelors from the University of Georgia, a Masters in Saxophone Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Georgia. She studied saxophone with Kenneth Fischer and Craig Whittaker and has been a featured performer at several North American Saxophone Alliance and World Saxophone Congress meetings. Dr. Colegrove currently resides in Peachtree Corners with her husband John and daughters Savannah and Dallas.

NANCY CONLEY

•YOU ARE NOT ALONE: COPING WITH MUSIC TEACHER STRESSORS AND BURNOUT Nancy Conley is the Assistant Professor of String Music Education at Kennesaw State University, where she teaches coursework in string technique, pedagogy, and literature. In addition, Dr. Conley supervises student teachers, leads the KSU String Project, and conducts the all-campus KSU Philharmonic. She also serves as the faculty advisor to the KSU collegiate chapter of ASTA. Dr. Conley received the Ph.D. in music education with a viola performance cognate from Michigan State University, the M.M. in performance from Binghamton University, and the B.M. in music education and performance from Ithaca College. Before pursuing her doctoral degree, Dr. Conley was a public school music educator in upstate New York, where she taught elementary, middle, and high school instrumental music for seventeen years. Prior to joining the

DANIEL COOK

•FLOW: THE SECRET BEHIND THE OPTIMAL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

Daniel Cook is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he studies with Dr. Mallory Thompson. Raised in northern Georgia, Daniel graduated magna cum laude with his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. While at UGA, he studied with Dr. Martha Thomas, Dr. John Lynch, and Dr. Michael Robinson. There, he was also recognized as a Theodore Presser Scholar. Daniel holds his Master of Music degree in Conducting from Northwestern University. Prior to his arrival in Evanston, Daniel served as Director of Bands at DeLand High School in DeLand, Florida. Bands and chamber groups under his direction have enjoyed considerable success, with his students earning superior ratings at district and state solo, small ensemble, and large group performance festivals. Notably, his ensembles have performed at the Florida Music Educators Association In-Service Conference and the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. Daniel is an active clinician, arranger, drill designer, and accompanist. Daniel is currently on brass staff with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and in the past has worked with the Blue Knights. During his time in Florida, he was a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, chairing and hosting local marching and concert band events. Daniel was the staff pianist and organist at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona Beach. His professional affiliations include the CBDNA, the NBA, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha.

C L I N I C I A N S

GIOVANNA CRUZ

•USING FINALE WORKSHEETS TO ENRICH YOUR THEORY CURRICULUM • GET STARTED WITH FINALE BASICS • TOP 10 FINALE TIME SAVING TIPS • UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH SMARTMUSIC: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SOFTWARE • PLAN AHEAD WITH NEW SMARTMUSIC UNITS • THE ART OF USING SMARTMUSIC TO FOSTER MUSICAL GROWTH

Giovanna Cruz, MakeMusic Education Manager is a cellist & educator with extensive experience as an orchestral & chamber musician, college & private studio teacher, & public school teacher. Giovanna was the Orchestra Director at James Bowie High School in the Austin ISD from 2007 to 2014, where she taught more than 120 students annually in four orchestras. She is a champion of SmartMusic and fully implemented the use of the software with all of her students. Giovanna holds the degrees of Bachelor of Education from the Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela, Masters and DMA in cello performance from the University of Iowa. Since joining MakeMusic in July of 2014, Giovanna has presented SmartMusic clinics & training workshops all over the country.

REBEKAH DANIEL •STOP, COLLABORATE AND LISTEN

Rebekah Daniel serves as Associate Director of Bands at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA where she conducts The HCHS Symphonic Winds, Concert Band II, and Chamber Ensembles and assists with the Black and Silver Brigade Marching Bands. In addition to her teaching responsibilities in Houston County, Ms. Daniel serves as an honor band clinician, and is regularly selected to participate in conducting symposiums across The United States. Ms. Daniel graduated magna cum laude from Georgia Southern University earning the Bachelor of Music Education Degree, and served on the Southern Pride Marching Band Leadership Team as Drum Major. Following her graduation, she spent the 2014 season with Alliance Drum & Bugle Corps as Drum Major and began Associate Director of Bands duties at West Laurens High School where she assisted with the Raider Brigade Marching Band, directed the fifth and eighth grade bands, and co-conducted The WLHS Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. Bands under Ms. Daniel’s direction at West Laurens and Houston County have received superior ratings at adjudicated performance evaluations. After teaching at West Laurens, Ms. Daniel completed the Master of Music Degree (M.M.) in Wind Conducting at Georgia Southern University. As a graduate assistant, Ms. Daniel worked on the staff of The Southern Pride Marching Band and served as a Graduate Conducting Associate with the Georgia Southern University Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble. Ms. Daniel’s professional affiliations include Georgia Music Educators Association, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Service Sorority.

JAY DAVIS

•A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH… STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN SMALL BAND PROGRAMS

Jay is the Director of Bands at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia. The Houston County Band program serves over 300 students daily and includes four concert ensembles, a jazz ensemble, a percussion ensemble, and a dedicated color guard class. The Black and Silver Brigade, HCHS’s marching unit, includes two marching bands, serving over 200 students. Bands under his direction have consistently received Superior ratings at adjudicated events throughout the southeast in both the concert and marching areas, including winning Grand Champion honors at the 2017 Sound of Gold Marching Invitational. The Houston County High School Band was also awarded the Exemplary Performance Award by the Georgia Music Educators Association, one of only two high school programs in the state to receive this award for the 2016-2017 school year. Students under his direction have placed in many honor groups, including the Georgia All State Band, the Governor’s Honors Program, and the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. He currently performs in the Wellston Winds, and serves as an associate conductor. Jay holds or has held memberships in the International Trumpet Guild, Pi Kappa Lambda, GMEA, the National Band Association, and was Province Governor for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a fraternity for men of music. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia College Alumni Association and the Board of Directors for Tara Winds. Jay is married to Dr. Tina Holmes-Davis, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Georgia College, and is the proud father of 13-year-old twins, Emma (an aspiring trombone player) and Jonah (an aspiring percussionist).

DR. LAUREN DENNEY WRIGHT •PANEL DISCUSSION WITH WOMEN BAND CONDUCTORS

A native of Marietta, Ga. in Cobb County, Dr. Denney Wright earned her bachelor of music degree in clarinet performance from Vanderbilt University, the master of music degree in clarinet performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the bachelor of music degree in music education from Kennesaw State University. She completed her doctoral studies in instrumental conducting at the University of Miami Frost School of Music under the mentorship of Gary Green, where she conducted the Frost Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Chamber Winds and Concert Band. In addition, she taught conducting courses, worked with the Band of the Hour marching band and ran the men and women’s basketball pep bands. Dr. Denney Wright has worked with composers John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Michael Daugherty, James Grant, John Mackey and Steven Bryant. She made her international debut conducting chamber music with members of the Berlin Philharmonic in Aix-en-Provence, France. She resides in Rome, GA with her husband Mack, nineteen-month old son Bentley, and dogs Judy and Steve.

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GREGORY DENSON

•WHAT THEY DIDN'T TEACH ME IN UNDERGRAD! SETTING YOUR PROGRAM UP FOR SUCCESS!

Gregory L. Denson is presently the Director of Bands at East Cobb Middle School in the Cobb County School System in Marietta, GA. As an urban band director, Mr. Denson’s ensembles have developed a reputation for musical excellence and performed at the WorldStrides Festival of Gold held at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2016. Currently a doctoral candidate at Georgia State University, Mr. Denson has served as the LEAD Teacher for Middle School and High School Band in Atlanta Public Schools for 5 years. Currently he is completing the Cobb County Teacher Leader Academy, designed to help teachers lead from the classroom with innovative practices, as well as help implement new district initiatives related to teaching and learning. As a PhD student at Georgia State, Mr. Denson has co-authored a publication in the Music Educators Journal, entitled Preparing the Successful Urban Music Educator: The Need for Pre-Service and In-Service Development.

He has presented numerous professional development clinics on teaching instrumental music in the urban and Title I settings at the Georgia Music Educators Association Annual In-Service, Atlanta Public Schools Pre-Planning, Cobb County Schools Professional Learning Day, the Woodruff Arts Center Teacher Professional Development Series, and most recently at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, in Chicago, IL. Mr. Denson’s research interests include urban music teacher preparation and teaching in Title I settings. Mr. Denson holds degrees from Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) and the Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL).

DAVID DESTEFANO

•JUST A SINGING GAME? I DON'T THINK SO!

David DeStefano has taught elementary school music in Florida, California and Georgia and is currently the lead music teacher at Crabapple Crossing Elementary in Fulton County. Mr. DeStefano has degrees in Clarinet Performance and Music Education from Bradley University (Peoria, IL). He became a National Board Certified Teacher (Early/Middle Childhood Music) in 2008, renewed 2017. Mr. DeStefano completed his Orff Schulwerk Levels training in 2004, plus several master courses since that time. He has presented at AOSA national conferences in 2007 (San Jose), 2009 (Milwaukee), 2012 (St. Louis) and 2016 (Atlantic City) and presented a workshop for the Sierra Nevada Orff chapter in 2014. In 2017 he was added to the list of AOSA approved recorder instructors for Orff Schulwerk summer courses. Additionally, he has been a regular presenter at state music education association conferences in California and Georgia since 2005. He has been interviewed for Teaching Music magazine and has written for the Orff Echo and Reverberations.

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C L I N I C I A N S

DR. KRISTEN DONALDSON

•THE UNIVERSITY SCHOOLS OF THE AIR: USING TECHNOLOGY FOR CHORAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Dr. Kristen Donaldson is the Director of Choirs at Oconee County Middle School in Watkinsville, GA. She has also served as a Choir Organizer for GMEA Statewide Honor Chorus for several years. Dr. Donaldson received her B.A. in Vocal Performance from Asbury University and her M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Kentucky under the direction of Dr. Jefferson Johnson. She recently received her Ed.D. in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Choirs under Dr. Donaldson's direction have received first place/superior ratings in region and state competitions and have performed in GMEA Elementary Honor Chorus, Sixth Grade Statewide Honor Chorus, and All-State Chorus. Dr. Donaldson's choirs have performed and toured throughout the United States and Europe. Favorite venues for these performances have included Carnegie Hall and St. John Divine Cathedral in New York City, St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, The Monastery of St. Francis Assisi in Italy, and the American Cathedral in Paris.

DAVID DOVER

•GOT A MUSIC TECH CLASS? GOOD! WHERE TO NEXT? INSTRUCTIONAL LEVELS IN MUSIC TECHNOLOGY COURSES

Mr. David Dover is currently at GCPS as the Music Technology Instructor at North Gwinnett Middle School. Mr. Dover completed his undergraduate studies from the University of Georgia where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Music degree with a concentration in Music Education and a minor in Trumpet performance. While working on his post graduate degree, Mr. Dover managed the University of Georgia School of Music computer lab and studied electronic music. After receiving his degree, Mr. Dover accepted a position as the Director of Bands at Monroe County Middle School where he served for 8 years. During his tenure at MCMS, the program tripled in size and garnered success in both the concert and jazz band idioms. Mr. Dover then accepted a vertical promotion to the Director of Bands at Mary Persons High School in Monroe County. After serving for one year at Mary Persons High School, Mr. Dover and his family moved to the Atlanta area where he served ten years as Assistant Band Director at Marietta High School and later as the band director of the Marietta Sixth Grade Academy. Mr. Dover has spent his tenure as an educator instructing concert bands, jazz bands, percussion ensembles, music appreciation, and American popular music history as well as composing and arranging music for various music programs in the area. Mr. Dover lives in Peachtree Corners with his wife, Megan, and three children, Owen, Olivia, and Charlotte.

MICHAEL DUBA

•DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCHOOL MUSIC FACILITIES Michael is a Regional Sales Manager for The Wenger Corporation. He has been with Wenger for almost 4 years and has over 16 years experience working in the performing arts industry. Michael works with Architects, Consultants, Contractors, Theater Managers, School Principals and Faculty in order to enhance and improve music and performing arts spaces in Georgia and Florida.

MANJU DURAIRAJ

• INTERACT WITH ASSESSMENTS: INTEGRATING ASSESSMENT SEAMLESSLY INTO INSTRUCTION

Manju teaches at the Latin School of Chicago, and is an adjunct professor at VanderCook College Chicago where she teaches methods, curriculum, and technology courses. Manju is certified in Orff-Schulwerk, completing her levels at George Mason University, with master classes at University of St. Thomas, and at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. She is program chair and past president of GCAOSA, was on the Diversity Commission of the American Orff Schulwerk Association and is on the Elementary General Music Council of IL Music Education Association. She is SMART certified, SMART Exemplary Educator and a Seesaw ambassador/trainer and customizes these training courses for music educators. She has presented at national and international music education conferences as well as at Orff and Kodály chapters. Her publications with Hal Leonard include InterAct with Music Assessment Levels 1 and 2, InterAct Levels 1&2 Student Activities for Devices and Print, Technology in Today's Music Classroom and Dancing Around the World with Music Express Magazine.

VIEW THE ONLINE SCHEDULE GMEA.ORG/CONFERENCE-INFORMATION

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C L I N I C I A N S

DR. ANDREW EDWARDS

•IS THE MUSIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM BROKEN? AN OVERVIEW OF SCORING CONCERNS AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Dr. Edwards is in his eleventh year of teaching. This is his eighth year at Peachtree Ridge High School, second year teaching Music Technology full time. Previously he was the band director for six years. He was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina. He was a 2004 graduate of James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, SC. Dr. Edwards graduated from Furman University in 2008 with a Bachelors of Music Education and in the summer of 2014 with his Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia. He has recently completed his dissertation for his Ed.D. in Music Education from the University of Georgia, which focuses on the measurement of music ensemble performance.

His primary instrument is the saxophone and he has a passion for guitar and mandolin. Dr. Edwards has also worked as a marching band drill designer for Marching Show Concepts, where he conceived and created shows for several area high schools. Dr. Edwards is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and Society for Music Perception and Cognition (SMPC). He also an active researcher in Assessment in the Music classroom. Dr. Edwards enjoys woodworking, mountain biking, and video games. He lives with his wife Kinsey Edwards, daughter Ansley Grace and dog Molly, the three best girls in the world.

TYLER EHRLICH

•WHAT THE HECK IS MUSIC TECH?....AND NOW I HAVE TO TEACH IT?

Tyler Ehrlich is the Associate Director of Bands at Centennial High School (Roswell, GA), where he is involved in instruction and administration of the concert bands, marching band, chamber ensembles, and music technology. In addition to his responsibilities at Centennial, Ehrlich also serves as Associate Conductor of the Atlanta Wind Symphony. Prior to joining the faculty at Centennial, Ehrlich completed his Master of Music Degree in Conducting from The University of Georgia. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree summa cum laude from Cornell University, where his studies concentrated in music and computer science. Funded by research grants from the Consortium of College and University Media Centers and UGA’s Ideas for Creative Exploration Lab, Ehrlich has worked with Cynthia Johnston Turner (UGA) to bring their ideas involving conducting technology to fruition. They have presented their research at several of the largest band conferences in the world: The College Band Directors National Association National Conference, The World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles International Conference, and The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Work that he has completed has been published in The Verge, USA Today, and discussed on American Public Media’s Performance Today.

GEORGIA L. EKONOMOU •STRING ORCHESTRA NEW MUSIC READING SESSION

Georgia Ekonomou has been a String Educator/Conductor for 40 years. She is the former Director of Orchestras at The Paideia School and at The Lovett Schools. While at Lovett, The Lovett Chamber Orchestra performed at the 1990 “MENC National Conference”; the 1997 “Georgia Music Educators Conference”; and at the 1997 “International Association of Jazz Educator’s Conference”. In 1991, she was awarded The Lovett Schools “Woodward Award” for excellence in teaching. Her groups consistently received Superior ratings at State and National competitions. In January 2017, Ekonomou was awarded the “Georgia/ASTA Lifetime Achievement Award”, in honor and recognition of her contribution to Musical Excellence in the State of Georgia. Currently Mrs. Ekonomou is the Music Director and Conductor for the Emory Junior Chamber Orchestra at Emory University. Ekonomou served as assistant conductor for the “Georgia Tech Orchestra”, the “Atlanta Emory Orchestra” and the “Georgia University Orchestra”. During the summers of 2014 and 2016, she conducted the Intermediate Symphony Orchestra at the Interlochen Summer Music Camp. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Music Education from Northwestern University and a Master of Music Education from Georgia State University. Mrs. Ekonomou is a member of GMEA, ASTA, and NAfME and has served on the advisory committee for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and on the national Membership committee for ASTA. She is active throughout the United States as Conductor, Clinician and Adjudicator. In July 2016, she was appointed Southern Division Representative to the NAfME Council for Orchestral Education.

MEGAN ENDICOTT

•FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD. IMPLEMENTING THE NEW GEORGIA MUSIC STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE • LEADING AND COACHING IN THE FAST LANE! • DIFFERENTIATION? PERSONALIZATION? COLLABORATIVE LEARNING? WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? FINDING INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES THAT WORK!

Megan Endicott is the general music teacher at Dolvin Elementary School. She serves as a Fulton County Fine Arts Support Teacher where she coaches and provides support for elementary music teachers across the district. In addition, Mrs. Endicott is a lead coach for the district Vanguard team and works with educators across multiple grade levels and disciplines to support a personalized learning environment in their classrooms, build capacity, and seamlessly integrate technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in educational technology from Central Michigan University. She is currently working on her specialist degree in instructional technology and a leadership certification from Kennesaw State University. Mrs. Endicott was recognized and awarded the Atlanta Families’ Award of Excellence in Education in 2015 and Teacher of the Year in 2016. Mrs. Endicott has presented at various conferences on topics such as PBL, Personalized Learning, Rigor & Blooms Taxonomy in music, Voice and Choice, and App Smashing to name a few at conferences such as: ISTE, CUE, TI:ME, GMEA, GaETC and local school district professional development sessions. She has co-hosted PlayDateATL and EdCamp Fulton. Mrs. Endicott serves as an ambassador for TouchCast, Seesaw, WonderWorkshop Innovation Squad, Plickers, Osmo, Quaver's Marvelous World of Music, Edmodo and Symbaloo as well as a Nearpod Certified Trainer and PioNear. She is a published author of the children's book, "In the Hall of the Mountain King" and in Tempo MEA journal for personalized learning in music.

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TIFFANY ENGLISH •INTRODUCTION TO ORFF SCHULWERK

Tiffany English is the music specialist at Sugar Hill Elementary School in Gwinnett County, GA. She holds multiple degrees from the University of Georgia and Piedmont College. Her education also includes Post-Level III Orff Schulwerk teacher education and Level I Kodály training. Tiffany has served the American Orff-Schulwerk Association as Region IV representative on the National Board of Trustees, chair of the Professional Development Committee, president of the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter, and co-chair for the 2014 AOSA Professional Development Conference in Nashville, TN. She also served on the AOSA Executive Committee as Vice President, 2015-2017, and currently serves as AOSA President. Tiffany was named the Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year in 2007.

ANDY ESSERWEIN

•WHY CAN'T I SLEEP AT NIGHT? UNDERSTANDING AND LIMITING STRESS AND ANXIETY TO IMPROVE TEACHING!

Andy Esserwein has been the Director of Bands at Sprayberry High School since 2002. While at Sprayberry, the Bands have consistently earned Superior Ratings in Concert and Marching Activities, and have performed across the Southeast as well as in Chicago, New York and Washington DC. A native of Cobb County, Georgia, Mr. Esserwein holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Theory from Furman University. While at Furman, he served as Drum Major of the Furman University Marching Band for 2 years, as well as serving as an active officer in the Gamma Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity. Mr. Esserwein also holds a Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Conducting from Northwestern University. While at Northwestern, he served as Graduate assistant with the "Wildcat" Marching Band, and conducted the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Bands. Mr. Esserwein has studied saxophone with Bob Cowles and Cliff Leamon, and conducting with Les Hicken, Daniel Boda, Stephen Peterson, and John Paynter. He is affiliated with professional organizations which include the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Mu Alpha Professional Music Fraternity and Phi Beta Mu International Band Fraternity. He has twice been chosen as a Star Teacher and has also been selected for Who's Who Among American Teachers two times. In 2018 he was the runner up for the Fox 5 High Five Teacher of the Year. Mr. Esserwein resides in Canton, Georgia with his wife Michelle and daughter Sarah.

ALISON FARLEY

•SO YOU WANT TO PURSUE A GRADUATE DEGREE? INSIGHTS FOR WORKING TOWARD YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS. Alison Farley is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Georgia.

ZAC FERGUSON-COGDILL

•WHAT!: SPOTLIGHT ON SINGLE REEDS. DEDICATED TO WHAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO YOUNG BAND STUDENTS

Zac Ferguson-Cogdill is a band director and music technology specialist at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia.

He received his bachelor of music education degree from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. and his master's degree in Conducting from The American Band College at Southern Oregon University. Mr. Ferguson-Cogdill completed his student teaching at Concord High School and Concord Middle School in Elkhart, IN., a band program documented in the book, American Band. During his early teaching career in New Jersey, Mr. Ferguson-Cogdill led several bands to local and regional championships. Mr. Ferguson-Cogdill taught at South Cobb High School from 20052011. The South Cobb Blue Eagle Marching Band was selected as the Georgia Representative in the 2009 Presidential Inauguration for President Barack Obama. The band's crowning achievement was featured in The New York Times, People Magazine, and on several CNN programs. As a cast member in the 1998 Star of Indiana's Brass Theater, Mr. Ferguson-Cogdill toured the Mid-West with an extensive run at the Grand Palace in Branson, MO. In 2001, Mr. Ferguson-Cogdill earned a role in the first cast expansion of the Tony Award winning Broadway show, Blast! Mr. Ferguson-Cogdill has many professional affiliations including the Georgia Music Educator's Association, the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, and USA Swimming. He is a member of an adult swim team based at the Georgia Tech McAuley Aquatic Center and serves on the Architectural Review Committee for his condo association.

FRIDAY + SATURDAY

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IN THE EXHIBIT HALL

C L I N I C I A N S

JEREMY FERMIN •STOP, COLLABORATE AND LISTEN

Jeremy Fermin is the Director of Bands at Veterans High School in Kathleen, GA where he directs all aspects of the band program. Prior to his appointment at Veterans, he served as the Director of Bands at Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, GA for four years and assistant band director at Perry High School for one. Fermin was named the Teacher of the Year in 2014 and was selected as the “Best Teacher” contest in the Liberty County both in 2014 and 2015. Fermin earned his Bachelors of Music Education from The University of Georgia in 2011. He recently completed his Masters in Band Conducting from The American Band College. While an undergrad, he served as Drum Major of the Redcoat Band and as President of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha. He studied trumpet with Edward Sandor, Fred Mills and Brandon Craswell and in 2009 he studied trumpet at the Conservatorio di Musica "Antonio Vivaldi” in Alessandria, Italy. Other awards include, 2010-2011 Sinfonian of the Year, 2011 Albert F. Ligotti Trumpet Award, and the 2010 University of Georgia Undergraduate Conducting Apprentice. Fermin professional affiliations include the National Band Association, GMEA and Phi Mu Alpha. He lives in Perry with his beautiful wife Claire and their miniature Dachshund Duncan

SHELLEY M. FERRELL

•BREAKING THE MOLD: AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE BEGINNING BAND EXPERIENCE

Shelley Ferrell is currently in her fifth year as the Associate Director of Bands at Lovinggood Middle School. During this time, the band has performed at UGA MidFest, Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival, NBA/CBDNA Southern Division Conference and the GMEA In-Service Conference. Mrs. Ferrell’s responsibilities include being the lead teacher for the 7th Grade bands and assisting with the 8th Grade bands. Prior to teaching at Lovinggood, Mrs. Ferrell was an assistant band director at Mansfield High School, in Mansfield, Texas. Mrs. Ferrell is a graduate of Cobb County’s, Lassiter High School and she holds two degrees from The University of North Texas, a Bachelors in Flute Performance and Music Education. While at The University of North Texas she studied flute with Dr. Mary Karen Clardy, played in ensembles under the direction of Dennis Fisher and Eugene Migliaro Corporon, and served as Drum Major of the UNT Green Brigade. Mrs. Ferrell’s professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education.

Mrs. Ferrell is also a four time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence. Mrs. Ferrell resides in Dallas, Georgia with her husband Chris and daughters Katie and Maddie.

JENNIFER FLOYD •CREATIVE STRATEGIES IN RETENTION

Jennifer Floyd holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and Education from Truman State University. In 2003 she graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she received a Masters in Music Pedagogy/Performance and Certification. She is currently ABD (All but Dissertation) at the University of Georgia-Athens, where she will receive her PhD in Music Education. Jennifer has been an active music educator in Atlanta, teaching high school orchestra for sixteen years, adjudicating district and state-level festivals. During her tenure she served as a member of the Spivey Hall Board of Educators, Lead Teacher for High Schools, Cobb County Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council, GMEA All College Orchestra organizer and ASTA President. In 2006 her Orchestra was selected to perform at the GMEA In-Service Conference, and 2016 the ASTA National Orchestra Festival. She was named STAR Teacher of the Year in 2007, a Grammy Music Educator quarterfinalist, and the 2017-18 Teacher of the Year. In addition to being a passionate educator she frequently performs throughout Georgia and Alabama. Her recent performances include, but are not limited to, Blind Boys of Alabama, Temptations (Review), Robin Thicke, India Arie, Bo Bice, Leann Rimes, Ruben Studdard, Jennifer Holiday and a TV appearance on Drop Dead Diva. Jennifer is a member of GMEA, PAGE, ASTA, Sigma Alpha Iota and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and extremely thrilled to be the new YOLA at HOLA Music Program Director with the Heart of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

DR. PATRICK K. FREER

•THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: REHEARSAL #1 WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS • HALFWAY THROUGH: ADDRESSING PROBLEMS IN THE MIDDLE REHEARSALS • POVERTY, BOYS, SINGING, AND THE ROLE OF THE MUSIC TEACHER

Patrick K. Freer is Professor of Music at Georgia State University with degrees from Westminster Choir College and Columbia University. Dr. Freer has conducted or presented in 39 states and 23 countries, including the 2018 NW Division ACDA JHS Honor Choir, the 2014 SW Division ACDA JHS Honor Choir, and leading the 2017 choral symposium for the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra (Colombia). Dr. Freer was a Visiting Professor at the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg (Austria) for the Fall 2018 semester. He is Associate Editor of the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing & past editor of Music Educators Journal. Dr. Freer is National Chair for NAfME’s Gender and Sexuality research group and is a member of the ACDA National Standing Committee for Research/Publications. He has authored 3 textbooks, a DVD series, 16 book chapters/sections, and over 120 articles in most of the field's leading national and international journals.

AND YOU DESERVE IT #COFFEEKEEPSGMEARUNNING

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MEGAN GIBSON

•LEADING AND COACHING IN THE FAST LANE!

Megan Gibson graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2016 with a Bachelors in General Music Education. She is currently on her third year of teaching at Brookview Elementary and has been recognized as a valuable contributor to Music Education in Fulton County. Most recently, Ms. Gibson was promoted to serve as part of the Fulton County Fine Arts Support Team and was recognized for her leadership and interviewed by the American School Board Journal. Megan is director of The Brookview Chorus and has had multiple opportunities to reach outside of Brookview by serving as a clinician for the 2018 Fulton County Choral Clinic. Ms. Gibson has also completed her Level I and II Orff Certification as well as John Feierabend's First Steps in Music Certification. Outside of teaching, Ms. Gibson runs a small business, Miss Megan’s Music, and works as an accompanist for Hapeville United Methodist Church. She currently resides in Marietta with her cat and best friend, Lucky.

GARY GRIBBLE

•I WENT TO THE CLINICS AND HAVE THE HANDOUTS--NOW WHAT?!

Gary D. Gribble has been the Director of Bands at Pope High School since 1987. Mr. Gribble earned his Associate Degree in Commercial Music and his BMuEd from Georgia State University. He earned the MA in Music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Mr. Gribble has served as an adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Florida. Under his direction, the Pope HS Band has earned over 450 awards of excellence and have performed in state, regional, and national concert events, including four performances at the Bands of America National Concert Festival. The Pope Wind Symphony has appeared at the President’s Cup Invitational Festival in Washington, D.C. and at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Gribble has been awarded the National Band Association "Citation of Excellence" on four occasions. In 1999, Mr. Gribble was named a member of the Bandworld Legion of Honor. In 2013, Mr. Gribble was inducted into the American School Band Directors Association. Mr. Gribble served on the Executive Board of the National Band Association from 2011-2014. Mr. Gribble also serves on the Board of Directors for Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle corps. Mr. Gribble has been an adjudicator in Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, and Illinois. He has been an Honor Band Conductor for ensembles in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Maryland. In February 2014, Mr. Gribble was an adjudicator and clinician for the Alberta International Music Festival in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Mr. Gribble resides in Marietta with his wife Martha.

MANDY GUNTER

•INTRODUCTION TO ORFF SCHULWERK Mandy Gunter is currently in her 15th year of teaching Elementary Music at Burnette Elementary in Gwinnett County Public Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Georgia College and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University. She has a Certificate of Completion and Master Class training from the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Mandy has been very active in the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter serving as Mailing Secretary, Vice President, President, Past President, and currently serves as Advocacy Chair. Mandy is currently serving on the American Orff Schulwerk Association as Region IV Representative on the National Board. She served as Chair of the Advocacy Committee. Mandy enjoys reading, sailing, and sharing her passion for music education with everyone around her! You can find her teaching Intro to Orff Workshops around Georgia.

CASEY HALL

•IT'S A MYSTERY! MAKING MYSTERIOUS MYSTERY LESSONS FOR THE ELEMENTARY MUSIC CLASSROOM! •LEADING AND COACHING IN THE FAST LANE!

Mr. Casey Hall is the Music Specialist and Fine Arts Department Chair at Wolf Creek Elementary School. He also serves as a Fulton County Fine Arts Support Teacher where he coaches and provides support for elementary music teachers across the district. He is a member of Fulton County's Vanguard team and works with educators across all grade levels and disciplines to support a personalized learning environment in their classrooms, build capacity, and seamlessly integrate technology. Most recently, he was selected to be a member of the Working Committee to revise the Georgia Performance Standards for Music. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University and a master’s degree in music education from Georgia State's School of Music. While at GSU, he studied and developed the term, culturally driven pedagogy (a comprehensive term which uses students' culture to drive instructional practices) as well as developed a songwriting curriculum for the Johnny Mercer Foundation. Mr. Hall has presented at various conferences on topics such as Project-Based Learning, Personalized Learning, App Smashing, Cultural Pedagogies, and Culturally Driven Pedagogy at international, national, state, and local school district professional development sessions. Mr. Hall also serves as an ambassador for Nearpod as a Nearpod Certified Trainer and PioNear.

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DR. BENJAMIN HARPER

•NURTURING INDEPENDENT MUSICIANSHIP THROUGH SINGING IN BAND

Dr. Benjamin Harper serves as Director of Athletic Bands at Valdosta State University, where he directs the Blazin’ Brigade Marching Band, basketball pep band, and conducts the Concert Band. Harper also teaches courses in marching band techniques and arranging for school band, orchestra, and choir. Prior to joining the faculty at Valdosta State University, Harper held graduate assistantships at The University of Kansas and Texas Tech University and taught grades 9-12 in Iowa.

Harper holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Iowa State University, a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from The University of Kansas, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Texas Tech University. Harper regularly guest conducts and clinics bands throughout Georgia, arranges for high school and collegiate marching bands across the nation, and collaborates with professional musicians in contemporary chamber music performances. He has been published in the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series (GIA Publications, Inc.) and has presented at state professional development music conferences.

DANA HARRELL, M.ED

• TEACHING CHORUS WITH THE HELP OF ARTS INTEGRATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Dana Harrell is the chorus teacher at West Jackson Middle School in Jefferson, GA. Each day she teaches about 230 beautiful young ladies and gentlemen in six classes. She also has a weekly after school show choir and directs and produces a musical once a year. Dana's undergraduate degree is in Music Therapy and Music Education from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She has a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction/Arts Integration from Lesley University in Cambridge,MA. She has lead sessions in Arts Integration in two conferences for The Tennessee Arts Commission and has presented a session for her school system in Arts Integration Science. Every Summer, Dana loves teaching Music Theatre in the Boston Children's Theatre's Summer Intensive Program. Dana is the mother of four amazing adult children and the Grandmother of four perfect grandchildren!

JACLYN HARTENBERGER

•SO YOU WANT TO PURSUE A GRADUATE DEGREE? INSIGHTS FOR WORKING TOWARD YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS. •PANEL DISCUSSION WITH WOMEN BAND CONDUCTORS

Jaclyn Hartenberger is a highly sought performer, with artistry that has attracted invitations throughout the world. Under her leadership, ensembles consistently perform at a high level, and her programs are enthusiastically received. Their performances have been described as “superb,” “praiseworthy,” “impressive,” and displaying “artistry.” An advocate for new music, Jaclyn spearheaded and recently completed a commissioning of a major symphony by composer Dan Welcher.

The Symphony, Symphony No. 6 – Three Places in the East, captures the essence of the Everglades, Smoky Mountains, and Acadia. She led the UGA Wind Symphony in an acclaimed premiere of the work in September 2017. In addition to her appearances with the UGA Wind Symphony, she has collaborated with UGA’s faculty for performances of Milhaud's La Creation du Monde, Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano and Winds, and a variety of new pieces by UGA composers. Jaclyn has appeared with other professional ensembles including the West Point Band in New York, the Concordia Santa Fe Wind Ensemble in New Mexico, the Festival International de Inverno da USFM in Brazil, and the Salta Symphony Orchestra in Argentina. Jaclyn Hartenberger serves as the Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Georgia. In addition to serving as the conductor for the Wind Symphony, she teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting. She received a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. Her Bachelor of Music Education degree is from the University of North Texas, where she performed and recorded with the prestigious UNT Wind Symphony.

GABRIELLE HASTON

•KODALY...IT'S NOT JUST FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

Gabrielle Haston is the current Director of Choral Activities for Dade Middle and Dade County High School in Trenton, Georgia, and is the Fine Arts Department Chair at DCHS. She received her Kodaly certification from the Kodaly Institute at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in 2011 and credits that experience with helping to invigorate her teaching style at the middle school level especially. She has taught middle and high school chorus for twelve years and has loved every minute of it. Gabrielle is currently co-chair for GMEA District VII-Choral Division and also works as an assistant director for the Chattanooga Boys Choir. However, one of her favorite titles is "Mama" to Caedmon and Selah. Gabrielle is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, and the American Choral Directors Association.

JOSEPH D. HEIBERGER

•BREAKING THE MOLD: AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE BEGINNING BAND EXPERIENCE

Mr. Heiberger is currently in this thirteenth year as the Director of Bands at Lovinggood Middle School in Cobb County, Georgia. Under Mr. Heiberger’s direction, the Lovinggood Band has been a featured performing ensemble for the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference, the GMEA In-Service Conference, the Music For All Southeastern National Concert Band Festival, UGA Midfest, Auburn University Middle School Band Clinic and has been awarded the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award. Mr. Heiberger is a six-time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence and is listed in the December 2015 issue of SB&O Magazine as one of the “50 Directors Who Make A Difference”.

Mr. Heiberger holds degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and Auburn University. While at the University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Heiberger was a member of the Finale Saxophone Quartet which was named National Champions of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition as well as National Finalist in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. Mr. Heiberger has served in the capacity of clinician and guest conductor on the campuses of The University of Georgia, Kennesaw State University, Georgia State University and Auburn University, as well as with middle school bands across Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Mr. Heiberger’s professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, the MENC, NAfME, and the National Band Association. Mr. Heiberger resides in Marietta, Georgia with his wife, Renee and daughter, Emily.

C L I N I C I A N S

GRAHAM HEPBURN

•FOLK SONGS FOUR WAYS: KEEP STUDENTS GUESSING AND ENGAGED Graham Hepburn has a passion for igniting a love of music in the hearts and minds of young kids. As co-creator of QuaverMusic.com, Graham leads a team of teachers, developers, and artists to create engaging and innovative content for the PreK-8 music classroom. An accomplished pianist, longtime music educator, and captivating clinician, Graham truly is the heart and energetic force behind Quaver’s Marvelous World of Music.

ERIK HERNDON •PUT IT ON YOUR TAB •GUITAR JAM SESSION

Erik Herndon is an educator, composer, and guitarist in Atlanta, GA. Erik is currently the Orchestra Director and Guitar Instructor at Centennial Academy, an active contributor to the Georgia Music Educator’s Guitar Division, and a performing artist in Metro Atlanta with the groups Acoustic Soul, the Expats, the Clibber Jones Ensemble, and the Vesna Quartet.

MICHELLE HERRING FOLTA

•THERE'S NO HARM IN HARMONIZING! HARMONIZATION AS A PATH TO MUSIC LITERACY IN CHOIR

Dr. Michelle Herring Folta is the assistant professor of choral/general music education at Columbus State University and the artistic director for the Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus. Dr. Folta earned her Ph.D. and Masters in Music Education at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas and a bachelor’s degree in Music Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Folta taught middle school choir for eight years in Austin, Texas, where she was recognized as “Teacher of the Year.” She was instrumental in transforming her campus into a Fine Arts Academy, preventing the school from possible closure. Her choirs received consistent superior ratings in festivals and contests during her tenure. The Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus at Columbus State University has achieved excellence under Dr. Folta's direction. Voices of the Valley has been selected to perform with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, for the West Georgia Choral Society’ Choral Festival in LaGrange, Georgia, the Columbus Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker, and the Columbus State University Wind Ensemble. The choir will perform their first choir tour in Norwich, England in July, 2018. Dr. Folta has served as the guest clinician for the West Georgia Choral Festival, the GMEA Statewide Sixth Grade Honor Chorus, and the GMEA Muscogee County Middle School Chorus, as well as local middle schools and high schools in the Chattahoochee Valley. In addition, she has served as an adjudicator for state-wide festivals and contests. Dr. Folta and her husband, Zach, reside in Columbus, Georgia with their daughter Lena and their dog, Tex.

DR. DOUGLAS HILL

•SO YOUR STUDENT WANTS TO BE A MUSIC MAJOR...

Dr. Douglas Hill, is the Director of Instrumental Ensembles and Undergraduate Studies at the Mercer University Townsend School of Music in Macon, Georgia. He joined the faculty in 1988 after the completion of six years of public school teaching experience and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. At the Townsend School of Music he teaches courses in music education and instrumental conducting.

Dr. Hill brings to his position a wide variety of experience and expertise as both a conductor and music educator and is active in the commissioning of new works by such composers as Lowell Liebermann, Eric Ewazen, James Stephenson, Adam Gorb and Roger Cichy. He is in demand as a guest conductor and clinician for high school, university bands, and community bands across the country and overseas due to his broad knowledge of traditional and contemporary band literature. In 2012 he was the invited guest conductor for the Costa Rican National Band in San Jose. The Alaquas Music Society’s Symphonica Banda from Valencia, Spain invited Hill to conduct in January of 2014. Hill is active as a performer in the Mercer University Faculty Brass Quintet and is one of the founding members of the Colony IV Brass Quintet. He is a leader in professional organizations such as the Georgia Music Educators Association—past Distict 11 College Division Chair; NAfME; CNAfME--Faculty Advisor; College Band Directors National Association; World Association For Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the National Band Association.

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C L I N I C I A N S

ROBIN HODSON

•FIVE WAYS FOR STUDENTS TO BE CREATIVE WITH MUSICFIRST

Robin Hodson is the Education Manager with MusicFirst. Prior to joining MusicFirst, he was with Sibelius/Avid for thirteen years, followed by three years with SoundTree. During that time, he became a well-known clinician, trainer and salesman for a wide variety of world class music software and technology products. He joined Jim Frankel and an accomplished team of people to start MusicFirst in 2012, bringing cloud-based music software to schools around the world. He has authored many free guides/videos on how to use and learn all kinds of music software, and he has created a curriculum (published by Hal Leonard) for using Pro Tools in Music Education. He was also a joint author for the book/DVD/curriculum entitled Making Music with GarageBand & Mixcraft.

DAVE HOLLAND

•SHARE THE BEAT - AN EVENING DRUM CIRCLE •FRAMES & GAMES: CREATING HANDS-ON MUSIC MAKING WITH FRAME DRUMS & SMALL PERCUSSION •BODY JAMMIN' - A MUSIC EDUCATOR'S GUIDE TO PORTABLE PERCUSSION

Dave Holland is a dynamic performer, teaching artist and interactive rhythm facilitator. As founder of Beatin' Path Rhythm Events & Interactive Rhythm, Dave promotes community, teamwork, and diversity through rhythm based events. Dave facilitates drum circles at schools, community festivals, health fairs and corporate events. He's traveled to Cuba, West Africa, Brazil, and the Middle East to pursue his continuing education of world cultures and drumming traditions. Dave has been a presenter at the International Orff –Schulwerk Conference, the Percussive Arts Society's International Conference, the National Drum Circle Facilitator’s Conference, and numerous statewide Music Educators’ Conferences across the country. As an active roster artist with Georgia Council for the Arts, Arts Now & The Fulton County Teaching Museum, Dave is creator & presenter of many highly acclaimed assembly style school performances, workshops & drum circles. Dave is the author of “DRUMAGINATION”, “INTERACTIVE RHYTHM”& "BODY JAMMIN'", widely regarded rhythmic guide books for music educators, music therapists and drum circle facilitators. He’s also the creator of "Circle Play Cards" & the "Interactive Rhythm Line” of instruments.

TINA HOLMES-DAVIS

•IF MUSIC IS FOR EVERYONE, WHY NOT ME? ACCESSIBILITY IN MUSIC EDUCATION

Tina Holmes-Davis is a stroke survivor and advocate for accessibility in music. She is Assistant Professor of Music at Georgia College where she is also Coordinator of Music Education, Graduate Music Education, and Assessment. Dr. Holmes-Davis holds a DMA in Music Education from Boston University. She has 15 years of public teaching experience in elementary music and middle school band. Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) and the International Clarinet Association (ICA). She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and is a faculty advisor for CNAfME and Sigma Alpha Iota at Georgia College. She currently lives in Warner Robins, GA with Jay Davis and the wonder twins, Emma and Jonah.

CRAIG HURLEY

•KEEP ‘EM SINGING – TIPS & STRATEGIES TO KEEP YOUR OLDER ELEMENTARY STUDENTS SINGING

Craig Hurley is the conductor of the Spivey Hall Young Artists, the preparatory choir of the nationally renowned Spivey Hall Children’s Choir (www.spiveyhallchildrenschoir.org). Under Mr. Hurley’s direction, the Spivey Hall Young Artists were honored to perform at the 2018 GMEA In-Service Conference. Mr. Hurley has also served as a guest clinician for several honor choirs throughout the state. Mr. Hurley is also the music specialist at Ford Elementary School in Cobb County, Georgia. Under his direction, the Ford Elementary Chorus has performed at the 2015 GMEA In-Service Conference. He has presented interest sessions at the Music Educators Association in-service conferences for Georgia, Florida, and Alabama as well as for other various teacher organizations. Mr. Hurley was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2002 and 2016.

Mr. Hurley holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Shorter College and a Master of Early Childhood Education from Berry College and is a music education doctoral student at the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!). Mr. Hurley lives in Marietta with his wife Katie (also a music teacher) and their three children.

KATIE HURLEY

•KEEP ‘EM SINGING – TIPS & STRATEGIES TO KEEP YOUR OLDER ELEMENTARY STUDENTS SINGING

Katie Hurley is the music specialist at Frey Elementary School in Cobb County, Georgia. She has taught elementary music for 9 years and has been named teacher of the year twice (2003-4 & 2016-7). She spent 10 years as a stay at home mom to her three children. During her hiatus from public education, Ms. Hurley opened a Kindermusik studio in Cartersville where she taught mommy-and-me music classes for babies and toddlers. Ms. Hurley holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Shorter College and a Master of Music Education from the University of West Georgia. Katie Hurley resides in Marietta, Georgia with her music teaching husband and three musically gifted children.

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C L I N I C I A N S

REBECCA JOHNSTON

•THE NATURE OF MUSIC COGNITION: APPLYING CURRENT RESEARCH IN THE CLASSROOM AND PRIVATE STUDIO

Rebecca Johnston is Coordinator of Music Education and Associate Professor of Music at the University of North Georgia (UNG) where she teaches courses in music education and pedagogy. She supervises teaching interns in the field and advises the UNG chapter of CNAfME (Collegiate National Association for Music Education). Dr. Johnston holds the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of South Carolina, the Master of Music in Music Education from the University of South Carolina, and the Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia State University. She additionally holds early childhood music certification from the Gordon Institute of Music Learning. Her fields of academic research are affective response to music and vocal pedagogy, and her work is published by the international journal Psychology of Music. Forthcoming publications include an analysis of the impacts of education policy on the music profession and an examination of the effect of repetition on musical taste. In addition to teaching, research, and service, Dr. Johnston continues to be an active clinician and has presented at state and national conferences across the United States. Finally, Dr. Johnston serves as Assistant Director of the C.T.L.L. (Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership), and in that role oversees the management of leadership and teaching awards, conducts assessment of faculty programs, develops and presents programming on a wide range of pedagogy topics, and provides leadership in carrying out the CTLL strategic plan. CTLL is a unit of Academic Affairs under the Office of Research and Engagement.

HEATH JONES

•TEACH IN YOUR UNDERWEAR WITH GOOGLE CLASSROOM! •THE PROBLEM WITH MUSIC TECHNOLOGY TEACHERS AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM •HAVE YOU TRIED A MAKEY MAKEY! A WHATY WHATY!?! INVENTING INSTRUMENTS WITH STEAM

Heath has 22 years of experience in the classroom, even though he has been in a music technology class room for the past 5 years, he has been highly involved in curriculum development and instruction with music technology. He has been with Gwinnett County Public Schools, one of the largest urban school districts in the US, for 10 years. During that time he has served as the Lead Teacher for middle grades music technology as well as serving on working committees to create and revise music technology performance standards and assessments for GCPS. In 2017 he was selected to participate on a working committee for the Georgia Department of Education to revamp the music technology performance standards for the state. Heath is a Certified Level 1 Google Educator and a Certified Soundtrap Expert and Educator. In addition to these certifications, he is very familiar with GarageBand, Google Classroom integration and specializes in curriculum, instructional strategies, lesson planning and advocacy in music technology. He has presented music technology topics for the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference and at the 2017 NAfME National Convention. In addition to supporting music tech educators on mutechteachernet.com, he would be glad to talk you about presenting a session at your state in-service conference or providing professional development sessions at the system or local school level.

STEPHANIE JUSTEN

•INCLUSION IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM. IT’S THE LAW! Miss Stephanie Justen is an autism specialist at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia. She has undergraduate degrees in psychology and education, Masters degree in special education with an emphasis in behavior and a Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction. Miss Justen has been teaching special-education for over 15 years and has experience at the elementary and high school levels. Miss Justen also works part-time at a group home for adults with developmental disabilities. Miss Justen was the 2013 Teacher of the Year for her high school and the 2015 High School Special Educator of the Year for Houston County. She is a Registered Behavior Technician and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

JAMEY F. KELLEY

•SO YOU WANT TO PURSUE A GRADUATE DEGREE? INSIGHTS FOR WORKING TOWARD YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS. Jamey Kelley is an Assistant Professor Choral Music Education at the University of North Texas in Denton.

KATHRYN KELLY LONGO

•SO YOU WANT TO PURSUE A GRADUATE DEGREE? INSIGHTS FOR WORKING TOWARD YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS. Kathryn Kelly Longo is the Director of Choral Activities and Coordinator of Choral Studies/Assistant Professor of Music Education at Florida International University in Miami.

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DR. MARJA KERNEY

•EVERYTHING YOU WISH YOU REMEMBERED FROM PERCUSSION METHODS

Dr. Marja Kerney is Artist-in-Residence and Part-time Assistant Professor of Percussion Performance at Kennesaw State University. Prior to her appointment at KSU, she was the percussion professor at the Stetson University School of Music.

A native of Michigan, Kerney earned her BM from Michigan State University and MM and DMA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. As an avid chamber music performer, she cofounded the piano/percussion quartet P4 as well as the clarinet/percussion duo 421. The duo have performed at various universities and were featured performers at ClarinetFest 2017 in Orlando, FL, where they premiered their newly commissioned work, Two Trees, by Baljinder Singh Sekhon, II. As a new music collaborator, Kerney has worked with a wide range of composers including Chen Yi, Sydney Hodkinson, Zack Browning, Baljinder Sekhon, and Chad Rehmann. In addition to her extensive contemporary chamber experience, Kerney has performed as a percussionist/timpanist with orchestras including the Kansas City Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and Jacksonville Symphony, and has served as a pit percussionist for musicals such as A Chorus Line, La Cage Aux Folles, 9 to 5, and Spamalot. Aside from her appointments at Kennesaw State and Stetson, she has served on the faculties at Reinhardt University, Bethune-Cookman University, and Seminole State College. Kerney is a longtime member of the Percussive Arts Society, currently serving on the University Pedagogy Committee and formerly as Secretary/Treasurer of the Florida chapter of PAS, and remains active as a free-lance percussionist and timpanist in the Atlanta area.

CATHERINE KEYSER

•THE NEW STANDARDS: OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLES

CAROL J. KRUEGER

•LITERACY THROUGH LITERATURE •ENGAGING IN THE POWER OF CHORAL TEXT

Carol Krueger is the Director of Choral Activities at Valdosta State University. She has conducted honor choirs and presented interest sessions/workshops throughout the U.S. Krueger is also widely recognized for her work with music literacy.

ALLISON KUMMERFELDT

•FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD. IMPLEMENTING THE NEW GEORGIA MUSIC STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Allison completed her Bachelors of Music Education degree at Louisiana State University and teaches elementary music at Lake Windward Elementary School. Her studied instruments are Oboe, English Horn, and Voice. She has completed Level One Orff Certification. Allison has been performing for over 15 years, and has earned music and service awards from LSU and the Georgia and Louisiana communities. Most recently she was nominated for the Louisiana Music Educator Association's Outstanding Young Educator award, as well as the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra's Teacher of the Year award. Allison also currently plays oboe and English horn with the Cobb Wind Symphony. Growing up in a very musically supportive community, She received a extraordinary musical education from the Cobb and Fulton County school systems.

KEVIN LANE

•GARAGEBAND FOR IOS: YOUR POWERFUL, PORTABLE RECORDING STUDIO As a musician, educator, songwriter, and recording artist, Kevin Lane brings to his work a wide variety of experiences all fueled by a passion for creativity in music and music education. His teaching experiences include elementary instrumental and general music, high school choral music, and college general music. He was a graduate teaching assistant under the tutelage of Pierce Arant at the University of Georgia, where he was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award. For eight years he directed choral music at LaFayette High School in Walker County, Georgia, where his choruses consistently earned superior ratings. Currently Dr. Lane is the music teacher at Woodstation Elementary School in Catoosa County, Georgia. His integration of music technology and creativity was given as one of the reasons he was named as Woodstation Teacher of the Year in 2006. He has degrees from Tennessee Technological University, Atlanta Christian College, Georgia State University, and a D.M.A. from the University of Georgia. His first album of original songs, Autumn Sky, was released on CD in October 2009.

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THE CLASSIC CENTER

ATRIUM

FRIDAY | 11:15AM LAURA A. STAMBAUGH & BRYAN E. NICHOLS

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERVAL IDENTIFICATION AND ERROR DETECTION

BY MUSIC EDUCATION MAJORS SAMANTHA CHASE

PRACTICING BAND DIRECTORS PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICES AND VIEWS CONCERNING STUDENT LEADERSHIP IN THE MARCHING BAND SETTING MELISSA R. LIFE

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF IMPOSTER SYNDROME ON DOCTORAL STUDENTS IN MUSIC EDUCATION MATT KOPERNIAK & AMELIA PARKER

A CRITICAL CONTENT ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTARY MUSIC & BEGINNING BAND REPERTOIRE REBECCA ATKINS

GAZE PATTERNS OF NOVICE AND EXPERT MUSICIANS ON A SIGHT-SINGING TASK SAMUEL HOLMES

EXAMINING UPPER ELEMENTARY STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES IN A TECHNOLOGY-MEDIATED COLLABORATIVE MUSIC COMPOSITIONAL ACTIVITY ANITA KUMAR

EVIDENCE OF TRUST IN CONDUCTOR-ENSEMBLE INTERACTIONS FROM REHEARSAL OBSERVATION PATRICK K. FREER & HELMUT SCHAUMBERGER

U.S. AND AUSTRIAN COMPETENCIES FOR CONDUCTOR-TEACHERS OF CHILDREN’S CHOIRS: A CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON CORY D. MEALS

A QUESTION OF LAG: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONDUCTOR GESTURE AND SONIC RESPONSE IN INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES MYRIAM I. ATHANAS

ASSESSING TEACHER FEEDBACK IN MUSIC EDUCATION: A STUDY OF PRE-SERVICE MUSIC EDUCATORS CARL B. HANCOCK AND E. DANIELLE TODD

JOB VACANCY CHAINS IN K-12 EDUCATION: THE CASCADING MOBILITY OF MUSIC TEACHERS GREGORY DENSON

AN EXPLORATION OF THE ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES OF URBAN BAND DIRECTORS BRITTNEY BOYKIN

BREAKING THROUGH THE GLASS: A PILOT STUDY AROUND POSSIBLE BIASES EXPERIENCED

BY WOMEN COMPOSERS MARTIN NORGAARD

THE EFFECT OF MUSIC THERAPY ON MOTOR REHABILITATION IN STROKE PATIENTS: A META-ANALYSIS

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C L I N I C I A N S

DR. DAVID W. LANGLEY

•ALTERING THE CHORAL REHEARSAL ROUTINE; CREATIVE MUSICAL ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOUR STUDENTS ENGAGED • LIVE, LOVE, MATTER: THE BURGEONING ENVIRONMENT OF A NEW COMMUNITY GIRLS' CHOIR • MIND, BODY, AND SOUL: THE EFFECTS OF MOVEMENT ON PERCEPTIONS OF CHORAL PERFORMANCES

David W. Langley is Assistant Professor of Music Education and Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Georgia Southern University. His duties include supervising student teachers, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, as well as directing the University Singers. Langley has been published in such journals as Music Education Research, American Music Teacher, ACDA’s Chorteach, and serves on the Advisory Committee for the Music Educators Journal. He has presented his research at numerous state, national, and international conferences, most recently at the NAfME Research Symposium. His research interests include incorporating creativity within the choral classroom, the effect of movement on choral performance, and the benefits of community choir involvement.

Langley is a frequent clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast.

STEPHEN LAWRENCE •CREATIVE STRATEGIES IN RETENTION

Born in Atlanta, GA, Stephen Lawrence began his musical career at the age of twelve, studying violin, cello and later piano. During his grade-school career, Stephen served as a concertmaster for several orchestras including the Loyola University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra of Atlanta, Atlanta Public Schools Youth Symphony Orchestra, MYSO String Quartet, William Grant Still Memorial Orchestra, and many more. At the age of eighteen, he graduated high school receiving the highest honors at North Atlanta School of the Performing Arts. Stephen Lawrence earned his bachelor’s degree at Loyola University New Orleans in Music Education specializing in String Education, under the guidance of Dean Angeles and Virginia Olander. He started his teaching career at Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Academy in Rochester, NY where he taught for 2 years, 2 years at Lovejoy High School and is currently in his seventh year at North Atlanta High School where he has been named the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year. Stephen serves as the director of orchestral activities at North Atlanta High School’s Fine and Performing Arts Department. He is also the GMEA District V Chair and a member of the Atlanta Public Schools Arts Resource Team. Stephen has served as a clinician and coach for orchestra programs in Atlanta Public Schools, Cobb County Public Schools, DeKalb County Public Schools, Fayette County Schools, Gwinnett Public Schools and Henry County Public Schools. Stephen is also the 2nd violinist of the Idalia String Quartet. Presently, he is working towards his Educational Specialist degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia.

DAVE LAWSON

•REPAIR MADE EASY. LEARN HOW TO REPAIR BASIC ISSUES WITH SIMPLE INGENUITY

Dave Lawson is a highly trained woodwind clinician that has been teaching woodwinds for over 13 years. He earned his Bachelor’s in Clarinet performance and Music Education from Reinhardt College (University). He has taught clinics from elementary school beginners to high school seniors auditioning at the college level. Dave is a professional clarinet and alto sax player, performing with Tara Winds at their GMEA Performance in January of 2014 and again at Midwest in December of 2015. Dave regularly performs with The Dalton-Whitfield Community band in Dalton, GA, the Alpharetta City Band in Alpharetta, GA, and the American Patriot Winds in Woodstock, GA. Dave has studied clarinet with Andrea Strauss, and both clarinet and sax with Mitchel Henson. Dave maintains a busy private studio that ranges from beginners to retired beginners from 7-67. All of Dave's middle and high school students are required to audition for All-state. Dave's studio is fast paced, intense and filled to the brink with fun. Dave also runs a woodwind repair shop where he fixes instruments for schools and private students. Currently, we have three apprentice woodwind techs and nearly 150 instruments that our shops owns that we are fixing, renting, or selling. Dave has also taught numerous repair courses throughout the southeast. In 2017, Dave taught sessions at the Alabama Music Educators Convention (AMEA), the Georgia MEA, the Tennessee MEA, West Georgia, and Reinhardt University. Dave currently teaches: clarinet studio at Woodland High School in Cartersville, Marching/concert band woodwinds at Denmark High School, as well as maintaining his full-time repair shop in Canton, GA.

ERIN C. LAYTON

•HALFWAY THROUGH: ADDRESSING PROBLEMS IN THE MIDDLE REHEARSALS Erin Layton is in her 4th year as the choral director at Marietta middle school where she also co-directs the musical theatre class and teaches general music. In her 14 years of teaching she has worked in Detroit, Michigan and Fulton county as well as for Marietta City Schiols. Erin earned her bachelor's degree from The University of Michigan where she stidied under Jerry Blackstone and Sandra Snow. She leaned her Masters in music education from Georgia State University where she studied with Patrick Freer. Erin currently lives in Marietta with her husband and two children.

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C L I N I C I A N S

DR. ROY LEGETTE

•EDTPA, TKES, AND TEACHING EVALUATIONS: WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS TELLING US?

Roy Legette is Associate Professor of Music Education in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia.

Dr. Legette is an active researcher and some of his work can be found in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Music Education Research, the Music Educators Journal, and Contributions to Music Education. He is past state chair of the research division of the Georgia Music Educators Association, past chair of the Research Advisory Review Panel of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and a past member of the editorial committee for Update: Applications of research in Music Education. Dr. Legette has presented his work at professional conferences and symposia in the United States, Europe, South America, and Canada. His research interests include music instruction and student self-concept, student motivation and achievement, and factors that influence teaching effectiveness. Dr. Legette is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the American Educational Research Association, and the International Society for Music Education.

ALICIA LIPSCOMB

•SOCIAL SECURITY 101: RETIREMENT PLANNING BASICS In 2001, Alicia Lipscomb began her career with the Social Security Administration as a Claims Specialist in Winder, GA. In 2008, she was selected as a Public Affairs Specialist for the Georgia Area Director's Office, which oversees 33 Social Security Offices and serves 2.1 million beneficiaries. Alicia has been recognized for her outreach efforts as a recipient of four Deputy Commissioner Citations. When not working, Alicia enjoys spending time with her children, traveling and cheering on her beloved University of Georgia Bulldogs.

DR. ROB LYDA

•SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED, AND BLUE: SPRINGBOARDS FOR CREATIVE THINKING IN MUSIC • CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: USING THE UKULELE TO MEET NATIONAL STANDARDS

Dr. Rob Lyda is the music teacher at Cary Woods Elementary School in Auburn, Alabama. He earned the BME at Troy University and the MEd and PhD in Music Education from Auburn University. In addition to his academic degrees, he has completed studies in Kodály, World Music Drumming, TI:ME, is an Orff Schulwerk (Levels I-III & Master Class) certified teacher.

Dr. Lyda regularly presents sessions and research on technology integration and general music education throughout the country. He is currently serving as the Chair for NAfME’s Council for General Music Education and Secretary of the Elementary Division of AMEA. He holds memberships in AMEA, NAfME, and AOSA.

MANDY MADSON

•SIGHT SINGING FUN WITH TIZ & MIZZ

Mandy Madson has taught elementary, middle and high school music throughout the Southeast Georgia region since 2010.

She currently teaches elementary music and chorus at the Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts and is a private vocal coach for beginning to advanced singers. She conducts the Apprentice Choir, an upper elementary ensemble of the Savannah Children’s Choir. Additionally, Mandy has conducted Garrison Voices at the Choirs of America Nationals for Top Choirs at Queens College in NYC. Mandy received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education from Brewton-Parker College and was awarded first place in the T. N. Retif Voice Competition in 2006 and the Virginia Chapman Voice Competition in 2009. In 2010, she had the second honor of singing at Carnegie Hall with the Brewton-Parker College Concert Choir under the baton of Sir John Rutter. Mandy recently received her Kodály Level II Certification through the Colorado Kodály Institute and is currently working towards becoming a Master Kodály. As a soubrette soprano, Mandy has been honored to sing with the Savannah Voice Festival, the Savannah Philharmonic, and at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and has been seen in several operatic roles, most notably in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. In addition to singing for local churches, weddings, and events, she is the substitute cast member with the Historic Savannah Theatre on Chippewa Square. She spends her spare time playing ukulele, mandolin, and banjolele, as well as songwriting and working on her first album of original folk, Americana, and bluegrass tunes.

JOSHUA MANFRONI

•MAKING TECHNOLOGY WORK FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM Joshua Manfroni received a bachelor's degree in music education from Mercer University and a master's degree in music education from the University of Georgia. He currently teaches general music at Chestnut Mountain Creative School of Inquiry and has taught there for eight years. In working with elementary students he strives to incorporate technology in numerous ways to invoke a love of music in students from an early age. He has also recently been a featured author on the Midnight Music Technology blog.

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ALISON MANN

• LET'S TALK VIBRATO!

Alison Mann is Associate Professor of Choral Music Education and Program Coordinator for Music Education at Kennesaw State University, where she teaches coursework in Choral Methods, Advanced Choral Conducting and Literature, Foundations of Music Education, and Vocal Pedagogy for Ensemble Singing. Mann also supervises student teachers, coordinates edTPA, and serves as Conductor of the KSU Women’s Choir. Additionally, she is a founding singer and personnel manager for Atlanta based professional chamber choir, Coro Vocati. Dr. Mann received her Ph.D. in Music Education and Choral Conducting from the University of Oregon, and a Masters of Choral Music Education and Bachelors of Choral Music Education from Florida State University. Dr. Mann has studied conducting and music education with André Thomas, Kevin Fenton, Sharon J. Paul, and Judy Bowers. Dr. Mann is currently the Southern Division ACDA Women’s Choir Repertoire and Standards chair, and the Georgia state ACDA Membership Chair. She serves on the executive planning committee for the Southern Division American Choral Directors Association. Her professional affiliations include the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Collegiate Choral Organization, and the International Society for Music Education. Her research has been presented at the state, regional, and international levels. Dr. Mann is an active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, and has conducted state ACDA honor choirs, and All State choruses in multiple states.

FREDDY MARTIN

•THAT'S IT! THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF WORDS AND OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN OUR MUSIC

Freddy Martin was born and educated through high school in Cobb County, Georgia. Mr. Martin attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama where he received the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Mr. Martin has done post-graduate work at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Mr. Martin is celebrating his 46th year in education. He has taught at South Cobb High School in Cobb County Georgia, with the Famed Spirit of Atlanta Drum Corps, for the Buford City Schools in Atlanta. He was the Brass Coordinator for the DCI Champion Phantom Regiment Drum Corps from Rockford Illinois. Since 2014 Mr. Martin has been Co-Brass Fundamentals Coordinator for the Cavaliers Drum Corps. Mr. Martin is the founding director of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and continues to serve the Corps today as director emeritus. Mr. Martin’s son Chris is Principal Trumpet in the New York Philharmonic. His son Michael is fourth trumpet in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Martin is a member of the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame and Phi Beta Mu. He is in his sixteenth year as band director and brass specialist at The Westminster Schools. Mr. Martin has been an adjudicator and clinician for more than forty years. Mr. Martin holds and honorary Doctorate in Music Education from The Vandercook College of Music in Chicago.

ERIK MASON

•DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY OF EMPOWERED, SELF-STARTING STUDENT LEADERS

Erik Mason currently serves as the band director and Fine Arts Department Chair at Mill Creek High School where he directs the Concert, Marching, Jazz, and Pageantry Arts programs. In his time at Mill Creek the band has grown from 100 members to over 250 and has established a tradition of excellence in the region. Since 2006, the Mill Creek bands have been invited performers at Columbus State University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, the University of Georgia January Music Festival, and the 2017 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. The Mill Creek marching band is a seven time Bands of America Regional and Super-Regional Finalist and a three time BOA Class Champion. Mr. Mason holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia.

Mr. Mason has twice presented clinics at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference and is in demand around the state as an adjudicator and clinician. Mr. Mason is a three time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence. Mr. Mason is a member of the National Band Association (NBA), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society, Music Educators National Conference (MENC), and Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA). Mr. Mason has served on both the GMEA Band Adjudication Committee and the GMEA Marching Band Committee, and as the GMEA District 13 Chair. He resides in Hoschton with his wife Kathy, a fellow band director, and their three children Aria, Alie, and Clay.

NATALIE MATTSON

•YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT? I'VE GOT TO DO WHAT??

Natalie Mattson was appointed as charter band director for Twin Rivers Middle School in 2007. Since that time her program has grown to more than 370 band students. Her students perform in GMEA District Honor Band, All-State Band, Solo & Ensemble, First Year Honor Band Clinic, and Large Group Performance Evaluation receiving consistent Superior and Excellent ratings at these events. Mrs. Mattson serves in many facets at her school including mentor teacher, TRMS Tech Committee, and TRMS Advisement Chair. Mrs. Mattson is an alumnus of Etowah High School in Cherokee County and the University of Georgia where she graduated with a Bachelors of Music Education. Mrs. Mattson studied alto saxophone with Dr. Kenneth Fischer, performed in various ensembles within the University system, and was a member of the UGA Redcoat Marching Band. After graduating, Mrs. Mattson was appointed Assistant Director of Bands to the Colquitt County High School 50th Regiment Band. Mrs. Mattson then returned to Atlanta, married her college sweetheart, and was hired as Director of Bands at Duluth Middle School in 1997. Mrs. Mattson served as director for thirteen years before becoming part of the Twin Rivers Middle School family.

Mrs. Mattson has memberships with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Georgia Music Educators’ Association (GMEA), and the National Bandmasters Association (NBA). Mrs. Mattson has two sons that she thinks the world of who are active scholar athletes and members of the TRMS Honor Band and the MVHS Wind Symphony.

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GySGT AMY MCCABE •TRUMPET MASTERCLASS

Trumpeter/cornetist Gunnery Sergeant Amy McCabe joined "The President's Own" United States Marine Band in July 2006. Gunnery Sgt. McCabe began her musical instruction on piano at age 6 and trumpet at age 10. After graduating in 1997 from Herscher High School in Herscher, Ill., she earned her bachelor's degree in music and elementary education from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington in 2001. She earned her master's degree in trumpet performance in 2006 from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Her instructors included Charles Geyer and Barbara Butler of Northwestern University, and Steve Eggleston and Judith Saxon of Illinois Wesleyan University. Prior to joining "The President's Own," Gunnery Sgt. McCabe was a featured soloist in the Tony/ Emmy award winning show Blast!, and a member of MusiCorps, a music education and advocacy program designed to promote music awareness, appreciation, and training in the Chicago Public Schools. She performed with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra in Charleston, S.C., and the Walt Disney World AllStar Collegiate Jazz Band and Christmas Brass in Orlando, Fla. She also received the Roger Voisin Trumpet Award while a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Mass.

DAWN HARMON MCCORD

•EDTPA, TKES, AND TEACHING EVALUATIONS: WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS TELLING US?

Dawn Harmon McCord, DMA, NCTM, is Professor of Music Education and Organ Studies at the University of West Georgia and coordinates the graduate music program. Her online class, Factors in Musical Learning, is nationally certified through Quality Matters. Dr. McCord has served on the boards of the Georgia Music Educators and Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA) including serving as President of GMTA. Dr. McCord is Director Of Music and Organist at Carrollton Presbyterian Church. She holds degrees from UGA, LSU, and FSU with studies in Music Education, Piano, Choral Conducting, and Organ Performance. She regularly adjudicates piano events and her research interests related to teaching and learning include piano proficiency, teacher preparation, and all-state choral policies and practice. She has presented her research at international, national, and state conferences. She is currently active in initiatives for Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP).

MARY MCGOWAN

•CLARINET 911! COPING WITH CLARINET CALAMITIES!

Ms. McGowan is in her 25th year of teaching instrumental music and her 3rd year as the Director of Bands at Adamson Middle School in Rex, GA. Her Bands have consistently earned Superior Ratings at performance evaluations and music festivals in Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana and Florida. Her students have participated in GMEA District 5 and 6 Honor Bands. Students under her direction have also been accepted as fellows with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program. She has served as a clinician/session presenter for Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County Schools, Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia (2017) and the Alabama Music Educators Association In –Service Conference. (2018) Previous teaching experiences include New Orleans Public Schools, Atlanta Public Schools.

Clayton County Public Schools and Spelman/Morehouse Colleges. She is also a Volunteer Family Mentor on the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program committee. Ms. McGowan is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, and received a Master of Secondary Education Degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, and is pursuing an Educational Specialist Degree in Music Education at Piedmont College. She also is a private instructor in clarinet and oboe.

JEAN MCKEN

•BREEZIN’ THRU THEORY HANDS-ON: THE NEXT GEN WAY!

Jean McKen is the author of Breezin’ Thru Theory and Breezin’ Thru Composing, two award winning online curriculum resources for teaching music theory to middle and high school students. Jean is a former classroom music teacher who has used music technology to compose and teach for many years. She is the composer of “I Am Song, Je Suis Chanson” – the winning submission to the CMEA/ACME 50th anniversary song competition. While on a teaching assistantship at Indiana University, IUPUI, Jean acquired her Masters of Science in Music Technology focusing in instructional design. Based on both her own experience in the classroom and from her work with music teachers in a variety of settings in both the US and Canada, Jean recognized a need for a totally new curriculum tool that would meet the needs 21st century learners all while saving time and making learning fun.

CORY MEALS

•THE DIGITAL REVOLT: WHAT TO DO WHEN TECHNOLOGY ISN'T THE SILVER BULLET

Cory Meals is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Houston where his duties include teaching instrumental music education and pursuing research exploring musical experience and interaction in performance and learning contexts. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music and a Master of Music in Instrumental Wind Conducting from the University of Houston. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Music Education at the University of Washington. Previous collegiate work includes an appointment at Kennesaw State University. His secondary experience includes success at all levels of Texas public school band. Prof. Meals has presented music education research in state, national, and international venues including Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, The Midwest Clinic, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea. His research interests include music perception and interaction in large ensembles, individual and ensemble instrumental pedagogy, music and human learning, and preservice teacher preparation. He maintains an active schedule as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States and Canada and is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Tau Beta Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

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DAVID METRIO

•SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE: BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT BETWEEN STUDENT TEACHER AND SUPERVISING TEACHER

David Metrio is currently the Director of Orchestras at Lanier High School in Buford, GA as well as the conductor for the Georgia Youth Symphony Camerata Orchestra. He is a graduate of Kennesaw State University and will begin his masters degree in music education from the Florida State University in the summer of 2018. While at KSU, Mr. Metrio served as the president of the KSU chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Mr. Metrio has studied double bass under Dr. James Barket (Kennesaw State), Mr. Joseph Mcfadden (Atlanta Symphony), and Mr. Michael Kurth (Atlanta Symphony).

Mr. Metrio has also performed with several orchestras in the Atlanta area such as the Georgia Symphony, the Kennesaw State University Orchestra, the Gwinnett Symphony, and the Emory Symphony. Mr. Metrio is an active bass clinician in the Atlanta area. He has presented bass clinics at various middle schools and high schools in the Gwinnett, Cobb, and Fulton County School Districts as well as the Atlanta Public School District. He has served on staff at the Upbeat! Summer orchestra camp as well as the Georgia ASTA summer orchestra camp. Mr. Metrio also maintains a small private bass studio. Mr. Metrio’s professional affiliations include the National Association For Music Education, the American String Teachers Association, and the Georgia Music Educators Association. In his free time, Mr. Metrio enjoys traveling and considers himself an avid foodie. He resides in Suwanee, GA with his beloved Shih-Tzu dog, Mozart.

SHAWN MORTON

•SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE: BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT BETWEEN STUDENT TEACHER AND SUPERVISING TEACHER

Shawn Morton is currently in her sixteenth year as an orchestra teacher in Gwinnett County.She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. While attending UGA, Mrs. Morton was a member of the Honors program and was president of the UGA chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

Mrs. Morton also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Shorter College. Mrs. Morton conducts the Gwinnett County Kendall Youth Orchestra, and she has worked as a sectional coach with the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony, and she has served as a clinician for local school orchestras, the Spivey Hall Chamber Orchestra Workshop, The Gwinnett County Violapalooza Festival, The Gwinnett County 6th Grade Honor Orchestra Workshop, the UGA Summer Music Camp and various other workshops and clinics. Her orchestras have performed at the 2007 Midwest Clinic, 2009 American String Teachers Association Conference, the 2011 Georgia Music Educators Association In-service Conference, the 2013 National Band and Orchestra Festival at Lincoln Center, the 2014 Midwest Clinic, and the 2018 American String Teachers Conference. Mrs. Morton has served as secretary for the Georgia Chapter of the American String Teachers Association and as GMEA District 13 Orchestra Chair. In addition, Mrs. Morton was selected to present at the 2014 GMEA In-service Conference. Mrs. Morton is a member of the American String Teachers Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, and Sigma Beta Delta. She resides in Buford, GA with her husband Dale, son Hudson and dogs Harmony and Mozart.

KIRK D. MOSS, PH.D. •EXPRESSIVE CONDUCTING • FUN IN FUNDAMENTALS FOR STRINGS

Kirk D. Moss, PhD, serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Music & Theatre at University of Northwestern – St. Paul. He is a past national president of the American String Teachers Association, five times chaired the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, and held office on ASTA’s Executive Board. Moss has appeared as a guest conductor, clinician, or adjudicator in nearly forty states. The University of Florida School of Music awarded him an Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award, and he has received six ASTA National Citation for Leadership & Merit awards. With twelve years of experience teaching elementary, middle, and high school orchestras, groups under his direction have earned distinction at state, national, and international events. One of his former high schools honors him by annually awarding a college string scholarship in his name. He has coauthored method books for Alfred Music’s Sound Innovations series, as well as numerous string orchestra arrangements.

KELLY MRAZ

•THE POWER OF PERCUSSION

Kelly Mraz is in her ninth year as the music specialist at R.D. Head Elementary in Lilburn, GA where she teaches music and directs the R.D. Head Chorus and Mustang Drummers. She has been teaching in Gwinnett County for fourteen years and was recognized as a county semi-finalist for Teacher of the Year in 2015. Kelly received her Bachelors in Music Education and Percussion Performance from Ithaca College and her Masters in Percussion Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Her performing and teaching experience includes steel band, Latin jazz, West African drumming, and marching band. Kelly also served on the rewriting committee for the Georgia Performance Standards for General Music in 2017. She has completed three levels of Orff-Schulwerk training and Masterclass Orff studies with Konnie Saliba and Jay Broeker. Kelly lives in Lilburn with her husband and daughter.

THE CONFERENCE IS A TIME FOR YOU TO CONNECT, CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS AND RELAX.

REGISTER TODAY IN OPUS!

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EMMA NEUMEISTER

•GAME ON! USING TECHNOLOGY AND ORFF TO BRING GAMELAN MUSIC TO YOUR CLASSROOM

Emma Neumeister earned her Bachelor of Music Education from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. She is currently an Elementary Music Educator with the Cherokee County School District at Sixes Elementary. Prior to working for Cherokee County, Mrs. Neumeister taught in the Muscogee County School District for eight years. There, she collaborated with Columbus State University as a Mentor Teacher for undergraduate students, represented District 3 as the GMEA Elementary Chair from 2014-2018 and was named Teacher of the Year in 2016. She earned her Orff Level 3 certification from the University of Kentucky in 2014. While there, she was introduced to several techniques that use Orff Pedagogy to incorporate World Music into the general music curriculum. Mrs. Neumeister has experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. While working for the Muscogee County School District, she was able to teach in various school settings such as Title 1, Gifted Magnet, PBIS schools, and Muscogee County’s largest ESOL School, River Road Elementary, for all eight years. At this school, Mrs. Neumeister started a musical club that performs Broadway Junior Shows annually as well as the Soaring Singers Chorus, a traveling performance ensemble. Mrs. Neumeister continues to be an active member of the music community as a clinician, performer, and children’s church choir director for First Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Georgia. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting and spending time with her husband Ted and her son Benjamin.

MARTIN NORGAARD

•DESCRIPTIONS OF IMPROVISATIONAL THINKING BY EXPERT MUSICIANS TRAINED IN DIFFERENT CULTURAL TRADITIONS

Martin Norgaard is Associate Professor of Music Education at Georgia State University in Atlanta where he is collaborating with faculty in mathematics, computer science, linguistics, and physics to investigate the cognitive processes underlying improvisation. He received the Dean’s Early Career Award in recognition of “outstanding work” as a faculty member of Georgia State University and is associate faculty of the Neuroscience Institute. A team of Norgaard’s collaborators received a grant to conduct a brain imaging experiment investigating the cognitive underpinnings of musical improvisation in expert jazz improvisers. Dr. Norgaard was the guest editor of a recent theme issue of Psychomusicology, Music, Mind, and Brain based on papers from the Improvising Brain Symposium held at GSU in April 2013. His research also appears in the Journal of Research in Music Education, The International Journal of Music Education, The String Research Journal, and the interdisciplinary journal Music Perception. Dr. Norgaard is the author of ten jazz string method books for Mel Bay Publications including Jazz Fiddle Wizard and Jazz Fiddle/Viola/ Cello Wizard Junior and the composer of several string orchestra pieces for The FJH Music Company and Alfred Music Publishing. Dr. Norgaard served on the Music Educators Journal advisory board and was part of the team that wrote the next generation National Standards in the Arts under the auspices of the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards.

MARTI PARKER

•YES!—YOUR EARLY SUCCESS IN THE GENERAL MUSIC CLASSROOM

Marti Parker teaches in Gwinnett County at Suwanee Elementary School. Ms. Parker received her B.M.E. from Stetson University and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. She holds Kodály and Orff Schulwerk certification; Creative Drama for Creative Learning levels I, II and III; World Music Drumming levels I and II; Gifted, ESOL and Coaching endorsements; and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood/ Music. She has been teaching in Georgia and Florida public schools for 27 years, and loves to share her passion for music education. She has been a presenter at FMEA and GMEA conferences, as well as at Tampa and Atlanta Orff and Kodály Chapter Share workshops.

FRIDAY + SATURDAY IN THE EXHIBIT HALL 40

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BRUCE PEARSON

•INSPIRE EXCELLENCE IN YOUR YOUNG BAND: ACHIEVE THE MOST IN EVERY LESSON

Bruce Pearson has taught elementary, middle, and high school music students for over 40 years. In 1998, Dr. Pearson was awarded the prestigious Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor in recognition of his outstanding contributions to music education. Dr. Pearson continues to serve as a guest lecturer, conductor, composer and author.

DR. ROB PETHEL •GUITAR READING SESSION

Dr. Rob Pethel is a musician, educator, and researcher based in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned a B.Mus. with a concentration in classical guitar under John Sutherland in 2002 from Georgia State University (GSU). Rob’s graduate work [M.Ed., Auburn University (2010) – Ph.D., GSU, (2016)] researched guitar education, pedagogy, ethnomusicology, and public education. In 2008, Rob initiated a classroom guitar program in the Atlanta Public School district, where he continues to teach. In addition to secondary education, he has also taught undergraduate courses at GSU in guitar and general music.

Rob is active as a clinician and teaches workshops on national, state, and local levels.

SALLY PETTY

•LEADING AND COACHING IN THE FAST LANE!

Sally Petty is in her fourth year of teaching and is the proud music teacher and chorus director at Shakerag Elementary in John's Creek, Georgia. She completed her BME from Young Harris College in 2015, and in 2017 presented her first GMEA In-Service Session as well as received the honor of Teacher of the Year. Sally has formerly served as part of the Fulton County Fine Arts Support Team and still plays an active role in leading Fulton's New Teacher support classes. She also serves as the contributor and organizer of the Fulton Fine Arts Virtual Resource database. In addition to serving these roles, Sally is also currently pursuing her M.Ed. in Instructional Technology with Kennesaw State University and hopes to expand on the possibilities of merging technology with music education. Her most recent accomplishments include completing her Level II Orff Certification and her Feierabend First Steps in Music certification this past summer. Sally currently resides in Atlanta with her two adorable cats, her French Horn, and a whole lot of coffee.

DR. AMY POLLARD

•INTEGRATION OF IPAD TECHNOLOGY WITHIN PRIVATE LESSON TEACHING

Amy Pollard is the Associate Professor of Bassoon and Performance Coordinator at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. She formerly served as Lecturer of Bassoon at Baylor University and has also been on faculty at the University of Dayton and the Cincinnati School for the Creative and Performing Arts. During the summer she has been on the faculty of the Interlochen Arts Center Advanced Bassoon Institute. Pollard holds positions as principal bassoon with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and second bassoon with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. She has performed with many orchestras including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Greenville Symphony, Symphony Orchestra Augusta, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Pollard has performed as a soloist with the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony as well as with other groups. An avid chamber musician, she has performed at venues throughout the United States and internationally with such groups as the Georgia Woodwind Quintet, the Baylor University Woodwind Quintet, and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Woodwind Quintet.

Her bassoon-percussion duo, Col Legno (www.collegnoduo.com) and her bassoon duo, Dueaux, have performed recitals and presented master classes at numerous venues throughout the country. Pollard's debut solo album, Ruminations: Bassoon Works of Eugène Bozza, and the Georgia Woodwind Quintet's CD Chroma were both released by Mark Records and are available on iTunes. Pollard received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Louisiana State University.

BECAUSE WE'RE BREATHING #COFFEEKEEPSGMEARUNNING

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DR. ANDREW F. POOR

• MOTIVATING THE MUSICAL MIND: STRATEGIES FOR IGNITING A DRIVE TO MUSICAL SUCCESS IN YOUR STUDENTS

Andrew F. Poor, DME, is Director of Bands at South Forsyth Middle School in Cumming, Georgia. From 2006-2015, Dr. Poor served as part-time faculty at the CSU Schwob School of Music. Dr. Poor received his DME and MM/Trumpet from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He previously received his BME (High Honors) from the University of Florida. Dr. Poor is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, ASCAP, NAfME, NBA, and GMEA. Dr. Poor currently serves as an All-State Band Organizer and co-organizer of the District 9 Middle School LGPE and District Honor Band. He has served as the Southern Division representative to the National Council for Music Composition since 2014.

In 2016, Dr. Poor was recognized as the Forsyth County System-Wide Teacher of the Year. Some notable performances by his ensembles, include, the 17th International Cultural Festival in Tottori, Japan, FMEA State Conference, GMEA State In-Service Conference, as well as, Troy University, University of Georgia, University of Alabama. Dr. Poor is a four-time recipient of the NBA Citation of Excellence. He has presented at the Midwest Clinic, Ohio Music Educators Association State Conference, Florida Music Educators Association State Conference, and multiple GMEA State In-Service Conferences.

KRISTIN M. PUGLIESE

•TEACHING MUSIC BASICS WHEN TIME IS AGAINST YOU!!

Kristin M. Pugliese has been an educator for more than 15 years, first in early childhood education and then in the music classroom. She has worked almost exclusively in Title 1 Schools and helped create music standards for Cambridge Public Schools. In 2009, Kristin created Note Knacks Music; a company devoted to making music more accessible for young children. Through her company, she provides support for educators via lesson plans, a blog, workshops and as a national clinician.

T. DEVIN REID

•THE BLUEGRASS BREAKDOWN: TEACHING IMPROVISATION IN THE CLASSROOM

T. Devin Reid is currently the assistant director of bands at Georgia State University. A native of Fayetteville, NC, Mr. Reid holds degrees from Georgia State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. At Georgia State, Mr. Reid co-teaches the Panther Marching Band, conducts the Panther Basketball Band, conducts the University Concert Band, teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in conducting and wind band literature, oversees the university’s concert attendance course and supervises student teachers in the field. Since his arrival, the GSU Concert Band has grown to become the largest instrumental concert ensemble at the university. Prior to his appointment at Georgia State, Mr. Reid taught public school in Georgia and North Carolina. As an effective recruiter, his NC ensembles grew by over 300% in just three years. His ensembles performed at numerous events in and out of the community including the NC Muscadine Festival, NC PAS Day of Percussion and the Virginia International Music Festival. Mr. Reid has presented clinics and workshops on various topics at several state and regional conferences. He is a frequent guest conductor of the International Euphonium and Tuba Festival. He is also an active concert band and marching band clinician, conductor and adjudicator throughout Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Playing either classical or bluegrass music, Mr. Reid is an active performer around the Atlanta area. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, and is an endorser for Sabian Cymbals.

CAROLINE RENNER

•YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT? I'VE GOT TO DO WHAT??

Caroline Renner is the Choir Director at Twin Rivers Middle School in Gwinnett County. She began her first year of teaching there in the 2017-2018 school year. Previously, she attended the University of South Carolina, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education under the direction of Dr. Alicia Walker. There, she was in various ensembles and was the Music Director for an a cappella group, “The Cocktails” who won the 2016 ICCA Quarterfinals and went on to the White House to perform for President and First Lady Barack Obama. In her free time, she is in 2 cover bands, one rock and one country, and she is a lead vocalist in the Hamilton Mill United Methodist Praise Team. She is a mother to two feline sons (an orange tabby, Owen and a grey long-hair, Atticus).

MICHELLE RICKARD

•YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT? I'VE GOT TO DO WHAT??

Michelle Rickard graduated Cum Laude from University of Nebraska-Omaha. She served as clarinetist/bagpiper in the Strategic Air Command Band and the Band of the Air Force Reserve. She was a distinguished graduate of the NCO Preparatory School, received the AF Achievement Medal and was chosen Airman of the Quarter and Airman of the Year. She has performed clarinet in several local symphonies and has freelanced in the Chicago, Omaha and Atlanta areas. She is currently the clarinet section leader of the Cobb Wind Symphony under the direction of Alfred Watkins. In the summer, Ms. Rickard rehearses with the Cobb New Horizons Band, which provides performing opportunities for adults 50 and older. She maintains a clarinet studio which produces many honor band and all state clarinetists. Ms. Rickard was Director of Bands at Lost Mountain for 7 years and this is her 19th year as Director of Bands at Durham Middle School. Durham Bands have consistently received superior ratings at LGPE and have performed at 2005 GMEA, 2010 Music for All National Concert Band Festival, 2003 UGA Middle School Band Festival, and 2016, 2017 Music For All Southeastern Concert Festival. The Durham 7th/8th Grade Symphonic Band as been selected as a guest band at the 2018 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival. She has received three NBA Citations of Excellence and was the 2010-2011 Durham M.S Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Rickard has many students who are now performers and music educators throughout the United States.

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HILLARY J. RIDGLEY •LITERACY THROUGH LITERATURE • ENGAGING IN THE POWER OF CHORAL TEXT

Hillary Ridgley is Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Syracuse University. Ridgley holds a Ph.D. in choral conducting/music education from the Florida State University. Previously, she taught 12 years in the public schools.

ARIEL ROBINS

•LEADING AND COACHING IN THE FAST LANE!

Ariel Robins is the general music teacher at Findley Oaks Elementary School in Johns Creek, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia in 2008 and her Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University in 2015. Since 2010, she has served as a member of the Fulton County Fine Arts Support Team, which allows her to provide coaching and support for elementary music teachers throughout Fulton County. In 2017 she served on the Working Committee in the revision process of the K-5 General Music Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) for the Georgia Department of Education. She is a member of the district’s Vanguard team, where she works with teachers throughout her building to build capacity for meaningful technology integration and personalized learning into instruction at all levels. She regularly works to provide professional development to others in her school and district. In addition to co-teaching the New Music Teacher Class for elementary music teachers in their first year teaching in the district, Mrs. Robins has recently joined Fulton’s Teacher Induction Program (TIP) as a Virtual Coach, where she mentors new teachers in all grade levels and subject areas throughout the district in an online environment. She serves as a teacher representative on her school’s Governance Council, which works to create and oversee the execution of the school’s strategic plan. She has been twice honored as the Findley Oaks Teacher of the Year in 2011 and 2017.

NEIL RUBY

•ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, AND KEEP GOING! TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Neil Ruby is in his twenty-first year as the Director of Bands and Fines Art Chairman at Central - Carroll High School, in Carrollton, Georgia, earning consistent superior ratings at concert, jazz and marching events. He is also the Fine Arts Liaison for the Carroll County School System. Mr. Ruby received a B.M. Degree in Music Education from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia, and a M.M. Degree in Music Education from the Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. He is a frequent performer, adjudicator and clinician for events throughout the United States. Mr. Ruby is a former Georgia Music Educators Association State Band Chair. He has served four terms as the GMEA District Seven Chairman and on the Music Selection Committee, Nominations Committee, Marching Band Committee, All-State Committee, and as a Mentoring Teacher for the State of Georgia. He is also a GMEA-Certified Head Adjudicator for the Large Group Performance Evaluations. Mr. Ruby has received the prestigious National Band Association Certificate of Merit for Music Excellence on three occasions. He is a 2012 Teacher of the Year recipient in Carroll County and was chosen as the STAR teacher of Central High School in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2010 and STAR Teacher for the Carroll County School System in 2004 and 2010. Mr. Ruby was also chosen as the Teacher of the Year by the Wal-Mart Foundation and the 2012 STAR 94 “Teachers Make a Difference” recipient as a Georgia Teacher of the Year.

ROBERT-CHRISTIAN SANCHEZ

•TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF, AND THEN MAKE THAT CHANGE - CREATING AN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM

A native of Tampa, Florida, Tian Sanchez is a cellist, vocalist, and educator. He was previously director of Strings and Choirs at Richard C. Spoto High School in Hillsborough County, Florida. Mr. Sanchez has studied under Laurel Stanton, David Starkweather, Scott Klukshdal, and Helga Winold. He is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree with an emphasis in cello performance with Dr. Robert Jesselson and a minor in music education with Dr. Gail Barnes. He currently holds a graduate assistantship with the University of South Carolina String Project.Mr. Sanchez has performed in world premieres by composers Claude Baker, Michael Gilbertson, Chihchun Chi-sun Lee, Wendy Wan-Ki Lee, and Thomas Allen West. He has also attended the Brevard Summer Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and Chamber Institute at Holy Cross. Tian Sanchez has performed alongside Itzhak Perlman, Bela Fleck, Michael Brown, Saul Bitran, and the rock band: Kansas.

SHELLEY SANDERSON

•INCLUSION IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM. IT’S THE LAW!

Dr. Shelley M. Sanderson, a native of Warner Robins, GA, joined the Young Harris College music faculty in the fall of 2015 as the Coordinator of Music Education. Dr. Sanderson received her PhD from the University of Florida (2015). While at the University of Florida she taught a freshman humanities course and assistant directed the UF Women's Chorale. Dr. Sanderson is a graduate of Georgia College and State University (MME) and Georgia College and State University (BME).

She has also had previous K-12 teaching/conducting experiences in Middle Georgia. She taught general music, chorus, piano, music appreciation, and musical theater. She has musically directed and conducted multiple musicals. She had the opportunity in 2009 to perform with her Houston County High School choir in Carnegie Hall, New York City under the direction of guest conductor John Rutter. Dr. Sanderson has run a private voice and piano studio since 2006, has been published in the Florida Music Director and The Fifth and 6th International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education, and is an active choral clinician and conference presenter. Dr. Sanderson was awarded the David Wilmot Prize for Excellence in Music Education (2014), while at the University of Florida and was the vocal winner for Georgia College and State University Aria/Concerto Competition (2010). Her major research interests include musical theater on the high school level, ethics in music education, music and the exceptional child, and music education assessment.

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DAWN-MARIE SCHAFER •INSPIRATION. THE "WHY" WE DO WHAT WE DO.

Dawn-Marie Schafer has been teaching for 20 years in public schools - 10 of them in middle school. She has her Bachelor's in Music Education from The Hartt School of Music and is currently pursuing her Master's in Music Education at Boston University. She is in her 3rd year as the Choral Director at Mason Creek Middle School. Her passion, her successes and her growth all land in teaching music.

AMANDA SCHRADER •GUITAR 101 FOR DUMMIES

Amanda Schrader is now in her 5th year at Jonesboro High School teaching orchestra and guitar. She holds a bachelors degree in music education from Valparaiso University and a masters in music education from VanderCook College of Music. Originally a band person, she is now Director of Strings and Assistant Band Director at her school.

JENNIFER SENGIN

•DISCOVERING TALENT: STRATEGIES TO RECRUIT NEW STUDENTS INTO THE SCHOOL CHORAL PROGRAM •FOCUSING ON THE ARTISTRY: EMBEDDING MUSICALITY EARLY IN THE CHORAL REHEARSAL PROCESS Jennifer Sengin is a DMA Candidate in Choral Conducting at Michigan State University where she directs the Women's Glee Club. Prior to coming to MSU, she served as the Director of Choirs at East Brunswick High School where she increased enrollment to over 250 students in five choirs. Jennifer is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter.

She has published in the Choral Journal and served as an R&S Chair of Ethnic and Multicultural Perspectives for NJACDA.

TIM SHARP

•THE MYRIAD FACES OF MUSICAL LEADERSHIP: PASSION, CONFIDENCE, KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATION •RELEVANCE IN THE ENSEMBLE ARTS

Tim Sharp is Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association, the world’s largest association of choral conductors, teachers, students, scholars, composers, and choral industry representatives. Dr. Sharp has pursued an aggressive agenda of strategic planning and progressive and innovative initiatives to keep the American Choral Directors Association energized and relevant in the 21st century. He represents choral activity in the United States as a member of the Board of the International Federation for Choral Music, and is Vice-President of Musica International. Sharp appears regularly as guest conductor and clinician throughout the world, with recent performances in Austria, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Ireland, England, and China.

K E Y NO T SPEAKE

SAM SIMON

•USING VIDEO EDITING TOOLS TO PROMOTE YOUR PROGRAM

Dr. Sam Simon earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Berry College and the Master of Music Education and Doctor of Education degrees from the University of Georgia. He is currently the band director at Excel Christian Academy in Cartersville where he has taught since 2003.

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ASHLEIGH SPATZ

•MUSIC, MAGIC, MOTIVATION: LET'S GET SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WITH CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Ashleigh Spatz teaches elementary general music, chorus, and steel drum band at Burgess-Peterson Academy in Atlanta Public Schools. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Mercer University and her Masters of Music Education from Texas Tech University. She recently served on the committee to rewrite the Georgia Music Standards, and has served on the Fine Art Support Team for Atlanta Public School. She was an intern director for the Georgia Singers professional choir with her mentor Dr. Franklin Green. Ms. Spatz has been sought after as a clinician for the Fulton County Choral Clinic as well as the Fulton County Art and Music Exposition. She has co-presented previous clinics at GMEA in service conferences including “How to Implement the New Movement Standard in the General Music Classroom” and “Connecting the Dots: How to Use Research in Music Education.” She served as president of the Delta Tau chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, who received the Outstanding Chapter in Service to Community Award under her leadership. She was the recipient of the 2007 Summer Dissertation/Thesis Research Award from Texas Tech University.

ALEX SPITZER

•FROM WHEEL CHAIR TO THE FLOOR - TEACHING MODERN DANCE FROM A WHEEL CHAIR

Alex Spitzer is a choreographer and dancer in Atlanta, Georgia, who received his Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 1999 from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. As far as anyone knows Alex is the first dancer in a wheelchair to get a bachelors degree in Dance in the United States, if not the world. Besides his own solo work he also dances with Beacon Dance and on their Board of Directors. Alex also was the Artistic Director of the Spitzer Dance Company in Dallas, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, from 1992 – 2014.

LAURA A. STAMBAUGH

•PLANNING FOR, IMPLEMENTING, AND CONCLUDING A SABBATICAL •USING MOTION CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY TO ANALYZE BEGINNING WOODWIND PERFORMANCE

Laura A. Stambaugh is Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Music Education at Georgia Southern University.

She teaches courses in music education and music cognition, and supervises Field Experiences. Prior to joining the faculty of Georgia Southern, she taught at Western Washington University, WA, and spent eleven years teaching beginning and middle school band and chorus in New Hampshire. Her primary area of research examines the acquisition of instrumental skill through motor learning frameworks; secondary research interests include error detection and adult learners in music education. Dr. Stambaugh has presented at local, national, and international conferences. Her publications appear in Journal of Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, Music Performance Research, Music Educators Journal, and Teaching Music. She earned her B.M, M.M., and PhD at Ithaca College, Northwestern University, and University of Washington

MIKE STEINEL

•TAKING YOUR BEGINNING JAZZ BAND TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Mike Steinel is an Associate Professor in the Jazz Studies Division of the College of Music at the University of North Texas. He teaches Jazz Improvisation, Pedagogy of Improvisation, and Jazz Trumpet Masterclass. He directs the UNT Jazz Combo Workshop and the UNT Jazz Trumpet Workshop. He has published numerous compositions for jazz ensembles, and is the author of Building A Jazz Vocabulary, Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble, and Essential Standards for Jazz Ensemble. He is a trumpeter, pianist and composer and has numerous recordings to his credit. Mike Steinel holds a BME degree from Emporia State University and a MME degree from the University of North Texas. An experienced jazz trumpeter, pianist, composer and arranger, Mr. Steinel was jazz artist in residence at Bethel College and was on the faculty of Northern Illinois University before coming to North Texas. He has served on the faculties of the Clark Terry Jazz Camp, the Jamey Aebersold Improvisation Camps, the Saskatchewan Summer Jazz Camp and the University of Missouri Summer Jazz Residency. Mike has performed as soloist at the MENC and IAJE national conventions and at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. His playing experience includes work with Clark Terry, Don Ellis, Bill Evans, Jerry Bergonzi and recordings with the Chicago Jazz Quintet and the Frank Mantooth Big Band. Honors received include an Illinois Arts Council Chairman's Grant (1985) and a jazz fellowship grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (1987).

CORINNE STEVENS DEVEREAUX

•WANT A SUCCESSFUL CAREER? STUDY MUSIC! •MOVE OVER, MOZART: ENGAGING STUDENTS WITH MUSIC CREATION •MORE THAN ARRANGEMENTS: HOW NOTEFLIGHT CAN IMPROVE YOUR REHEARSALS

Corinne Stevens Devereaux has been active across the music performance, teaching and conducting fields for over ten years. She is currently the Music Education Specialist and Sales Manager for Noteflight, a browser-based music notation company beloved by musicians, composers, performers, teachers and students across the globe. She spent more than a decade as an opera singer in productions throughout the US, Canada and Europe. She has her M.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and was a member of the Knoxville Opera Studio. Corinne has experience as a voice teacher both at the collegiate and secondary school levels, as well as within her private voice studio. She has also been both a singer as well as a director of several vocal ensembles, ranging from small madrigal groups to large community and church choirs. Since joining Noteflight, she has become a passionate advocate for using Noteflight in choirs to assist directors and conductors in preparing their ensembles, as well as for private voice instructors for use in their studios to improve musicianship and practice techniques for their singers. Corinne's areas of expertise are vocal performance, private studio teaching, choral groups, and Noteflight Learn.

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GARY STITH

•CREATIVE REHEARSAL TECHNIQUES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY • THE FRENZIED INSTRUMENTAL DIRECTOR'S GUIDE TO SCORE PREPARATION

Gary Stith is Professor and Conductor Emeritus at the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College in Houghton, NY where he served as Coordinator of Music Education and Conductor of the Symphonic Winds. He also currently serves as adjunct professor of music education at Ithaca College. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University and the Eastman School of Music. He taught instrumental music in the Holland and Williamsville (NY) Central Schools for a total of thirty years, also serving as Arts Instructional Specialist in the Williamsville schools from 1993 – 2002. Past President of both the New York State Band Directors Association and the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education, he was the northeast regional recipient of the 1976 ASBDA-Stanbury Award, the Outstanding Educator Award at the 1993 World of Music Festival in Chicago, the 2003 Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Award for Excellence in Music Education, and the 2010-11 Houghton College Excellence in Teaching Award. A popular guest conductor and clinician, Gary is also the author of the widely acclaimed Score & Rehearsal Preparation: A Realistic Approach for Instrumental Conductors published by Meredith Music Publications. His most recent book, The Conductor’s Companion: 100 Rehearsal Techniques, Imaginative Ideas, Quotes and Facts, was released by Meredith in 2017.

DR. ANDREA STRAUSS

•BE YOUR VISION OF THE ARTIST EDUCATOR •PANEL DISCUSSION WITH WOMEN BAND CONDUCTORS

Andrea DeRenzis Strauss is the Conductor and Artistic Director of the Tara Winds Community Band and has taught elementary through college at both public and private schools in Georgia. She is the former Director of Bands at Georgia Tech, and former Assoc. Professor of Music at Shorter University. Her university ensembles have performed in Australia, China, and Ireland, Southern Division College Band Directors National Association /National Band Association Conventions, and GMEA In-Service Conferences. From 1992-1996, Dr. Strauss served as Associate Director of the Atlanta Olympic Band and Conductor of the Atlanta Olympic Concert Band. In addition to adjudicating and conducting all-state and honor bands across the United States, she has conducted in Italy, Ireland and Japan, adjudicated in Canada and Ireland, and presented clinics on various aspects of instrumental music education and conducting for the National Association for Music Education Divisional and National Conferences, Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, GMEA In-Service Conferences, and numerous universities. Articles by Dr. Strauss have been published in the Music Educators Journal and NBA journals and she has served as Rehearsal Lab Technician for the Midwest Clinic. Dr. Strauss is a charter member of Tara Winds (30 years) and prior being the Conductor, she served as principal clarinetist and Assoc. Conductor with performances at the 48th and 55th Annual Midwest Clinics. She also served as the Assist. Conductor with Cobb Wind Symphony and conducted at the 57th Annual Midwest Clinic. Under her leadership, Tara Winds has performed for the 69th Midwest Clinic, Southern Division CBDNA/NBA Convention, GMEA Conference, and university band clinics.

JOHN E. SWEAT

•GUITARS AND ORCHESTRA PERFORMING TOGETHER? ABSOLUTELY!

John holds degrees in Violin Performance from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. He has been a member of several symphony orchestras in Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, including a 20 year tenure with the Macon Symphony. Currently in his 21st year of teaching in the Bibb County Public Schools, John is the director of orchestras and the guitar ensemble at Howard High School. He has also served as adjunct faculty for Wesleyan College and Mercer University. In 2013, John received the first annual Robert McDuffie Center Award from the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University. Under his direction, the Howard High School Orchestra program has earned consistent superior ratings from the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation. The orchestras have performed for several local organizations for senior citizens, children’s hospitals and shelters. They have also performed at the Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta, The Walt Disney World Resort, the Universal Orlando Resort, Charleston, SC and St. Augustine, FL. John also serves as the organist/ music director at Liberty United Methodist Church and is married to Jennifer, who teaches middle school math at Stratford Academy. They have three beautiful children – Brian, Amber, and John Mark.

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JESSICA LYNNE THOMAS

•TOUGH TIMES DON'T LAST, BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO. SURVIVING REAL LIFE WHILE TEACHING MUSIC, TOO!

Jessica Thomas currently serves as the Band Director at Herschel Jones Middle School in Dallas, Georgia. Her band students have consistently achieved superior ratings at LGPE, and have participated in District Honor Band, the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival (MidFest), Music in the Parks, Southern Star Music Festival, Solo and Ensemble, and various other honor bands and trips. She received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 2009 and her Master’s Degree in Conducting Performance in 2011 from Georgia Southern University. Mrs. Thomas is a native of Richmond Hill, GA. Her professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education. She is also a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society and an alumnus of the Eta Xi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. She performs as a member of the Cobb Wind Symphony, serving in the clarinet section. Music is an integral part of Mrs. Thomas' family. Her husband, Michael, serves as band director at East Paulding High School in Dallas, GA. When not teaching, they enjoy spending time outdoors with their dogs, Bailey and Buddy.

CHARLES TIGHE

•FROM WHEEL CHAIR TO THE FLOOR - TEACHING MODERN DANCE FROM A WHEEL CHAIR

Charles Tighe recently retired as a music teacher in Cobb County (Georgia) schools. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and holds degrees from Kenyon College, the University of Colorado – Boulder, and Boston University. Mr. Tighe received his Levels Orff training and Master Class certification from the University of Memphis and apprenticed at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He has taught Levels courses in Georgia and New Jersey.

JOHN TISBERT

•SIGHT SINGING FUN WITH TIZ & MIZZ

John Tisbert, a National Board Certified Teacher, directs choirs at the Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts - Garrison Voices and has taught vocal music since 1983. He has a Specialist in Education Degree from the University of Georgia, a Master of Arts in Music Education with an emphasis on the Orff Approach from the University of St. Thomas, a Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music and Kodaly training from the Hartt School of Music. In addition to directing Garrison Voices to critical acclaim throughout the Savannah area, John conducted the ensemble in a solo spotlight performance at Carnegie Hall for the 2018 Choirs of America Nationals for Top Choirs. He is the Festival Director of Savannah Sings, Savannah’s annual invitational choir festival promoting vocal music education with the hugely popular Men’s Festival Chorus and includes spotlight performances by top school and community choirs. He has conducted Elementary, Middle and High School Honor Choirs throughout the Northeast, Georgia and Florida; and is past associate director of the Savannah Children’s Choir. Additionally, Garrison Voices consistently scores superior scores at Georgia Music Educators Association’s Performance Evaluations as well as participates in Georgia All State Chorus every year. John was Garrison’s 2016 teacher of the year as well as a former technology coordinator for Georgia Music Educators. He presented Computer Assisted Composition sessions at the National Education Computing Conference, the International Society for Music Education Conference, the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference as well as vocal improvisation workshops for The Vermont Music Educators Association.

CLIFF TOWNER

•BEGINNING WITH THE END IN MIND: ASSESSING AND IMPROVING YOUR CONCERT PROGRAMS

Dr. Cliff Towner is Director of Band Activities and Associate Professor of Music at Georgia College and State University.

His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Symphony and Jazz Band, as well as teaching classes in conducting and music education. Dr. Towner holds a D.M.A. degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he studied with Dr. Carolyn Barber, a Masters of Music degree in Music Education from Wright State University, where he studied with Dr. David Booth, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Dr. Terrence Milligan. Dr. Towner has also taught in the public schools for ten years in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has several scholarly pursuits including wind repertoire and concert programming. He has presented at many conferences including the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE). He has been published in the Association of Concert Bands Journal and the Journal of Band Research. His dissertation An Evaluation of Compositions for Wind Band According to Specific Criteria of Serious Artistic Merit: A Second Update has been downloaded thousands of times and is utilized at universities around the country. He holds membership in CBDNA, WASBE, GMEA, NAfME, JEN, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Cliff resides in the Milledgeville, GA with his wife Gina, and their daughter Laura and son Nathan.

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DR. DEBRA TRAFICANTE

•PANEL DISCUSSION WITH WOMEN BAND CONDUCTORS

Dr. Debra Traficante serves as Kennesaw State University’s Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands. In this position, Dr. Traficante guides and directs all aspects of the KSU Marching Band (“The Marching Owls”), premiered in the Fall 2015, as well as the KSU Basketball Pep Band. Professor Traficante also serves as the Conductor of the KSU Concert Band, teaches beginning instrumental conducting, wind band literature, arranging and pedagogy, and marching band technique courses, while also advising Music Education students. She also serves as the Kappa Kappa Psi (Nu Mu) and Tau Beta Sigma (Iota Psi) chapter advisor. Dr. Traficante serves on the brass staff for the Boston Crusaders. Dr. Traficante formerly served as Assistant Professor of Music/Assistant Director of University Bands at the University of Oklahoma where she conducted the Symphony Band, assisted in directing the “Pride of Oklahoma” Marching Band, taught conducting lessons to graduate and undergraduate students, taught graduate wind literature courses, served as the lead teacher for the undergraduate conducting and methods course, and oversaw music education students. She also served as the School of Music: Music Minor advisor, Honors College Music Coordinator, faculty sponsor for Sigma Alpha Iota, and faculty sponsor for the Delta Chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. Professor Traficante earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education, cum laude, from the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), a Master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Florida, and earned a Fellowship to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting degree from the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK). She served as Director of Bands for five years at New Smyrna Beach High School, Florida and Assistant Director of Bands for two years at Buchholz High School, Florida. Dr. Traficante frequently judges, guest conducts, and clinics ensembles across the United States, and has conducted at the International World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference in Singapore in 2005. Professor Traficante is the immediate past National Vice President of Professional Relations for Tau Beta Sigma, and an Honorary Member of the Delta Chapters, Alpha Eta Chapter, Iota Psi, and Beta Xi Chapter of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma National Band Sorority. Additionally, she was honored in 2010 as a Distinguished Member in Sigma Alpha Iota and has been awarded the Martha Starke Memorial Scholarship for Women Conductors.

BRIANNE TURGEON

•MUSIC, MAGIC, MOTIVATION: LET'S GET SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WITH CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Ms. Turgeon is a Georgia native who graduated from Forest Park High School and received a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Georgia. She earned a Master of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and has earned certificates for Orff Level I and Level II, and for workshops in World Music Drumming, Guitar methodology, and Creating Artistry with Henry Leck. Since 1994 Ms. Turgeon has taught K-12 Chorus and General Music in Jackson, Conyers, and Atlanta Georgia, and was voted teacher of the year in 2006 and 2014. She was the winner of an Atlanta Families Awards for Excellence in Education in 2013 and was a clinician for the Gwinnett Elementary Honor Chorus in 2016. Brianne has been the Music and Chorus teacher at Springdale Park Elementary School in Atlanta Public Schools since it opened in 2009. Ms. Turgeon believes it is important to use her talents and experience to make Music a part of the fabric of the school and the SPARK community.

She believes music makes life better, and she is dedicated to helping students find their talents in music and in their lives. She is an active musician and teacher in the Atlanta area, singing with the Grammy Award-Winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus since 1992, and she was the Assistant Music Director with the Atlanta Young Singers from 1999-2018. She is a member of NAfME and Kodaly Educators of Georgia.

JODY UNDERWOOD

•NEW TECH TOOLS FOR THE MUSIC CLASSROOM, INCLUDING MOBILE DEVICES! •SOUND SYSTEM BASICS FOR THE MUSIC EDUCATOR Jody has been working in the field of music education technology for over 17 years. His cutting-edge product knowledge (of music, audio, video and computer technology) is evident in his daily interactions with teachers. Because of his love of music, Jody also devotes many non-working hours to utilizing his musical gifts at church. In addition to leading the church band from the piano during weekly services, he also sings, plays keyboards/keytar and runs sound and lighting for his 80's band, MIXTAPE. Jody resides in Murfreesboro, TN with his wife and 3 kids. Jody earned his BA in Commercial Keyboard with a Technology Emphasis at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

DR. DAVID VANDEWALKER •THE NEW STANDARDS: OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLES

David W. Vandewalker is the Coordinator of Performing Arts for the Fulton County Schools supporting the music education and music therapy faculty who serve 96,000 students in Atlanta. David is the artistic director and conductor of the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble and associate director of the Tara Winds (Sudler Silver Scroll award-winning community band). Additionally, he served as the assistant director of bands at Georgia State University (2012-2016) and Director of Bands at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia (2000-2012). Dr. Vandewalker earned degrees at Baylor University, Central Michigan University, and Boston University where he received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education. A Conn-Selmer Artist/Educator, he has led concerts before esteemed audiences such as the CBDNA/ NBA, Music for All National Concert Festival, and the Midwest Clinic. Marching Bands under his direction received honors including participation in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade, 2009 & 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, ranked top-ten nationally by the 2013 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and Bands of America Grand National Finalist. Dr. Vandewalker is a recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor, nine-NBA Citation of Excellence Awards, three National Wind Band Honors Awards, is recognized in multiple editions of Who's Who Among American Teachers, and is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association. David and his wife, Pamela, reside in Marietta where she is Minister of Creativity and Worship Programming at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church with over 900 children actively involved in music making each week.

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BROOKE VANKEMPEN

•WHAT THE HECK IS MUSIC TECH?....AND NOW I HAVE TO TEACH IT? Brooke VanKempen has served as Co-Director of Bands at Archer High School since 2015. A native of Forsyth County GA, she is a 2015 honor graduate of The University of Georgia where she received her Bachelor's in Music Education. While at the University of Georgia, she served as the drum major of the Redcoat Marching Band for two years and worked with the University Band as a Guest Conductor. Brooke also served as Vice President of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education. Her studies include conducting with Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger and Dr. Michael Robinson and tuba with Professor David Zerkel. She is also a Tubist with the Northwinds Community Band. As an educator, Ms. VanKempen serves actively as a clinician, adjudicator, and a private instructor for conducting. Her professional affiliations include Georgia Music Educators’ Association and the National Association for Music Education.

CARYN VOLK

•DIGGING IN: EXPLORING THE STATE STANDARDS FOR GUITAR •START OFF STRONG IN GUITAR CLASS! •GUITAR ENSEMBLE OR GUITAR CLASS? •GUITAR READING SESSION

Caryn Volk has been a music educator for twenty years, with positions including elementary and secondary general music, chorus, guitar, orchestra, and band. She has increased enrollment in performance-based music programs through creative recruitment and retention at schools in Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and now Georgia. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, and toured the Midwestern United States, Germany, Italy, and Austria as a member of both vocal and instrumental ensembles. Ms. Volk holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and Master of Arts from The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She began teaching in Gwinnett County in 2007, and has been a proud member of the North Gwinnett Middle School faculty since the school opened in 2009.

ALFRED WATKINS

•BAND NEW MUSIC READING SESSION •BUILDING BLOCKS TOWARD A SUCCESSFUL AND COMPREHENSIVE BAND PROGRAM

Alfred L. Watkins was Director of Bands at Lassiter High School in Marietta for 31 years and is a 1976 graduate of Florida A & M University. He is Co-Founder, Conductor and Musical Director of the Cobb Wind Symphony. Six years prior to joining Lassiter, Watkins served as Director of Bands at Murphy High School in the APS. Bands under Watkins’ direction have performed five times at the Midwest Band Clinic, six featured performances at the BOA National Concert Band Festival and four performances at GMEA and attended 124 GMEA Concert Evaluations. The Lassiter Percussion Ensemble has performed at the Midwest Clinic, PASIC, and at the GMEA In-Service Conference (4x). The Lassiter Winter Color Guard was named WGI World Champions in 1996 and 1997. He has conducted High School All-State Bands in 18 states. Bands under his leadership have earned the Sudler Flag of Honor, Sudler Shield and Sudler Silver Scroll. Watkins is a member of: ABA, the FAMU Gallery, Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame and the BOA Hall of Fame. He has received: the Edwin Franko Goldman Award, Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service to Music Medal, GMEA Distinguished Career Award, Sudler Order of Merit and Band World Magazine Legion of Honor. He has also received 20 Certificates of Excellence from the NBA. Currently, Mr. Watkins is a Co-Founder and President of the Minority Band Director National Association and is a clinician for the Conn Selmer Corporation. The $1.5 million Alfred L. Watkins Band Building at Lassiter bears his name.

JARON WEAVER

•SOUND SYSTEMS 201

Jaron Weaver is the Director of Choral activities at Harris County Carver Middle School in Harris County, GA. Jaron has directed choirs in the Harris County area for the past nine years. He has mixed sound for several bands and musical performances over the past 13 years, including artists John Berry, Jamie Grace, Echoing Angles and Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Bryan White. He has helped several local churches install sound systems and currently runs sound at his church in Columbus, GA.

BRIAN C. WESOLOWSKI

•IS THE MUSIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM BROKEN? AN OVERVIEW OF SCORING CONCERNS AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES •OPPORTUNITY-TO-LEARN AND YOUR MUSIC CLASSROOM: CONCEPTS, STANDARDS, AND CONSIDERATIONS Brian Wesolowski is an Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Georgia.

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DR. KEVIN WHALEN

•A MISSING FIRST STEP: EMPOWERING THE YOUNG IMPROVISER

Kevin Whalen is Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor of Music in the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. Dr. Whalen directs the Schwob Jazz Orchestra and the Schwob Jazz Quintet, and he oversees the curriculum of the CSU Jazz Studies Program, teaching courses in jazz improvisation and theory, jazz history, jazz arranging, and jazz pedagogy. Prior to joining the faculty at Columbus State University, Dr. Whalen served as Instructor of Jazz Trumpet at the University of Northern Colorado and as Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas. Whalen has performed throughout the United States and Canada as the jazz trumpet chair of The Glenn Miller Orchestra, toured Romania as a guest faculty soloist with the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Studies Program, and held a jazz trumpet chair with the Grammy-nominated University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band, touring Ireland and England and appearing on Lab 2011 with the ensemble. He has performed on over 20 commercially available albums in both jazz and classical idioms. An active educator, Dr. Whalen has presented research and master classes at international conferences, including the Jazz Education Network Annual Conference, the Annual Conference of the International Trumpet Guild, the International Conference on the Blues, the International Music by Women Festival, and the Conference on the Harlem Renaissance, and at universities throughout the country, including the Eastman School of Music, Ithaca College, the University of North Texas, Gonzaga University, the University of Wyoming, Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado, and Virginia Tech.

MARGUERITE WILDER

•TEACHING THROUGH RAIN, SLEET, SNOW, AND A 7TH GRADE FIRE DRILL •THE RECORDER: A FOUNDATION FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AND CREATIVE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM

Mrs. Wilder serves as a consultant, clinician, author and editor for GIA Publications, Inc. and is a “Yamaha Master Educator”. Her clinics on Motivational Techniques for the Beginning Band are often featured at state and national conventions.

She has conducted regional and all state honor bands through the United States. Marguerite taught middle school band at the following schools during her 30 year teaching career: The Lovett School, Woodward Academy and Tapp Middle School. Mrs. Wilder is a contributing editor for the books: Do It Band and Recorder Methods by James Froseth; Habits of a Successful Musician; Habits of a Successful Middle School Musician. She is a contributing author for Teaching Music through Performance in Beginning Band, Vol. 1 & 2: and Teaching Music through Performance in Middle School Band; GIA Publications, Inc. Marguerite Wilder is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. Professional organization affiliations include NAfME, GMEA, NBA, Phi Beta Mu and FAME.

BRIDGET WILDES

•DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY OF EMPOWERED, SELF-STARTING STUDENT LEADERS

Bridget Wildes is currently in her fifth year as the Assistant Director of Bands at Mill Creek High School. Mrs. Wildes is a native of Lawrenceville, Georgia and received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia State University in 2013. While at GSU, she was a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra.

She also served as one of the inaugural drum majors of the GSU Panther Marching Band. During her time at Mill Creek High School, Mrs. Wildes has served as the primary conductor of the two Symphonic and Symphonic Bands, and assists all other facets of the program. Her ensembles have been invited to perform at the Kennesaw State University Concert Band Invitational and the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival at Georgia State University. The Mill Creek Marching Band has been a Regional and Super Regional finalist, as well as BOA Class Champions. The marching band also performed twice in London’s New Year’s Day Parade. She is also the coordinator of the Mill Creek Music Institute, a private lesson program that serves all band students in the Mill Creek cluster. Bridget Wildes was a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps Tour Operations team for the 2015-2016 season. She is an active clinician, adjudicator and freelance musician She is also one of the organizers for the District 13 Honor Band and the current District 13 High School Band Chair. Bridget Wildes and her husband Jacob, a fellow band director, reside in Sugar Hill with their son, Caleb.

EMILY WILLIAMS BURCH

•FOLK SONGS FOUR WAYS: KEEP STUDENTS GUESSING AND ENGAGED

Emily Williams Burch, founder and director of RISE Chorales, a community choir for youth of all ages with a mission to “inspire singing excellence” through singing education, socials, and service. Emmy received her Bachelors in Music Education from Louisiana State University and her Masters in Music Education from Florida State University. Emmy currently travels the country as a Teacher Trainer for Quaver’s Marvelous World of Music Curriculum and Artistic Advisor for Perform International. Emmy serves ACDA as the Repertoire Standards Chair for Children’s and Youth Community Choirs and also as a host and liaison for the International Conducting Exchange Program.

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DR. SARA WOMACK

•THE NEW STANDARDS: OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLES

Sara Womack is Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator for Atlanta Public Schools. She earned a BS in music education and MA in music education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She earned a Doctor of Education degree in music education from the University of Georgia and a MA in educational leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Womack began her teaching career as an elementary music teacher in the Talladega City School System. She then taught elementary music in the Jefferson County School System, Mountain Brook City School System, and at Greystone Elementary School in Hoover. She also served as adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Womack has attained Level I, II, and III Orff Schulwerk certification from the Eastman School of Music, University of Memphis, and Samford University, respectively. She achieved National Board Certification in early and middle childhood music and was named 2013 Hoover City Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year. Dr. Womack has presented at numerous workshops and conferences and has been awarded multiple grants for her work with students, and for her research. Dr. Womack has served as President of the Alabama Music Educators Association and currently serves as Southern Division President of the National Association for Music Education.

COURTNAYE WOOD

•STEAM IT UP! HOW THE MUSIC ROOM CAN SUPPORT A STEM CURRICULUM

Courtnaye Wood is a music specialist at Brumby Elementary School in Marietta, GA. Brumby is a Title 1 school which is Advanced Ed STEM certified. She is passionate about the application of STEM concepts and lessons in her classroom and has been working toward a STEAM certification. Wood has been teaching at Brumby since 2003 with previous experience in Baton Rouge, LA. Wood has been certified in Kindermusik, Feierabend’s First Steps in Music and is Orff Level 2 certified. She directs the Brumby Bobcat Chorus and has directed the Brumby Percussion Ensemble, Brumby Drama Club and been a Science Olympiad coach in years past. Wood is a member of Nafme, GMEA, ACDA and AOSA.

MICHAEL ZAREM •PRE-RETIREMENT PLANNING WITH TRS

Mike was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and received a B.A. in Journalism. He then worked in the advertising field and hotel management for a number of years and then went back to school for his M.B.A. at Georgia State University. Mike began his career with the State of Georgia 24 years ago in 1994. First with the Georgia Merit System and the Department of Community Health, where, for 9 years, he produced Health Plan publications and conducted outreach services for the State Health Benefit Plan. He then joined TRS as a Communications Manager. For the last 15 years with TRS he has managed a staff of 10 persons in the Outreach Section of the Communications Division. His unit provides services to over 20,000 TRS members each year. Mike's interests include astronomy, scuba diving, antique hunting, and collecting postcards. Mike lives in Marietta with his cat, Alberta.

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PERFORMING PERFORMING GROUPS PERFORMING GROUPS GROUPS “You can't play a symphony alone, it takes an orchestra to play it.”

Navjot Singh Sidhu

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BERRY COLLEGE

JAZZ ENSEMBLE JOHN DAVID, DIRECTOR

The Berry College Jazz Ensemble is renowned for its tight and energizing performances, outstanding soloists and talented student arrangers. Directed by John David, the ensemble performs music ranging from exciting new contemporary jazz works to swinging classics. The Berry Jazz Ensemble was a featured performing group at the 2015 Georgia Music Educators Conference in Savannah, GA and at the world-renowned Spivey Hall in February 2016.

BROOKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

SYMPHONIC WINDS DR. LAURA MOATES STANLEY, DIRECTOR

Brookwood High School was established in 1981 and the band program has an earned an outstanding reputation as a quality program with a comprehensive curriculum. The program has grown from 78 members to over 400 involved in band classes. Classes are offered in music theory, music technology, jazz improvisation, percussion techniques, and four ability level concert bands. Students audition for the three top ensembles and are placed in the different level bands according to musical experience and performance skills. Other performance opportunities include two full orchestras, percussion ensemble, pep band, jazz ensemble, and jazz combo. Extra-curricular activities include marching band, jazz ensemble, and winter guard. The Brookwood Band students actively participate in GMEA activities and are well represented each year in District XIII Honor Band, Jazz Band Performance Evaluation, All-State Band/Orchestra, ASYO, AYWS, MAYWE, and GYSO. The Brookwood Symphonic Winds has performed at the 1996 University of South Carolina Band Clinic and Conductors’ Symposium and at the 1996 and 2005 University of Georgia High School Music Festival. The band also performed at the 1991 and 2008 Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conferences and 2003 Southern Division Music Educators National Conference. The Brookwood High School Symphonic Winds has been nominated for the Sousa Foundation Sudler Flag of Honor in 1995 and 2006. The Symphonic Winds also was selected as a participant in the 2007 Inaugural Columbus State University Honor Bands of Georgia Clinic. The band program seeks to provide a quality organization for students of all levels and experiences and opportunities to develop advanced musicians as well as good citizens.

CREEKLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

EAGLE WIND ENSEMBLE KATHY MASON & JACOB SEVIER, DIRECTORS

The Creekland Middle School band program is comprised of approximately five hundred students. Beginning in sixth grade, students participate in a wide variety of instrumental ensembles including four concert bands, many small ensembles, four percussion ensembles, two jazz bands, and our Eagle Wind Ensemble. The Eagle Wind Ensemble is the premier group of our program and consists of seventh and eighth grade band students who have earned the position through their dedication to excellence in instrumental studies. Over seventy-five percent of students at Creekland Middle School are involved in one or more of our fine arts programs including band, chorus, and orchestra. Creekland Band students regularly participate in GMEA District and All-State events. In 2018, Creekland had forty students selected to the District 13 Honor Band. Two of these students went on to participate in the Georgia All-State Band. Additionally, over 100 students participated in the District 13 Solo and Ensemble Festival earning all superior and excellent ratings in their events. Two jazz bands attended the GMEA Performance Evaluation and performed at Suwanee Night of Jazz. The 7th and 8th grade bands have also represented their school with consistent superior performances at the GMEA District 13 Large Group Performance Evaluation, and in 2017 our Eagle Wind Ensemble received the Exemplary Performance Award from the Georgia Music Educator’s Association. The Creekland Band motto is “Dedication, Performance, Excellence.”

THE LOVETT SCHOOL

ELLINGTON JAZZ ENSEMBLE DR. TIM PITCHFORD, DIRECTOR

The Lovett School is a small coeducational, kindergarten-twelfth grade independent school. Auditions to join the jazz ensemble are open for 9-12 graders at Lovett. In 2013, it became the first performing arts ensemble offered as an Honors class by the school. The Lovett School has placed as a finalist at Essentially Ellington four times and has appeared 5 times at Swing Central Jazz in Savannah, GA.

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GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE DR. ROBERT DUNHAM, DIRECTOR

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the most select of the 4 concert bands, across the 3 Georgia Southern University campuses, with a membership limited to 55 - 60 of the most accomplished woodwind, brass, and percussion performers who attend the university. Members of GSUSWE perform repertoire of the highest calibre, representing musical style periods from the Renaissance through modern day, and featuring works created by the finest composers of historical and modern wind band literature. GSUSWE has been selected to perform at College Band Directors National Association Regional Conferences, Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conventions, and has toured nationally in the United States, and internationally in Austria, the Czech Republic, England, Hungary, and Ireland.

HOPEWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

SYMPHONIC BAND AUDREY MURPHY, DIRECTOR

The Hopewell Middle School Symphonic Band is an auditioned ensemble comprised of seventh and eighth grade students. In addition to daily fifty-minute classes organized by grade level, the Symphonic Band meets once a week before school. Approximately one third of its members study privately. Hopewell bands have appeared as guest performing ensembles at the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival, the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival, and the Music for All National Concert Festival. These groups have consistently earned Superior ratings at adjudicated events, and have been awarded top honors at competitions in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. Members of the Hopewell band program regularly participate in GMEA Solo and Ensemble Performance Evaluations and earn chairs in both the District V Honor Band and All-State Band. Hopewell Band students have also participated in honor band clinics at Reinhardt University, Jacksonville State University, and the University of Georgia.

MILTON HIGH SCHOOL

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE JOHN HERNDON & CHRIS SHUMICK, DIRECTORS

The Milton High School percussion ensemble includes students in the 9th through 12th grades. Students in the 9th grade meet each day in a dedicated percussion ensemble class. Students in the 10th through 12th grades are placed into concert band ensembles in which they serve as the percussion section. The members of the percussion ensemble develop their musicianship and technical ability by exploring percussion music from a variety of backgrounds.

NORTH PAULDING HIGH SCHOOL

WIND SYMPHONY

MIKE BEARDEN, TEDDY MACK, AND JOSEPH STEPHENS, DIRECTORS

The North Paulding High School Bands have received superior ratings at all adjudicated events including the first Grand Champion award in the program’s history during the fall of 2013 and has continued that tradition since. The Wolfpack Pride has also appeared in the Children’s Healthcare Parade of Atlanta numerous times and the 2016 Outback Bowl game and parade. The North Paulding High School Wind Symphony participated in the 2014 Kennesaw State University’s Department of Music Concert Band Invitational, the 2017 University of Alabama Honor Band Festival, and the 2018 University of Georgia JanFest Honor Band. In 2013, North Paulding High School was represented in the Georgia Music Educators Association’s All State Band for the first time in school history. Many students each year school year participate in regional honor bands, district honor bands, and the Paulding County Honor Band.

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RIVER TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL

SYMPHONIC BAND JENNIFER COMPTON LAMBERT, DIRECTOR

River Trail Middle School is located in northeastern Fulton County in Johns Creek, Georgia. The school opened in 2001 and currently enrolls approximately 1150 students in grades 6-8. In 2007, River Trail was named a No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon School, one of our country’s most prestigious honors bestowed upon schools.

River Trail was among eight public and two private schools in Georgia recognized.

The band program at River Trail is under the direction of Jennifer Compton Lambert. Currently, there are 285 students in the band program. River Trail Band students participate in GMEA Solo and Ensemble, District V Honor Band, All State Band, MidFest at the University of Georgia, and the Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. The River Trail Bands have consistently earned superior ratings at GMEA District V Large Group Performance Evaluation. The River Trail Symphonic Band has performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival, and the Music for All National Festival. In 2012, the River Trail Bands received the Exemplary Performance Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association.

STEPHENSON HIGH SCHOOL

WINDS ENSEMBLE

QUENTIN GOINS & CALVIN MORRIS, DIRECTORS

Stephenson High School opened in 1996 and has grown to a current enrollment of over 1900 students. The school is located in Dekalb County, in Stone Mountain, GA. The Stephenson High School mission is to “Educate and Prepare students to become productive members of their ever-changing world.”

It is the mission of the Stephenson High School band program to foster an appreciation of good music, to create a positive camaraderie for the students and community, and to build model citizens through participation in Art of Music, which is the greatest of the Arts. Students are offered musical training via Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Instrumental Chamber Ensembles, and Advanced Placement Music Theory. Band at Stephenson is a year-round curriculum, and after football season ends the band is kicking into third gear for the year. Our students perform as well on the concert stage as they entertain at Half-time.

The accomplishments of the Stephenson High School music Program is a testament to our students’ resilience and thirst for programs that continue to challenge their personal limits. Currently, graduating students from the Stephenson Band Program have been offered over 18 million dollars in scholarship offers to attend various colleges and universities for post secondary study in music and many other disciplines. In is our motto within the Stephenson Band Program to “Strive to make the Best Students MASTER MUSICIANS”.

TARA WINDS

DR. ANDREA STRAUSS & DR. DAVID W. VANDEWALKER, DIRECTORS

TARAWINDS is an all-adult symphonic band with membership ranging from college students and first year teachers to retired music educators, thereby promoting an environment for networking, mentoring and collaborations. We believe, music is a powerful force that creates a bond between people and enriches lives.

Tara Winds enhances the lives of adults and children through the transforming power of great music. Tara Winds’ mission is to present the world’s finest symphonic band music with passionate and engaging concerts at the highest level of professional standards and provide educational programs and opportunities for young aspiring musicians. We desire to provide concert experiences that are meaningful, creative, moving, and enjoyable for everyone. “Music enjoyment for all ages” is our motto to build a community and enrich thelives of everyone in the community. We believe music changes our perspective, to see the world artistically differently. Tara Winds sees music as a living, creative art that has the power to move and enrich everyone. Thus, Tara Winds will continue to build a community of music, bringing people together because of great musical performance. More information can be found at http://tarawinds.org.

VIKING STEEL -

LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL

STEEL BAND

DR. JEFFERSON GRANT, DIRECTOR

The Lowndes Percussion program is a diverse and multi-faceted music program that, while providing its students with a well rounded music and cultural education, has enjoyed success in several areas of the percussion world.

While competing in the Florida Federation of Color Guards Circuit (FFCC) and Winter Guard International (WGI), Lowndes High School Percussion were Scholastic Marching A Bronze Medalists (2016), Scholastic Concert A Silver Medalists (2017), WGI Orlando Scholastic Marching A (2016) Champions, and WGI World Championship Semifinalists (2016).

The Percussion Ensemble and Viking Steel (Steel Band) have been invited to perform at the Southeastern Percussion Festival (SEPF) along with featured clinician Dr. Tony McCutchen, and the Auburn University Percussion Day in Auburn, AL. The Percussion Section of the Lowndes High Marching Band, also know as the 'Georgia Bridgemen,' has consistently earned high percussion awards in each of the last 5 years competing in Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

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WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE COREY FAIR, DIRECTOR

The percussion ensembles at Woodland High School provide our students with a fun and challenging outlet for their artistic pursuits. Our focus is to teach each student to be responsible contributing members of our community through the study, practice, and performance of music. We value discipline and teamwork, and we believe that they are essential not only to the study of music but also to the development of the child. Students in our ensembles are held to high standards and we are proud of the inclusive, supportive environment in our classroom. The Woodland Percussion Ensemble has performed at the 4th and 5th annual Lassiter Percussion Ensemble Symposium. Most recently, the group was invited to be a featured ensemble at the 2018 Emory Percussion Symposium.

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CREEKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

CAMERATA

SCOTT L. MARTIN, DIRECTOR

Camerata is Creekview High School’s advanced mixed ensemble and serves as the school’s flagship choral ensemble. Camerata has been the featured guest choir at the choral days of Reinhardt University and Young Harris College, and have performed on the concerts of The Cherokee Chorale and Collegium Vocale.

Other Creekview choirs have been invited to perform at GMEA conferences and state and regional ACDA conferences. All choirs routinely earn superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educator’s Association Performance Evaluation in both choral performance and sight-reading, and students in the Creekview Choral Program are selected to various honor choirs and GMEA All-State Chorus on a yearly basis as well as the governor’s honors program. Choir members have the opportunity to perform at Disney World and perform in New York City every four years, and annually sings the National Anthem at the Atlanta Braves game.

DACULA HIGH SCHOOL

GOLD WOMEN'S CHORUS JAMES WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR

The Gold Women’s Chorus of Dacula High School is the top curricular choral ensemble in the program of nearly 200 singers. This 36-voice chorus is audition-only and becoming a member of it is the goal of many in the choral program. This ensemble is frequently asked to perform at local and School board sponsored events and has a reputation for excellence in choral music in the community.

Members of this ensemble are also very involved members in the student life at Dacula High School. There are Student Government leaders, All-Region athletes, Honor Graduates, AP Scholars, GHP State Finalists, as well as many involved in student clubs and athletics. Many from this choral group are also leaders among our Chorus Council leadership team. This ensemble enjoys collaborating with our cluster schools as well as neighboring high schools for a Bi-Annual Masterwork. Past collaborations have included the Mozart Requiem, Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, the Vivaldi Gloria, and Schubert’s Mass in G.

LOST MOUNTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL

EIGHTH GRADE CHORUS JAY CHAMPION & KACY BISHOP, DIRECTORS

The Eighth Grade Mixed Chorus is the premier vocal ensemble at Lost Mountain Middle School. The chorus is made up entirely of eighth graders in their third year of chorus and is not an auditioned group. The Seventh and Eighth Grade Choruses regularly earn superior ratings from all performance and sight-reading at GMEA LGPE. The chorus performed at the GMEA Convention in 2010. The chorus gives three concerts a year and regularly performs for school functions. The chorus performs annually at Disney Magic Music Days at Disney World. The choral department has been under the direction of Jay Champion since 1998. In 2016, Kacy Bishop joined the department as assistant director. The Lost Mountain Middle School choral program originally only offered chorus as a regularly scheduled class to eighth graders. More recently, this class has been offered to all three grade levels since 2002 and currently has a membership of over 180 students with three additional auxiliary ensembles: Boys Choir, Girls Choir, and Chamber Choir.

Lost Mountain Middle School, a Cobb County Public School, is located in Kennesaw, GA and opened in 1992. The principal of Lost Mountain Middle School is Dr. Lenora Nyeste. The students in this choir were previously taught by Justin Duff at Due West Elementary, Jennifer Mascheri at Kemp Elementary, Craig Hurley at Ford Elementary, and Larry Drawdy at Vaughan Elementary. These students will go on to attend Harrison High School and Hillgrove High School.

MILTON HIGH SCHOOL

CHORALE

DREW BOWERS, DIRECTOR

The Milton Chorale is the Mastery Mixed Ensemble at Milton. The members of this ensemble are selected by audition and are comprised of 10th–12th grade men and women. The Chorale consistently receives Superior Ratings in performance and sight-singing at Large Group Performance Evaluation sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association. The group has also received Superior Ratings at festivals across the nation as well as many performances at Universities across the South. The group has performed throughout the US. In 2013 Gold Place Winners (1st Place) at Festival Disney in Orlando, FL. In 2009 they received a Gold Rating and 2nd Place at the Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2010 Sweepstakes Winner for the Southern Star Music Festival in Atlanta. In 2011 the Milton Chorale gave a performance at EPCOT in Walt Disney World. They were named 1st Place Winners of the 2016 Georgia Southern Choral Competition Concert Choir Division and 2nd place overall.

The Milton Chorale has also performed at the state American Choral Directors Association Summer Conference (2009) and the state Georgia Music Educators Convention (1997, 2012). Students from this ensemble regularly participate in District Honor Chorus, All-State Chorus, All State Reading Chorus, ACDA Honor Choruses, the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, Tanglewood Vocal Institute, Westminster Choir Camp, and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program.

The Milton Choral Program is comprised of 4 curricular choirs and 4 extra-curricular ensembles that services over 200 singers. The choir program embarked on its first European Tour in June 2016 to Central Europe and will be traveling to Italy in June 2019.

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ORPHEUS MEN'S ENSEMBLE CONDUCTING OPPORTUNITIES SHARED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ORPHEUS MEN'S ENSEMBLE

The Orpheus Men’s Ensemble is a male chorus comprised of primarily music educators and church musicians from the Atlanta metro area. Founded in 2015, the members share in the directing and selection of repertoire, giving a series of late summer concerts. The group has performed on college campuses and churches throughout Atlanta and North Georgia.

LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL

EIGHTH GRADE CHORUS DR. KAREN GRAFFIUS, DIRECTOR

The Liberty Middle School Eighth Grade Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus and meets daily all year long. These students are active in sports, cheerleading, drama, DECA and FFA. Over the last 15 years, Liberty Middle School choruses have consistently received superior ratings in both sight-reading and performance at GMEA sponsored Large Group Performance Evaluation. Additionally, Liberty choruses have taken first place in their category in the Music in the Parks Festival at Six Flags and Dollywood for the last several years. The Liberty Middle School Eighth Chorus performed at the 2015 In-Service Conference in Savannah.

MARTHA ELLEN STILWELL

ADVANCED CHORUS DR. KAY PACE, DIRECTOR

Under the direction of Dr. Kay Pace, the Stilwell Advanced Chorus has become a vital component of the nationally accredited Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts—Clayton County Public Schools, Jonesboro, GA. Members of the Chorus enter by audition and include students from ninth thru twelfth grade. In May of 2017 the Stilwell Advanced Chorus made its New York City debut singing the Vivaldi “Gloria” in Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts under the auspices of Distinguished Concerts International of New York. Other highlights include featured performances at Morehouse College; Clayton State University; Spivey Hall with jazz artist, Shana Tucker; providing the chorus for Peach State Opera Company’s productions of Don Giovanni, Tosca, and Cinderella; and being invited to sing an annual concert at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum where the Chorus has performed for President Carter himself. Award winning Stilwell choral students routinely win placement in the Gates Millennium Scholars program, Governors Honors Program, GMEA All-State Chorus, All-State Reading Chorus, Carnegie Hall Honor Chorus, Spivey Hall Honor Chorus and State Literary Competition. Consistently receiving superior ratings at GMEA Performance Evaluations, the Stilwell Chorus is also widely celebrated for its versatility in singing a broad range of diverse musical styles with authentic presentation.

THE REINHARDT

CHORALE

DR. MARTHA SHAW, DIRECTOR

The Reinhardt Chorale is the select choral ensemble of the School of Performing Arts. The Reinhardt Chorale was previously named the Chamber Singers, but the name has been updated to more accurately reflect the size of the ensemble. Membership is selected from the student body, and includes vocal and instrumental majors, as well as students from other disciplines. The Chambers Singers was formed in the fall of 2012, and performs as part of the university performing arts series and in churches throughout Georgia. In 2015, the Chamber Singers were invited to perform for the Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference in Savannah, Georgia.

The Chamber Singers recorded their first professional CD, Canciones del corazón, in May 2016, and were featured on The Atlanta Music Scene on WABE 90.1 on NPR the following year. In May 2018, the Chamber Singers travelled to Italy where they were invited to study music of the Renaissance with the organist of the Vatican, and performed in that prestigious venue and in other locations in the country.

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VOICES OF THE VALLEY

CHILDREN'S CHORUS MICHELLE HERRING FOLTA, DIRECTOR

The Voices of the Valley Children's Chorus is a traditional vocal ensemble, in residence at Columbus State University, for both girls and boys ages 9-16. Voices of the Valley serves children from multiple cities, counties, and schools in the Chattahooche Valley. The vision of Voices of the Valley is to inspire young singers to become life-long learners of music through choral experience and community engagement. Voices of the Valley performs at local community events such as Columbus’ Artbeat, which supports local artists, and Columbus State University’s Winterfest, a free event for children and families. Additionally, Voices of the Valley is an active contributor to the local arts community. Each year, Voices of the Valley is invited to sing in the West Georgia Choral Society’s Choral Festival in LaGrange Georgia. Additional collaborations include the Columbus Ballet's production of the Nutcracker, Columbus State University's Wind Ensemble, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. In the summer of 2018, Voices of the Valley will travel to England for their first international tour.

WALTON HIGH SCHOOL

A CAPPELLA

DR. JANA WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR

A Cappella is the most advanced ensemble of the seven choirs at Walton High School. Students are passionate about choral music and its ability to connect people and emotions. Students in this ensemble are in grades ten through twelve and are not only musicians but also scholars, athletes, thespians and leaders. A Cappella has consistently earned Superior ratings at LGPE. They enjoy a wide variety of repertoire.

CHEATHAM HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FIFTH GRADE CHORUS MARGARET L. GRAYBURN, DIRECTOR

The Cheatham Hill Elementary School Fifth Grade Chorus is open to any fifth grade student with the desire to sing - Auditions are not necessary! Rehearsals are held after school once a week for one hour. Their Annual Holiday Dessert Theater in December is an event the community looks forward to each year. The lunchroom is transformed into a magical venue. The chorus performs holiday favorites, with an opportunity to showcase individual talents, ending with a rousing audience holiday sing-along. As part of the Hillgrove High School Cluster, the chorus has participated in the Cluster Concert in early February each year since its inception, where they perform for the schools in the cluster, as well as listen to the performances of others.

Since the school's opening in 1997, Cheatham Hill’s chorus has participated in LGPE annually, earning Superior ratings most years. Select students are chosen each year to represent Cheatham Hill at the District 12 Elementary Fifth Grade Honor Chorus. Since 2001, the Cheatham Hill Chorus has been selected to perform the National Anthem for the Atlanta Braves. They were the first elementary school in Cobb County to be chosen. The Cheatham Hill Chorus has performed at various community activities, including the West Cobb Business Association’s Annual Holiday Luncheon, The Cobb County Principals Gathering, the West Cobb Kiwanis Club, Publix Holiday Fest, Christmas on Peachtree Street, as well as for Partners In Education and several nursing homes and church pre-school programs.

SUWANEE SINGERS MARTI PARKER, DIRECTOR

Suwanee Singers is one of four performing ensembles at Suwanee Elementary School in Gwinnett County Public Schools. This group meets before school once per week and strives to sing quality literature at the highest possible level of performance standards. They have sung throughout the community, including at the annual Suwanee Jolly Holly Day event at the Suwanee Town Center Park, the Gwinnett Stripers and the Atlanta Gladiators. Suwanee Singers are proud to consistently receive Superior ratings at LGPE events as an elementary choir, and they are excited to have this opportunity to showcase their talent at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference!

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NORTH GWINNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL

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GRADE GUITAR ENSEMBLE CARYN VOLK, DIRECTOR

North Gwinnett Middle School is located in Sugar Hill, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. The school has an enrollment of over 2,200 students. The guitar program currently has over 330 students enrolled in grades 6-8, under the direction of Caryn Volk. The North Gwinnett Middle School Guitar Program began in 2010 as one of the first middle school guitar performance ensembles. North Gwinnett Middle School Guitar Ensembles have been invited to perform at local school and community outreach events. They were invited to perform in Nashville, TN at Belmont University; at the Reinhardt University Honors Guitar Orchestra and Festival; and previously at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service 2013, 2015, & 2017.

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TRICKUM MIDDLE SCHOOL

GRADE GUITAR ENSEMBLE JEFF SCHAEFER, DIRECTOR

Trickum Middle School is located in Lilburn, Georgia, of Gwinnett County. The school has an enrollment of over 2,200 students with many of the students participating in Band, Chorus, Guitar and Orchestra. Many of those students participate in two of the yearlong performance-based programs as well. The Guitar program has more than 350 students enrolled in grades 6-8, under the direction of Jeff Schaefer.

In 2014, he became the full-time Guitar Director. The guitar ensemble has consistently received superior ratings at Giocoso Performance Evaluation. The Trickum Middle School 8th Grade Intermediate Guitar Ensemble consists of students who have been playing guitar for one and a half years. The ensemble also includes other fretted instruments like the electric bass and ukulele. The TMS guitar students, their families, the director and the school administrators are honored the TMS 8th Intermediate Guitar Ensemble has been invited to perform at the 2019 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference.

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P E R F O R M A N C E S

GEORGIA YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

DR. NATHANIEL F. PARKER AND TIMOTHY VERVILLE, DIRECTORS

The Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) is the largest youth orchestra program in the southeast and is comprised of four orchestral ensembles, a jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, and a youth chorus. The Symphony is the most advanced orchestral ensemble in the GYSO program and performs professional-level works from a variety of classical eras. Recent performances have included works of Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Haydn, Beethoven and Mahler, as well as newly commissioned works. The Symphony also performs with professional soloists from the Atlanta area, including Kenn Wagner (violin), Helen Kim (violin), Tom Hooten (trumpet), Charae Kruger (cello), and with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra Chorus. They recently performed to a sold out Atlanta Symphony Hall audience with the hip hop crossover duo Black Violin.

HIGHTOWER TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL

ORCHESTRA

MICHAEL R. TOMPKINS & PAUL O'KEEFE, DIRECTORS

The Hightower Trail Orchestra is the primary feeder for the Pope High School Orchestra and has produced outstanding musicians for the past 25 years. The orchestra program consists of 340 students in grades 6-8. The orchestras have achieved consistent superior ratings at the GMEA District 12 Large Group Performance Evaluation. Orchestra members consistently earn positions in the District Honor Orchestra and All-State. Achievements include invitations to the prestigious Midwest Music Clinic in Chicago (2004), GMEA In-Service Conference in Savannah (2003, 2013), ASTA National Orchestra Festival (2018) and received the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award in 2015. Classes rehearse for 42 minutes daily. Extracurricular opportunities include small ensembles such as Chamber Orchestra. Directors are available for help every day before and after school.

Students use this time to pass-off method book lines, prepare for auditions, and satisfy their weekly practice requirements.

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA DR. NATHANIEL F. PARKER AND HELEN KIM, DIRECTORS

The Kennesaw State University orchestra program was founded in 2004 with the establishment of the KSU Symphony Orchestra and expanded in 2010 to include the newly-formed KSU Philharmonic Orchestra. The Symphony—comprised of over 70 KSU students—is committed to artistic and technical excellence in the performance of music from the symphonic canon, as well as contemporary compositions and pops literature. The Symphony presents 3-4 performances each semester; recent repertoire highlights include Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”, Saint-Saëns’s Symphony No. 3 “Organ”, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, orchestrated

by Ravel. The Symphony also regularly engages in collaborative performances with guest and faculty performers, guest and faculty composers, the KSU choirs, the KSU Opera Theater, and the KSU Department of Dance. Notable guest artists who have performed or led masterclasses with students in the KSU Symphony include violinists Midori, Augustin Hadelich, David Perry, and David Coucheron, cellist Jesús Castro Balbi, MacArthur Fellow and pianist Jeremy Denk, tubist Alan Baer, conductors Robert Spano, David Becker, and Ovidiu Balan, and composers Chen Yi, Kamran Ince, and James M. Stephenson. The KSU Symphony was invited to perform at the 2009 Georgia Music Educators Association’s In-Service Conference. In 2010 the Symphony hosted and performed at the College Orchestra Directors Association National Conference and in January 2011, the KSU Symphony completed a three-concert tour of Beijing and Xian, China.

POPE HIGH SCHOOL

SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA CORIE BENTON, DIRECTOR

The Pope Orchestras have a tradition of excellence and fostering a strong sense of community and school spirit. The Symphonic Orchestra is comprised of students representing brightest and most talented students of our community.

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PERSONALIZED HOW DOES IT FIT LEARNING IN OUR WORLD?

PART 1: DEFINING PERSONALIZED LEARNING IN THE MUSIC ROOM by megan endicott

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n today’s heavily academic world, instruction is driven by data and analysis to ensure children are succeeding while encouraging students to set career paths to promote college and career readiness. Meanwhile, the fall of the No Child Left Behind Act paves the way for the newly adopted Every Student Succeeds Act, displacing the emphasis from the national government to the state government. Educators are consistently presented with the challenge of change in our field through new standards, curriculum, and laws while maintaining the charge of providing each individual student with a quality education. Fortunately, with the rise of Race to the Top, the push for personalized learning is sweeping the nation. Through technology integration and authentic tasks, we are working toward creating problem solvers, critical thinkers, and creative learners, while reaching out to the global community to better equip our students for college and career readiness. Sir Ken Robinson, advocate for personalized learning, stated “personalized learning is finding the best ways to engage with people with different interests, passions, and ways of thinking. It’s what good teachers have always known. That

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Reprinted by permission from TEMPO magazine (New Jersey Music Educators Association), May 2018

their job is not to teach subjects, but to teach students.” (DeWitt, 2013) However, questions remain: how are educators who are presented with the juxtaposition of personalized learning versus standardized testing properly able to plan instruction for their students while ensuring successful results on student achievement without stifling student creativity? Can there be a perfect balance between assessing grade level standards, personalizing learning, and music creation and performance? How does standard mastering and personalized learning fit into our world in a way that makes sense without jeopardizing student learning while promoting student passion for the arts?

Where do we start?

Well, the best place to start is in my room!

If I can find a way to manage 700 students in a meaningful way that creates positive change in my classroom, I can model and demonstrate those changes with other classroom teachers.

Serving as a music educator, I have the opportunity to work with all elementary school students from kindergarten to fifth grade. This incredible task has really offered the challenge of finding out how to make these changes in our school in an efficient, functional way that

is authentic and yet fun for both teachers and students. Teachers know that teaching to the strengths of each individual child is a must; however, determining how to implement this is where the challenge begins. To help others understand how a classroom could function appropriately, how teachers could create content that is student-directed for each individual child in the classroom, and how to personalize instruction without sacrificing music making, tough questions had to be answered and research and experimental implementation began in my classroom. After receiving my master’s degree in Educational Technology and working toward my specialist’s degree in Instructional Technology, I fully believe that technology is the driving factor in easily tracking, assessing, collaborating, creating, and engaging students. I embrace technology as an enhancement in my classroom and push for proper integration in my school and district.

In an ideal personalized learning classroom, teachers are moving from lecturers to facilitators while student learning is carefully crafted to the individual learner themselves. This style of learning moves away from the traditional “one size fits all” approach (O’Donoghue,

2010). This approach to teaching, allows students more choice in demonstrating learning and mastery of the standards while playing to their interests, strengths, and weaknesses (Basham et al., 2016).

Seven personalized learning principles are being adopted across the nation, including in my district, and my classroom: • Varied Strategies • Choice in Demonstrating Learning • Just-in-Time Direct Instruction • Voice and Choice • Mastery Based Assessments • Flexible Pacing • Co-Plan Learning In my roles on the Vanguard Leadership Team, the Fulton County Fine Arts Support Team, and the Personalized Learning Team, I have been trained in identifying and implementing personalized learning. From these trainings and research, it is evident that there is no true examples or definition for music education. We must work together to define what a personalized learning environment looks like in a music classroom. For part one of our article on personalized learning, here are just a few ideas on how you can personalize your learning environment using varied strategies, choice in demonstrating learning, and just-in-time direct instruction.

Varied Strategies:

It is important to understand the diversity of students and their characteristic differences as listed by Suprayogi (2017) as “learner interests, learning styles, developmental level, learning speed, abilities, cultural background, language level, attitudes, and regulation approaches”. Under the personalized learning

principle of variety strategies lies the sub-category of teaching in a variety of groupings. The Fulton County Personalized Learning Team identifies this category as “students learning in many instructional settings as they learn new content instead of primarily receiving instruction in a whole-group setting” (Teach in a Variety of Groupings). Teachers will be working toward increasing their resources to include a variety of grouping from whole-group to flexible groupings based on individual student achievement.

In Tracy Riley’s study on flexible grouping of like-minded students in New Zealand, alongside her colleagues found that the analysis of the responses to the research questions “led to the conclusion that in order to maximize the potential of gifted learners in inclusive environments, it is important that teachers facilitate flexible grouping, which acknowledges abilities, qualities, interests and differences in all learners” (Riley, 2016).

Naturally K- 12 grade music teachers will include varied strategies in every lesson across all music content areas. This could be through multiple intelligences (tactile, kinesthetic, spatial awareness, auditory, visual, etc.) through playing, singing, moving, composing, and improvising to name a few. Students are often placed in various groupings depending on the learning needs of the student that include whole group, small group, and teacher and student 1 to 1. Even still, some teachers form small ensembles or stations and centers in their classes. Multiple resources and activities are seamlessly integrated throughout a lesson and many teachers integrate technology to enhance the learning experience.

Choice in Demonstrating Learning:

A common theme among personalized learning experts, is the need for students to take ownership of their own learning. The belief is in the intrinsic motivation of students in education. “We as educators should be empowering our students to have voice and choice over how they learn, and how they demonstrate their learning” (Lands, 2013).

More importantly, educators should be finding ways to offer opportunities for students to participate in assessments that allow students to “demonstrate mastery not only in the content, but also in workplace readiness skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration” (Lands, 2013).

In elementary music, summative assessments and performance tasks lend themselves the opportunity to offer student choice in how and what they would like to perform while building in natural differentiation. This is guided by a rubric and includes controlled choice options. This could be in the form of a video, slideshow presentation, skit, or movement activity for example. In secondary classrooms, students could choose to demonstrate understanding through an in-class performance or YouTube tutorials. Finding ways to include final presentations of projects is an important element to consider. Allowing students to present their demonstrations “allow them to work on their communication such as ‘public speaking’ and ‘listening’ from participating as audience members and asking insightful, meaningful questions after the demonstrations have been presented” (Land, 2013).

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Just-in-Time Direct Instruction

Several definitions of just-in-time direct instruction can be found through online research; however, the Fulton County Professional Learning Department says the justin-time direct instruction is when “teachers monitor their students’ progress by frequently offering formative check-ins on specifics standards or skills” ( Just-in-Time Direct Instruction). Fulton County schools divided the principle into two subcategories, grouping students flexibly, frequently, and strategically and providing targeted instruction.

You’ll see this happening more consistently with music teachers than many of the other principles. This is because, music teachers are able, and must, provide quick feedback in effort to produce quality music. Outside of quickly redirecting students during the music making process, you might see music teachers also using technology tools or paper-pencil tasks to aid in assessment. Secondary students have access to Microsoft or Google Tools and can record and share videos in a shared drive for teacher feedback. All assessments will provide the students with individual information about their progress while informing the teacher of future instruction.

In my classroom, I have a variety of groupings based on students’ strengths or gaps in achievement. Through consistent formative checks, in one class period, students will shift from a whole group setting, to differentiated groups, back to a whole group. Often, flexible grouping might be based on students’ skill levels for instrumentation for a performance task.

Stay tuned for the next installment for the last 4 personalized learning principles and how you can personalize learning in your classroom!

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References

Cangro, R. M. (2004). The effects of cooperative learning strategies on the music achievement of beginning instrumentalists (Doctoral dissertation, University of Hartford), Dissertation Abstracts International, 65, 2535.

Compton, K. R. (2015). An investigation of the effectiveness of cooperative learning as rehearsal technique for improving high school band performance. Retrieved from University of Kentucky UKnowledge (Thesis and Dissertations-Music, Paper 38), http://uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/38.

Kassner, K. (2002). Cooperative learning revisited: A way to address the standards. Music Educators Journal, 88(4), 17-23.

Kaplan, P. R., & Stauffer, S. L. (1994). Cooperative learning in music. Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference.

MacDonald, R., Miell, D., & Morgan, L. (2000). Social processes and creative collaboration in children. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 15(4), 405-415.

Friedman, M. (1989). Stimulating classroom learning with small groups. Music Educators Journal, 76(2), 53-56.

Miller, B. A. (2004). Designing compositional tasks for elementary music classrooms. Research Studies in Music Education, 22(1), 59-71.

Isik, D., & Tarum, K. (2009). The effects of the cooperative learning method supported by multiple intelligence theory on Turkish elementary students’ mathematics achievement. Asia Pacific Educational Review, 10, 465-474.

Wiggins, J. H. (1999). The nature of shared musical understanding and its role in empowering independent musical thinking. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 143, 65-90.

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (1989). Cooperation and competition: Theory and research.

Edina, MN: Interaction.

Johnson, D. W., Johnson, R. T., & Holubec, E. J. (1990).

Circles of learning: Cooperation in the classroom. Edina, MN: Interaction.

About the Author Megan Endicott

Megan Endicott is the general music teacher at Dolvin Elementary School. She serves as a Fulton County Fine Arts Support Teacher where she coaches and provides support for elementary music teachers across the district. In addition, Mrs. Endicott is a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the district Vanguard team and works with educators across multiple grade levels and disciplines to support a personalized learning environment in their classrooms, build capacity, and seamlessly integrate technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in educational technology from Central Michigan University. She is currently working on a double specialist degree in Instructional Technology and Educational Leadership certification from Kennesaw State University. Mrs. Endicott was recognized and awarded the Atlanta Families’ Award of Excellence in Education and Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Endicott has presented at various conferences on topics such as PBL, Personalized Learning, Rigor & Blooms Taxonomy in music, Voice and Choice, and App Smashing to name a few at conferences such as: ISTE, NAfME, CUE, TI:ME, GMEA, GaETC and local school district professional development sessions. She has co-hosted PlayDateATL and EdCamp Fulton. Mrs. Endicott serves as an ambassador for TouchCast, Seesaw, WonderWorkshop Innovation Squad, Plickers, Osmo, Quaver's Marvelous World of Music, Edmodo and Symbaloo as well as a Nearpod Certified Trainer and PioNear. Mrs. Endicott is a published author for the children's book, In the Hall of the Mountain King. Follow her on Twitter @EndicottSpot, Instagram @dolvinmusic, or her blog at www.dolvinmusicendicott.blogspot.com and view her digital portfolio at http://meganendicottmusicportfolio.weebly.com/.

“ O F T E N W H E N Y O U T H I N K Y O U ' R E AT T H E E N D O F S O M E T H I N G , Y O U ' R E AT T H E B E G I N N I N G O F S O M E T H I N G E LS E . ” FRED ROGERS

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music that connects

BY JIMMY OWENs & Dr. Brandon Boyd

Reprinted by permission from Missouri School Music magazine, Vol. 73, No.1, fall 2018

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INTRODUCTION

Purpose

As America becomes more and more diverse, the American public education system is increasingly serving students from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds. The Census Bureau estimates that almost half of the U.S. population will consist of ethnic groups of color by the year 2050 (Banks, 2004). This projected evolution of the U.S. population presents a potential problem for an American music education system that “generally operates under the assumptions of the Western European tradition” (Bond, 2017, p. 154). This Eurocentric framework impedes the American music education system’s ability to provide a multicultural education that is suitable for a diverse student body.

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to areas within the American music education system that can be improved upon. First, I will discuss the demographics of music teacher preparation programs and music teachers in America. Secondly, I will explore how the music curriculum can be expanded to appeal to the various cultures and interests of students. Improving in these areas will enable students from a variety of backgrounds to have an equitable music education experience in America.

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Music Teacher Demographics The hegemonic influence of European culture on American music education has contributed to a lack of minority groups that are represented in music teacher education programs and as music teachers. The underrepresentation of minority students (who are preparing to be teachers) and minority faculty in music colleges (Clements, 2009) can contribute to the perpetuation of these exclusionary practices in teacher education programs that ultimately affect the entire field of music education (Bond, 2017). Elpus (2015) reported that 86.02% of the 20,521 music teacher licensure candidates in the United States between 2007 and 2012 are white.

Matthew and Koner (2017) reported that 90.9% of the 7,463 music educators who were currently employed and members of NAfME are white. “It is possible that a lack of diversity among both music teachers and music teacher educators may… be related to the provision of social justice within preK through 12th-grade music programs” (Fitzpatrick et al., 2014). Therefore, it is important for music students at all levels to benefit from the various the perspectives and experiences that would emanate from a diverse music faculty (Palmer, 2011; DeLorenzo & Silverman, 2016).

Expansion of Music Curriculum Traditional music ensembles. The American music education system’s commitment to European culture has relegated many public-school music curricula to traditional music ensembles. Unfortunately, most adolescents are not involved in these courses even though they really enjoy music (Williams, 2011). This lack of participation in traditional music ensembles has prevented American music education from thriving with success that is comparable to American music (Reimer, 2004). Thus, it is imperative that music educators expand their music curricula to include courses beyond the traditional band, orchestra, and chorus classes. This could mean the inclusion of a mariachi band or a class that focuses on the production of hip-hop tracks (Hess, 2017). In any case, this process begins with understanding the connections that students have with music and providing opportunities for students to continue their participation music ensembles, groups, and activities in which they are familiar.

Western classical music. Expanding the music curriculum to include nontraditional music ensembles and courses will likely prompt the inclusion of genres other than western classical music. In fairness, the music curriculum in America has evolved to include more multicultural music; however, western classical music has continued to be the premier music style taught in the classroom (Davis

& Blair, 2011). A western classical music focus may stand in stark contrast to the social and cultural experiences of an increasingly diverse student population. Some music educators noted that having experiences with gospel music, popular music, and world music were vital to their preparation as teachers (Shaw, 2015). The implication here is that a strong emphasis on western classical music does not fully prepare teachers for a multicultural classroom. Further, having a variety of experiences with different genres of music will help music educators to develop a better connection with students musically.

Conclusion As American music education continues to move toward the goal of multiculturalism, it is important to ensure that our pedagogical practices do not resemble those of culturally oppressive teaching. For example, music educators should not be presented as “the gatekeepers of knowledge who then dole out that knowledge to students” (Walter, 2018, p. 25). Conversely, music educators should employ culturally responsive teaching by “using the cultural characteristics, experiences, and perspectives of ethnically diverse students as conduits for teaching them more effectively” (Gay, 2002, p. 106). This requires music educators to get to know their students and understand their musical identities. When this happens, music educators will be able to offer more musical experiences, opportunities, and courses that connect with their students.

References

Banks, J. A. (2004). Teaching for social justice, diversity, and citizenship in a global world. Educational Forum, 68(4), 289-298.

Bond, V. L. (2017). Culturally responsive education in music education: A literature review. Contributions to Music Education, 42, 153-180.

Clements, A. (2009). Minority students and faculty in higher music education. Music Educators Journal, 95(3), 53-56.

Davis, S. G., & Blair, D. V. (2011). Popular music in American teacher education: A glimpse into a secondary methods course. International Journal of Music Education, 29(2), 124. doi:10.1177/0255761410396962 DeLorenzo, L. D., & Silverman, M. S. (2016). From the margins: The underrepresentation of black and Latino students/teachers in music education. Visions of Research in Music Education, 271-40.

Elpus, K. (2015). Music teacher licensure candidates in the United States. Journal of Research in Music Education, 63(3), 314-335.

Fitzpatrick, K. R., Henninger, J. C., & Taylor, D. M. (2014). Access and retention of marginalized populations within undergraduate music education degree programs.

Journal of Research in Music Education, 62(2), 105. doi:10.1177/0022429414530760 Gay, G. (2002). Preparing for culturally responsive teaching. Journal of Teacher Education, 53(2), 106-116.

Hess, J. (2017). Equity in music education: Why equity and social justice in music education? Music Educators Journal, 104(1), 71-73.

Matthews, W. K., & Koner, K. (2017). A survey of elementary and secondary music educators' professional background, teaching responsibilities and job satisfaction in the United States. Research and Issues In Music Education, 13(1), 1-25.

Palmer, C. M. (2011). Challenges of access to post-secondary music education programs for people of color. Visions of Research in Music Education, 18. Retrieved from http://www-usr.rider.edu/vrme~/ Reimer, B. (2004). Reconceiving the standards and the school music program. Music Educators Journal, 91(1), 33-37.

Shaw, J. T. (2015). “Knowing their world”: Urban choral music educators’ knowl edge of context. Journal of Research in Music Education, 63(2), 198-223. doi:10.1177/0022429415584377 Walter, J. S. (2018). Global perspectives: Making the shift from multiculturalism to culturally responsive teaching. General Music Today, 31(2), 24-28.

Williams, D. A. (2011). The elephant in the room. Music Educators Journal, 98(1), 51-57. doi:10.1177/0027432111415538

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HELPING MY KIDS BECOME YOUR KIDS PRACTICAL IDEAS TO TRANSITION STUDENTS INTO HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC

BY SCOTT BOAL

Reprinted by permission from Voice of Washington Music Educators, Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 29ff, October 2014

H

ow can you stand them? Aren’t they annoying? are questions I was asked by a store clerk when she found out that I teach middle schoolers. It’s a common question but, believe it or not, many people actually prefer teaching at the middle school or junior high level. Folks may pity us, but we know that there is no more gratifying group to teach than brand-new teenagers who can combine their joy of life with a fear of cooties.

In contrast, older high school musicians seem more able to enjoy creating music for the sake of the music itself. Older musicians can begin to understand the pathos of Tchaikovsky’s work. The task of a high school instrumental music teacher then is to help these young students transfer their allegiance from the “cult of personality” that has sustained them through middle school and move them toward a new recognition that music, and not personality, is why we are musicians. This is crucial to remember.

One of the by-products for middle level band directors is that we may tend to think of the students in our classes as “my kids.” We welcomed them into our band class on Day One; we struggled with them as they learned to take an instrument out of its case; we taught them how to sit and breathe. Because of this close association with younger students’ early success, many middle-level band directors feel invested in the students’ musical experience. We also know, however, that for our kids to develop as musicians and as people, they need to become part of your high school music program. Middle school and junior high instrumental music teachers want their kids to become your kids. But how can this most effectively happen?

Therefore, high school teachers need to be aware that young students must first know you and trust you before they will sign up for your high school program. Remember: they are living in a world in which loyalty to the music teacher trumps Mahler.

PERSONALITY OR MUSIC?

Why do students sign up for music when being recruited into a middle school instrumental music program? There may be many individual reasons; one reason is because they already think that they will like the teacher or have already heard that “band is fun.” If incoming middle school kids do not think that they will like the music teacher or won’t have fun (as defined by the students, not the director), they simply will not join band. Further, without an on-going positive experience with the middle level teacher, these students will not even stay in band during middle school. Recruiting and retention at the middle level is often based on personality and not on the music.

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G E O RG I A M U S I C N E W S | W I N T E R 2018

With this in mind, here are a few specific things you can do to change “my kids” into “your kids” and then into lifelong music lovers.

START EARLY

Connect with the middle level music students early in their middle school years. Don’t wait until the last semester of eighth grade; start connecting in sixth grade. In our district, the eighth graders are under significant pressure to develop a four-year plan that outlines their courses for high school. However, many high school music choices are made in seventh grade when conscientious students and parents informally begin the process. One promising seventh grade French horn player told me that his mom was wondering why he should be in eighth-grade band because “Music isn’t a good career choice and band would mess up my schedule in high school.” As soon as these young musicians are in a middle level program, they become your targets for your high school program. Retention is the name of your game.

VISIT YOUR FEEDER SCHOOLS’ MUSIC ROOMS

Incoming students must recognize your face, and they must know the sound of your voice. Sending over a video of your high school program may be briefly interesting but not all that important to a personality-focused student. Tell us – in our own music room–what instrument you play. Why did you choose that instrument? Do you have pets or hobbies? My kids already know this information about me; let them into your world a bit and you will reap huge benefits. Trust my kids with some selected personal information now to begin to build their loyalty to you for the future.

Come to our music room more often that once during the weeks before high school registration. Consider a job switch for the day with the middle level director. If that director is not interested, get your own substitute and just hang out in the middle school music room. Think of this as an investment, not an expense.

INVITE US TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC ROOM

Middle school students have a tremendous sense of “place”; that is, their current band room is often a safe haven during their tumultuous school day. Help transfer that familiarity to your high school band room before high school registration by inviting us to your place. We have to see that your band room is also safe and interesting before we get there. All-bands concerts are fine; these work best if my kids can make a quick trip through your room on the way to your performance area. Consider having your friendliest – and maybe the shortest in stature–high school students give us a little tour. This must happen well before high school registration takes place in the spring. After that, it’s too late.

Here’s an idea that has worked well for me: Invite my band kids to play a pep band gig with your band kids. Give us a few titles to prepare, choose a low-stakes game and have us come to your band room for a pre-game rehearsal. Buy some pizza. You will watch my kids transition into your kids during the evening. Middle level kids absolutely love the opportunity to “be high schoolers” for an evening and then retreat back to middle school/junior high to recover. Remember that middle schoolers don’t drive yet so the event must include lots of information for nervous parents about parking, admission prices and ending time.

REMEMBER THAT MY KIDS ARE SCARED TO COME TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL

Every year kids mistakenly tell me, “I don’t think I play well enough for high school band.” My kids need to know that they can succeed in your program. When you visit, please communicate that my kids play well enough right now for you. Occasionally high school teachers have tried to impress my kids by describing how much better they will learn to play scales and difficult literature in high school. This can subtly imply that they are not yet competent musicians. If you can, please affirm that they are

receiving good instruction right now and that you will build on that solid foundation. Remember: My kids’ loyalty is to me at this point; if you accidentally insult my program or their skills, they may take it personally.

If you send students to our room to talk about your program, please send kids who were students at our school last year. Your juniors and seniors have a wealth of information, but my kids don’t know or remember them. Last year’s eighth graders are still respected and admired in our room.

Choose your spokespeople carefully. Kids at the middle level live in a world of rumors and half-truths. If a high school student jokingly tells them that “Everyone has to play a solo in front of the school at the first day assembly,” my kids will believe it–and then eliminate music from their high school schedule.

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR COOL TRIPS, BUT DON’T SCARE US WITH THE COSTS YET

Middle level students don’t yet understand ASB budgets, individual fundraising or scholarships. If they are scared away from your program as freshmen because of future travel costs, they will never become juniors on your international trip. Tell us about your participation fees and uniform costs, but don’t scare us even more by implying that all incoming students have to raise $2,000 if they want to go on a trip.

There’s time later for that message.

TELL US ABOUT THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN OUR MIDDLE LEVEL PROGRAM AND YOUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM

My kids and their parents are looking for continuity between the schools so that they can know their time has been well-spent before arriving at your high school. How do you take attendance? How do you manage permissions slips?

Will students have to play in front of everyone? How do we get a grade in your class? If there are significant management differences that might be a hurdle, tell my kids about it but with a heavy dose of you-can-do-it. My kids expect that high school will be different; they need to know how it will be familiar.

I have always seen middle level musicians as “low-hanging fruit” for self-motivated high school teachers to reach up and pick. The kids are there; you only need to harvest your incoming class.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Boal is in his 34th year of teaching public school with all but one of those years at the middle level. He currently is serving at Gateway Middle School in Everett and can be reached at sboal@everettsd.org

W I N T E R 2018 | G E O RG I A M U S I C N E W S

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2019 FRANKLIN POND

For Middle & High School Students

May 25 & 26, 2019 ENTRY DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2019

CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY 10am Competition • 4pm Awards Concert

Competition and Awards Concert open to the public. franklinpond.org

THE

SOCIETY

The competition is open to all middle and high school students in the State of Georgia.

Form your own group of 3 to 8 people or contact us for help.

All chamber groups to be comprised of a majority of string players. Piano and harp will be considered a string instrument for the purposes of the competition.

Georgia Music Educators Association 245 Country Club Dr., Bldg 300A Stockbridge, GA 30281

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