2021-2022 Georgia Music News | Winter Issue by Georgia Music Educators Association

W I N T E R

I S S U E

C O N F E R E N C E ASS O C I AT I O N

NEWS

NAFME

E N C O U R A G E M E N T ANNOUNCEMENT

DIVISION

NEWS

2022 GMEA In-Service Conference

PRESENTERS & PERFORMERS HAND DRUMMING Jared Ray Lanham

VO LU ME 82 | NU MB E R 2 | W INTER 2021

A new tutorial series from ASO musicians Instrument Specific

Focused 3-5 minute videos

Topics gathered from GMEA Members including:

Scan QR code to view all ASO Education content

• Posture • First Sounds • Scales

ASO Ed: Next Generation Education Resources for all levels of general, instrumental and vocal classrooms.

Enjoy our latest virtual releases including:

Atlanta Composer Stories

(Ages 12+; documentary concert featuring young composers from Atlanta)

Water, Water Everywhere (Ages 8+; co-curricular program combining music and science)

Music for the Very Young

(Ages 2-8; instrument introduction and DIY activities)

Visit aso.org/education for all ASO Education programming Contact us at ASOeducation@atlantasymphony.org

In This Issue

Board of Directors President Dr. Matt Koperniak

District Chairs 1 - Jason Long 2 - John Scanling 3 - Kenneth Boykin 4 - Christine Kraemer 5 - Ira Jenkins 6 - Kelly Gallman 7 - Joshua Bloodworth 8 - DaShaun McGee 9 - Raymond Thomas 10 - Katie Bennett 11 - Jay Davis 12 - Andy Esserwein 13 - William Owens 14 - Nicholas Golding

Immediate Past President Carl Rieke

Conference Encouragement

Vice-President for Performance Evaluation Events Dion Muldrow Vice-President for All State Events Sarah Ball Past Presidents’ Representative Frank Folds

Editor, Georgia Music News Victoria Enloe

Executive Director Cecil Wilder

For the complete list of Board Members please visit:

Band Division Chair Travis Downs Choral Division Chair Scott Martin

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PRESENTERS

College Division Chair Chester Phillips Elementary Division Chair Amie Schaff

Orchestra Division Chair Stephen Lawrence

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

Advertisers

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PERFORMERS

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INSIDE COVER

38 HAND DRUMMING...

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY INSIDE BACK COVER MERCER UNIVERSITY PAGE 53 YAMAHA PAGE 3

JARED RAY LANHAM

YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE PAGE 27

TO A DV E RT I S E

A P P LY T O D AY WWW.GMEA.ORG/ADVERTISE

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & ARTICLES

NAfME

All pieces reproduced in this issue are under prior copyright of the creators and publisher by the contractual arrangements. Nothing shown may be reproduced in any form without obtaining the permission of the publisher and any other person or company who may have copyright ownership.

The

President Speaks Dr. Matthew Koperniak We hope to see you at our GMEA In-Service Conference in Athens, January 27-29, 2022! The theme of our conference is “Opportunity.” Please consider taking advantage of the many opportunities available at our conference, including: • The opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends you have not seen in two years. • The opportunity to make new connections with our business partners in the exhibit hall. • The opportunity to explore new ideas, techniques, and pedagogies in our many clinic sessions. • The opportunity to be inspired by outstanding performances from around our state. • The opportunity to support and celebrate colleagues receiving recognition. • The opportunity to inspire your students when you return to your classroom with your batteries recharged. This year will be my twenty-fourth GMEA Conference. As I reflect on past conferences, my favorite memories all center around people. Mentors that have shared words of wisdom. Friends and colleagues spending quality time together. Inspiring clinics and performances by master teachers and their students. Whether it is your first GMEA conference or your fiftieth, we are all looking forward to renewing our connections with each other. We have several initiatives during our conference I would like to highlight. The GMEA Leadership Symposium will take place Wednesday evening and Thursday morning prior to the start of the conference. Teachers with 3-7 years of experience have been nominated by their district to attend training sessions on leadership skills, advocacy, and GMEA governance & finance. The GMEA: High School Experience will take place on Friday. High School juniors and seniors will participate in special sessions designed to expose them to the rewarding career of music education. Georgia Music Advocacy Corps training sessions, organized by Dr. Sara Womack and our GMEA Advocacy Committee, will also take place during the conference. Representatives from our 14 districts will receive targeted training to advocate for music education at the local and district levels.

Are you looking for a music teaching position? Stop by the Job Fair, anytime between 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon, on the upper-level concourse outside the Parthenon and Olympia rooms. Representatives from various school systems will be in attendance to meet-andgreet with potential applicants. There are also resume/ interview prep sessions and mock interviews on Thursday – check the schedule for more details. Please take time during our conference to visit, connect, and support our business partners in the exhibit hall. The last two years have not been easy for teachers, and the same goes for many vendors. The success of our programs and our students depends on access to music stores, repair technicians, travel agents, fundraising companies, sheet music distributors, software developers, non-profit organizations, and more. Music education in Georgia takes many forms, which is reflected by the various clinic session offerings at our conference. If you are a band, chorus, or orchestra teacher that teaches additional music courses, check out our offerings in Guitar, Music Technology, and General Music. We have multiple tracks within our conference program, including a CNAfME/Emerging Teacher track consisting of sixteen sessions. There are fifteen sessions with a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access. There are three sessions focused on Exceptional Student Success in chorus, instrumental, and elementary music. I am proud that our GMEA conference sessions reflect the position and direction of the National Association for Music Education: All students deserve access to and equity in the delivery of music education, one of the subjects deemed necessary in federal law for a well-rounded education, which is at the heart of NAfME’s stated mission: to advance music education by promoting the understanding and making of music by all. Thank you to our Division Chairs, Interest Area Chairs, and Conference Planning Committee for their hard work organizing our conference. Of course, we are always looking for ways to improve our conference experience. Attendees will receive a survey following the conference via email. Please consider providing feedback for future years. As always, reach out at any time if there is anything I can do to support you or your district. You can contact me at president@gmea.org or 706-338-4983. Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season! See you in Athens!

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spring 2018 // georgia music news FA L L 2019 | G E O RG I A M U S I C N E W S

Band

Choral

Travis Downs Greetings! I hope your first half of the school year has been going well with your students. As we wind down the final month of this year, I know we all are looking towards spending time relaxing and re-charging for the spring semester. Speaking of re-charging, I am very excited for our annual GMEA In-Service Conference in Athens, Ga. and hope you have made plans to attend January 27-29, 2022! We have a fantastic program of concerts, clinics, and exhibitors lined up. We are also 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. Make sure to work with your administration in advance to secure leave. You are sure to find something at the conference that will influence your teaching and help your students learn. Another valuable part of the conference for me is the people. Spending a few days surrounded by supportive colleagues and hearing talented young musicians always inspires me to return to the classroom, revived with passion and enthusiasm. Hope to see you there! It was wonderful to witness this fall marching band season! The many smiles of student performers doing what they love AND sounds of students from other bands cheering them on reminds me “why” we do what we do. Thank you to every director who hosted a marching band contest throughout the state. It is truly a valuable service to our profession. Congratulations to every high school band director and their staff for this season and best wishes for those who are still at it in the playoffs! Just a quick reminder as we prepare for first round all-state auditions. If you registered students to audition, please remember it is your professional responsibility to attend and work auditions. Failure to do so results in an ethics letter to your principal. Thank you to every organizer and host in our fourteen districts. Lastly, I would like to thank you for all you do. We all have challenges, successes and failures from time to time. How we react, reflect, regroup and press on for the benefit of our students is part of our “why”. A small word of encouragement can change a student’s perspective in an instant. Remember, you make a difference in so many lives. Focus on the positives and celebrate your students’ successes, no matter how small. Have a wonderful winter! 4

G E O RG I A M U S I C N E W S | FA L L 2018

Scott Martin Greetings fellow choral music educators! By now, many of us have had our fall concerts, prepared students for All-State auditions, and are knee-deep in holiday/ winter concert preparations. As we look ahead to next semester, I encourage everyone to register for the upcoming GMEA In-Service Conference to be held at The Classic Center in Athens January 27th- 29th. We have amazing sessions and performing choirs lined up, including the All-State Reading Chorus directed by Dr. Shannon Jeffries of Georgia Southern University. Congratulations to the performing choirs and their directors listed below! Looking ahead, we hope to have lots of submissions to choose from for the 2023 conference. Keep that in mind as you have opportunities to record your choirs next semester. • Academy for Classical Education Junior High Concert Choir – Lea Anne Walters, Director • Ola High School Sorraia – Mindy L. Forehand, Director • Sequoyah Singers – Joshua Markham, Director • Kennesaw State University Treble Choir – Dr. Alison Mann, Director • Georgia State University Singers – Dr. Deanna Joseph, Director • The Harrison Chamber Singers – Megan Schuitema, Director • North Forsyth High School Cantamus – Gene Seese, Director • Veterans High School Concert Chorale – Jeremy Williams, Director • Berry College Singers – Dr. Paul Neal, Director • Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus Sola Voce – Dr. Michelle Folta and Olivia Fortson, Directors • Piedmont University Singers – Dr. Wallace Hinson, Director • Valdosta State University Chamber Singers – Dr. Clell E. Wright, Director

A few weeks after the conference, we will again host All-State Chorus at the Classic Center. The conductors scheduled to conduct last year's event were invited back and most of them were able to accept to conduct in either 2022 or 2023. I am excited to announce the following conductors for this year’s All-State Choruses. • 6th Grade Statewide Honor Choirs – Mary Biddlecomb (Vanderbilt Children’s Chorus) and Dr. Jessica Napoles (University of N. Texas) • Middle Treble – Dr. Susan Brumfield (Texas Tech University) • Middle Mixed – Dr. Derrick Fox (University of Nebraska, Omaha) • Intermediate Mixed – Dr. J.D. Burnett (University of Georgia) • Senior Treble – Sydney Guillaume (Full-Time Composer, Conductor, and Clinician) • Senior Tenor/Bass – Dr. Jonathan Palant (University of Texas, Dallas) • Senior Mixed – Dr. Lynda Hasseler (Capital University)

All the best to you as you navigate this school year. Let’s remember that we are all in this together, so help a fellow choral director in need and certainly don’t hesitate to ask for help yourself. See you at The Classic Center!

CNAfME

Dr. Richard Bell One of the many casualties of the pandemic has been an increase in the shortage of quality teachers in our schools. There was a shortage before Covid but the extra stresses of the last two years have moved veteran teachers to retire and younger teachers to leave the profession. To replenish our classrooms with well -prepared music teachers, we all need to work to improve the pipeline from our k-12 classrooms to a long- term career as a music educator. Here are several small but important steps we can take to encourage music education as a career path: 1. Work with your principals and counselors to have a thriving program where all students have the opportunity to take appropriate level music classes each year from elementary school through high school. 2. Give students an opportunity for teaching and leadership in the classroom. Experiences such as being a section leader or working with younger students can spark the joy of teaching in your students. 3. Encourage high school juniors and seniors to consider music education as a major. 4. Be careful how you talk about the profession in front of students. We all have very legitimate struggles and concerns but make sure students hear you describing teaching in a positive yet realistic manner.

Elementary Amie Schaff

What an honor and privilege I have to work with the BEST music educators in the state of Georgia! I see the impact that we are having on our students daily through conversations, emails, and social media posts. I am so proud to see your love of music education helping our students flourish around the state. As you know, the GMEA In-Service conference is January 27th – 29th, at the Classic Center in Athens, GA. We will have a diverse group of presenters ready to engage, energize and renew our minds and bodies. I hope to see you there ready to explore a variety of sessions from Success with Students with exceptionalities, Techniques in Orff Schulwerk, and Diversity, to Modern Band and beyond! We will fill our days with singing, dancing, and playing, and our evenings will be filled with Ukulele Jams and Contra Dance Fun! February 11th – 12th, we will return to the Classic Center Theater for our Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus. Here, our top fourth and fifth grade students will shine under the direction of clinician, David Langley. I can’t wait to see you all at our In-Service Conference and at our Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus!

5. Identify college students majoring in music but not music education that you feel would be a great teacher. If these students are freshmen or sophomores encourage them to switch to a music education major. If juniors or seniors, encourage them to pursue an MAT after graduation. 6. Reach out to young music teachers in your area. Take them out for a beverage or a meal and listen to their concerns and let them know you are there for them. 7. Attend the upcoming GMEA conference and encourage college students and young teachers to attend. There will be a track of sessions across all divisions designed specifically for college students and young teachers. I look forward to seeing you at the GMEA In-Service Conference in January.

GEOR GI A MUSI C N EWS | W IN T ER 2 02 1

Orchestra

Stephen Lawrence Hi Friends! Winter is here! This time of year always brings about a feeling of transition for me.Usually by now I have finally broken free of the holiday music looping in my head from the December concert, and I am replacing it with upcoming LGPE selections. My feelings of, “the school year just started,” are now feelings of, “I can’t believe the school year is halfway over already!” I go from being exhausted from concerts, gigs, final exams and holiday celebrations to being rejuvenated and counting down the days to our next performance. I also look forward to the GMEA In-Service Conference, where I get to spend time with colleagues, meet new music educators, reconnect with past friends, and be inspired and encouraged by some of our state’s most talented students, directors, and clinicians. This year’s educational sessions and concerts will offer a wonderful variety of experiences from teaching our students how to develop critical listening skills for better intonation to a jam-packed session of “the strangest things we do” mini-clinics. Additional sessions include guidance on courageous cultural conversations, the best supplemental resources to excite and motivate your students, fun and exciting props for teaching orchestra, direction on getting back to the basics for students that “already know it all,” and of course, the always entertaining and amusing music reading session!

You will certainly not want to miss any of this year’s performing groups: • Northwestern Middle School Orchestra - Evelyn Champion • Webb Bridge Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra - James Barket • Kennesaw State University Symphony Orchestra - Nat Parker • Milton High School Chamber Orchestra - Andrew Cummings • Duluth High School Chamber Orchestra - Shawn Morton and Peter Lemonds

Please support your colleagues and music’s future by attending! In addition to the conference, preparations are almost daily for what promises to be an amazing AllState 2022! This year’s conductors are: Sharon Lavery (11-12 full orchestra), Rachel Dirks (11-12 string orchestra), Jason Seber (9-10 full orchestra), Sey Ahn (9-10 string orchestra), and our two middle school orchestra conductors are Angela Woo and Creston Herron. I want to again thank the All-State Organizers: Bo Na, Sam Lowder, Patricia Cleaton, Lori Buonamici, Corie Benton, Sara Grimes, as well as Linda Cherniasky and Bo Na, our final audition hosts, and of course Evelyn Champion, our state All-State Organizer. Thank you all for your hours of tireless service. It is such a pleasure and honor to teach in a state with a reputation for having such special, dedicated, and knowledgeable professionals. Thank you all for what you do for the students of Georgia through music education. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, suggestions, concerns, or observations. I cannot wait to see you all in Athens in January and again in March!

MARCHING

COMPETITIONS AND FESTIVALS check out the recaps! https://www.gmea.org/marching-band

Guitar

Caryn Volk When directors and teachers are asked to take on a secondary area, often they struggle with how to proceed with the course. Curriculum, management, instructional plans are tossed away; concerns for a different focus take the fore. Too frequently, we forget to be mindful of the student experience in the non-traditional music class. Any experiential class, especially one that offers skills training, can enjoy the instructional goal of performance. One would struggle to recall a traditional music ensemble that did not perform at some point during the class duration. Music technology students complete and produce an original composition. Music history and theory students produce a final presentation to the class and other music programs. So, too, in guitar classes, we can and should make the ultimate goal of performance. In technique and basic level classes, those performances may eschew the model of traditional evening performance in an auditorium. But it does not make the performance aspect any less valid and empowering—for both students and audience members. Middle school students take advantage of the informance model of production, with a daytime, class time demonstration of skills learned. The informance takes a more casual approach to concert format, providing families explanation of skills learned, accompanied by demonstrations. The hard work is exhibited for all to see, with clear understanding from both sides about the time spent in the class. High school students may lean on their peers as a ready-made and potentially musically trained audience. Performing for other ensembles, in common areas and at staff functions, offers an authentic outlet for musical production. Ultimately, few learn an instrument only to sit in their basement and play. They want to heard, validated, and appreciated for the effort invested in the performance— no matter how small or simple. For an example of a Guitar Ensemble performance, please join us Thursday evening at the 2022 In-Service Conference.

Research

Dr. Martin Norgaard I am excited to see everyone in person at GMEA in Athens this January at both the research presentations and the research poster session. As in 2020, the posters will be displayed in the Atrium all day on Friday, and researchers will stand by their posters from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Please come by and hear about the outstanding research taking place in Georgia and beyond. Viewing the posters, you can learn about how jazz pedagogy in the U.S. has changed since the 1940’s and how performance anxiety is described in practitioner journals. Another poster looks at changes in pedagogical practice in group vocal instruction as related to the influence of science and technology. Three posters describe studies of instrumental students practicing, decision making, and the effect of post-performance conductor behaviors. Leadership and identity of ensemble conductors is also explored. Several posters explore issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, including a phenomenological investigation into successful urban elementary music educators. Issues related to music teacher education, including a focus on preparing teacher educators to teach students with exceptionalities, are also explored. Finally, posters describe community in choral scholarship, internal dialogues of secondary music students, and the effect of mandolin knowledge on beginning violin achievement. I also hope you will attend several of the research presentations that are now concentrated on Friday. Each hour, you will be able to hear two 25-minute research presentations. Related to band, the 10 o’clock hour has presentations describing peer mentoring and verbal feedback. At 2pm, you can learn about syntax in jazz improvisation and principals’ perspectives on the impact of music programs. The effect of COVID-19 is also explored as well as how to create a safe space in the choral classroom. Finally, expressivity in choral singing is described as related song acquisition and note grouping in notation. See you in Athens!

Take a brave step and put those kids out there. With preparation, practice, and high expectations, they will achieve. We want to hear you!

GEOR GI A MUSI C N EWS | W IN T ER 2 02 1

Retired Reflections Jay Wucher

The past year and a half has been the most life changing experience I have ever had. I would guess that there are many that share my views. Adjusting to retirement is one thing, adjusting to retirement and staying as far away from others as possible is another. Compound that by the fact that it has become common practice for life and death decisions to be made on political views, misinformation, and more concern for individual freedom than for the welfare of others. This makes just getting through the day a monumental challenge. As retired music educators, we are so used to giving everything we have and had to help others through our craft, it is nothing short of a conundrum to try to make sense of so much of what life presents us, particularly in view of the continued uncertainty on the horizon. In thinking what might be timely for this article, I thought about words of wisdom that just might help us make it through the next hour, day, week and beyond. All of us have provided words of wisdom that have left a significant impact upon those we taught and taught with. Below are some thoughts of some who evidently have experienced their own challenges Their words might have a similar effect on you. “I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.” - Oscar Wilde

"Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of." - Angelina Jolie

"Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.” - Pablo Picasso

"No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." - Taylor Swift

"You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with.” - Wayne Dyer

“Please kindly go away, I’m introverting.” - Beth Buelow, Author

"Don't think of introversion as something that needs to be cured... Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you're supposed to." - Susan Cain “We’re born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we’re not alone.” - Orson Welles

"Life is a menu, so remember whatever you order for your life is what’s gonna be delivered to your table." - Tyrese Gibson "Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit." - Molière, Playwright

“The ingredients of health and long life are great temperance, open-air, easy labor, and little care.” - Philip Sydney

"Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats." - Voltaire

"To lose patience is to lose the battle.” - Mahatma Gandhi

"People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day." - A.A. Milne

“One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.” - Chinese Proverb “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you'll ever know.” - A.A. Milne "If plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters - 204 if you're in Japan." - Claire Cook "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." - Maya Angelou “Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” - Marie Curie "Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough." - Oprah Winfrey

"Near, far, wherever you are... make sure you’re practicing social distancing!" - Celine Dion

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | FALL 2021

"People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily." - Zig Ziglar, Author "Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia." - Charles Schulz, Illustrator "Optimist: Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it’s more like a chacha." - Robert Brault, Author "Change is not a four-letter word… but often your reaction to it is!" - Jeffrey Gitomer, Author "Try to be like the turtle – at ease in your own shell." - Bill Copeland, Poet "There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want." - Bill Waterson, Cartoonist

PRESENTERS AND

PERFORMERS

GEOR GI A MUSI C N EWS | W IN T ER 2 02 1

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS DAVID ABDO

•CURRICULUM IDEAS FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GENERAL MUSIC CLASS David Abdo is an active bassist, writer, and educator residing in Nashville, Tennessee. He has performed with a wide range of artists, notably Ray Charles, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, Matt Wilson, Bill Bell, Louis Bellson, The Marvellettes, The Drifters, Peaches & Herb, and Wayne Newton. Off the stage, David is a contributor for Premier Guitar magazine. He writes reviews on basses, amplifiers, and effects. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, David earned a Master’s degree in Music Education. David feels fortunate to share the joys of music with many talented musicians and audiences of all ages.

SUSAN AHMAD

•SPICE IT UP - THE WHOLE ENCHILADA WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT TOPPINGS Susan Ahmad is a graduate of Shorter University. Mrs. Ahmad has been teaching general music at Lake Windward Elementary School in Fulton County for 33 years. She has served as a Fulton County Fine Arts Support Teacher where she coaches and provides support for elementary music teachers across the district for 34 years. She is a co-author of the book “Music á la Cart”, has served in numerous leadership roles across the state, county and at her home school. Susan has presented at music conferences in Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee...including implementing music standards, TKES readiness, choral techniques, differentiated instruction, teaching music from a cart, rigor in the music classroom, PBL, and assessment. She holds certificates for Expert Teacher, Master Teacher, and Teacher Support Specialist. Mrs. Ahmad was the recipient of the 2018 Atlanta Journal Constitution Celebrating Teachers Award. Mrs. Ahmad has also served as the Minister of Music at Clear Springs Baptist church for 34 years.

KATIE ANDERSON

•GET CREATIVE, GET NOTICED, GET HIRED! RESUME & INTERVIEW TIPS FROM ARTS SUPERVISORS Katie Anderson is the Fine Arts Coordinator of the Paulding County School District in Dallas, Georgia. She spent 16 fun years in the elementary music classroom singing, dancing, composing, banging on instruments, and helping children find their voice before transitioning to an instructional leadership role over the arts programs of the Paulding County School District, where she now supports 112 teachers in visual arts, instrumental music, vocal music, and theatre arts. In her career, Katie has been named Teacher of the Year twice, Distinguished Educator of the Year, and most recently, District Services Employee of the Year in her current role. Over the years, she has written numerous grants, brought more arts access to her schools in Tennessee and Georgia, collaborated with artists and musicians from across the globe, developed quality, content-specific professional development for her teachers, and written curricular resources for districts and supporting agencies. She works every day to support and encourage her teachers in the Paulding County School District and collaborates with her colleagues across the state. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education, a Master of Music Education, and an EdS in Curriculum & Instruction. While in quarantine, she needed a project and decided to start her doctoral program in Curriculum & Instruction.

TIM ANDERSON

•THE STRANGEST THING I DO, A SERIES OF MINI-CLINICS Tim Anderson is the orchestra director at Autrey Mill Middle School in Fulton County. He has been selected as Teacher of the Year and ASTA's Educator of the Year. He has performed, conducted, and presented at the ASTA National Conference, the Midwest International Conference and the GMEA Conference.

ALAN ARMSTRONG

•"IF I ONLY HAD..." LEARNING TO BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED! A graduate of Jacksonville State University, Alan Armstrong is in his 34th year of teaching in public schools, and his 26th year at Northgate High School. His bands have consistently received superior ratings in marching, concert and jazz events. The Northgate Wind Ensemble has played for the Georgia State Leadership Convention and as a guest ensemble at the University of Alabama Honor Band Clinic. The Northgate program was one of the first three recipients of the GMEA “Exemplary Performance Award” for high school bands. Mr. Armstrong has taught at the Elementary, Middle and High School level in general music, band and choral settings during the course of his career. He has presented clinics on multiple occasions at the GMEA State Convention and served as a clinician and consultant in musical events and leadership sessions with bands and drum corps in Japan and the United States. An extensive 40 year career in the drum and bugle corps activity currently finds him serving on the staff with both Atlanta CV and the Cavaliers. Mr. Armstrong is an active arranger for ensembles of all levels. He has been named the Northgate HS Teacher of the Year, was honored as both Northgate HS and Coweta County’s “Star Teacher” and was honored by the State Legislature of Georgia with a resolution recognizing his accomplishments during his career at Northgate. He is a member of GMEA, the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, Phi Mu Alpha and Phi Beta Mu.

MYRIAM I. ATHANAS FAULKNER

•ATTRIBUTES OF PRE-SERVICE MUSIC EDUCATORS: EXAMINING VERBAL FEEDBACK EFFECTIVENESS IN THE SECONDARY-LEVEL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CLASSROOM Myriam Athanas Faulkner is a Ph.D. Candidate in Music Education in The University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Her primary research interests are pre-service teacher training, verbal feedback, assessment, scale development, and educational measurement.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE DR. REBECCA ATKINS

P RE S E N T E RS

•MEANINGFUL GRADES IN A PERFORMANCE-BASED CLASS •PRINCIPALS' PERSPECTIVES ON THE FACTORS THAT IMPACT K-12 MUSIC PROGRAMS •INFUSED-EXPRESSION DURING SONG ACQUISITION IMPROVES EXPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG VOICES Rebecca L. Atkins joined the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia as Assistant Professor of Music Education (Vocal Music Education) in the Fall of 2016. At the undergraduate level, Dr. Atkins teaches Choral Methods, Elementary Methods, voice classes, and supervises the vocal student teachers. She also teaches research and pedagogy courses at the graduate level and supervises doctoral dissertations. Previously she was the Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2013-2016). She received her Ph.D. in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin (2013), an M.M. in Choral Conducting at Missouri State University (2008), and a B.M. in Music Studies at The University of Texas at Austin (1994). Dr. Atkins is an active clinician, adjudicator, performer, and music education researcher. Her current research focuses on the effects of attention on vocal tone quality. She is also drawn to research questions that pertain to the development of performance skills and the refinement of pedagogy. Before her collegiate career, Atkins successfully directed 14 years of middle school and high school choir in the public school systems of Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, earning superior and excellent ratings consistently at competitions.

ANTHONY BAGLIO

•HOW TO GO FROM "UGH! I HAVE TO TEACH GUITAR!" TO "I LOVE TEACHING GUITAR!" Anthony Baglio is a graduate of the University of Georgia and holds a bachelor's degree in music education. During his time at UGA, he studied classical guitar performance and education under Daniel Bolshoy and Philip Snyder. Since then, he served as the orchestra and guitar director in the Central Gwinnett cluster at Jordan middle school from 2018-2021. Anthony Baglio has recently taken over the guitar program at Duluth middle school which currently has over 220 students enrolled. He is continuously seeking ways to grow his and others' programs and spread they joy of learning to play the guitar.

JENNIFER BAIN

•YES, GUITAR ENSEMBLE IS A REAL ENSEMBLE TOO! Jennifer Bain is the Orchestra and Guitar Director at Ola High School. Mrs. Bain has taught orchestra, guitar, and AP Music Theory since 2013. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Clayton State University. Bain is a low-string specialist and jazz bassist. She enjoys performing jazz and in musicals. She enjoys spending time with her husband, son, dogs, and cat.

BARBARA BAKER

•ACT LIKE A BAND DIRECTOR, THINK LIKE AN ADMINISTRATOR! BUILDING PROGRAM RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN YOUR SCHOOL Recipient of the 2017-2018 SBO “50 Directors Who Make a Difference in America” award, Barbara Baker is in her 25th year at McIntosh High School where she currently serves as Director of Bands. In 2019 the band under her direction was the premiere performance for The University of Georgia’s Jan-Fest and also performed there previously in 2014. In 2018, the band earned the Gold Award at the New York Music Festival at Carnegie Hall. In 2017 and 2013, the band performed at the Kennesaw State Concert Band Invitational. Ms. Baker was selected as the 2016 teacher most likely to place a musician in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Under Ms. Baker’s instruction her bands have earned superior ratings at Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Evaluation and have received several prestigious performance invitations throughout the United States. Ms. Baker conducted the Georgia Music Educators Association District Honor Band for District Eight, and she was a National Grammy Educator Finalist. She has been a Star Teacher, Who’s Who Among Teachers, Organizing Chair for District Festival, Solo Ensemble, Honor Band, and Georgia Music Education Association District Treasurer. Ms. Baker has performed with the Cobb Wind Symphony at the CBDNA in 2002, Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention in December 2003, GMEA conference in 2004 and 2007. Under Ms. Baker’s direction, the concert and marching bands have consistently earned superior ratings at LGPE and Marching Band competitions. Ms. Baker is a concert and marching band clinician and adjudicator in Alabama and Georgia. Ms. Baker is a graduate of Jacksonville State University.

SARAH BALL

•PROPS' TO YOUR ORCHESTRA Sarah Ball has been teaching orchestra for twenty-four years, currently at North Gwinnett Middle School in Sugar Hill, Ga, where she is one of three orchestra directors. The NGMS orchestra program has 425 students enrolled in grades 6-8. Mrs. Ball holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Appalachian State University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University. She was named the NGMS Teacher of the Year for 2011-12 and was selected as the middle school Teacher of the Year for Gwinnett County. In 2018, Mrs. Ball was chosen as the GA ASTA String Educator of the year. She has served as state treasurer and president for GA-ASTA and has served nationally on the K-12 orchestra curriculum committee for and memberat-large on the national board. She is currently a mentor for national ASTA and has supervised numerous student teachers during her career. Mrs. Ball was the GMEA Orchestra Division Chair, and has held school leadership roles as curriculum and department chair at both Lanier MS and NGMS. She is the Vice-President elect of Georgia Music Educator’s. Mrs. Ball has presented professional development sessions at the school, county, state and national level. She is active as a clinician, adjudicator, and conductor throughout the country. Mrs. Ball started playing violin at age 10 and lives in Brookhaven, Georgia with her husband, Jerrod, also a violinist, and their cat, Isaac (not a violinist).

ANDY BECK

•GONNA SING! NEW 2-PART CHORAL REPERTOIRE Andy Beck received a bachelor's degree in music education from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in music education from Northwest Missouri State University. Andy currently is the Director of Choral Publications at Alfred Music. A prolific composer and arranger, he has over 450 popular choral works, vocal resources, and children’s musicals currently in print, including the highly regarded method books Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique. Andy is in demand as a guest conductor, choreographer, adjudicator, and clinician for educators and students throughout the United States and beyond.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS DR. RICHARD BELL

•ADVICE FROM PRINCIPALS AND COUNSELORS FOR TEACHERS WITH CHALLENGING PRINCIPALS AND COUNSELORS Dr. Richard Bell is currently in his ninth year as associate professor of music at Clayton State University. His teaching areas include orchestra, double bass, music education, music composition and music theory. He is also the conductor of the Southern Crescent Symphony. A strong advocate for music education throughout the state, Richard is a graduate of the Arts Leaders of Metropolitan Atlanta class of 2018, a member of the steering committee for the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Arts and Culture Strategic Plan and the state advisor for the collegiate division of the Georgia Music Educators Association. He holds bachelors and masters degrees from Florida State University and a doctorate from the University of Georgia. He taught middle school and high school orchestra in the Clayton and Henry County schools for 29 years and served for two years on the faculty of Reinhardt University as conductor of the Reinhardt Orchestra. During his time in the public schools he served 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 GMEA 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. Awards received during his career include the Georgia Music Educators Association Distinguished Career Award, the Georgia String Teachers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Award, the Walmart Foundation Teacher of the Year Award, the STAR Teacher Award and the Clayton State University College of Arts and Sciences Gene Hatfield Service Award.

KYLE BICKWIT

•BASSOONER THE BETTER - HOW TO START BEGINNING BASOONISTS Kyle Bickwit is currently in his fourth year as the Director of Bands at East Hall Middle School in Gainesville. Previously, Mr. Bickwit taught for 4 years as Director of Bands at Social Circle Middle-High School in Social Circle, GA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance (Bassoon) from the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music. During his time at UGA, he spent two years as a member of the Redcoat Band and two years on staff as the Front Ensemble Instructor. Mr. Bickwit continues to stay involved with UGA as a staff member for their Summer Music Camps. A highlight of his performance career was his summer touring as a Marimba player with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011. Mr. Bickwit continues to teach private bassoon lessons in the Gainesville area. In his free time he enjoys playing tennis, running and rock-climbing. He currently lives in Athens with his wife, Cecile.

CHRISTIAN BIGLIANI

•DON'T FRET! UKE CAN DO IT!

Colombian-born pianist and educator, Christian Bigliani is currently a PhD student studying Music Teaching and Learning at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Christian started his musical training at the tender age of eight years old and continued on to receive a B.M. in Piano Performance from Shorter College and a M.M. in Music Teaching and Learning and Piano Accompanying from the Eastman School of Music. Before moving to Rochester, Christian was the Choral and Theatre director at DeSana Middle School in Alpharetta, GA where he was named Teacher of The Year in 2018-2019. While at DeSana, he and art teacher, Angela Petit, collaborated together and were awarded a grant through the Georgia Council of the Arts. With this grant, they organized the school’s first Cultural Arts Festival which celebrates its diverse student population. In addition to teaching, Christian sang with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Choruses for several seasons, performing with them at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Christian’s research topics of interest include: diversity, equity, and inclusion through the lens of classroom management, and parallels between language and music learning.

MOLLY BLAIR

•TEACHING WITH DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESS IN MIND FOR BEGINNING TEACHERS Molly Blair is currently completing her doctorate at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Her research interests focus on social psychology, specifically self-talk and practice behaviors. Prior to beginning her doctorate, she taught middle and high school band in North Carolina.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P RE S E N T E RS

DR. PETER LOEL BOONSHAFT

•OPENING SESSION •INSPIRED REHEARSING AND TEACHING: SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE! TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE ANY REHEARSAL OR CLASS •WARM-UP AND ENSEMBLE DEVELOPMENT EXERCISES THAT WORK! Called one of the most exciting and exhilarating voices in music education today, Peter Loel Boonshaft has been invited to speak and conduct in every state in the nation and around the world. Honored by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education," Dr. Boonshaft is Director of Education for Jupiter Band Instruments, and his weekly “Boonshaft’s Blog” for music educators continues to inspire teachers everywhere. He has received official proclamations from the Governors of five states and a Certificate of Appreciation from former President Ronald Reagan, as well as performing for former President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton, and for Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He has been awarded membership in Pi Kappa Lambda and Alpha Chi, as well as twice receiving the University of Hartford Regent's Award and that University's Outstanding Music Educator Award. His honors also include being selected three times as a National Endowment for the Arts "Artist in Residence,” three times awarded Honorary Life Membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society, receiving the Al G. Wright Award of Distinction from the Women Band Directors International, and being selected for the Center for Scholarly Research and Academic Excellence at Hofstra University. He holds Bachelor of Music (Summa Cum Laude), Master of Music Education in Conducting, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. Dr. Boonshaft was also awarded a Connecticut General Fellowship for study at the Kodály Musical Training Institute, from which he holds a Certificate. He is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is Professor of Music. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Boonshaft was on the faculty of Moravian College and the University of Hartford. He was Founder and Music Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Honors Concert Band and the Connecticut Valley Youth Wind Ensemble. In addition, he held the post of Music Director and Conductor of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony of Boston. Dr. Boonshaft is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise, as well as his first book for teachers of other disciplines, Teaching with Passion, Purpose and Promise. He is also co-author of Alfred Music Publishing’s new beginning method book series, Sound Innovations for Band and Sound Innovations for Strings, as well as Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Young Concert Band, Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band, and Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Advanced Concert Band. In addition, he is the author of Vaclav Nelhybel: His Life and Works, the only authorized biography of the composer, a contributing author of The Music Director’s Cookbook: Creative Recipes for a Successful Program, and author of articles for Instrumentalist Magazine, the National Band Association Journal, Teaching Music, and Band Director's Guide. Dr. Boonshaft also held the post of Band/Wind Ensemble Editor for the School Music News. Active as a proponent of new literature for concert band, he has commissioned and conducted over forty world premieres by such notable composers as Eric Ewazen, W. Francis McBeth, Johan de Meij, Fisher Tull, H. Owen Reed, Vaclav Nelhybel, David Gillingham, Philip Sparke, Satoshi Yagisawa, Rossano Galante, Sam Hazo, Andrew Boysen, Brian Hogg, Robert W. Smith, David Holsinger, Stephen Melillo, Roland Barrett, and Jared Spears. Among the soloists who have appeared in performance with Dr. Boonshaft are John Marcellus, Maynard Ferguson, Harvey Phillips, The Boston Brass, Eugene Rousseau, Marianne Gedigian, Ed Shaughnessy, Lynn Klock, Don Butterfield, The Dallas Brass, We Are The Mummies, Lance LaDuke, Dave Steinmeyer and the United States Air Force "Airmen of Note," Chester Schmitz, and the Vienna Schubert Trio. Extremely active as a guest conductor, clinician and speaker for conferences, festivals, concerts and workshops nationally and internationally, he has guest conducted the NAfME (The National Association for Music Education) National High School Honors Band, NAfME All-Eastern Band, NAfME All-Northwest Band, NAfME All-Eastern Directors Band, Goldman Memorial Band, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, U.S. Marine Band New Orleans, Western International Band Clinic, Prague Castle Guard/Czech Police Symphonic Band, U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools: Europe Honors Music Fest Band, and the Association of Concert Bands National Conference Band. In addition, he is an adjudicator and clinician for the Music For All/Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, and serves as Chief Adjudicator for the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival He has served as a speaker for the Canadian Music Educators Association National Convention, NAfME National Conference, American Band College, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Music For All/Bands and Orchestras of America Symposium, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Samuel Barber Institute for Music Educators, Music Education Center of America, EARCOS Conferences in China and Thailand, Singapore Ministry of Education Band Conference, KIPP National School Summit, NESA Council of Overseas Schools Conferences in Thailand and the Philippines, and as keynote speaker for the NAfME Northwest Division Conference, NAfME Southern Division Conference, European Music Educators Convention, National Convention of the American String Teachers Association, National Convention of the American School Band Directors Association, ACDA Western Division Conference, East Asia Regional Council of Schools, Maryborough Music Conference of Australia, National Conference of the Organization of American Kodály Educators, The Sydney (Australia) Music Education Conference, and numerous international, national, state and regional music education conferences.

JESSICA BOOTH

•STATE OF THE ARTS

Jessica Booth serves as the Fine Arts Education Program Manager for the Georgia Department of Education. In her almost twenty- five years as an art educator in Georgia she taught visual art at the middle, high school, and university level, and has served as a district fine arts supervisor for two different urban school systems. In her current role, Jessica leads the Georgia Department of Education Fine Arts Department, professional development, best-practice curriculum and assessment strategies, and the development of the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Fine Art. Through that work she developed the GA STEAM certification, Georgia’s Fine Arts Diploma Seal, and Arts Integration School of Excellence Award. Jessica was named the National Southeastern Secondary Educator of the Year in 2009, Administration and Supervision Educator of the Year in 2011, and the Georgia Art Educator of the Year in 2020. Jessica was a member of the inaugural NAEA School for Arts Leaders cohort and has served NAEA as a member of the Professional Materials Committee and as the Southeastern Representative to the Administration and Supervision Division, and President of NASDAE. She graduated with a BFA in illustration, a Master of Art Education in sculpture, and an Educational Specialist in Leadership and Administration.

CORY BOSTIC

•AFTER COVID, NOW WHAT? COMMUNICATE STRATEGIES TO GAIN FUNDING FOR MUSIC TECHNOLOGY Mr. Cory Bostic is a dynamic music educator with a passion for instrumental music and music technology awarded 2020 Teacher of the Year at Lithonia Middle School in Dekalb County School District. He was a member of the District Curriculum writing team for 2 years. He was the first to graduate from Florida A&M University with a B.A. degree in Commercial Music and Jazz Studies which provided a sound foundation in instrumental performance and music technology. Cory is now director of instrumental music for the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts at Heritage High School (Conyers, GA). He has coached students in digital audio, animation, and video editing, and graphic design with a 100% success rate at winning district while consistently leading students to the state finals at the Georgia Educational Technology Consortium (Georgia Technology Fair). As a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP), Mr. Bostic is an experienced music industry professional with credits as performer, composer, studio musician, and producer/engineer. His commercial credits include Levi's, Converse, Boost Mobile as well as production and instrument work for several recording artists. As a 7-year music educator directing bands and orchestra, his focus has been building individual student achievement as well as large group performance success on acoustic and electronic instruments. He now aims to help teachers communicate to administrators the importance of music technology as an instructional tool, skill-building strategy, and way to increase student achievement. The goal is to guide educators on how to gain approval and funding for desired music software/hardware through proper communication.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS SCOTT BROWN

•TEACHING PERCUSSION FOR NON-PERCUSSIONISTS Scott Brown is currently the Assistant Band Director at Dickerson M.S. and Percussion Director at Walton H.S. Scott is Percussion Coordinator for the Music For All Summer Music Symposium Middle School Camp, Co-Director of the North Georgia Percussion Camp and Atlanta Percussion Symposium, and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Percussion Ensemble Committee. He has been fortunate to work with many fine ensembles including the Lassiter and Kennesaw Mountain H.S. bands, and the Beatrix, Spirit of Atlanta, and Atlanta CV Drum & Bugle Corps. Between his fourteen years with Lassiter and ten with Walton, Scott has been a part of 2 national championships, 2 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, 2 Tournament of Roses Parades, and the Waikiki Holiday Parade, Midwest Clinic (3x), PASIC, GMEA (5x). While serving a Percussion Arranger and Consultant for Beatrix, the ensemble won the “High Percussion” awards for Drum Corps Netherlands and Drum Corps Europe. The Dickerson M.S. percussion ensemble has performed for the GMEA Conference (3x), The Midwest Clinic (2x), PASIC (2x), and the Music For All National Percussion Festival (3x). Mr. Brown is co-author of “Field Level” and composer of “Kumi-daiko”, both published by Row-Loff Productions. Scott has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Thailand, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, and Malaysia. Mr. Brown is a graduate of Western Carolina University, alumnus of Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, and an educational artist for Innovative Percussion, Mapex Drums, Majestic Percussion, and Sabian Cymbals.

SCOTT BURSTEIN

•ONLINE LEARNING STRATEGIES WITH MODERN BAND •POPULAR MUSIC EDUCATION AND MODERN BAND •CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS AND STUDENT CHOICE IN MUSIC EDUCATION •NEXT STEPS WITH UKULELE IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD Scott Burstein is the National Director of Teaching and Learning for the non-profit Little Kids Rock. His duties include managing Little Kids Rock’s musical content, curriculum, and professional development. He previously taught 12 years of public high school in Los Angeles, with subjects ranging from Marching Band to AP Music Theory. Scott studied music at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the Eastman School of Music, and received his DMA in Music Education at the University of Southern California. While primarily a guitarist, he has performed on a variety of instruments in the fields of classical music and jazz.

T'NAI BURTON

•WE ARE ECLECTIC: INCREASING CULTURAL AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY IN MUSIC EDUCATION T'Nai Burton is a soprano, song-writer, and music educator. She received her undergraduate degree in music from Savannah State University (Savannah, GA) in 2013 and her graduate degree from Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, GA) in 2015. T'Nai is currently employed as a music educator for Savannah Chatham County Public School System (Savannah, GA). Mrs. Burton teaches healthy vocal practices to singers so that they will know how to use their gift and expand it with proper technique. She knows that some of her students are not interested in becoming musicians, so she makes it her goal to teach all students who enter her classroom how to develop an appreciation for the art form. She seeks to engage them in intellectual conversations about how music reflects history, culture, and society.

EMILY CALHOUN

•DEVELOPING CRITICAL LISTENING SKILLS FOR BETTER INTONATION IN THE ORCHESTRA CLASSROOM Emily Calhoun, Director of Orchestras at Savannah Arts Academy in Savannah, Georgia, is in her 34th year as a music educator. Her experience includes reestablishing the string orchestra program in the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, co-founding and directing the Armstrong Youth Orchestra Program, teaching chorus and general music in a small private school, and working with students from PK3 – 12th grade. Emily has served as District Orchestra Chair many times, GMEA Board Member At Large, and she is currently on the Orchestra Standing Committee. Her orchestras consistently receive Superior ratings at LGPE, and she is an approved adjudicator in the Orchestra division. Each year, 20% of her total orchestra students participate in the All-State Orchestras in Athens, GA. Emily graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance in 1983. Emily has taught in the Clarke County Public Schools, the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools and at St. Andrew’s on the Marsh, an Independent School located in Savannah. Emily enjoys attending workshops and webinars that connect her with others who share her love of music and spreading the joy that music making brings. She continues to expand her horizons for the sake of her students, participating in Strings Without Boundaries and Little Kids Rock programs. Her next goal is to build a Modern Band Program that includes electric string instruments, while maintaining the strong classical orchestra program at Savannah Arts Academy.

DR. PATRICK K. CARNEY

•ADVOCATING FOR A REAL K-5 MUSIC EDUCATION: THE CHANGE WE NEED Dr. Patrick K. Carney has taught music education at the collegiate level for over twenty years. His publications have appeared in Research Perspectives in Music Education, Florida Music Director, The Instrumentalist, South Carolina Musician, and the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education. Dr. Carney has presented research at conferences for College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, National Association of Music Educators, and the Music Educators Association conferences of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States and Southeast Asia.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE BRANDON T. CASH

P RE S E N T E RS

•PRINCIPALS' PERSPECTIVES ON THE FACTORS THAT IMPACT K-12 MUSIC PROGRAMS Brandon T. Cash, native of Ashland, Virginia, enjoys a varied career as a conductor, music educator, singer, and choral clinician. Dr. Cash joined the music faculty at Mississippi Valley State University as the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music in the Fall of 2019, where he conducts the University Choir, and Valley Singers. In addition to his conducting duties, he teaches courses in Choral Methods, Choral Conducting and Applied Voice. He received his Ed.D. in Choral Music Education from The University of Georgia in 2020, a M.A. in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Affairs in 2011, and his B.A. Music Education K-12 (Voice) from Hampton University in 2007. He holds several advanced certificates in Educational Leadership, from the UGA and Music Education from Piedmont. Dr. Cash is an active tenor soloist and researcher. His research interest includes the Principals’ perspectiveson K-12 music programs, culturally responsive pedagogy in music ed and music in rural and urban schools. He has presented at GMEA, VMEA and Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Learning and Teaching. Dr. Cash also serves as the Mississippi ACDA R&R Chair. Before his collegiate career, Cash successfully enjoyed 9 years of teaching and directing middle school and high school choirs in Clayton and APS, earning superior and excellence ratings consistently at LGPE. In addition to NAfME and ACDA, his professional memberships include GMEA, MMEA, KDP, NASPAAM, College Music Society (CMS), NCCO. He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

STEFANIE CASH

•BUILDING UNITY IN THE CHORAL CLASSROOM THROUGH IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF WORLD MUSIC Dr. Stefanie Cash is Director of Music Education at Berry College. Dr. Cash teaches methods, curriculum, and world music courses, conducts the Berry Women’s Choir, and supervises student teachers. Dr. Cash also frequently serves as a guest clinician for various district and All-State honor choirs. Cash previously taught at the middle and high school levels where choirs under her direction have performed for KMEA, GMEA and ACDA Southern Division Conventions. Dr. Cash has world music publications in the NATS So You Want to Sing World Music: A Guide for Performers, International Journal of Research in Choral Music, ChorTeach, and Georgia Sings! and has also presented for the Georgia Music Educators Association and ACDA Southern Division Convention.

SANDRA CHANDLER

•DISCOVERING THE SMITHSONIAN CENTER FOR FOLKLIFE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES Sandra Chandler is Director of Choral Activities at Alexander High School, Douglasville, GA and the conductor of Georgia Canto, a multigenerational community choir. Sandra has been a choral music educator in the Georgia and Texas public school systems for over thirty years, and is currently responsible for teaching Mastery Choir, Advanced Chorus, multiple beginning choral classes and musical theater productions at Alexander. She is the Douglas County Choral Resource teacher responsible for staff development and mentoring middle and high school choral directors in her county. She is an accomplished conductor, adjudicator and remains active as a performing pianist. In 2018, she lectured and adjudicated at the “China International Chorus Festival” in Beijing and lectured at the 2019 Xi’an International Choral Festival in Xi’an, China. Sandra was chosen by her peers as “Teacher of the Year” for 2011-2012 and system winner Star Teacher in 2006. Prior to teaching at Alexander, Sandra taught at schools on all levels in Georgia and Texas. Sandra graduated from Shorter College, Rome, Georgia with a Bachelor degree in Music Education, studied at the State University of West Georgia, and received her Master of Arts Education degree from Central Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. She is an active participant and holds professional membership in the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Georgia Music Educators Association. Her writing is currently featured in the Choral Reviews section of the Choral Journal.

ANNALISA CHANG

•HELP! I HAVE TO TEACH OUTSIDE OF MY PRIMARY AREA, WHAT DO I DO! 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 in Music Education (M.M. and B.M.) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. At Clayton State, Dr. Chang teaches music education courses, string methods, music technology, music appreciation, and supervises student teachers. She also serves as the Associate Conductor of the Clayton County Youth Orchestra and the director of the CSU Music Preparatory School. Her research on string teacher education, the inclusion of students with exceptionalities in string classrooms, music education for students in underserved areas, and traditional (folk) music instruction in the schools has been presented at state, national, and international music education conferences. Her work has been published in the String Research Journal, the Florida Music Director, and the ArkMEA journal. She currently serves on the Editorial Committee of the American String Teacher and serves as the Chair-Elect of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Children with Exceptionalities Special Research Interest Group. As a clinician, Dr. Chang has presented sessions at state in-service conferences (Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina), the American String Teachers Association National Conference, and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.

CHARLIE CHASTAIN

•WHAT IS AUDIO RECORDING?

Charlie began his musical journey at 15 as a traveling singer/songwriter and began working in audio while attending UGA. After graduating from the Master Recording Program at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2000, Charlie moved to New York to work as an Assistant/Pro Tools Engineer at Clinton Recording Studios. Charlie later moved oversees, working as a freelance recordist and mixing/mastering engineer in London, Rio de Janiero, St. Petersburg, and Turkey, Malaysia, Estonia, Belgium, and Italy. Charlie began teaching audio production to clients in Europe, eventually teaching at Tartu University in Viljandi, Estonia and has continued teaching since returning to the United States, including at the Atlanta campus of SAE Institute and currently at Tweed Recording Audio Production School in Athens.

CHARLES E. CLAIBORNE

•CHORAL WARMUPS TO ENERGIZE THE VOICE, THE BODY, AND THE MIND Charles E. Claiborne taught high school choral music at Druid Hills High School in DeKalb County and at Campbell and North Cobb High Schools in Cobb County until his retirement in 2002. In 2003 he and his wife moved to Knoxville Tennessee, where, for 4 years, he served as director of choirs for the Knoxville Area Homeschool Coop. He has also served as Music Director at Cumberland United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Kirkwood Presbyterian Church in Kennesaw, and Kodak United Methodist Church in Kodak, Tennessee. He has previously served as director of the Smyrna Community Chorus and assistant Director of the Choral Guild of Atlanta. He served two terms as GMEA State Choral Chair and edited the LGPE Sight-reading book for many years. He is an active member of ACDA and has served as President of the Georgia Chapter. He presently serves as a Head Adjudicator for GMEA LGPE's. He lives in Woodstock, Georgia with his wife, Nancy.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS AMY CLEMENT

•CURRICULUM IDEAS FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GENERAL MUSIC CLASS Amy Clement has taught orchestra in Gwinnett County since 1997. She is currently in her 13th year as one of the orchestra directors at NGMS. Orchestras under the direction of Ms. Clement have consistently received superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation and her students also participate in solo/ensemble, countywide honor orchestras, and Georgia all-state orchestra. The NGMS orchestra received the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award in 2009, 2015, and the NGMS fine arts department received Music Program of the Year in 2018. Under Mrs. Clement’s leadership, the NGMS 8th grade orchestra was selected to perform at the GMEA conference in Savannah in January of 2012. The NGMS honor orchestra was selected to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic in December of 2013 and Carnegie Hall in April of 2017. Ms. Clement has presented at conferences in Georgia and throughout the country. She has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout Georgia. Ms. Clement has held leadership positions as Georgia ASTA treasurer (2012-2016), GMEA District 13 orchestra division chair (2010-2012), GMEA District 13 treasurer (2016-2018) and GMEA Vice-President in charge of all state events (20172019). She is currently one of two middle school orchestra lead teachers for Gwinnett County Public Schools and president elect for Georgia ASTA. In 2012, she was awarded GMEA’s Volunteer of the Year. Ms. Clement is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans with a BM and MME. She resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia with her husband and puppy Zoey.

PATRICK A COLLINS

•WHAT'S THAT PROJECT? FACILITATING MEANINGFUL CAPSTONE PROJECTS THROUGH PERSONALIZED LEARNING •WHAT'S THAT BUTTON? PRODUCTIVITY HACKS FOR MICROSOFT OFFICE AND GOOGLE DOCS Mr. Patrick A Collins is the Music Technology teacher and Associate Director of Bands at Lanier High School (LHS) in Sugar Hill Georgia. He began teaching at LHS in 2018 and has taught Music Technology, Piano, Marching Band, and Jazz Band. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he serves as the advisor for the LHS Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. As an educator, he has had the opportunity to develop curricular resources for the Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Country Music Association Foundation. Mr. Collins holds a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University. As part of this degree program, he also became one of the first educators in the United States to have a Personalized Learning Endorsement on their teaching certificate. This endorsement focused on how educators can develop and facilitate learners driving their own learning through unique learning experiences that best serve them. Additionally, Mr. Collins holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Kennesaw State University. During his undergraduate degree, he studied with Dr. Douglas Lindsey, Dr. Debra Traficante, Dr. Charles Jackson, Dr. David Kehler, Mrs. Judy Cole, Mr. Mike Tiscone, and Mrs. Rebecca Wilt. He completed his student teaching with Dr. Andrew Poor and many years of mentorship by Mr. Josh Tyree. Mr. Collins is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Phi Kappa Lambda Music Education Honor Society.

NANCY CONLEY

•WELLNESS AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM Nancy Conley is 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 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 Central New York, where she taught elementary, middle, and high school instrumental music for seventeen years. Before moving to Georgia, Dr. Conley taught at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam, where she taught string technique and pedagogy classes, music education electives, and directed the National String Project site. Prior to joining the faculty at KSU, Dr. Conley was the Director of Music Education at Clayton State University, where she coordinated the music education program, taught courses in music and music education, supervised student teachers, and was an instructor of applied violin and viola. Dr. Conley also served as faculty advisor for the collegiate NAfME chapter and co-directed the Clayton County Honor Orchestra. Dr. Conley has presented at regional, national, and international conferences. Her research interests include the use of improvisation as a tool for teaching and life-long learning, music teacher education, and musician wellness.

CHELSEA COOK

•HOW TO BUILD AN ORFF ENSEMBLE 101 •ORFFRAGEOUS! USING ORFF TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN CLASSICAL AND POP MUSIC • WE SING, WE MOVE, WE JAM! INTRODUCING ORFF IN THE URBAN COMMUNITY Chelsea L. Cook holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance from Clayton State University and Georgia State University respectively. Shortly before finishing her graduate studies, Cook burned with a passion for teaching music. So she entered the field of elementary music education, where she struggled to gain footing. However, after years of adjustments and keeping hold of her passion, she managed to get through. Her “out of the box” arrangements have given her advanced Orff ensembles a distinct style that has garnered much praise within their community. Cook’s work was so lauded that it became one of Dekalb County’s premier elementary to middle school music programs. Her credits include performances at the White House, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, The Georgia Music Educators Association Conference (GMEA), 4 National Championships, and the William P. Foster’s Program of Distinction Award Recipient. Atlanta Journal Constitution listed her as one of the Top 10 Educators of the 2018 Celebrating Teachers Awards. Cook is also the 2020–2021 Teacher of the Year of Dunaire Elementary.

DANIEL COOK

•CONNECTING THE DOTS: THE BIRTH OF THE WIND ENSEMBLE •MUSICAL ARTISTRY (AND A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DEVELOP IT) Daniel Cook is currently on the faculty at the University of North Texas where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches conducting, wind literature, and serves as the director of athletic bands. In this capacity, he is proud to lead the 425-member Green Brigade Marching Band. In addition to his work at UNT, Daniel is an active lecturer, adjudicator, and clinician. He is on the brass staff with the Santa Clara Vanguard in the role of the Ensemble Specialist and is the Resident Conductor for the Dallas Brass Band, the metroplex’s only brass band of its kind. Daniel has completed coursework toward a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting at Northwestern University, where he studied with Dr. Mallory Thompson. He holds his Master of Music degree from the same institution and a Bachelor’s from the University of Georgia.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE DR. ADAM DALTON

P RE S E N T E RS

•GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES-DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE SMALL/YOUNGER MARCHING BAND Dr. Adam Dalton is currently the Director of Athletic Bands for Marshall University where he oversees the Marching Thunder and basketball pep bands. He also conducts the Marshall Symphonic Band and serves as the recruitment director for the music department. Dr. Dalton is a native of Virginia where he attended James Madison University and earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. After graduating, he moved to Atlanta, GA where he taught high school at Milton High School, a large 5A program in Georgia. He then accepted a Graduate Teaching Assistantship at The University of Alabama where he received his Master of Arts in Music Education and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting. Dr. Dalton performed with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps for three years earning two world championships and a gold medal in individual and ensemble. He also marched in various independent winter guards in the southeast, consistently making finals at Winter Guard International. His designing and teaching experience includes the 2008 World Champion Phantom Regiment, The Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He is featured on the WGI video, Toss and served as a clinician and performer for the first everSpinfest Clinic, an annual educational event sponsored by WGI. Dr. Dalton maintains a busy schedule as a designer, consultant, and adjudicator for marching bands and indoor groups both nationally and internationally. Dr. Dalton’s professional affiliations include the Collegiate Band Director’s National Conference, the National Association for Music Education, the Collegiate Music Society, and the National Band Association.

DAVID DESTEFANO

•LET'S GET STARTED!

David DeStefano has been teaching elementary music since 1997 and currently teaches at Crabapple Crossing Elementary. Since 2005, he has presented Orff-based sessions and workshops at local, state and national conferences in Florida, California, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nevada, Georgia, New Jersey and Illinois. He has been interviewed for Teaching Music magazine and has written for the Orff Echo and Reverberations.

LANAE DICKSTEIN

•LET'S GET ORGANIZED!

Lanae Dickstein is in her sixth year as Director of Bands at Central Middle School in Carrollton, GA. She received a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in wind band conducting from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Dickstein regularly serves as an organizer for the Georgia Music Educators Association Middle School All State Band and is the organizer for the Carroll County Middle School Honor Band. As a French horn player, she teaches regularly as a guest instructor and freelance musician. Mrs. Dickstein is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education. Lanae resides happily in Smyrna, GA with her husband Matt and daughter Evalyn.

DAVID DOVER

•HOW'D THAT GET IN THERE? USING WEB APPLICATIONS AND A DAW IN STUDENT PRODUCTIONS Mr. David Dover is in his sixth year 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. Following graduation, Mr. Dover accepted an Assistant Director of Bands position for T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, NC where he served for one year before returning to the University of Georgia to pursue a Masters of Music Education degree. 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 and at Mary Persons High School for a combined 9 years. During his tenure in Monroe County, the program tripled in size and garnered success in both the concert and jazz band idioms. Mr. Dover and his family moved to the Atlanta area where he served a combined 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.

GMEA IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

R E S E RV E YOUR HOTEL A C C E S S

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS MARY FRANCES EARLY

•"THE QUIET TRAILBLAZER" - BOOK CHAT WITH MARY FRANCES EARLY On August 16, 1962, Mary Frances Early made history when she became the first African American to graduate from the University of Georgia with a master’s degree in music education. Ms. Early’s impact as a civil rights icon and music educator has inspired and influenced generations of students, schools, and black communities across the nation. She played an integral role in the campaign for racial equality at UGA and across the South and remains a tireless advocate in the field of education. Inspired by Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes, who were the first undergraduates to integrate UGA in 1961, Early made a deliberate choice to enroll at UGA alongside them to desegregate the graduate school. Still disappointed by the lack of diversity and persistent segregation on campus after graduating, she returned to UGA in 1964 to earn her educational specialist degree in music education. In 2013, Ms. Early was presented with an honorary doctorate from UGA and was later awarded the 2018 UGA President’s Medal in recognition of her legacy and lifetime accomplishments. Ms. Early was class valedictorian at Henry McNeal Turner High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) in 1957, also as valedictorian. She later became a music teacher in Atlanta Public Schools where she continued to challenge injustice and expand access to music for all students before being promoted to music director of the entire school system. During her career, she worked with teachers in the system’s 100-plus schools and was in charge of the music curriculum, budget, textbooks, and more. Ms. Early retired in 1994 after working for 37 years in public schools. She later taught at Morehouse College and Spelman College and served as head of the music department at Clark Atlanta University. Her legacy, triumphs, and accomplishments as a music educator and civil rights icon made her a central figure in the struggle to desegregate the University and serves as an example to all.

DAVID ECCLES

•BEYOND THE METHOD BOOK: THE BEST SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES TO EXCITE AND MOTIVATE YOUR STRING STUDENTS David F. Eccles is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. He currently serves as Orchestra Program and Upper School Orchestra Director at The Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia. For over a decade, he was the Director of String Music Education and Orchestral Activities at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. He has held string education positions in Georgia, Virginia, and Florida. An active clinician, adjudicator, conductor, and cellist, Eccles has served as music director and principal conductor for numerous youth orchestras. He has also served as a guest conductor for many state, county, regional, and community orchestras. Mr. Eccles has presented education sessions at several local, state, and international conferences, including The Midwest Band and Orchestra Directors Clinic & Conference, American String Teachers Association Conference, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, and Florida Music Educators Conferences. Mr. Eccles is a clinician and consulting author for the Hal Leonard Corporation. Additionally, he is a featured string educator in the book, Rehearsing the High School Orchestra.

ANDREW EDWARDS

•THE REMIX: KEY TO STUDENT VOICE AND ENGAGEMENT Dr. Andy Edwards is in his twelfth year of teaching. Currently, he is the Instructional Coordinator for Fine Arts at Peachtree Ridge High School and Lead Teacher for Music Technology for Gwinnett County Public Schools. This is Dr. Edwards’ third year teaching Music Technology full time. Previously, he was the band director at Peachtree Ridge High School for six years and band director at Seneca High School in South Carolina for three years. Dr. Edwards’ primary instrument is the saxophone and he has a passion for guitar and mandolin. He was a 2004 graduate of James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, SC where he was part of the AAAAA State Championship Marching Band. Dr. Edwards graduated from Furman University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music Education. In 2017 he completed his doctoral studies for his Educational Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Georgia, where he focused on the measurement of wind band performance quality. In 2019 he was honored by the Give-A-Note Foundation as a winner of the Music Education Innovators Award and grant, as well as, the CIET grant from Gwinnett County Public 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), and Technology in Music Education (Ti:ME).

JOHNNY EDWARDS

•REACH AND TEACH: FUN ACTIVITIES FOR CHORAL CONCEPTS Johnny Edwards has been teaching Choral Music for over 20 years. He has had success at the Middle School and High School levels. Johnny is the current Director of Choral Activities at Newton High School in Covington, GA. The NHS choral groups have consistently received superior ratings at LGPE in performance and Sightreading for the past 5 years since they have been under his direction. Mr. Edwards' use of different games and "unorthodox" warm-ups to teach choral concepts to students has proven to be successful. His inviting demeanor and willingness to be "silly and crazy" in his teaching is one of the major keys to his success. Mr. Edwards has worked in school districts with various demographics and students with a variety of socio-economic situations. Through his experiences he has found that the one thing that all have in common is the need for fun in the choral classroom.

MEGAN ENDICOTT

•SPICE IT UP - THE WHOLE ENCHILADA WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT TOPPINGS •PODCASTING 101: SHARE YOUR MUSIC CLASSROOM WITH THE WORLD! Megan Endicott is the former Fulton County Fine Arts District Support Teacher and general music teacher at Dolvin Elementary School. She is now the new assistant principal at the Fulton County district online school, Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence. Mrs. Endicott is a member of the district Vanguard executive leadership team as the district Lead Coach, creating Professional Development and Events for the technology team to support educators across multiple grade levels and disciplines to foster 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 holds on her ED.S in instructional Technology and an ED.L in Leadership from Kennesaw State University. Mrs. Endicott was recognized and awarded the Atlanta Families’ Award of Excellence in Education and Teacher of the Year. She has presented at local, state, and national conferences and is a published author.

TIFFANY ENGLISH

•INTRO TO ORFF

Tiffany English is the music specialist at Sugar Hill Elementary School in Gwinnett County, Georgia. 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, vice president and president of AOSA, chair of the Professional Development Committee, president of the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter, and co-chair for the 2014 and 2021 AOSA Professional Development Conferences. Tiffany has been named the Teacher of the Year three times in her career and was honored as the Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year in 2007. She presents at numerous conferences and workshops throughout the United States and is a frequent honor chorus clinician. Tiffany has mentored 15 student teachers in her career and frequently hosts elementary music education methods course observations in her classroom. She was awarded the Athens P-20 Collaborative Mentor Award from the Georgia Colleges of Teacher Education in 2021.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE ALISON FARLEY

P RE S E N T E RS

•ENHANCING EXPRESSIVITY USING THURMOND'S NOTE GROUPING: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF PERCEPTION •TEACHING WITH DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESS IN MIND FOR BEGINNING TEACHERS Dr. Alison Farley is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Georgia where she teaches courses in instrumental music education, psychology of music and advises undergraduate and graduate students. Prior to her appointment at UGA, Dr. Farley was a Lecturer of Music Education at the University of Washington and a Research Coordinator at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS) at UW. Her research interests include psychology of music, student-directed learning, teacher education, and perception and performance of written notation. Dr. Farley has had her research published in Frontiers in Psychology and Contributions to Music Education and presented at international, national, and state conferences.

JOE GIRARD

•THE SCIENCE OF A GOOD SOUND: INTRO TO VOICING FOR SAXOPHONE (AND ALL WINDS!) Dr. Joe Girard is currently Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. He has appeared as a soloist throughout the United States, most notably with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on Glazunov’s Concerto and Ibert’s Concertino da Camera during the 2018-2019 season. As an educator, Dr. Girard has presented masterclasses and clinics across the United States, including at the Brevard Music Center, Eastman School of Music, University of Michigan, and the Frost School of Music among others. Each summer he teaches saxophone at the Schwob Summer Music Festival, an immersive week-long music camp at Columbus State University for high school students. As tenor saxophonist of the Sinta Quartet, he has toured the country, performed internationally, and received numerous awards, most notably gold medal at the 2018 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, first prize at the 2017 M-Prize International Chamber Music Competition, and first prize at the 2013 Concert Artists Guild Competition. The Sinta Quartet has two commercially available CDs, Collider (2019) and Ex Machnica (2020), both can be found on all streaming platforms. He received his Doctorate from Michigan State University, completed his Master and Bachelor of Music at the University of Michigan, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a Selmer Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Selmer Paris Saxophones.

DJ GODINEZ

•ENGAGING AND SHOWCASING THE TENORS AND BASSES IN YOUR CHORAL PROGRAM DJ Godinez is honored to serve as the Choral Director at Johns Creek High School. He holds a Masters in Music Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University. Prior to coming to Johns Creek, he taught middle and high school choir in North Carolina and Virginia. He has served as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and organizer for honor choirs at the county, district, and state level in the southeastern United States. While at Woodbridge Senior High School (Woodbridge, Virginia), his choirs performed on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage (2016) and in the Concert Hall (2015). DJ is a fan of the Washington Nationals and Capitals, and lives in Stone Mountain with his husband, Bryan, and their dog, Moxie.

DR. MARIE GRAHAM

•CONTRA FLOW: CULTURE BEARERS IN COMMUNITY, CONTRA DANCE, AND APPALACHIAN FOLK MUSIC TRADITIONS CONT. Dr. Marie Graham joined the UNG Department of Music in 2020 as the Coordinator of Music Education. She serves as assistant professor and supervisor to music interns in curriculum, pedagogy, and senior capstone courses. While she is new to GA, she has had a thirty-year career as a choral music educator, K-college teaching experience at both public and private institutions. She is a Kodaly specialist in music education and taught Kodaly methodology for Denise Bacon, founder of the Kodaly movement in America. Dr. Graham completed her Doctoral of Musical Arts, Music Education degree at Boston University, her Master of Education at Lesley University, and her Bachelor of Music degree at Hartt School of Music.

WARREN GRAMM

•PEER MENTORING IN MODERN BAND Warren is the Manager of Program Outreach for Little Kids Rock as well as the Administrator for The Journal of Popular Music Education. Warren received his Bachelor’s from TCNJ and his Master’s from Peabody. He received his doctorate in music education from Boston University. Warren has been an instructor with Thomas Edison State University since 2006 working in both the PLA and Music departments. He instructs online courses on PLA, music history, and guitar. Besides his work with TESU, Warren’s teaching experience includes guitar instruction since 1999 and public-school teaching of general music, choir, and Modern Band from 2006 to 2017.

DR. ALYSSA GREY

•IMPROV-ING YOUR CONCERT ENSEMBLE Dr. Alyssa Grey is Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education at Berry College. She completed undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Music Theory & Composition from the University of Miami where she studied with GRAMMY-Award Winning composer Lansing McLoskey. She received a Masters degree in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music and a PhD from the University of North Texas where she studied conducting with Eugene Migliaro Corporon. Alyssa has presented sessions and research with the National Association for Music Education, College Music Society, NJMEA, FMEA, OKMEA, ArkMEA, TMEA, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Midwest Clinic. She is an active conductor and scholar and has published with the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, the Instrumentalist, and Teaching Music Through Performance.

MANDY GUNTER

•COMBINING THE BRAIN AND THE HEART: ENGAGEMENT THROUGH SOCIO-EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM •INTRO TO ORFF Mandy Gunter currently teaches at Burnette Elementary in Gwinnett County. She holds degrees from Georgia College and Lesley University. Mandy holds a post Level-III Orff Schulwerk teacher education. Mandy has served on the National Board of the American Orff Schulwerk Association and was chair of the Communications Committee. She has also served as President of the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter and currently serves as the Advocacy Chair. Mandy presents Orff Schulwerk Workshops across the Southeast.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS WOLSON GUSTAMA

•ESTABLISHING A CULTURE OF "EXCELLENCE!" Wolson Gustama currently serves as the Director of Bands for Dutchtown High School. In his role, Gustama oversees nearly 170 students in several ensembles, including the Dutchtown High School Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, the “Sound of Dutchtown” Marching Band, Jazz Band, and numerous chamber ensembles. Under his leadership, the band has been invited to a number of prestigious events including the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference, the University of Georgia January Festival “Janfest”, the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic (SEUS) at Troy University, the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival at Georgia State University and the University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic. Prior to joining Dutchtown High School, Gustama served as the assistant director of bands at Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Bethune-Cookman University, a Master of Music in Music Education from Florida State University and an Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) from Piedmont College. As a trumpeter, Gustama performs with the Cobb Wind Symphony in Marietta, Georgia. He holds memberships with the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), National Band Association (NBA), and the National Association for Music Educators (NAFME). Gustama is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and currently resides in McDonough, Georgia.

MATTHEW HALEY

•SOUND TEACHING FOR BRASS: A GUIDED LISTENING APPROACH TO TEACHING A BEAUTIFUL SOUND Matthew Haley is currently Assistant Professor of Music at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, GA. He previously taught at the University of North Texas. As a performer, he served in the United States Army, “The Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps as a bugler. While in the Fife and Drum Corps, he performed for two US presidents as well as numerous foreign heads of state. Dr. Haley has also performed with the Dallas Opera. He has recorded with the North Texas Wind Symphony as part of the GIA Publications Teaching Music Through Performance Series and the GIA Publications Composer’s Collection. Dr. Haley can also be heard on Luis Leguia’s 2007 release, American Music for Cello (Albany Records). Dr. Haley holds degrees from the University of North Texas (DMA, Trumpet Performance), the University of Louisville (MM, Trumpet Performance), and the University of Texas (BM, Trumpet Performance). He is a Bach endorsing artist.

CASEY HALL

•TKES IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM •STATE OF THE ARTS Mr. Casey Hall serves as a Fine Arts Education Program Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education. He joins the GaDOE Fine Arts Department team from Fulton County Schools as a Fine Arts Support Teacher (FAST) and Music Specialist in Atlanta, Georgia where he was awarded the title of 20192020 South Learning Community Teacher of the Year for Fulton County Schools. On the FAST Team, he coached and provides support for elementary music teachers across the district. He was 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. 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, Culturally Driven Pedagogy, and Behavior and Classroom Management at international, national, state, and local school district professional development sessions.

DR. DAWN HARMON MCCORD

•CAN WE TALK?: EXPLORING CONNECTIONS AMONG RACE, PRIVILEGE, CULTURE IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM Dawn Harmon McCord, DMA, Professor of Music Education and Organ studies, retired. Dr. McCord has served on the boards of the Georgia Music Educators (GMEA) and Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA) including serving as President of GMTA. She is the current president of Western Georgia Music Teachers. Dr. McCord is Director of Music and Organist at Carrollton Presbyterian Church. She holds degrees from the University of Georgia, Louisiana State University, and Florida State University with studies in Music Education, Piano, Choral Conducting, and Organ Performance. Leading choral clinics and adjudicating piano events is foremost in her professional activities as well as a continuing interest in research related to teaching and learning and teacher preparation. She has presented her research at international, national, and state conferences. Dr. McCord is a member of the National Association for Music Education, GMEA, Music Teachers National Association, GMTA, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians.

JACLYN HARTENBERGER

•LEARNING TO NURTURE THE MUSICAL HUMAN •INSTILLING COMMUNITY IN THE REHEARSAL SPACE 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,” “terrific,” “impressive,” and displaying “artistry.” An advocate for music’s future, Jaclyn frequently performs with young up and coming musicians throughout the country in addition to her appearances with the UGA Wind Symphony. Jaclyn has also 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 Associate 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.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE RONALD HILL, II

P RE S E N T E RS

•ACT LIKE A BAND DIRECTOR, THINK LIKE AN ADMINISTRATOR! BUILDING PROGRAM RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN YOUR SCHOOL Ronald Hill II is currently serving as an Assistant Principal at Putnam County High School in Eatonton, GA. Prior to this, Mr. Hill was recently at Lee County High School as the Director of Bands from 2017-2021 and as a part-time Asst. Principal. Ensembles under the direction of Mr. Hill have consistently earned Superior and Excellent ratings at all adjudicated events, including marching festivals and LGPE. As a native of Macon, Georgia, Mr. Hill graduated from Valdosta State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, where he founded the Sonorous Brass Quintet. He received his Master’s degree in Music Education from Georgia College & State University in May 2011 and most recently graduated with a Specialist in Educational Leadership degree from Georgia College & State University. Mr. Hill was a member of the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, from Jacksonville, Florida aging out in 2008. Mr. Hill is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America Inc, and Phi Kappa Phi honor society. Mr. Hill resides in Lee County with his wife, Alexia, and sons, Quincy and Archie.

KATIE HOLBROOK

•SONGWRITING FOR EVERYONE IN FOUR SIMPLE AND ACTIONABLE STEPS Katie Holbrook is a fourth year elementary music teacher. She teaches first through fifth grade musicians at Blanchard Elementary in Columbus, GA. A finalist for Muscogee County’s First Year Teacher of the Year, Katie loves to collaborate with all music teachers in her district, as early as her undergraduate years. She loves teaching in the same county as her alma mater, Columbus State University, because it allows her to participate in the development of outstanding teacher candidates. Katie takes pride in the fact that her classroom is a place for both musical and emotional growth for her students. When Katie is not in her classroom, she is involved in the online teacher community. As the need for collaboration has expanded in the past year, Katie has grown her online business, 130 Music. As the owner of 130 Music, she is frequently blogging and creating resources that other music teachers are needing.

DR. CRAIG HURLEY

•INCREASING MUSICAL EXPRESSION IN YOUNG CHOIRS •INFUSED-EXPRESSION DURING SONG ACQUISITION IMPROVES EXPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG VOICES 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 Dr. Hurley’s direction, the Spivey Hall Young Artists were honored to perform at the 2018 GMEA In-Service Conference. Dr. Hurley has also served as a guest clinician for several honor choirs throughout the state. Dr. 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, the ACDA Southern Division Conference, as well as for other various teacher organizations. Dr. Hurley was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2002, 2016, and the GMEA Music Educator of the Year in 2021. Dr. Hurley is a published researcher whose interests include music literacy and expressive performance pedagogy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Shorter College, a Master of Early Childhood Education from Berry College, and a Doctorate in Music Education from The University of Georgia. (GO DAWGS!). Dr. Hurley lives in Marietta with his wife Katie (also a music teacher) and their three children.

TYRONE JACKSON

•JAZZ LANGUAGE AND SYNTAX: A TRANSCRIPTION STUDY The name Tyrone Jackson is the quintessential jazz piano player. His boundless creativity coupled with harmonic mastery, utilizes the piano as a blank canvas. Jackson is nationally recognized and has traveled the world as a solo artist and sideman. Born in the New Orleans cradle of jazz, Jackson embodies the spirit of the Crescent City. As a composer, Jackson has composed original music for Pulitizer Prize winning author Natasha Tretheway's book of poems "Native Guard" turned theatrical play, Pearl Clege's play, "Tell Me My Dream", "Ethel" by Terri Burrell, “Nick’s Flamingo Grill”, and this past year’s Alliance Theater production of "A Very Terry Christmas". Jackson has recorded 4 Albums—“Dedicated”, “Another Voyage”, “Melody In Nede”, and new release “From The Mind Of.” Additionally, Jackson’s work in “Native Guard” was premiered in Los Angeles, CA at the famous Sage Hills Academy from January 9-15, 2017. Currently Tyrone Jackson is a professor at Kennesaw State University where he is Lecturer of Jazz Piano and teaches a myriad of classes including: Aural Skills III & IV, Jazz Improvisation I, II & III, Jazz Combo, Jazz Theory, Applied Jazz Piano, Group Jazz Piano and History of the Blues. Jackson is also a clinician and teacher for the Rialto Arts Jazz program for middle school and is a clinician for Clayton County Arts Association. Jackson has performed with Steve Turre, Larry Carlton, Carmen Bradford, Earl Klugh, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Gardner, Joe Lovano, Russell Gunn, David Sanchez, Russell Malone, Marcus Miller along with opening for Esperanza Spaulding.

JAY JACOBS

•EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN OUR ENSEMBLES: THE PATH FROM DIFFICULT, TO DISCOVERY, TO DIVERSITY Jay Jacobs is Associate Director of Bands, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina, where he is the director of The Carolina Marching Band, conducts the Symphonic Winds and teaches conducting and music education courses within the School of Music. Jacobs has performed, conducted and adjudicated internationally and across the United States. He is a former marching member and brass staff member of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, Illinois, with eight years of public-school teaching and 14 years in higher education. Jacobs holds the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from West Virginia University, where he studied trumpet with John Winkler and conducting with Don Wilcox. He earned the Master of Music in Conducting and Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education degrees from the University of Florida, studying in the conducting studio of David Waybright.

MERRITT JONES

•WHITE TEACHER, BLACK STUDENTS: PERSPECTIVES ON THE CHORAL CLASSROOM AS A SAFE SPACE Merritt Jones is in her first year as the lower school music teacher at Savannah Country Day School in Savannah, Georgia. She recently graduated with her masters in music education at Georgia Southern University. Her duties included teaching Voice Class to instrumental education majors as well as assisting with the choral program. Jones previously taught at Veterans Elementary School in Macon, Georgia before returning to her alma mater. Her research interests include issues of social justice in the choral classroom and choral classroom pedagogy.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS HEATH JONES

•ARE THE "BIG 3" ENOUGH? DEMOCRATIZING MUSIC EDUCATION WITH TECHNOLOGY •MUSIC TECHNOLOGY 101: THE BASICS OF MUSIC PRODUCTION IN THE TECHNOLOGY LAB Heath currently teaches Music Technology at McConnell Middle School in the Gwinnett County Public Schools system in Lawrenceville, GA. He has served on working committees for the Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Georgia Department of Education to develop and revise performance standards and assessments both statewide and at the local level. He has also served as the Lead Teacher for Music Technology (6-8) for Gwinnett County Public Schools. Heath has presented music technology sessions at the Midwest Clinic, NAfME National, GMEA, and other in-service conferences around the country on topics of standards, curricula, and instructional strategies. He is a certified Soundtrap Expert and Noteflight Educational Specialist. Heath became a published author in 2021 with the publication of "Music Technology 101" by Hal Leonard. He continues to be a passionate advocate for Music Technology as a vital part of a student's music education options and continues to search out new resources and tools to improve instruction and create relevant and engaging activities for the Music Tech classroom.

JASON JONES

•UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING: A FRAMEWORK FOR INCLUSIVE MUSIC TEACHING • I SING, WE SING, YA'LL SING, YOU SING!: USING THE GRR FRAMEWORK IN ELEMENTARY MUSIC Jason D. Jones is an Assistant Professor of Music Education and Music Education Coordinator at Reinhardt University in Waleska, GA. He is also a PhD candidate at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. At Reinhardt, Jones teaches elementary methods, common elements of differentiation, and supervises student teachers. From conducting the Eastman Women’s Chorus to singing shape note at a goth bar, Jones’ performance experience is as varied as his teaching and research interests. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and French, and a Master of Education from Emory & Henry College in Emory, VA. He, also, earned a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Texas San Antonio. He has experience teaching elementary general music, choir, and strings to children in urban and suburban areas. He is a recipient of the SAISD Foundation Inspire award for his work with urban elementary school children, and he was recognized for his contributions to the SAISD elementary strings project. Jones is an OAKE-certified Kodàly teacher and has extensive

CATHERINE KEYSER

•GET CREATIVE, GET NOTICED, GET HIRED! RESUME & INTERVIEW TIPS FROM ARTS SUPERVISORS Catherine Keyser has been serving as the Forsyth County Fine Arts Specialist since 2016.  She began her career teaching band in Gwinnett County in 1997 and moved to Forsyth County Schools in 2003.  In addition to teaching band, Mrs. Keyser served as an instructor at the Governor’s Honors Program and at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. Catherine earned an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Georgia, a Master of Music Education degree from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia. Currently, Mrs. Keyser serves on several Arts education advisory boards and is President-Elect of the Forsyth County Arts Alliance.  She was recently awarded the Distinguished Service Outside of the Profession Award by the Georgia Art Education Association. Catherine is proud to be a part of Forsyth County Schools, where she has the privilege of supporting the wonderful Arts educators who continue to create high quality Visual and Performing Arts experiences for their over 51,000 students.

STEVE KOSMALA

•BOOSTER ESSENTIALS: INTRODUCTION TO PARENT ORGANIZATIONS Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his Masters of Business Administration degree from Mercer University with a concentration in taxation and strategic management. He has over thirty-seven years of experience in industry with positions in finance, accounting, administration, and operations and is now retired after thirty-one years with IBM. Steve was a founding member of Excelsior Insights, LLC in 2007. He was the founding President of the Peachtree Ridge High School Band Boosters Association and has been, and continues to be, involved in church and community organizations. Steve and his wife, Jeanne, have two married adult sons and reside in Duluth, Ga.

KRISTEN KUDER LYNCH

•TEACHING WITH DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESS IN MIND FOR BEGINNING TEACHERS •MUSIC OF THE GULLAH-GEECHEE COMMUNITY: A MODEL OF TEACHING THROUGH CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PEDAGOGY 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,” “terrific,” “impressive,” and displaying “artistry.” An advocate for music’s future, Jaclyn frequently performs with young up and coming musicians throughout the country in addition to her appearances with the UGA Wind Symphony. Jaclyn has also 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 Associate 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.

ANITA KUMAR

•TEACHING WITH DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESS IN MIND FOR BEGINNING TEACHERS Anita Kumar comes to Georgia State University from the University of Washington in Seattle, where she is a candidate for the Ph.D. in Music Education and a senior member of the Laboratory for Music Cognition, Culture, and Learning. She also served as Editorial Assistant to the Journal of Research in Music Education from 2015-2017. Ms. Kumar was appointed the first assistant director of the Around the Sound Community Band, a 20-year community institution in North Seattle. She is actively sought as a clinician and adjudicator, and as a professional development facilitator for pre-service and in-teachers. Prior to moving to Seattle, Ms. Kumar served as band director at Landmark and Melvin E Sine elementary schools, and instrumental music lead teacher in the Glendale Elementary School District in Glendale, Arizona. She earned her Master of Music Education degree from Arizona State University and Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Miami University (Ohio.) Ms. Kumar’s research interests include psychosocial perceptions of teachers and conductors in large ensembles, audiovisual perception of conducting gesture, and evaluation methods of preservice teachers. Ms. Kumar’s research is published in Frontiers in Psychology.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE DAVID LANGLEY

P RE S E N T E RS

•A STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE: MEMORIZING CHOIR MUSIC David W. Langley is Associate Professor of Music Education and Associate 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. Prior to his appointment at Georgia Southern, Langley taught chorus and music theory at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia. He was previously on faculty at Georgia Perimeter College and Crabapple Crossing Elementary School in Milton, GA. A native of Smyrna, Georgia, Langley holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the University of Georgia, as well as the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Teaching and Learning (Music Education) from Georgia State University. Langley has been published in such journals as Music Education Research, The Choral Journal, American Music Teacher, American Choral Directors Association’s Chorteach, and he has also been a guest author for the National Association for Music Education blog, Music in a Minuet. Langley is currently in his second term on the Editorial Advisory Committee for the Music Educators Journal. He has presented his research at numerous state, national, and international conferences and frequently offers professional development workshops for school districts. His research interests include incorporating creativity within the choral classroom and the extra-musical benefits of community choir involvement. Langley is a frequent choral clinician and conductor, including upcoming all-state and honor choir engagements.

CHARLES LAUX

•PODCASTING 101: SHARE YOUR MUSIC CLASSROOM WITH THE WORLD! • BEYOND THE METHOD BOOK: THE BEST SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES TO EXCITE AND MOTIVATE YOUR STRING STUDENTS Dr. Charles Laux is the Director of Orchestras at Alpharetta High School where his duties include directing five levels of orchestra, including the nationally recognized AHS Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as Essential Elements clinician, consultant, and contributor for the Hal Leonard Corporation. Dr. Laux holds degrees in music education from Ohio University, the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. A string educator for over 25 years, Dr. Laux has worked with diverse student populations from elementary school through the collegiate level. He served as Assistant Professor of String Music Education at Kennesaw State University and directed award-winning school orchestra programs in Nevada, Florida, and Ohio. Endorsed as an artist-educator by D’Addario Orchestral and Eastman Stringed Instruments, Dr. Laux has presented over 150 educational sessions for conferences and school district in-services. He enjoys giving back to the orchestra community through is OrchestraTeacher.net website, YouTube channel, and podcast. Dr. Laux remains in frequent demand across the nation as an orchestra clinician, conductor, and adjudicator.

ERIN LAYTON

•MUSIC WORKS WITH THE GEORGIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA! Erin Layton has been a music educator teaching middle school chorus for 16 years in the Atlanta metro area. She earned her bachelors in music education in 2005 from The University of Michigan and her masters in music education in 2013 from Georgia State University. Erin currently teaches at Marietta Middle School in Marietta, GA. Erin has sung with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra Chorus for the part three seasons and serves as their assistant director.

DR. ROY LEGETTE

•CAN WE TALK?: EXPLORING CONNECTIONS AMONG RACE, PRIVILEGE, CULTURE IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM Roy Legette is 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 chair-elect of the NAfME Social Justice Special Interest Research Group, 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.

MICHELLE LEVESQUE

•ENGAGING AND SHOWCASING THE TENORS AND BASSES IN YOUR CHORAL PROGRAM Michelle Austin Levesque is currently on faculty at Alpharetta High School where she has served as the choral director since 2012. Mrs. Levesque’s choral ensembles consistently receive superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation in both performance and sight singing, and have been invited to perform at national and international events in New York City, Austria, England, France, Ireland and Germany. Her students have frequently been selected for honors events such as All-State Chorus, All-State Reading Chorus, national and regional ACDA honor chorus, and the Governor’s Honors Program in voice. Levesque is an active member of GMEA, currently serving as State Choral Chair Elect, the All-State Reading Chorus state organizer, and the All-State Chorus Region 3 organizer. She was awarded the GMEA Volunteer of the Year Award in 2021. Levesque is an active chorister, currently performing with Coro Vocati and subbing at various churches in Atlanta. She is a former member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus. She holds her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from The University of Alabama and a Bachelor of Music Education in Choral and General Music from Shorter College. Michelle lives in Roswell with her husband Brian, and two dog children Layla and Bailey.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS DR. DOUGLAS LINDSEY

•BREATH, SHAPE AND FREEDOM FUNDAMENTALS OF AN EFFORTLESS SOUND Dr. Doug Lindsey has played as principal trumpet of the Memphis Symphony, section trumpet with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, on tour with the Mirari Brass Quintet, and the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, as solo cornet in the Fountain City Brass Band, as President and principal cornet with the Georgia Brass Band, and frequently tours across the country with pianists and friends, Judy Cole and Kristy Olefsky. He joined the faculty at Kennesaw State University in the fall of 2012, and has been a featured artist with the Atlanta Wind Symphony, at the International Trumpet Guild conference, at the Atlanta Trumpet Festival, at the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast, with the Kennesaw State Orchestra, the Kennesaw State Wind Ensemble, and the Georgia Brass Band. Previous to earning his DMA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the tutelage of John Aley, Dr. Lindsey studied with Allan Dean at Yale, earning his Master of Music with the distinction of winning the John Swallow excellence in brass prize. Dr. Lindsey received his music performance and music education degrees magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville under the guidance of Richard Rulli. Other wonderful, influential teachers include: Ray Mase, Louis Ranger, Kevin Cobb, and Scott Moore. Dr. Lindsey is a Schilke performing artist.

SUZANNE LOGUE

•READING SESSION: UNISON AND 2-PART

Suzanne Logue has recently retired after 30 years of teaching middle school chorus and general music in the Seminole, Troup, and Cobb county school districts. In addition to her active schedule as an accompanist for Atlanta-area schools and GMEA events, she is the accompanist for the Youth and Children's Choir programs at All Saints Episcopal Church in Atlanta.

SHAWNA LONGO

•CONNECTING THE DOTS WITH STEM AND MUSIC •KEEP IT SIMPLE, KEEP IT FUN, KEEP THEM ENGAGED! Shawna E. Longo is the General Music (Music Technology) teacher and Arts Integration Specialist at Durban Avenue School, Hopatcong, NJ. She also serves as the Arts Integration & STEAM Specialist for TMI Education; Coach for The Institute for Arts Integration & STEAM; Lead Consultant for Essential Elements Music Class (Hal Leonard); and an Ambassador/Consultant for Music First and Jamstik. With 19+ years of teaching experience, Mrs. Longo holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC; a Master of Public Administration in Arts Administration from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ; Supervisor/Curriculum Director’s certification from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ; and certification as an Arts Integration Specialist (Level 1) as well as certification as an Arts Integration Leader (Level 2) from The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM. She is a clinician and consultant for music education, music technology, social emotional learning, arts integration, and STEAM. She is also a recipient of the 2021-2022 Sussex County Teacher of the Year, 2021 Governor’s Educator of the Year for Durban Avenue School, 2019 Mike Kovins Ti:ME Music Technology Teacher of the Year, 2019 New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education, 2019 Teach Rock Star Teacher Award from The Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, 2018 NJMEA Master Music Teacher Award, and 2016 Governor’s Educator of the Year for Hopatcong Middle School. Mrs. Longo also serves as the Vice President for the Morris Plains Board of Education. Twitter: @shawnalongo

MIKE LYNCH

•TEACHING PERCUSSION FOR NON-PERCUSSIONISTS Mike Lynch retired in 2016 after thirty-two years of teaching band and percussion in grades five through twelve. The last twenty-four years were spent at Simpson Middle School and Lassiter High School, both Cobb County Schools located in Marietta, Georgia. Mr. Lynch’s middle and high school percussion ensembles have performed at The Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference on seven different occasions, the Music For All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival in 2000, 2002 and 2015 the Midwest Clinic in 2005 and 2011 and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2007. While Mr. Lynch was Director of Percussion at Lassiter, the marching band won the 1998 and 2002 Bands of America Grand National Championships and 12 Bands of America Regional Championships. The band also participated in the 1999, 2004 and 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the 2001, 2005, 2013 and 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Mr. Lynch is co-author of “Field Level – The Ultimate Band Directors Guide to fielding the Ultimate Marching Percussion Section”, “Rudimental Cookbook” and “Just Desserts” all published by Row-Loff Publications. He is an educational endorser for Mapex, Majestic, Remo, Vic Firth, and Zildjian.

DR. QUINTIN MALLETTE

•BUILDING BASICS THROUGH REPERTOIRE: HOW TO PRACTICE WITHOUT SACRIFICING TIME ON REPERTOIRE OR TECHNICAL EXERCISES Quintin Mallette is a percussionist and educator based in North Carolina where he has performed on anything from marimba to google glass, with a few drums mixed in. Recently, he has appeared with various orchestras and chamber groups across the southeast including the Carolina Philharmonic, Hilton Head Symphony, and the Savannah Philharmonic. Quintin is a section percussionist with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and enjoys performing live-electroacoustic music with a special interest in the vibraphone. He is active within PAS where he serves on the scholarship committee and Racial Diversity sub-committee of the Diversity Alliance. Quintin received his DMA from the University of Georgia, where he studied with Timothy K. Adams Jr. and is currently the Music Area Coordinator and Lecturer of Percussion at Fayetteville State University.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE ALISON MANN

P RE S E N T E RS

•WELLNESS AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM Dr. 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, Choral Literature, and Vocal Pedagogy for Ensemble Singing. Dr. Mann also supervises student teachers, and serves as conductor of the KSU Treble Choir. She is a founding singer and chorus manager for Atlanta-based professional chamber choir, Coro Vocati, and was featured as a soloist in their Georgia premiere performance of Considering Matthew Shepard. 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, Judy Bowers, Clifford Madsen, and Harry Price. Dr. Mann is currently the Southern Division ACDA Women’s Choir Repertoire and Resources Chair, and past Georgia state ACDA Membership Chair. She also serves on the executive planning committee for the Southern Division of 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.

ERIK MASON

•TEN IMPORTANT TRUTHS FOR PRE-SERVICE AND NEW TEACHERS Erik Mason currently serves as the Director of Bands at Buford High School. Prior to his arrival at Buford he was the band director at Mill Creek High School for fourteen years. While at MCHS Mr. Mason’s bands were consistent grand champions at marching band competitions, ten time Bands of America Regional Finalists, three time BOA Class AAAA Regional Champions, invited performers at eight different university events, performers at the 2017 GMEA In-Service Conference, and a Featured Band at the 2019 Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis. Additionally, winter guards, indoor percussion, and winter winds groups under Mr. Mason’s supervision saw great success, being named sixteen time SAPA medalists, seven time WGI Finalists, and two time WGI WInds World Championship Silver Medalists. Mr. Mason holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Georgia, and he is currently pursuing his Education Specialist degree at Auburn University. He lives in Hoschton with his wife Kathy, the band director at Buford Middle School, and their three children Aria, Alie, and Clay- who are all currently members of the Buford High School bands!

MARIELLE MATTHEWS

•MEANINGFUL GRADES IN A PERFORMANCE-BASED CLASS Marielle is the Choral Director at Creekland Middle School in Canton, GA where her duties include teaching six curricular ensembles, directing the CMS Advanced Treble Morning Choir, and directing the school's musical. Marielle is the former Feature Twirler and Feature Twirler Coach for "The Marching Owls" at Kennesaw State University. She now serves the organization as President of "The Marching Owls" Alumni Society and was inducted as an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi. She is an alumna of Sigma Alpha Iota and is currently the Treasurer of the GA chapter of ACDA. Marielle has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Georgia.

NATALIE MATTSON

•LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!! PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR Natalie Mattson was appointed charter band director for Twin Rivers Middle School in 2007. Since that time her program has grown to more than 350 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. Mrs. Mattson serves as a member of the TRMS Technology Curriculum Innovators and was selected as the 2018 Twin Rivers Middle School Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Mattson attended 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. She has served as Assistant Director of Bands to the Colquitt County High School 50th Regiment Band and Duluth Middle School Band Director. She has memberships with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Georgia Music Educators’ Association (GMEA), and National Bandmasters Association (NBA). Mrs. Mattson is married to her college sweetheart and has two sons she thinks the world of. Her oldest attends Oglethorpe University where he is involved in the honors program, baseball program, and music program. Her youngest attends Mountain View High School and is involved in the Band and Wrestling programs.

DR. JOSHUA MAY

•HIGH SCHOOL SOLO VOCAL REPERTOIRE: A SCAFFOLDED APPROACH PROMOTING VOCAL HEALTH AND MUSICIANSHIP SKILL BUILDING Dr. Joshua May, tenor, is an Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Opera Activities at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. He has performed and premiered works throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States. As an opera director, his recent credits include mainstage and outreach productions of Der Schauspieldirektor, Amahl & the Night Visitors, Die Walküre, Alcina, Cendrillon, Speed Dating Tonight!, and The Light in the Piazza. He will direct a new digitally immersive adaptation of Debussy’s Pelléas and Mélisande at the Moss Center (Blacksburg, VA). In 2020, he was selected as a national finalist for the Charles Nelson Reilly Prize for Stage Directors in both opera and musical theatre from the American Prize. As a voice educator, he has presented his research with the National Opera Association, College Music Society, National Association of Teachers of Singing, New Voice Educators Symposium, and the Lilly Conference. He currently serves on the executive board for Georgia NATS as the Co-Chair in Education. In addition, he serves on the executive board, as Governor for the Southeastern Region and chairs the Student Programming Committee of the National Opera Association. Dr. May has completed all three certification levels at the LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework. Dr. May holds a D.M.A. Voice Performance from the University of Connecticut, an M.M. Vocal Performance New England Conservatory of Music, an M.M. Vocal Pedagogy New England Conservatory of Music, B.A. in French Grand Valley State University, and a B.M. Voice Performance University of Florida. For information on upcoming engagements, please visit his website www.joshuamaytenor.com.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS WARREN MCCLELLAN

•BOOSTER ESSENTIALS: INTRODUCTION TO PARENT ORGANIZATIONS Warren received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Business Information Systems degree from Georgia State University. He holds a CPA and a Series 7 license. Warren is the sole proprietor of a CPA firm and is a partner in a financial services company. Warren was a founding member of Excelsior Insights, LLC in 2007. He played Sousaphone in the biggest high school marching band in Southwestern Virginia. He was the founding Treasurer of the Peachtree Ridge High School Band Boosters Association and has been, and continues to be, involved in a number of church, civic and community organizations. Warren has a married adult son and resides with his wife, Barbara, in Duluth, Ga.

MARCELA MEEKS

•FLAMENCO! CASTANETS! OLE! Marcela Meeks grew up in Monterrey, Mexico. She studied piano and flamenco dance at the Escuela Superior de Musica Y Danza. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Eugene Pridonoff on a Van Cliburn full four-year scholarship. While at CCM, she won several piano competitions including the Ohio Music Teachers Association Collegiate Competition and was notably selected as the audience favorite at the Joanna Hodges Competition in Palm Springs, CA. As a music educator, she taught K-8 for 8 years. She received her level three certificate in Orff Schulwerk while studying at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Marcela currently leads a children’s music program at St. James Methodist Church in Atlanta. She Also teaches piano at the FPC Music and Arts Institute and volunteers in FPC’s many music ministries.

DAVID METRIO

•STRING ORCHESTRA NEW MUSIC READING SESSION David Metrio is currently the Orchestra Director at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, GA, as well as the conductor for the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony and the Georgia Youth Symphony Camerata Orchestra. His previous positions include Orchestra Director at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, GA and double bass clinician for the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston, MA. Mr. Metrio has a master's degree in Music Education from the Florida State University as well as an undergraduate degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University. Mr. Metrio has served as a guest clinician and conductor around the state of Georgia and has been invited to present at the Georgia Music Educators Association’s In-Service Conference three times. Mr. Metrio was also invited to present at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2019. In 2020, Mr. Metrio was named the Professional Association of Georgia Educator’s STAR teacher for Lanier High School. In 2020, Mr. Metrio was also a finalist for Lanier High School Teacher of the Year. Mr. Metrio currently serves as the membership liaison for the Georgia Chapter of the American String Teachers Association and has served as the district treasurer for the 13th district of the Georgia Music Educator Association.

JOHN MLYNCZAK

•THEORY, HISTORY & COMPOSITION FOR ALL STUDENTS •AIR ON A G SUITE: GOOGLE TOOLS FOR MUSIC EDUCATION •ADVOCACY IS EVERYDAY: HOW TO BE AN ADVOCATE IN EVERYTHING YOU DO John Mlynczak offers an extensive range of experiences in music education and the music industry and is a frequent national clinician. Mr. Mlynczak is Vice President of Music Education & Technology for Hal Leonard, and Past-president of the Technology Institute of Music Educators. John also teaches online Graduate courses at VanderCook College and Boston University Online, and is a Google Level-2 Certified Educator. Mr. Mlynczak is a passionate advocate for music education and technology, serving on the NAMM State Advocacy Coalition, the NAfME Advocacy Leadership Force, and is Advocacy Chairman for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. Mr. Mlynczak holds an undergraduate degree in music education, and graduate degrees in both music performance and educational leadership. Learn more at www.johnmlynczak.com.

JACOB MORGAN

•LONG LOST MUSIC: DIVERSE COMPOSERS FORGOTTEN IN HISTORY Jacob Morgan is an accomplished young music educator based in McDonough, Georgia. Under the direction of Mr. Morgan, the Union Grove Middle School (UGMS) Band Program has increased the enrollment of the band program to its largest size in program history and has consistently earned Superior Ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation. While serving as Director of Bands at UGMS, Mr. Morgan was also elected to serve as the Band Chair for District VI of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), developed the Henry County Unit Plans, Learning Progressions, and Learning Targets for Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Middle School Band, presented professional development sessions to other teachers in Henry County Schools, and has served as a Mentor to new band directors in the county. Mr. Morgan has also hosted and organized many different GMEA events, including District Band Auditions and Allstate Band Auditions. Mr. Morgan is a graduate of Kennesaw State University (KSU) with a Bachelors in Music Education and also serves as the Vice President of “The Marching Owls” Alumni Society of Kennesaw State University.

DR. ESTHER MORGAN-ELLIS

•CONTRA FLOW: CULTURE BEARERS IN COMMUNITY, CONTRA DANCE, AND APPALACHIAN FOLK MUSIC TRADITIONS CONT. Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis is the author of Everybody Sing!: Community Singing in the American Picture Palace (2018). Her work has appeared in a variety of scholarly journals, and she has presented papers and lecture recitals at national conferences. Dr. Morgan-Ellis currently serves as Managing Editor for the Journal of Popular Music Studies, and is Vice President/President Elect of the South-Central Chapter of the American Musicological Society. Dr. Morgan-Ellis is also a professional cellist and appears regularly with regional orchestras. At UNG she teaches music history, world music, music in Appalachia, and cello, and she directs the orchestra in Dahlonega. Education: Ph.D., Music History, Yale University, M.Phil., M.A., Music History, Yale University, B.M., Instrumental Performance, University of Puget Sound.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE ANTHONY MORRIS

P RE S E N T E RS

•LONG LOST MUSIC: DIVERSE COMPOSERS FORGOTTEN IN HISTORY Anthony Morris is the Director of Music at Wildwood Middle High School (Wildwood, Florida) where he is responsible for the instruction and administration of the middle & high school concert bands, marching band, music theory, and choir program. Mr. Morris received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a dual concentration in Instrumental and Choral education with Cum Laude distinction. At KSU, he actively performed as a member of the KSU Marching Owls, Concert Band, Men’s Ensemble, and Chamber Singers, which included performing at the GMEA In-Service Conference in 2018 and the ACDA Southern Division Conference in 2020. As a well-versed musician, Mr. Morris is particularly passionate about conducting. He has studied under the guidance of Dr. Leslie J. Blackwell and Dr. David T. Kehler. In addition to performing and teaching, Mr. Morris was incredibly active throughout the School of Music. He and a fellow student co-founded the Kennesaw State University School of Music Student Advisory Council, where he served as co-president. Mr. Morris has held many different leadership roles, including treasurer for the KSU’s Collegiate National Association for Music Educators, KSU’s American Choral Directors Association, and music director for the Nu Theta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Professional affiliations include NAFME, ACDA, Collegiate Band Directors National Association, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia Music Educator Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

DR. MICHELLE MURPHY DEBRUYN

• HIGH SCHOOL SOLO VOCAL REPERTOIRE: A SCAFFOLDED APPROACH PROMOTING VOCAL HEALTH AND MUSICIANSHIP SKILL BUILDING Dr. Michelle Murphy DeBruyn is an artist-teacher dedicated to the highest level of musical performance and the encouragement of young vocalists. Ms. DeBruyn is a highly accomplished performer, pedagogue, and musical director, which is supported by awards in each area of specialty. Dr. DeBruyn has completed her Advanced Yoga Teaching Certification and is teaching yoga classes and workshops targeting the special needs of musicians and performers. She has written the chapter on “Meditation” for So You Want To Sing With Awareness, a NATS collaboration published in 2020. As a professional vocalist, Ms. DeBruyn concentrates on performances of new music and her most recent performance highlighting stylistic elements across classical music and pop music can be viewed on the Schwob School of Music YouTube and FaceBook pages.

NATE NELSON

•WHAT IS AUDIO RECORDING? Nate Nelson was working in the music industry since before he could drive. Whether he was engineering a live session in the back of a bar in Nashville, TN, designing a soundscape for a mattress commercial; writing and recording music for his own band, White Violet; or producing a full-length record in a world-class studio, Nate developed his wide-ranging skill set by getting in the mix. He has worked as an engineer at various studios, including his own, Cortright Recordings, as well as Chase Park Transduction (Athens, GA), The Bomb Shelter (Nashville, TN), and Fidelitorium Recordings (Kernersville, NC). In addition to his work with White Violet, Nate has composed, performed and recorded original music for short films and commercials. Since 2019, Nate has been a recording instructor and engineer at Tweed Recording in Athens.

AT YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE, WE BELIEVE THE GREATEST RISK IS LETTING TRUE POTENTIAL REMAIN UNREALIZED. Our campus is filled with endless opportunities to be bold. We welcome young artists and encourage them to explore the arts, inspire others, and perform to their fullest potential.

FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROGRAM I N FO R M AT I O N , C O N TACT :

Musically inclined students can choose from programs of study in Music, Music Education, and Musical Theatre.

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Young Harris College Department of Music Jeffrey Bauman, Chair

(800) 241-3754 ext. 5155 finearts@yhc.edu | yhc.edu

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talent management arts administration

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS TESS NIELSEN, DMA

•LISTEN TO MY SONG: GIRLS SELF-EFFICACY THROUGH SONGWRITING Tess Nielsen is Fine Arts Director and Vocal Arts teacher at Frederica Academy. Dr. Nielsen’s music education research interests include technology mediation, teacher preparation, and the digital aesthetic. Her current research projects focus on ways in which adolescents informally engage with digital music in relationship to their classroom music learning. She holds a BME from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Certificate in Vocal Performance from The Conservatory of Music in Vienna, Austria, MM from the Catholic University of America, and a DMA from Boston University. Dr. Nielsen is an active member of ACDA, NAfME, and AGO, with Orff-Schulwerk certification and NJ and VA State Certified Teacher of Music With Advanced Standing.

LAURIE ORTH

•EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN OUR ENSEMBLES: THE PATH FROM DIFFICULT, TO DISCOVERY, TO DIVERSITY In May of 2019, education pioneer Laurie Orth published her first book, Rocket Recorder: Volume One, an innovative workbook for students that combines the contrasting disciplines of music with space exploration. Her book has received the prestigious Space Foundation Certification™ seal of approval. Creating a pipeline for young people into STEM and STEAM educational programs through music is important to her. Throughout her professional career, Laurie has taught music classes in several school and church settings. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Hartt School, at the University of Hartford, in CT. Her Master of Music Education degree is from Jacksonville State University in AL. In 2012, she began her own business, teaching general music classes to the homeschool community. She currently teaches on her YouTube channel, Laurie Orth Music Teacher. Laurie is a frequent guest on podcasts and has presented her space-themed music curriculum at national and international conferences, including SCMEA, NASA Johnson Space Center’s SEEC Conference, STEM the Equalizer Conference in Lagos, Nigeria and the STEAM Leadership Conference at Georgia Tech. Laurie volunteers as a Teacher Liaison at the Space Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She serves as VP of Aerospace Education for the Savannah Air Force Association and is a Space Station Ambassador. In October 2019, she was selected as a Social Media Influencer by the Social Media Team at NASA HQ and attended the International Astronautical Congress and toured NASA HQ in Washington, D.C. Laurie sings professionally and is a member of GMEA and North Florida Orff Association.

GRACE PARSONS

•PROPS' TO YOUR ORCHESTRA Grace Parsons has been an orchestra teacher for 15 years and is currently a co-director at Duluth Middle School. She has taught in Gwinnett and Fulton County schools, and her groups have consistently received superior ratings in ensemble evaluations. Her students have participated in Solo and Ensemble, and selected for GISA All Select Orchestra, GMEA All State Orchestra, county wide honor orchestras, Governor’s Honors Program, and All National Honor Orchestra. Ms. Parsons has been a clinician for workshops and honor orchestras in the metro Atlanta area. Ms. Parsons is currently the co-director of the Georgia ASTA Camp. She currently serves as the treasurer for the Georgia Chapter of ASTA. She is a violinist and received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Georgia State University and her master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia. She resides in Duluth with her husband, sweet daughter, rambunctious but adorable son, and dog, Momo.

DR. ROB PETHEL •UKULELE JAM SESSION

Atlanta-based music educator,Teaching Guitar Workshop clinician, and member of NAfME Council for Guitar Education.

RELATIVE PITCH (ANTHONY MORRIS, LORIN GREEN, AND MICHAEL BROWN)

•PUSHING FOR CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE: BRINGING EQUITY TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL BANDS

The idea to create this podcast came to us during the quarantine of summer 2020 whenever the world seemed to be on pause. As three young music professionals at the very beginning of our career, we found ourselves continuously discussing various music topics as it related to the world around us. Topics ranging from orchestral repertoire, conducting, music education, etc. would come up in hour long Facetime calls. One day, we decided to share our discussions with the world, and Relative Pitch was born.

CHANTAE D. PITTMAN

•I KNOW BASSOONS NOT BASSES - TEACHING CHORAL MUSIC W/ AN INSTRUMENTAL BACKGROUND Dr. Chantae D. Pittman is the Director of Choral Activities at Campbell High School in Smyrna, GA in the Cobb County School District. Dr. Pittman is passionate about all forms of music. She is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University having received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 2010. She has since earned a Master’s Degree in Music Education at VanderCook College University (Chicago, IL, 2013). In May 2021 Dr. Pittman graduated from The University of Georgia where she completed her Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Choral Music Education. During her 11-year career in choral music education she has taught students from elementary through high school. Due to that experience, and her demonstrated commitment to excellence in performance, she is highly respected as a choral clinician, music education consultant, instructor, grant writer, and adjudicator. She is very active as a soprano soloist and choral musician as a member of the Grammy award winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus since 2011, and the Atlanta Women’s Chorus since 2020. Having performed with orchestras, choirs, and small vocal ensembles throughout her career as a musician, Dr. Pittman proudly continues to learn, grow, and develop as a musician and pedagogue. She is a proud and active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), National Educators Association (NEA), Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), Sigma Alpha Iota, Professional Music Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS TANIESHA POOSER

•C TO THE THIRD POWER; COURAGEOUS CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS Taniesha M. Pooser is in her tenth year of teaching orchestra at Berkmar Middle School in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Ms. Pooser earned her bachelor's degree in music education from the University of South Carolina. She began her teaching career in Columbia, South Carolina, in 2011 and went on to earn her M.Ed from Columbia College in 2013. After moving to Georgia in 2017, Pooser earned her Ed.S from Piedmont College and recently completed her education leadership certification. Pooser is an active member of GMEA and ASTA and has presented at multiple ASTA and NafME national conferences. When she is not teaching, she facilitates diversity and inclusion workshops for music educators through her consulting business ReColorEd. Ms. Pooser maintains a private bass studio and enjoys spreading her love for diversity to her colleagues near and far.

COURTNEY POWERS

•HIP-HOP ON THE FLY: GET YOUR CLASSICAL WINGS Courtney Powers is the Music Director at South Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally from a small rural town- Leon, Kansas she began playing French horn in middle school with director Lynn Harrington- KMEA Hall of Fame Director and came to Berklee by way of Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City outside of Wichita under the direction of Gary Gackstatter. She graduated from Berklee in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and from Villanova in 2015 with a Master of Arts in Education. In her 14 years of teaching she has had a wide ranging experience in urban schools that have taken her from Massachusetts to Texas and Pennsylvania working in public/charter/alternative schools and actively playing in community bands and orchestras. She has extended her teaching to include modern band, guitar and ukulele, drama and general music classes. Courtney is a VH1-Save the Music JDilla grant facilitator ($50,000), 2020 Grammy Music Educator Semi Finalist and 2021 Quarter Finalist, 2020 Vans Give A Band Grant ($10,000), 2019 Give A Note Grant Semi Finalist and 2020 Give A Note Grant ($5,000) . Her professional activities include a social media presence #musiccitizenship, IG @ms.powers_musicedu and active membership in NAfME, PMEA, Little Kids Rock, APME and affiliations with notsolatin, Roland, Artist Year, Project 440 and other community partners: https://lnk.bio/ms.powers_musicedu/

SAM PROVENZANO

•STRATEGIC STORYTELLING: ADVOCATING FOR YOUR PROGRAM BY SHARING YOUR STORY Sam Provenzano is a Resident Artist and Teen Programs Manager at the Alliance Theatre. She is originally from Las Vegas, NV and holds an MFA in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities from UT Austin. Her current artistic focus is on directing and creating work for very young audiences. Previously, she has enjoyed creating work in museums with and for teens, directing young people, and working with educators.

ANDREW RATCLIFFE

• WHAT IS AUDIO RECORDING?

As a drummer, instructor, and founder of Tweed Recording, Andrew has engineered and produced hundreds of recordings over his 23 year career in Mississippi, including Jars of Clay, Jimbo Mathus, Will Hoge, Pokey LaFarge, American Aquarium, and Cedric Burnside, among others. Andrew is passionate about teaching the next generation of audio professionals how to expertly capture sound and imbue his students with the values and professionalism necessary to the calling of music production.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE MARCUS K. RAYNER

P RE S E N T E RS

•ACT LIKE A BAND DIRECTOR, THINK LIKE AN ADMINISTRATOR! BUILDING PROGRAM RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN YOUR SCHOOL Director of Bands and Fine Arts Chair at Dublin High School, Marcus K. Rayner inspires students with positive music education. Prior to his position at Dublin High School, Mr. Rayner was the Director of Bands at Ware County High School for a year and Washington County High School. Mr. Rayner has been the Director of Bands at Treutlen Middle High School, Stockbridge High School, and Beach High School in Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Rayner also served as the Associate Director of Bands at Sandy Creek High School. Throughout this time, Mr. Rayner has devoted his career to educating students in music on and off the podium to bring Advocacy, Awareness, and Appreciation of the Arts throughout many communities. Mr. Rayner is currently pursuing his Master's in Music Education from Georgia College & State University. He also received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 2001 at Georgia Southern University. Mr. Rayner also serves as a percussion coordinator for the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) All-State Band for over 15 years. During the 2008 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Savannah, GA, Mr. Rayner was one of the featured clinicians and presented a clinic entitled, “The Pit is NOT the Pits!” Mr. Rayner presented at the 2021 In-Service Virtual Conference with the session, “Setting Your Band Director GPS.” Mr. Rayner has been married to Kimberly Rayner for 20 years and now has six loving children, Madelynn, Marcus II, Malcolm, Matthew, Micah, and Madecynn. Marcus is an active member of GMEA, PAGE, NAFME, and PAS.

DR. MYRA K. RHODEN

•CREATING SELF-SUFFICIENT MUSICIANS Dr. Myra Rhoden serves as the Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chairperson at Fayette County High School (GA) and is the founder of the Athena Music and Leadership Camp (athenacamp.com), an all-girls band/orchestra program that was created to promote musical excellence while emphasizing leadership and team-building skills. A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Dr. Rhoden was named the NAfME 2018 National Band Director of the Year, has been awarded the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence on four occasions, has been named STAR Teacher and Teacher of the Year, and was presented the 1995 Sallie Mae First Class Teacher Award, a national award given to one teacher in each state for an outstanding first year of teaching. Dr. Rhoden has been selected for presentations at The Midwest Clinic, Music for All Summer Symposium, Conn-Selmer Institute, National Association for Music Education’s Eastern Division Conference, the Youth Orchestra of LA at the Heart of Los Angeles, and various state’s Music Educators Associations, colleges, clinics, and camps throughout the country. She has had the distinct pleasure of being a guest conductor for The United States Army Field Band of Washington, D. C. and the Tara Winds of Atlanta, Georgia. She is also honored to be a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician and a member of the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. She holds degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of Southern Mississippi and resides in Fayetteville, Georgia with her husband, Errol Jr., and son, Errol III.

BRAD RIKARD

•NOT YOUR MAMA'S MAIL MERGE! Mr. Rikard is the Assistant Band Director at Barber Middle School in Acworth, GA. Since joining the faculty at Barber in 2015, his bands have performed at various regional and national concert festivals including the Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival (Atlanta, GA), the University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band Featured Ensemble (Tuscaloosa, AL), and the National Concert Band Festival (Indianapolis, IN). As a clinician, Mr. Rikard has presented technology sessions at the GMEA In-Service Conference, for the Cobb County music faculty, and for the Kennesaw State University School of Music. Additionally, Mr. Rikard serves as the ensemble conductor at the Georgia Southern University Coastal Saxophone Day. Mr. Rikard is also a Visual/ Music instructor for the Kennesaw State University “Marching Owls”, a position he has held since the band’s inaugural season. Until 2018, Mr. Rikard was a saxophonist with Tara Winds and performed with them at GMEA, JanFest, and the 2015 Midwest Clinic. As a performer in both classical and jazz idioms, Mr. Rikard has shared the stage with world-renowned musicians such as Eugene Rousseau, Otis Murphy, The Zagreb Quartet, The New Century Quartet, Tom “Bones” Malone, Mark Camphouse, Steve Bryant, Harry Watters, Sam Hazo, Jamey Aebersold, and Colonel John Bourgeois. Mr. Rikard earned his Masters in Music Education from Florida State University and a Bachelors of in Music Education and Performance from Georgia Southern University. He and his wife Megan, the Choral Director at Pine Mountain Middle School, are the proud parents of a daughter Riley, a son born in October, and two dogs: Grainger and Pepper Potts.

SERENA ROBINETT

•CREATE, COLLABORATE, AND CELEBRATE: STUDENT COMPOSITIONS WITH SOUNDTRAP Serena Robinett is the Engagement Specialist for the Southeast region at Soundtrap. Before joining Soundtrap, she was an educator for New York City DOE. She was the Instrument Music Director at a large middle school in Queens where her students learned to play modern and classical band instruments, music literacy as well as music history, digital music, and chamber ensembles. Serena then transitioned and taught technology at a K-8 school in Harlem for 2 years. Her students learned to use technological applications to share their voices and knowledge. They also learned to be digital citizens and computational thinkers. Serena’s time in education focused on the importance of cultivating and sharing student voices, building trusting relationships, and creating a culturally responsive classroom.

DR. TARIK ROWLAND

•ACT LIKE A BAND DIRECTOR, THINK LIKE AN ADMINISTRATOR! BUILDING PROGRAM RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN YOUR SCHOOL Dr. Tarik Rowland is in his sixteenth year as Director of Bands at Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia, and his twenty-first year as a music educator. An Atlanta native, Dr. Rowland attended Riverwood High School. His undergraduate work was completed at Georgia Southern University and Masters of Music Education work at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia. Dr. Rowland received a Doctorate in Music Education from The University of Georgia, Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Under Dr. Rowland’s leadership, the Tri-Cities Band Program has grown from 45 members to 185. The Wind Ensemble (performing level VI music) and the Symphonic Band (level IV/V), the Concert Band (performing level II/III) along with the Marching and Jazz Bands consistently earn superior ratings at all adjudicated events. Dr. Rowland currently serves as the Fulton County School System Fine Arts Support Teacher for Band and the Southern Division chair for the William P. Foster Project sponsored by the National Band Association (NBA). Dr. Rowland’s professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, National Association for Music Educators, Minority Band Directors National Association, Jazz Educators Network, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, the International Trumpeters Guild, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Dr. Rowland resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his beautiful and loving wife, Alva, who is an operatic performer and elementary music specialist, along with their sixteen-year-old son, Tarik Jr. “TJ”; their twelve-year-old daughter, Tarin; and six-year-old daughter, Tarianna.

GEOR GI A MUSI C N EWS | W IN T ER 2 02 1

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS SCOTT RUSH

•CREATING HABITS OF SUCCESS IN THE YOUNG BAND •HABITS OF A SIGNIFICANT BAND DIRECTOR Scott Rush is the team lead for the “Habits” series published by GIA and is the former Director of Bands at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, SC. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music. He currently serves as conductor of the Charleston Wind Symphony. Under his direction, the Wando Symphonic Band performed at the 2007 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Mr. Rush is active as a conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and Canada. He is the author and co-author of fourteen highly touted books, some of which include: Habits of A Successful Band Director, Habits of a Successful Musician, Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, Habits of a Successful Middle School Musician, The Evolution of a Successful Band Director, Habits of a Successful Middle School Band Director, Habits of a Significant Band Director, Habits of a Successful Beginner

SHELLEY M SANDERSON

•HOW TO THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE YOUR STUDENT TEACHING EXPERIENCE. 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) and 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 and 7th 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.

JEFFREY SCHAEFER

•GUITAR MAINTENANCE 101 •GOT GUITAR

Jeffrey Schaefer is director of guitar at Trickum Middle School. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Georgia Southern University and a Masters of Arts from the University of Georgia. Schaefer has been teaching in Gwinnett County since 1999. For fourteen years he taught with an emphasis in Orchestra interspersed with Guitar and General Music. Since 2014, he has taught with an emphasis in Guitar, interspersed with General Music/Ukulele, Orchestra and Chorus. He enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, Kelly, and two sons, Jason and Bryan.

NATHAN SCHREER

•WAIT, I CAN DO WHAT!? TECHNOLOGY TOOLS YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED AND HOW TO USE THEM. Nathan Schreer is the assistant choral director at Milton High School, conducting the Bella Voce and Select Treble Choirs as well as teaching Advanced Placement Music Theory and Piano. Prior to coming to Milton, Mr. Schreer worked as the Assistant Choral Director at Dacula High School and Collins Hill High School. Mr. Schreer is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education. He is Level 1 certified by the Technology in Music Education Association and has completed his Year 3 certification at the Choristers Guild Institute. Mr. Schreer served as the High School team leader for Fulton County’s Standards Mastery Framework and has enjoyed developing professional development for technology in collaboration with his colleagues. During the summers Mr. Schreer works as a consultant helping music programs incorporate technology in their procedures to make their lives easier. A native to Georgia, Mr. Schreer holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia and received his Master of Music degree from Boston University. He has sung in a number of ensembles including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the ASO Chamber Chorus, the Johns Creek Chorale, and the Orpheus Men’s Ensemble. Mr. Schreer is currently the Music Associate for Children and Youth at Northside United Methodist Church and runs a small vocal studio.

DR. JENNIFER SENGIN

•PHYSICALIZING THE SOUND: USING THE CONDUCTING GESTURE TO ENHANCE MUSICAL EXPRESSIVITY Jennifer Sengin is the Associate Director of Choral Activities at Georgia State University where she directs the Women’s Chorus, Choral Union, and teaches conducting, graduate choral literature, undergraduate choral methods, and supervises student teachers. Under her direction, the Women’s Chorus recently performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference in January 2020. She currently serves as the R&R Chair for Youth and Student Activities on the GA-ACDA Board and as Faculty/Administrator of the Choral Music Experience for Choral Teacher Education course at Michigan State University. In addition, Dr. Sengin sings in the professional women’s choir, mirabai, under the direction of Dr. Sandra Snow.

DR. TIM SHARP

•DISCOVERING THE SMITHSONIAN CENTER FOR FOLKLIFE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES Tim Sharp (BM, MCM, DMA) has varied his career as conductor, university professor, publisher, and arts administrator and innovator. Currently in his thirteenth year as Artistic and Executive Director of the Tulsa Chorale, Tulsa (OK), Tim enjoys programming relevant concerts that have become a staple of the artistic classical music landscape throughout the region. He is the Director of Innovation for Trevecca University’s (Nashville, TN) Center for Community Arts Innovation, and Director of Music at Immanuel Baptist Church (Nashville, TN). Tim’s research and writing focuses pedagogically in conducting and score analysis, and his many published essays and books betray his eclectic interests in regional music history, acoustics, creativity, innovation, and aesthetics. He has conducted university, community, church, and children’s choirs, and performs as choral conductor and clinician in the United States and internationally. Dr. Sharp is a Life Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge University, with degrees in music and conducting from The School of Church Music of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Belmont University, and Bluefield College. Tim has just concluded thirteen years as Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association, the national professional association for choral conductors, educators, scholars, students, and choral music industry representatives in the United States. He represents choral activity in the USA to the International Federation for Choral Music. Prior to his leadership of ACDA, Sharp was Dean of Fine Arts at Rhodes College, and earlier, Director of Choral Activities at Belmont University.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE SUSAN L. SMITH

P RE S E N T E RS

•GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES-DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE SMALL/YOUNGER MARCHING BAND Susan L. Smith, has taught general, choral, and instrumental music at the elementary through collegiate level in Florida, Virginia and Alabama and has served as an author, clinician, conductor, and adjudicator across the United States. She is currently Lecturer in Music Education and Horn at Troy University. She is the Past President of the Alabama Music Educators Association and the current faculty advisor for the Troy cNAfME Chapter. Smith is the current Chair of the NAfME Collegiate Advisory Council and a member of the Professional Development Committee. Her previous appointment was as Director of Bands at the Saint James School in Montgomery AL. The Saint James Band consistently received Superior ratings in Concert, Jazz and Marching Band events including the Alabama Music Performance Assessment, Smokey Mountain Music Festival and Bands of America Super Regionals and Grand National Championships. Smith has presented clinics at many stateand National and Regional NAfME conferences. Smith has presented at the Midwest Clinic twice and performed as a member of the Alabama Winds, an adult community band comprised of Alabama music educators. She is responsible for the Chamber Music portion of the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. Her professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, Phi Beta Kappa and the National Band Association. Smith is in demand as a clinician, conductor and adjudicator throughout the country. She has conducted honor bands in several states including Midfest at UGA as well as District Honor Bands in Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Kentucky.

STEVE SMITH

•NOT TUNED AT THE FACTORY: HELPING YOUR STUDENTS BECOME SELF-CORRECTING INTONATION MACHINES •TEACHING STUDENTS TO TEACH THEMSELVES: GUIDING STUDENTS TO POSITIVE SELF-CORRECTION Steve Smith served as the Director of Bands at Downing Middle School in Flower Mound, Texas. The bands at Downing consistently displayed a high standard for musical excellence highlighted by a performance at The Midwest Clinic in 2005. In 2012, Mr. Smith joined Hal Leonard, allowing him to pursue one of his great joys – working with and helping teachers. Steve brings his teaching experience to the team developing the new Essential Elements Interactive website, designed to assist instrumental teachers and students. Steve earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education from the University of North Texas. While at UNT, he performed in the North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Mr. Eugene Migliaro Corporon. Steve is an active clinician whose passion for music education has allowed him to work with students and teachers across the United States, Canada, and Australia.

LIA SNEAD

•EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN OUR ENSEMBLES: THE PATH FROM DIFFICULT, TO DISCOVERY, TO DIVERSITY A native of Queens, New York, Lia Snead earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia Southern University (formally Armstrong Atlantic State University) in Savannah, GA. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Mrs. Snead was active within the community as a private trumpet instructor and as a brass instructor at Savannah State University. After graduation, she became the Director of Bands at Robert W. Groves High School, in Chatham County, GA where she revived the band program and led them to earn their first superior ratings at concert festival in over a decade. In 2014, Mrs. Snead temporarily left the classroom to study conducting at Northern Illinois University with Dr. Ronnie Wooten, where she was the music education and conducting graduate assistant. After graduation, she briefly returned to teaching in Chatham County before accepting a position as the Associate Director of Bands at Richmond Hill High School in Richmond Hill, GA. Currently, Lia is a DMA candidate and graduate assistant at the University of South Carolina, studying under the batons of Dr. Cormac Cannon and Dr. Jay Jacobs. Lia Snead is active as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and performer. She also performed with the Savannah Wind Symphony where she served on the board of directors and frequently guest conducts. Mrs. Snead is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), NAfME (National Association for Music Education), and Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority. Lia is married to her college sweetheart, and PhD student at UofSC, Mr. Derrick Snead.

LAURA STAMBAUGH

•A STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE: MEMORIZING CHOIR MUSIC Laura A. Stambaugh is Professor and Head of Music Education at Georgia Southern University. She teaches courses in music education and music cognition, and she supervises field experiences. Prior to joining the faculty of GS, she taught at Western Washington University, and spent eleven years teaching beginning and middle school band and chorus in New Hampshire. She 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; Psychomusicology, Music Educators Journal, and Teaching Music.

JONATHAN STELTZER

•LONG LOST MUSIC: DIVERSE COMPOSERS FORGOTTEN IN HISTORY Jonathan Steltzer is a music educator and musician based in Savannah, Georgia. Jonathan presented conferences including the American Single Reed Summit, North American Saxophone Alliance conference, International Clarinet Association, National Conference for Undergraduate Research, Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, and the International Duo Symposium. As a performer, Jonathan performs with the Atlanta Wind Symphony, and the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria. As an accomplished musician, he is a winner of the Ronald Sachs International Music Competition, winner of the KSU Concerto Competition performing John Mackey’s Soprano Sax Concerto with wind ensemble, 2nd place in the virtuoso category for the Samuel Fordis Young Artist Concerto Competition, honorable mention at the International Woodwind Duo Symposium, finalist with the North American Saxophone Alliance Competition, Finalist for the Rome Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and featured as a soloist with the KSU Percussion Ensemble. Jonathan Steltzer is a graduate from Kennesaw State University (KSU) with a Bachelors in Music Education under the study of Sam Skelton and is the music teacher at Southwest Middle School.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS RICH STICHLER

•JAZZ ENSEMBLE NEW PUBLICATIONS READING SESSION Rich Stichler is in his 29th year in music education and has served as director of bands at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia since 1999. He was director of bands at Ridgeland High School, Rossville, Georgia from 1993 to 1999. Before relocating to Georgia, he taught band and orchestra in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Under his direction the LFO and Ridgeland High School Bands have received consistent superior ratings for marching, concert, and jazz in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. The LFO Symphonic Band performed, by invitation, at the 2001 University of Georgia High School Music Festival. He served as GMEA District Seven Band Division chair and as the organizer of the GMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble. He is an adjunct professor of music at Dalton State University and Georgia Northwestern Technical College and recently has been added as adjunct professor of trombone and Director of Jazz Bands at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He maintains a busy schedule as a professional trombonist and teacher in the Chattanooga and Atlanta areas and has also free-lanced and taught privately in Arizona, California, Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas. Currently, he is a trombonist and assistant conductor for the Jericho Brass Band, Chattanooga, TN. He was a member of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Marching Band, the 1986 Disneyland All-American College Band, and the 15th Air Force Band of the Golden West at March Air Force Base in California from 1987 to 1991. He earned the B.Mus. Degree from the University of Arizona and the M.M.Ed. Degree and Ed.S. Degree in Educational Technology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is married to Diane Stichler, a Guidance Counselor at LFO and has two sons. Evan, who is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and Jarrett, who is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology. He and Diane are also the proud parents of Brinkley, a Labradoodle and Herbert, a Goldendoodle.

JOHN SWEAT

•DEVELOPING CRITICAL LISTENING SKILLS FOR BETTER INTONATION IN THE ORCHESTRA CLASSROOM Currently in his 24th year of teaching in the Bibb County Public Schools (Macon, GA), John Sweat is the director of orchestras and the guitar ensemble at Howard High School. John currently serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair at Howard High School and was the 2019-2020 Howard High Teacher of the Year. He holds degrees in Violin Performance from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. In addition to teaching at the high school level, he has served as adjunct faculty for both Wesleyan College and Mercer University. In 2013, John received the inaugural Robert McDuffie Center for Strings Award from the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University. John serves as the GMEA District XI Vice Chair and has served of the District Chair for the Orchestra Division as well. He is active as an adjudicator for other districts throughout the state. John has presented sessions for both orchestra and guitar divisions at the Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina Music Educators Association In-Service Conferences and the 2020 American String Teachers National Conference. 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 such as senior citizens communities, 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.

JERRY TOLSON

•THE JAZZ COMMANDMENTS: GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL, AUTHENTIC SWING PERFORMANCE Joining the faculty in 1993, Jerry Tolson is professor of jazz studies and music education at the University of Louisville where he chairs the Department of Academic and Professional Studies, coordinates the music history concentration, directs jazz ensembles and teaches jazz pedagogy, jazz style, jazz history, and African American Music classes. Known internationally as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and jazz camp instructor, Tolson is also an active performer on keyboards, woodwinds, and vocals. He has released five CDs and worked with artists such as Delfeayo Marsalis, Antonio Hart, Don Braden, and Rufus Reid. He is also the author of The Jazz Commandments: Guidelines for Jazz Style (Kendor) and African American Music: History and Heritage (Kendall-Hunt).

JERRY ULRICH

•MODELLING CREATIVITY WITHIN THE (INTERACTIVE) CHORAL REHEARSAL ASCAP award-winning arranger/composer Jerry Ulrich is originally from Illinois, where he received his early training in music and developed an interest in songwriting. His compositions and arrangements are in the catalogs of seven publishers. He has composed commissioned works for professional choirs and orchestras, including the Grammy-award winning Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and has written music for colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Ulrich is Director of Choral Activities at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he directs the Chamber Choir and the Georgia Tech Glee Club. Dr. Ulrich came to Atlanta from LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (the Fame school) in New York City. His choirs have been featured in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Barclay’s Center, Madison Square Garden, and on national and international television and radio. He is a regular clinician and presenter at state and national conferences. Dr. Ulrich’s prior teaching experience includes university positions in Ohio and New York. During 1990-1991 he was Visiting Fulbright Professor of Music at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow; recently ranked sixth in the world of performing arts education. His early training included four years singing with legendary choral conductor Robert Shaw in the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Chamber Chorus.

JODY UNDERWOOD

•WALK TOWARDS THE LIGHT: STAGE LIGHTING FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS •SOUND SYSTEM BASICS FOR THE MUSIC EDUCATOR Jody has been working in the field of music education technology for over 20 years and believes in "Educating the Educators". 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 children. Jody earned his BA in Commercial Keyboard with a Technology Emphasis at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE MATTHEW VAN DYKE

P RE S E N T E RS

•ENGAGING AND SHOWCASING THE TENORS AND BASSES IN YOUR CHORAL PROGRAM Matthew Van Dyke is Director of Choirs at Cambridge High School in Milton, GA where he conducts four choral ensembles, teaches AP Music Theory, and serves as musical director. Under his direction, Cambridge High School Choirs have received superior ratings and top prizes in festivals and adjudications, and his students are regularly selected for All National and All State Honor Choirs. Matthew also serves as the Associate Conductor of the Johns Creek Chorale. Originally from New Jersey, he previously served as Director of Choirs at Ocean Township High School and Interim Director of Music at Tower Hill First Presbyterian Church. An active tenor, Matthew sings with church, community, and professional choral ensembles around the Atlanta area. He regularly performs with the Kinnara Ensemble, the Choral Pickup, and the Johns Creek Chorale. He has performed as a featured soloist in Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Passion and Resurrection, and Charpentier’s Litanies a la Vierge. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Delaware and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College. Matthew lives in Cumming, GA with his wife Kristen, son Noah, and dog Mosby

JOHANNY VEIGA BARBOSA

•THE EXPERIENCE OF STRING PROFESSORS BEFORE AND AFTER COVID19 Johanny Veiga Barbosa, born in 1993, began her studies during her childhood with her father and violinist Juraci Rodrigues Barbosa in her native country Brazil. As a performer, she has been part of the Prelude Orchestra, acting as Concertmaster for almost ten years and performing solo works with the orchestra such as Mozart’s Violin Concerto #4, Heifetz’s Hora Staccato, E. Malher’s Concertino, and others. In 2004, she was a finalist in the “Othonio Benvenuto” competition for young soloists. In 2011, after a selective audition process, she was accepted to the Symphony Orchestra of Londrina University (UEL). Johanny studied violin performance at the University of Maringá (UEM). She received her bachelor´s degree in 2016 and acted as the principal second violin and soloist. She also finished her master’s degree at the University of Texas at El Paso as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, where she acted as principal second violin of the (UTEP) Symphony Orchestra Johanny also had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the UTEP Symphony the Bach Double Concert for Two Violins, Double concert for violin and cello by Vivaldi in A minor. Johanny was also announced as the winner of the UTEP Concert Competition Music Department 2017. She performed as soloist the Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. Johanny is also very honored to be currently a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education at the University of Missouri. She acts as Concertmaster at the University of Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra. She serves as the only violin in the New Music Ensemble as a TA.

CARYN VOLK

•WARM-UP BASICS FOR GUITAR ENSEMBLES Caryn Volk has been a music educator for 26 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 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. Ms. Volk currently resides in Sugar Hill, GA with her family.

LEA ANNE WALTERS

•ACADEMY FOR CLASSICAL EDUCATION JR. HIGH CONCERT CHOIR Lea Anne Walters has been a teacher at The Academy for Classical Education for 6 years. She has been directing the Jr. High Choral Program since 2017. Mrs. Walters is a 2005 graduate of Mercer University with a bachelor's degree in music education. She received her master's in choral conducting in 2009. This is Mrs. Walters 14th year of teaching. She previously taught in Bibb County and Monroe County. Mrs. Walters also helps as the assistant cross country coach. Since joining the coaching staff ACE has won the 2019 Georgia 1A Public State Championship and were the 2020 runner-ups at the State Championship. The men finished on the podium with an overall finish of 4th palace. Mrs. Walters and her husband Jamie live in Macon and have 3 children, JD (10), Watson (8), and Katie Rose (4) as well as their dog Happy.

ALFRED L WATKINS

•"WE, TOO, SING AMERICA" - A HEALTHY DIALOGUE •A CONVERSATION WITH DR. MARY FRANCES EARLY Alfred L. Watkins is Co-Founder and Conductor of the Cobb Wind Symphony. In 2013, he concluded his 37-year career as the high school band director at Lassiter HS in Marietta (31) and at Murphy HS (6). He is a graduate of Florida A & M University with additional study at Georgia State University. Concert bands under Watkins’ direction have performed at the Midwest Band Clinic (5x), GMEA (7x) and six performances at the MFA National Festival. During Watkins’ Lassiter tenure, all five Lassiter concert bands received Superior Ratings from 1993 until 2013. The Lassiter Percussion Ensemble has performed at the Midwest Clinic and at the PAS Convention. The Lassiter Color Guard was the 1997 & 1998 WGI World Champions. The Lassiter Marching Band was the 1998 and 2002 BOA Grand National Champions and won nine BOA Regional Championships. The marching band won 115 of 125 contests entered. They participated in Tournament of Roses Parade (4x), Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade (3x), Orange Bowl Parade (2x) and in the Citrus Bowl Parade. He is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the FAMU Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame (GA), BOA Hall of Fame, and is the 2022 Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster of the Year. He has received the Midwest Medal of Honor and is a Midwest Legend. He has conducted bands in 38 states and guest conducted All-State Bands in twenty of them. He has received 25 Certificates of Excellence from the NBA. His bands have earned the Sudler Flag, Sudler Shield and the Sudler Scroll.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

P R E S E N T E RS AMBER WELDON-STEPHENS

•ENSEMBLE FOR EVERYONE-TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR ADAPTING BAND AND ORCHESTRA FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES •SUCCESS WITH STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES IN GENERAL MUSIC Amber Weldon-Stephens is the Department Chair and Internship Director for the Music Therapy Department with the Fulton County School System in Atlanta, Georgia. She started the program over 30 years ago and now it is one of the largest school system music therapy programs in the nation. Amber holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in Multiple and Sensory Disabilities from Georgia State University and a specialist degree in Special Education Administration from the University of West Georgia. In 2000 Amber was selected as Fulton County Schools Teacher of the Year. Amber is currently the Immediate Past President of the American Music Therapy Association and has served as the President of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia; President of the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association; President, President-Elect, and Vice President of the American Music Therapy Association; President of the University of Georgia Redcoat Band Alumni Association and President of the Kell High School Band Boosters Association. Amber currently teaches part time at Kennesaw State University and with Drum Majors in the summers at the University of Georgia. Amber has taught hundreds of Drum Majors over the past 35 years with students all over the Southeast and even had the opportunity to work with the Atlanta Olympic Band Drum Majors with performances at the inaugural Presidential Parade for Past President Clinton and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta!

BRIAN C. WESOLOWSKI

•ATTRIBUTES OF PRE-SERVICE MUSIC EDUCATORS: EXAMINING VERBAL FEEDBACK EFFECTIVENESS IN THE SECONDARY-LEVEL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CLASSROOM Brian Wesolowski is an Associate Professor of Music Education in The University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music. His primary research interests include the study of rater behavior as well as areas of scale development, policy of educational measurement, and broad applications of assessment, measurement, and statistical programming.

DR. RAN WHITLEY

•LONG LOST MUSIC: DIVERSE COMPOSERS FORGOTTEN IN HISTORY Ran Whitley is a Professor of Music Education at Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC where he holds the Alma Dark Howard Endowed Chair of Music. His course offerings at Campbell University include music theory, elementary music methods and children’s music ministry. He earned the DM degree in music ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as a PhD in music education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Ran holds current teacher licensure in North Carolina in both Music Education (K-12) and ESL (K-12). His Orff training includes Orff Levels I-III and the Orff Master Class from the University of Memphis. Ran has over 40 years of experience in elementary music including public school teaching, children’s music ministry, theory/counterpoint instruction and teacher education. Some of his publications include Orff orchestrations, hand-held instrument accompaniments and Boomwhacker arrangements with Macie Publishing Company. In addition, several of his recent articles have been featured in The Orff Echo. Ran frequently conducts virtual and live clinics and workshops in music education throughout the United States and spends his summers teaching elementary music in Honduras and Cuba. Ran also performs extensively in North Carolina as a jazz musician. He is married to Donna and has five children and five grandchildren.

TRACEY WILEY

•MUSICALLY INCLINED RESOURCES FOR REAL-WORLD CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS Tracey serves as the education outreach specialist for north Georgia, building content and providing free educator support and training for GPB Education's array of no-cost digital resources. Tracey has been involved in education for more than twenty years, teaching and consulting at various schools and organizations throughout metro Atlanta and abroad, including Georgia State University, the Dunwoody Nature Center, the Georgia Aquarium, and Zoo Atlanta. Tracey is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in biology and concentration in photojournalism. She received her master’s degree in marine policy from the University of Delaware.

DR. SARA WOMACK

•GET CREATIVE, GET NOTICED, GET HIRED! RESUME & INTERVIEW TIPS FROM ARTS SUPERVISORS In her fifth year as the Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator for Atlanta Public Schools (APS), Sara Womack is creating an arts-rich district with arts-rich schools by providing opportunities for student engagement, building the capacity of teachers, and partnering with community organizations to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality, sequential arts education. Before journeying into administration, Dr. Womack served as an elementary music teacher in metro Birmingham, as well as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), for 15 years. She earned a BS in music education, MA in music education, and MA in instructional leadership from UAB and a Doctor of Education degree in music education from the University of Georgia. Dr. Womack achieved National Board Certification in early and middle childhood music, served as President of the Alabama Music Educators Association and Southern Division of the National Association for Music Education, and currently serves the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) as Advocacy Chair. She was the winner of the 2019 APS Schools First Award and the 2021 GMEA Administrative Leadership Award for her dedication to supporting the leaders, teachers, and students of Atlanta. Her and her husband, Sean, enjoy traveling and hiking with their sons, Will, 17, and Mason, 13.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE BRITTNY WOODS

P RE S E N T E RS

•THIS IS HOW WE DO IT! MODIFYING RECRUITING EFFORTS DURING THE ERA OF COVID-19 Brittny Woods is Director of Choral Activities and Musical Theatre at New Hampstead High School. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Georgia Southern University and her Master of Music Education degree from the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University. Mrs. Woods previously taught at Oglethorpe Charter School and Godley Station K-8 in Savannah, Ga. In both positions, her ensembles consistently received superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation and were known for presenting “inspiring” and “spirited” choral performances. Additionally, Mrs. Woods is an active lecturer, guest conductor, and performer. She was an inaugural member of YPC National Inc. where she conducted the Young People’s Chorus of NYC and was the featured Dance Specialist. Her community affiliations include serving as Assistant Chancel Choir Director at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Artistic Director for Savannah Sings (Sweet Adelines International), and Voice Instructor for S.O.N.A.T.A Inc. (Sponsors of New and Talented Artists). Mrs. Woods served as Adjunct Music Faculty at Savannah State University and Ogeechee Technical College where she received the 2019 Adjunct Instructor of the Year Award. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

JEREMY WOOLSTENHULME

•"WE LEARNED THIS ALREADY!" BACK TO THE BASICS FOR STUDENTS WHO ALREADY KNOW IT ALL Jeremy Woolstenhulme received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Brigham Young University in 2000, and a Master of Arts degree in cello Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2005. Mr. Woolstenhulme currently serves as the orchestra director at Northview High School in Fulton County, Georgia and previously taught for 20 years in the Clark County School District of Las Vegas, Nevada. He has traveled with his orchestras to London, Washington, D.C., Boston, San Diego, and New York. His orchestra was selected to play at the 2008 and 2017 Midwest Clinic and in 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2018 at the National ASTA Conference. While teaching in Las Vegas Mr. Woolstenhulme also played cello for with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and conducted the Las Vegas Youth Symphony. With a steadily growing number of original and arranged works to his credit, Mr. Woolstenhulme is a commissioned and published composer, many which have been performed around the world. His works have consistently been included as J.W. Pepper Editors’ Choice selections and can be found on festival repertoire lists. He is co-author, with Terry Shade and Wendy Barden of the highly acclaimed string method, String Basics. His specialty is to write for middle and high school orchestras where he composes to teach, challenge, and inspire. He has served as clinician and guest conductor throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and the People’s Republic of China.

TREY WRIGHT

•INTRODUCING JAZZ GUITAR STYLES INTO THE GUITAR CLASSROOM Trey Wright is a jazz guitarist and composer based in Roswell, Ga. Trey is currently Senior Lecturer of Jazz Guitar and Jazz Studies at Kennesaw State University and is a columnist for Jazz Guitar Today. In addition to his work at KSU, Trey has also taught at LaGrange College, Gainesville College, the Atlanta Institute of Music, and the University of Georgia. Trey leads or co-leads several jazz groups including the Laura Coyle and Trey Wright duo, the Trey Wright Trio and the Hibbard/Wright Project. In addition, Trey also performs freelance in the Atlanta area and has performed with Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Corey Christiansen, and Darmon Meader of the New York Voices. Trey has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival; Jazz A Vienne; the International Festival of University Theatre of Casablanca Morocco; the World Sacred Music Festival in Bangalore, India; and in Montepulciano, Italy. In early 2008, Trey began playing with the Georgia Symphony Jazz Orchestra. Trey has released five CDs under his own name including his most recent project Begin Again which was released on Blue Canoe Records in February 2019. Over the past two years, Trey’s Blue Canoe releases were included as part of Delta Airlines In Flight Entertainment on domestic and international routes. Several of Trey’s compositions have been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and the Trey Wright Trio’s arrangement of Thom Yorke’s “Analyze” was included on the compilation Head Radio Retransmissions: A Tribute to Radiohead on the German label ESC records.

DR. CLELL E. WRIGHT

•THE ABCS AND 123S OF AN EFFECTIVE CHORAL REHEARSAL: MAKING THE MOST OF LIMITED TIME Dr. Clell E. Wright serves on the faculty of Valdosta State University as Director of Choral Activities where he gives direction to five choral ensembles and teaches classes in Choral Conducting and Choral Repertoire. Prior to his appointment in 2019, Dr. Wright served for 18 years on the faculty of Hardin-Simmons University where his choirs toured regionally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Wright’s choirs have performed for the American Choral Directors Association and have been invited to perform in such prestigious venues as St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, the Dom zu St. Jakob in Innsbruck, the Jesuitenkirche zu Heilige Dreifaltigkeit in Innsbruck, and Cannongate Kirk in Edinburgh. His choirs have also been invited to sing for Mass at San Marco Basilica in Venice and Evensong at Glasgow Cathedral in Scotland. In June of 2019, Dr. Wright has also served as a conductor for Mid-America Production’s Italian Choral Festival at the Duomo in Florence, Italy. Dr. Wright has conducted numerous large-scale choral orchestral works, including performances of the Mozart Requiem, the Fauré Requiem, the Poulenc Gloria, Haydn’s Creation and Handel’s Messiah among many others. He currently serves as Chorus Master for the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. On March 19, 2022, Dr. Wright will serve as guest conductor for Mid America Productions in a performance of Poulenc’s Gloria at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Dr. Wright is active as a choral clinician and has been a guest conductor for several All-Region choirs. He has given presentations at conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Choral Directors Association.

WESLEY YORK

•BASSOONER THE BETTER - HOW TO START BEGINNING BASOONISTS Wes York has taught middle and high school band in the state of Georgia for 18 years, including time in Burke County, Cobb County, and Greater Atlanta Christian School before arriving at Malcom Bridge Middle School in 2016. Bands under his direction have performed at the University of Georgia Janfest clinic and the London New Year’s Day Parade as well as many community events in the greater Atlanta area. His students have earned placement in the GMEA District Honor Band, Georgia All State Band, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, the Governor’s Honors Program, and numerous other ensembles. Mr. York is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education and is a 2014 recipient of the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. In 2019 he was inducted into Phi Beta Mu, an International Bandmasters Fraternity. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Georgia and is currently a candidate for a Doctorate in Music Education. Mr. York lives in Winder with his wife Blakely and their three sons - Ashton, Collin, and Embry.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PERFORMERS

ATLANTA YOUTH PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR: BRANDON KUNKA

The Atlanta Youth Percussion Ensemble (AYPE) is an immersive percussion program for high-school age students. Members access teaching and support from instructors, experience playing professional-level music with their peers, and perform multiple times per season. The group was founded in 2021 under the direction of Brandon Kunka, as a subsidiary to the Atlanta Percussion Group, which also houses the adult-based Atlanta Percussion Ensemble.

CENTRAL-CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND DIRECTORS: NEIL RUBY & COURTNEY NEIDHARDT

"The range and depth of musical talent within Central-Carroll High School has produced one of the state’s finest band programs. Our student musicians have shown the talent and commitment to earn and maintain an outstanding reputation as they “Strive for Excellence” in each performance. The Central-Carroll High School Symphonic Band has a long tradition of excellence, earning superior ratings at every Georgia Music Educators event for twenty-four consecutive years. The Band has performed at the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational on two occasions, and as the invited guest band at the University of Georgia JanFest, the Southeastern Regional Concert Festival at Georgia State University, and the Reinhardt University Honor Band Clinic. Several students from Central-Carroll H.S. are selected each year to the GMEA District Seven Honor Band and GMEA All-State Band. The Central Band Program is also proud to have had representatives selected to perform in the Brevard Music Camp, Julliard Music Camp, Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble, and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. The Central-Carroll Marching Pride has earned nothing but superior ratings, over 500 Class and Division Placement Awards, and 53 Grand Championships in the past 23 years. The Central-Carroll High School Bands have received letters of commendations from both Governor Sonny Perdue and Governor Roy Barnes and two resolutions from the Georgia State House of Legislature. The CC Bands are two-time recipients of the Exemplary Performance Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association, the Certificate of Merit from the National Band Association on four occasions. Students in the Central-Carroll band program have the opportunity to participate in a variety of performing ensembles and classes, including two concert bands, jazz ensemble, marching band, competitive indoor winter guard, competitive indoor drum line, percussion ensembles, music theory, dance, and numerous small instrumental ensembles. The Central Bands have performed for millions of people all over the world, including the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on two occasions. The band has also traveled and performed in Chicago, Illinois; Hollywood, California; New York, New York; New Orleans, Louisiana; Nassau, Bahamas; San Francisco, California; Orlando, Florida; London, England; and at the World Expo in Brisbane, Australia, the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and as the Honor Band in the Waikiki Holiday Parade and Pearl Harbor Commemoration in Honolulu, Hawaii. We would like to thank our parents, administration, and volunteers for the love and support you give our program every day. We love you!! Go PRIDE Go!!!"

COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY'S SCHWOB PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR: DR. PAUL VAILLANCOURT

"The Schwob PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (CSU) is directed by Schwob School of Music faculty artist, Paul Vaillancourt. Year after year the ensemble continues to perform at the highest artistic level, dazzling audiences with their subtlety, precision, and remarkable communication. It has collaborated on several occasions with the Columbus Ballet and performed regularly at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center as part of the Music Under The Dome series. The ensemble has been invited to perform several times at Spivey Hall as part of their Young Persons' Concert Series. In addition to the list of works premiered—by composers James M. David, Matthew Welch, Eric Moe, John Parcell, Brian Cherney, and Nico Muhly—the group performs and records music from the traditional percussion ensemble repertory, including works by Davidovsky, Varèse, Jolivet, Cage, and Reich. The ensemble’s performances have been released on NAXOS, ALBANY RECORDS, John Zorn’s TZADIK label in NYC, and most recently Matthew Welch’s concerto for Scottish bagpipes and percussion ensemble entitled The Favrile Opalescence on KOTEKAN Records. The ensemble will soon release its second disc featuring premiere recordings of new works commissioned for the group by composers Dan Trueman (Princeton Univ.) Fred Cohen (San Jose State Univ.), Sergio Assad (World renowned performer/composer, Grammy award-winner), James David (Univ. of Colorado) and Pulitzer prize recipient Wayne Peterson."

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PERFORMERS

DRUID HILLS MIDDLE DRAGON JAZZ DIRECTOR: TODAY MILFORD

The Druid Hills Middle School Dragon Jazz Ensemble is an audition only group here at Druid Hills Middle. The students are comprised of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The instrumentation isn't always the traditional Big Band instrumentation and some students are playing a 2nd instrument. Most of these students have more than one music ensemble class on their class schedule. The Jazz Band class meets every day during our first period. The students elect to have a second band class because of their love for music and the opportunity to perform with more than one ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble is the most active performing group at Druid Hills Middle. They perform at local elementary schools, school programs, fundraisers, community events, and more! The Jazz Ensemble has only received superior ratings since being under the direction of the current director, Mr. Today Milford. The Druid Hills Middle Dragon Jazz.

KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR: RICHARD DIETRICH

The Kennesaw Mountain High School Percussion Ensemble is a performance-based ensemble that offers students between the ages of 13-18 quality educational and performance experiences in the areas of music, theatrical and dance performance. Founded in 2000, the Kennesaw Mountain Percussion Ensembles have grown from 2 students to a studio of over 40 percussionists. All percussionists participate in the many ensembles featured at the Kennesaw Mountain High School Band Program. This consists of: Three concert wind ensembles, a three-time MFA National Champion marching band, an award-winning pit musical ensemble, a Jazz orchestra and a high energy Stomp Ensemble. The objective of the Kennesaw Mountain Percussion Program is to teach skills learned through music to achieve excellence in life. Students develop personal character through challenging physical, emotional and mental activities while promoting values of dedication, hard work and commitment to a team effort. The Kennesaw Mountain Percussion Ensemble is guided by a dedicated and unified effort of volunteer parents and a professional teaching staff, who work in close harmony with the young members to create and maintain a proud, responsible performance ensemble. The ensemble is volunteer based, and rehearsals are scheduled outside of the school day. The Kennesaw Mountain Percussion Ensemble has performed at the 2009 and 2010 Jacksonville State University Day of Percussion, the Lassiter High School Percussion Symposium, the 2014 Midwest International Convention as well as many local concerts and festivals.

KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL WIND SYMPHONY DIRECTORS: MICHAEL HUEBNER & COREY FUTRELL

In 2000, Kennesaw Mountain High School opened in Kennesaw, Georgia as part of the Cobb County School District. Since the school’s founding, Kennesaw Mountain’s Band Program has established a nationally recognized reputation for excellence and innovation. Some notable past accomplishments include: • Wind Symphony performance at Midwest Clinic (2006) • Wind Symphony performance at University of Georgia JanFest (2010, 2015, 2020) • Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band performances at Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival (2019) • Marching Band named National Champion in Class AAA at Bands of America Grand National Championships (2004, 2012, 2014) • Marching Band named a Grand National Finalist at Bands of America Grand National Championships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014) • Marching Band named a Regional Champion at a Bands of America Fall Championship Event (2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017) • Marching Band named a Regional Finalist at a Bands of America Fall Championship Event (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) • Marching Band performance in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2005) • Sudler Shield of Excellence by John Philip Sousa Foundation (2003) • Percussion Ensemble performance at Midwest Clinic (2013) • Jazz Band performance at Georgia Music Educators Association Inservice Conference (2006) • Little Shop of Horrors Pit Orchestra awarded a Shuler Award for Best Orchestra (2016) • Winterguard named a WGI National Champion – Scholastic A (2004), Scholastic Open (2005) • Winterguard named a WGI National Finalist – Scholastic World (2006), Scholastic Open (2013)

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PERFORMERS

NORCROSS HIGH SCHOOL WIND SYMPHONY

DIRECTORS: LEE NEWMAN, MARIA PHILLIPS & COREY FAIR

The Norcross High School Wind Symphony is one of four concert ensembles at Norcross High School. Students are selected by an audition process each Spring. All State Band and Orchestra ensembles, AYWS, MAYWE, GHP, and AYSO. The ensemble has consistently earned Superior ratings at GMEA sanctioned events for the past 20 years. Some of the ensembles honor and invited performances include the 64th Annual University of Georgia January Music Festival 2014, the Music for All Southeastern Region Concert Festival 2015, 2018, 2020, and the Music for All National Concert Festival in 2018 and 2020.

NORCROSS PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR: COREY FAIR

The Percussion Program at Norcross 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, and to be contributing members of our community through the study, practice, and performance of music. We value hard work, teamwork, and discipline and believe that they are essential not only to the study of music, but also to the development of each student. The percussion program consists of a competitive marching percussion section and four percussion ensembles. The Percussion Ensembles at Norcross High School are the newest ensembles at the school having had its first public performances in 2019 at the Annual Lassiter Percussion Ensemble Symposium in Marietta, GA.

RIVERWATCH MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND DIRECTORS: HUNTER MCGEE & KATIE LARKIN

Riverwatch Middle School was established in the fall of 2003 and officially opened its doors for students the following year. The band program at Riverwatch is under the direction of Hunter McGee and Katie Larkin. The Symphonic Band comprises the top performing 7th and 8th grade students in the program. Riverwatch band students participate in GMEA Solo & Ensemble, District IX Honor Band, and All-State Band. The Riverwatch Bands have consistently earned superior ratings at District IX Large Group Performance Evaluations. The Riverwatch Symphonic Band has performed at The Midwest Clinic, Music for All Southeastern and National Concert Band Festivals, the GMEA In-Service Conference, UGA MidFest, and more. The Riverwatch Middle School Band Program is a three-time recipient of the Exemplary Performance Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association (2010, 2015, and 2019). The program is a 2017 recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Cup and 2016 recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Program of Excellence award. The Riverwatch Symphonic Band has appeared on ""Strike Up the Band"" on National Public Radio, WABE 90.1.

SEQUOYAH HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONY BAND DIRECTOR: CASEY EUBANKS

The Sequoyah High School Band Program was founded in 1990 by Mr. David E. Harrison. Since that time the band has created an impressive resume of championships and invitational performances. The Sequoyah Marching Band of Chiefs has performed in New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., New Orleans, and Orlando, Florida. The concert program has received several invitational performances including The Southeastern United States Band Clinic, The University of Alabama Honor Bands, The University of Georgia Janfest, and The Reinhardt University Honor Bands. The band program at Sequoyah High School has been under the direction of Mr Casey Eubanks for the past eleven years.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PERFORMERS SOUTH FORSYTH MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND DIRECTORS: ANDREW F. POOR & NATE HUGHES

Under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Poor and Mr. Nate Hughes, the South Forsyth Middle School Band program has experienced significant growth and is among the top programs in the state and region. The program received is a two-time recipient of the Middle School Exemplary Performance Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association in 2014 and 2019. The South Forsyth Middle School Bands consistently earn Superior ratings at the GMEA District 9 Large Group Performance Evaluation. With a strong chamber music program, a large percentage of students successfully participate in the GMEA District 9 Solo and Ensemble Festival, as well as, provide a significant presence in the District 9 Middle School Honor Bands and GMEA All-State Bands. Some notable performances by the Symphonic Band include the 16th and 20th Annual Southeastern United States Middle School Clinic at Troy University, 25th and 30th Annual University of Georgia Middle School Honor Band Festival, Georgia Music Educators Association State In-Service Conference, University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band, National Band and Orchestra Festival-Carnegie Hall in New York City, Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival at Georgia State University, National Band Association Southern Division Conference in Natchitoches, Louisiana, as well as the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2020. Additionally, the Symphonic Band participated in the 2015 and 2019 Walt Disney World Festival Disney program and earned the Gold Award and Best in Class Award and was invited to return and participate in the Disney On-Stage program in 2017.

TRICKUM MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC WINDS

DIRECTORS: ROBERT DAVIDSON & JESSIE MATTHEWS

The Trickum Middle School Band Program serves 430 students in 6th through 8th grade. Our students have the opportunity to participate in grade level concert bands, Swingin’ Tigers Jazz Band, and the Tiger Pep Band. Students may also audition to perform with our honor ensemble, Symphonic Winds, which practices after school two days a week. Symphonic Winds consistently receives superiors at Large Group Performance Evaluations and has most recently performed at the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival as a Guest Band in 2019.

WALTON HIGH SCHOOL WIND SYMPHONY DIRECTORS: JOHN PALMER & CHRIS JOHNS

The Walton Band program is comprised of over 370 students who participate in 4 concert bands, two jazz ensembles, symphony orchestra, winter guard, percussion ensemble, small ensembles, and marching band. Walton students consistently place in the District 12 Honor Band, the District 12 Honors Jazz Band, and the Georgia All-State Band, and many perform in community groups around the Metro area. The Walton Marching Raider Band has performed in the Macy’s Parade, three times in the Tournament of Roses Parade, twice in the Waikiki Holiday Parade, and is a perennial Bands of America Regional Finalist and three-time Bands of America Semi-Finalist. The Raider Band was awarded the Sudler Shield by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2009. The Walton Symphonic Band I performed at the Georgia Music Educator’s Inservice Conference in 2011 and the Walton Symphony Orchestra performed at the Midwest Clinic in 2012. The Walton Wind Symphony was invited to the 2020 Music for All Southeastern Concert Festival at Georgia State University, and will perform at the rescheduled event in 2021.

WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL WIND SYMPHONY

DIRECTORS: MICHAEL KOBITO & HOLLY MALDONADO

In the last five years, the Woodland Band is proud to have had many opportunities to represent our school and community around the Southeast. The Wind Symphony performed at the GMEA In-Service Conference and at Troy University’s Southeast United States (SEUS) Honor Band Invitational. The band program has sent over 40 students to the All-State Band and almost 150 students to the District VII Honor Band. We have also had students participate in honor groups such as the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, the Governor’s Honors Program, MAYWE, GYSO, and more. The Woodland Wildcat Marching Band has also been proud to represent the state in performances at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington DC and at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

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PERFORMERS

ACADEMY FOR CLASSICAL EDUCATION JR. HIGH CONCERT CHOIR DIRECTOR: LEA ANNE WALTERS

The Academy for Classical Education is a public charter school in Macon, GA. Students at ACE reside throughout the middle Georgia area. Ensembles from ACE have consistently received superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation in both sight-reading and performance. ACE students participate in all-state as well as district honor choir. In 2020 ACE was proud to have 17 students from the Jr. High choral program participate in All-State. The Concert Choir is a non-auditioned ensemble. Students in this ensemble have been in chorus a minimum of 1 year. The ACE Jr. High Concert Choir is made of students in 3 different classes. These students perform together as a mixed choir, men's choir, and treble choir.

BERRY SINGERS DIRECTOR: PAUL NEAL

The Berry Singers is the premiere choral ensemble at Berry College. Selected by competitive audition, the choir is comprised of some of the most advanced singers at Berry, both music majors and non-music majors. Berry Singers perform a wide variety of musical styles at concerts on campus, including Convocation, Mountain Day, Fall and Spring Concerts, Lessons and Carols, and in the community, throughout the state, and across the country. The Berry Singers tour extensively and serve as vocal ambassadors of Berry College, singing recently on an international concert tour of Prague, Vienna and Salzburg. The choir has performed for schools and churches throughout the Southeast and the Georgia Music Educators Association Convention.

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SINGERS DIRECTOR: DR. DEANNA JOSEPH

The internationally award-winning Georgia State University Singers is the School of Music’s premier vocal ensemble. Selected by competitive audition, the choir represents the diverse population of Georgia State University. In May of 2017, the University Singers won first place in the renowned Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition during a tour of Austria and Germany. The choir’s first professional recording, Evening Hymn (Gothic Records), has been featured several times on NPR’s program, With Heart and Voice. Their second professional recording, Benediction, is scheduled for release in early 2020. The ensemble regularly appears at professional choral conferences and enjoys frequent collaborations with the Atlanta Ballet, the Atlanta Opera, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY TREBLE CHOIR DIRECTOR: ALISON MANN

The Kennesaw State University Treble Choir has been on campus since 2008 under the direction of Dr. Alison Mann. The choir features singers from across the university representing majors in all KSU Colleges as well as the Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music. The choir participates in six concerts on campus per year as well as outreach and Intercollegiate events in the community. The ensemble works to promote music of female composers and a wide-variety of musical styles each school year.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PERFORMERS NORTH FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL

CANTAMUS

DIRECTOR: GENE SEESE

Cantamus is the premier select treble chorus for students in grades 9-12 at North Forsyth High School. Entry for this chorus is by audition only and highly competitive. It is one of four choirs offered at NFHS. Students selected to this ensemble are frequent participants in Honor and All State Choruses, as well as the Governor’s Honors Program and Solo & Ensemble events. The women of Cantamus are dedicated to performing the most challenging literature for mixed ensembles. They consistently receive Superior ratings & Outstanding in Class Awards at LGPE, regional and national festivals. Cantamus, along with the other choirs at NFHS will present the sixth in a series of our Bi-Annual Masterwork Concert Series during the 2020-2021 school year. We are excited and privileged to perform the American Premiere of Materna Requiem (Requiem for my Mother) by Rebecca Dale. Previous Masterworks have included Faure’s Requiem (2010), Vivaldi’s Gloria (2012), two Georgia Premiere works by Raymond Torres-Santos & Kim André Arnesen and most recently, the Mozart Requiem. Cantamus and all of the Raider Choruses are in demand to perform at various events & venues throughout the greater Atlanta Metro area.

OLA HIGH SCHOOL

SORRAIA

DIRECTOR: MINDY L. FOREHAND

Sorraia, the premiere ensemble at Ola High School, consist of 60 elite treble singers from the freshmen to senior class, who have been carefully selected through an extensive audition process out of 150 choir students. Additionally, Falabella (Beginning Treble), Catria (Intermediate Treble), and Caspian (Mastery Mixed) complete the total choral experience at Ola. All four choirs consistently receive superior ratings in performance and sight reading in state evaluations and are an integral part of the fine arts in our community. Members of the choirs have performed in venues spanning from Carnegie Hall to Salt Lake City to Florence, Italy. The Ola Choirs have a personal invitation to perform exclusively on the Carnegie Hall Stage under the direction of their director, Mindy Forehand, in June of 2022.

PIEDMONT UNIVERSITY SINGERS DIRECTOR: WALLACE HINSON

The Piedmont University Singers is the premier touring ensemble of the Piedmont University Conservatory of Music and has performed in concert throughout the U.S., Canada, England, and Wales. Under the direction of Dr. Wallace Hinson for the past 28 years, the Piedmont Singers is an auditioned choir consisting of students from a variety of majors and performs a wide range of choral literature from the Renaissance period to the present. The Singers is one of the seven ensembles in the music program, which includes the Piedmont Chorale, Cantabile, Haystack Society Choir, and Wind Ensemble, Conservatory Strings, and Woodwind Ensemble.

SEQUOYAH SINGERS DIRECTOR: JOSH MARKHAM Sequoyah Singers is the advanced mixed choral ensemble at Sequoyah High School. The choral program at Sequoyah consists of five curricular choirs and one extra-curricular a capella pop ensemble. The young men and women of Sequoyah Singers are not in the same class period during the day and only rehearse together outside of school. The Sequoyah Singers consistently receive straight superior ratings at LGPE in performance and sight-reading each year under Mr. Markham’s direction. Members of the ensemble are regularly selected for All-State Chorus, All-State Reading Chorus, and the Governor’s Honors Program in Voice. In addition to being excellent musicians, these singers are successful athletes, scholars, thespians, artists, and really kind young people. They represent their families, Sequoyah High School, and the choral program with dignity and respect.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PERFORMERS

THE HARRISON CHAMBER SINGERS DIRECTOR: MEGAN SCHUITEMA

The Harrison High School Choir Program includes the Concert Choir, Women's Chorale, Ties Off quartet, Saved by the Belles trio, and The Harrison Chamber Singers. The Harrison Chamber is the most elite auditioned vocal ensemble at Harrison High School, comprised of primarily upperclassmen who have dedicated their time, passion, and voices to the choral arts. The ensemble has consistently earned superior ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation, and is frequently invited to perform at festivals and invitationals across Georgia and the Southeast. Members of this ensemble participate in District Honor Chorus, All State Chorus, GHSA Literary Meet, and the Georgia Governor's Honors Program. This ensemble was recently selected as the premiere invited ensemble at the Kennesaw State University Choral Invitational in the fall of 2020.

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY CHAMBER SINGERS DIRECTOR: DR. CLELL E. WRIGHT

Chamber Singers is Valdosta State University's select choral ensemble. The mixed choir of 24 singers (six on a part), selected by audition, is the primary touring choral ensemble of the university. Their literature represents all stylistic periods as well as newly commissioned compositions. Chamber Singers represents the university at events both on and off campus and gives local and regional tours.

VETERANS HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT CHORALE DIRECTOR: JEREMY WILLIAMS

The Concert Chorale of Veterans High School is a mixed ensemble of advanced singers in grades 9-12 that formed in the fall of 2012. The achievement of these singers is recognized through consistent superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluations as well as performing at the GMEA In-Service Conference in January 2016. The Concert Chorale has also achieved top placements and awards at the Georgia Southern Invitational Choral Festival and Southern Star Music Festival, being named “Grand Champion” in 2019. Individual achievement in this choir is also demonstrated through membership in the District Honor Choir, All-State Choirs, All-State Reading Choir, the UGA Summer Music Institute, and the Governor’s Honors Program. Many of these students are also extremely active in the school’s musical theater and drama programs as well as both concert and marching bands with several alumni continuing on to become professional musicians and music educators themselves.

VOICES OF THE VALLEY CHILDREN'S CHORUS SOLA VOCE DIRECTORS: DR. MICHELLE FOLTA & MS. OLIVIA FORTSON

Founded in 2007, the Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus serves over 70 children from multiple cities, counties, and schools in Georgia and Alabama. Our vision is to inspire young singers to become life-long learners of music through choral experience and community engagement. Many of our singers are home schooled, come from schools that lack music study, or are from schools designated Title I. Voices of the Valley has become a respected arts organization among several in the Chattahoochee Valley, and is frequently sought for artistic projects. Voices of the Valley has collaborated with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Ballet, the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, Columbus State University’s Wind Ensemble, and the City of Columbus. Voices of the Valley has performed internationally, at GMEA, and will perform at the ACDA Southern Region Conference in February 2022. Voices of the Valley has developed a reputation of artistic excellence and professionalism among arts organizations throughout the Chattahoochee Valley and beyond. Commissioned works include “How Can I Keep From Singing” by Mark Patterson, and “Desiderata” by Jonathan Reid. Sola Voce is Voices of the Valley's advanced ensemble.

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2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PERFORMERS DULUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL GUITAR ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR: ANTHONY BAGLIO

Duluth Middle School is located in Duluth, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. The school has an enrollment of 1,300 students with over 800 participating in orchestra, chorus, band, or guitar. The guitar program currently has over 220 students enrolled in grades 6-8, under the direction of Anthony Baglio. The Duluth Middle School Guitar Program originated as a general music class in 2008, becoming one of the first middle schools in Gwinnett County to offer a performing guitar ensemble. Year-long guitar ensembles were then established in 2012, and today, guitar is a fully established fine art with six year-long classes and an honors ensemble. In 2014, the DMS Advanced Guitar Ensemble was featured on GCPS TV in the 2014 ArtStage Sounds of the Season program. In 2018 and 2020, the DMS Advanced Guitar Ensemble performed at the GMEA in-service conference. Continuing our mission to expand our presence in the community, the Duluth Advanced Guitar Ensemble as performed several times at Eddie Owens Red Clay Music Foundry, located in the heart of the Duluth Community. The DMS guitar program continues to grow thanks to the addition of guitar programs developing in elementary feeder schools as well as the ongoing support of faculty, staff, and administration of Duluth Middle School. The mission of Duluth Middle School is to inspire all students to achieve academic excellence and to embrace the rigor required to thrive in a global society.

NORTH GWINNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL EIGHTH GRADE ADVANCED GUITAR ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR: CARYN VOLK

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 370 students enrolled in grades 6-8, under the direction of Caryn Volk and Jacob Moore. 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 performed at local school and community outreach events. They have been invited to perform in Nashville, TN at Belmont University; in Gatlinburg, TN at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival; at the Reinhardt University Honors Guitar Orchestra and Festival; and previously at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. The guitar program continues to grow and benefits from parents, teachers, and administrators working together to create success. The mission of North Gwinnett Middle School is to pursue excellence in all areas by providing rigorous academics, developing leadership, fostering creativity, and empowering students with the skills to succeed in an ever-changing society through a partnership between students, parents, faculty, and staff.

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PERFORMERS

DULUTH HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

DIRECTORS: SHAWN MORTON & PETER LEMONDS

Duluth High School is located in the heart of Old Town Duluth thirty minutes northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. The Chamber Orchestra placed as the top public school orchestra in the country in the 2005 National Orchestra Festival at the American String Teacher’s Association Conference in Reno, Nevada and second runner up in the 2007 NOF in Detroit, Michigan. The Chamber Orchestra was selected to perform at the 2007 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. In addition, in 2009, they performed at the American String Teacher’s Association Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, premiering The Green Anthem by Liebermann. In March 2010, the Chamber Orchestra performed at the Festival of the States in Washington D.C. In 2004, 2007, and 2011 the Chamber Orchestra was selected to perform at the GMEA In-service Conference in Savannah, Georgia. In addition, in 2013, the Chamber Orchestra placed first in the National Band and Orchestra Festival at Lincoln Center where they performed at Avery Fisher Hall. In 2014, the Chamber Orchestra was selected to perform at the Midwest Clinic again, and in 2018, the Chamber Orchestra performed at the National ASTA Conference as a demonstration group for both Dr. Mark Laycock and Dr. Bill Jones. In 2019, the Chamber Orchestra performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Duluth Orchestra students are well represented in local youth orchestras and in All-State Orchestra. In 2013, the Duluth High School Orchestra Program was awarded the Exemplary Performance Award from GMEA. Each year, the orchestra marches in the Duluth Fall Festival parade as one of the only marching orchestras in America.

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR: NATHANIEL F. PARKER

The Kennesaw State University Symphony Orchestra—comprised of approximately 80 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. 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 Musorgsky’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, cellists Zuill Bailey and 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 performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association’s In-Service Conference in 2019 and 2009. In 2010 the Symphony hosted and performed at the College Orchestra Directors Association National Conference and in January 2011, the Symphony completed a three-concert tour of Beijing and Xian, China.

MILTON HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR: ANDREW CUMMINGS

"Milton Orchestras are part of the vibrant performing arts community at Milton High School in Fulton County, Georgia. The program consists of three ensemble classes: Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia, and Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, students meet throughout the year to participate in extracurricular ensembles such as Strolling Strings, Pit Orchestra, Full Orchestra, and chamber ensembles for special events and community outreach. Milton orchestras have performed at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, Smoky Mountain Music Festival, and Georgia State University Orchestra Festival, among others. Chamber Orchestra is the highest level string ensemble at MHS. This group consistently earns superior ratings at LGPE and includes individual members of All State Orchestra, ASYO, ESYO, and GYSO as well as invitees to Brevard, Tanglewood, and Governor’s Honors Program. Milton Orchestra also celebrates student accomplishments outside of music, including within the past two years a Valedictorian, Congressional Gold Medal Award recipient, National Merit finalists, varsity athletes, and HOSA and Science Fair state finalists. One of the goals of Milton Orchestra is to encourage well-rounded students who, through orchestral studies, develop both a lifelong appreciation of music and skills that will help them to excel in their chosen fields.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

2022 IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

PERFORMERS NORTHWESTERN MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR: EVELYN CHAMPION

Located in the historic Crabapple community in the northwestern corner of Fulton County, Northwestern Middle School (NMS) was established in 1996. It was named for Northwestern Elementary School, which served area students from 1933 until its closing in 1992. The newest Northwestern opened with a sense of tradition as well as a vision toward the future. The school serves sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who live in the communities of Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton. Northwestern has a student body of approximately 1300 and is led by Principal Joel Peterson. Students from NMS go on to Milton High School and Cambridge High School. The Northwestern Orchestra has had a tradition of excellence since 1996, earning superior ratings annually at GMEA LGPE. The Northwestern Orchestra performed at the GMEA In Service Conference in 2009 under the direction of Carolyn Landreau and is a 2017 recipient of the Georgia Music Educators Association Exemplary Performance Award.

WEBB BRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR: JAMES BARKET

Orchestras from Webb Bridge Middle School have performed at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, the Georgia Music Educators Association’s In-Service Conference and routinely receive scores of Superior at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations and Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluations. WBMS opened in 1996 under the direction of Sharon Anderson with around 20 students in the entire orchestra. In three years, Mrs. Anderson brought the number up to 120 and the orchestra had already earned a reputation for quality performance and a high level of individual playing. Jennifer Batson directed the orchestras in the 1999-2000 school year, and James Barket became the director in the fall of 2000. Today, the orchestra enrolls nearly 200 students who comprise four separate ensembles: The 6th Grade Orchestra; The 7th Grade Orchestra, The 8th Grade Orchestra, and the Advanced Chamber Ensemble. The Orchestras perform three concerts at WBMS each year as well as concerts at various venues throughout the Southeast. Students from WBMS feed into the Alpharetta High School Orchestra which has performed numerous times at the GMEA In-Service Conference and three times at the Midwest Clinic. Many students from WBMS are accepted into the GMEA All-State Orchestra each year.

MU SI C TE C H NOL OGY STUD EN T SHOWCAS E 1 . 2 8 . 2 0 2 2

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Advocacy + Advancement

Hand Drumming F O R

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JAR E D R AY LA N HA M

G E O RG I A M U S I C N E W S | FA L L 2019

why drum?

hroughout history, people have used drums for purposes including physical/spiritual healing, celebration/dance, religious/ritual ceremonies, communication, and war. Archeological excavation tells us that drums are, at least, between 30,000 to 70,000 years old (Dean, 2011; Thaut, 2015). However, drums are probably older than that. In a person’s life, drums and percussion are one of the first instruments that people are able to play (e. g. baby rattle, toddler’s music sets, hand drums, etc.). We all have a drummer inside of us. This piece will discuss ways to incorporate hand drums and hand drumming styles in the classroom. Drumming in a group has a lot to offer in terms of providing an enjoyable experience. Research informs us that a steady pulse can provide a therapeutic experience and may be due to our time listening to our mother’s heartbeat while in the womb (Provasi, Anderson, & Barbu-Roth, 2014). Other research suggests that the synchronization experienced while playing hand drums together can improve pro-social skills (Kokal, Engel, Kirschner, & Keysers, 2011). There are even benefits to the immune system from group drumming (Koyama et al., 2009; Wachi et al., 2007). For an overview of the psychical, psychological, and social benefits of group drumming, refer to the article by Yap, Kwan, & Ang (2017). Group drumming can also offer unique educational experiences. No matter the age group of the students or what primary instrument an individual may play, drumming can be used to isolate and improve rhythm. Though the motor skills

of hitting a drum may not transfer to, for example, fingerings on a woodwind instrument, the time feel certainly can. By time feel, I mean the individuals’ ability to hear and lock in with a pulse and what they hear. Also, the ability to lock in with a pulse depends on the individual’s ability to hear rhythmic inaccuracies, decide if they are early or late, and then attempt to fix the inaccuracies. Group drumming can offer a novel opportunity to sharpen our rhythm skills by isolating rhythm. In my personal experience through private music lessons and high school marching percussion, I teach that music can be broken down into three broad categories. Those categories are dynamics, pitches, and rhythm. I proceed to tell the student that out of those three categories, rhythm may be most important. I have heard many great musicians say the same thing. For example, during my studies in the jazz program at GSU, the excellent lead trumpeter Roger Ingram came to do a master class. He told us, “Give me a good drummer, and I will give you a good band. It doesn’t work the other way around.” That is not an exact quote, but it’s close enough to get the point. Even I, as a jazz percussionist, was surprised to hear this. Since this experience, I continued to notice other non-drummers saying the same thing. All of this is to say that making rhythmic accuracy a focal point during group drumming can make better all-around musicians, no matter their talent level. Another unique lesson that drumming in class can offer is exposure to the music of other cultures. The most well-known hand drum in the west is probably the West African djembe. However, people typically also know of congas and bongos, which both originated in Cuba. The

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Encourage + Inspire

hand Drumming djembe, bongos, and congas lend themselves as accessible mediums to any age group in terms of their playability. Even though these drums are more playable for an individual who has never played them, it is important to know how to strike them. I would recommend referencing the World Drum Club on YouTube for proper technique (Das, 2021). Another accessible set of percussion instruments are the drums of batucada from Brazil. In batucada, there is a lot of call and response. The lead drummer in a batucada ensemble, who traditionally plays the repinique drum, typically has a more technical part. The Japanese taiko drumming also has an accessible level of playability and introduces larger synchronized movements. More exquisite drums which have increasingly difficult include the Middle Eastern darbuka, the African talking drum, the Irish bodhran, the North Indian tabla, and the South Indian mridangam, to name a few. Also, different cultures have developed novel techniques of their own for tambourines. Examples of tambourines from around the world include instruments such as the Brazilian pandeiro, the Arabic Riq, and the kanjira from India. The drums that require more difficult techniques to play may not be applicable within the classroom. Still, they offer an education in some unique, innovative techniques, different sounds, and distinctive instrument designs. As a percussionist, I was unaware of many of these instruments until I was well into my college studies. Some of them I was not aware of until the past few years! Had I not studied music in college, I may have never known about these exciting different instruments and sounds. As music educators, one of our jobs is to let our students know what is out there. In terms of multicultural education, exposing our students to these instruments can give insight into the different cultures of the world and their musical artforms. In group drumming, it is common to use small percussion as well as hand drums. Popular small percussion includes shakers, bells (ankle bells for shaking), rain sticks, different assortments of seed pods, claves, woodblocks, cowbells, and many more. Group drumming can also provide opportunities for stu-

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

dent leadership. The activities and games involved with group drumming have plenty of room to allow students to lead. Leading activities and even playing drum solos could have positive impacts by allowing individuals to leave their comfort zone and enter their learning and growth zone (Page, 2020). Another opportunity for student leadership is to have the students write and arrange the music for the ensemble. These opportunities could spark some creative thinking and could also make the experience more enjoyable and more memorable. Drumming may be especially useful for the current times of COVID-19. Research suggests that schoolaged children and adolescents saw a rise in anxiety-related to COVID-19 and recommends offering coping strategies at school (Styck, Malecki, Ogg, & Demaray, 2020). Group drumming provides many adaptive coping mechanisms at once. Previous research has suggested that playing drums provides exercise comparable to playing a sport (Bianco, Berchicci, Perri, Quinzi, & Di Russo, 2017; De La Rue, Draper, Potter, & Smith, 2013). On the other hand, group drumming can be meditative. It also provides an opportunity to socialize, and the drumming activities can be fun and promote laughter. Group drumming could be especially useful in helping to cope with excess stress that may exist due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

some ideas on incorporating drumming There are some obvious obstacles to incorporating group drumming into the curriculum, such as scheduling, the cost of getting hand drums, and having material to play. Schools that offer general music may not have a problem incorporating group drumming within the school day. However, schools with band, orchestra, and chorus programs during school hours may have less room in their schedule. In that case, a “drum club” could be offered after school. Or, perhaps group drumming takes place on the days

when there is not much work to do, such as the final days of school, the day after a concert, or while a substitute teacher is there, etc. Of course, if a substitute teacher is there, someone must lead the group drumming. Having a substitute can be an excellent opportunity for student leadership by having students facilitate the drumming activities. The cost of drums can also be a barrier to be able to offer group drumming. If the school doesn’t own hand drums, the first option may be to have the students bring in drums if they own them. In this case, a mismatch of hand drums and drum set toms could be an option. Another idea is to access buckets to use for bucket drumming. Five-gallon buckets are most commonly used in bucket drumming and are typically around $3 at a home improvement retail store. One good thing about bucket drumming is that a bucket and a pair of drumsticks are cheap. Also, many different sounds can be made with a bucket, and they can be quite musical. The bad thing about buckets is that they can break if played too hard. Though, it is still a fraction of the cost of replacing a bucket rather than a drumhead. One idea to prevent the bucket from breaking would be to wrap the tips of the sticks with rubber bands. Covering the tips with rubber bands would bring down the volume and provide rebound for the sticks. If you want to go a step farther with a bucket drumming ensemble, large plastic tubs and trash cans act as bass drums. There are videos of bucket drumming groups, inside and outside of school, on YouTube that can give ideas for drumming songs and exploring the different sounds with buckets.

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Probably the most cost-effective idea for group drumming is incorporating body percussion. Many different sounds can be made by hitting and brushing different body parts with the hands. Different body percussion styles are found in various forms of music, such as flamenco clapping techniques and the “hambone.” There are online resources that can help with ideas for incorporating body percussion (Wirth, 2021). The next most cost-effective option would be to use everyday objects because any object can become an idiophone. In this case, the most obvious reference may be the stage show Stomp. There are training programs offered that teach how to facilitate a group drumming circle. However, if the training costs are not affordable, there are many books available to reference. Arthur Hull is proclaimed to be the originator (“father”) of facilitated group drumming. So, he may be a good place to start (Hull, 2021). The facilitator has room to create arrangements on the spot with different “sculpting” techniques and can include games and activities sprinkled throughout the grooves. There is also always the option of creating a soundscape. A soundscape is recreating the sounds of a nature scene and can provide for a meditative feel. To learn some basic drum circle facilitation techniques, exploring YouTube videos is a great idea. Besides the drum circle facilitation resources, it is also an option to take advantage of pre-written materials. There are resources for learning West African drumming ensemble numbers, which include two djembe parts, three bass drum parts, and cowbell parts too. The three bass drums in West African djembe ensembles are called dunduns, and they are different sized and tuned to three different pitches. The dunduns play different rhythms to make a melody or bass line underneath the djembes. Another idea for using pre-written materials would be to find a pop song and adapt the percussion instruments to the music. Modifying the drumming to a pop song may be a fun and interactive activity for students, which would inevitably evoke singing. There are also some valuable materials offered in scholarly journal articles (Mixon, 2009; Schmid, 1992).

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in conclusion Group drumming can offer positive experiences which can benefit human life in psychological, physical, and social domains. Hand drumming could be a useful education tool by creating novel musical experiences, isolating rhythmic skills, providing multicultural education experiences, and creating opportunities for student leadership. A drumming group could help to spark creativity on the part of the facilitator and the drummers. Perhaps the most critical purpose group drumming could serve in our current situation would be offering added coping strategies for COVID-19 stressors.

REFERENCES Bianco, V., Berchicci, M., Perri, R. L., Quinzi, F., & Di Russo, F. (2017). Exercise-related cognitive effects on sensory-motor control in athletes and drummers compared to non-athletes and other musicians. Neuroscience, 360, 39–47. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.07.059 Das, K. (2021). World Drum Club. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCoHRTcC-DTYaHdIbErwyDxQ De La Rue, S., Draper, S. B., Potter, C. R., & Smith, M. (2013). Energy Expenditure in Rock / Pop Drumming, 34, 868–872. Dean, M. (2011). The Drum: a history (p. 5). Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. Hull, A. (2021). Village Music Circles. Retrieved from https://villagemusiccircles.com/ Kokal, I., Engel, A., Kirschner, S., & Keysers, C. (2011). Synchronized Drumming Enhances Activity in the Caudate and Facilitates Prosocial Commitment - If the Rhythm Comes Easily. PLoS ONE, 6(11), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0027272 Koyama, M., Wachi, M., Utsuyama, M., Bittman, B., Hirokawa, K., & Kitagawa, M. (2009). Recreational Music-Making Modulates Immunological Responses and Mood States in Older Adults. Journal of Medical and Dental Sciences, 56(2), 79–90. https://doi. org/10.11480/jmds.560201 Mixon, K. (2009). Engaging and Educating Students with Culturally Responsive Performing Ensembles. Music Educators Journal, 95(4), 66–73. https:// doi.org/10.1177/0027432109335479 Page, O. (2020). How to Leave Your Comfort Zone and Enter Your “Growth Zone.” Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/comfort-zone/ Provasi, J., Anderson, D. I., & Barbu-Roth, M. (2014). Rhythm perception, production, and synchronization during the perinatal period. Frontiers in Psychology, 5(SEP), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01048 Schmid, W. (1992). World Music in the Instrumental Program. Music Educators Journal, 78(9), 41–45. https://doi.org/10.2307/3398429 Styck, K. M., Malecki, C. K., Ogg, J., & Demaray, M. K. (2020). Measuring COVID-19Related Stress Among 4th Through 12th Grade Students. School Psychology Review, 0(0), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2020.1857658 Thaut, M. H. (2015). Music as Therapy in Early History. Progress in Brain Research, 217, 143–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2014.11.025 Wachi, M., Koyama, M., Utsuyama, M., Bittman, B. B., Kitagawa, M., & Hirokawa, K. (2007). Recreational Music-making Modulates Natural Killer Cell Activity, Cytokines, and Mood States in Corporate Employees. Medical Science Monitor, 13(2), CR57– CR70. Wirth, M. (2021). Body Percussion Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.bodypercussionclassroom.com/ Yap, A. F., Kwan, Y. H., & Ang, S. Bin. (2017). A systematic review on the effects of active participation in rhythm-centred music making on different aspects of health. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 9(November), 44–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. eujim.2016.11.011

about the author

jared lanham Jared Lanham is a PhD student in music education at Georgia State University. At GSU, Jared is a part of the music cognition lab under Dr. Martin Norgaard. At GSU, his research focus is on the effects of group drumming on stress. He is also currently working towards an equivalency degree in music therapy from Saint Mary of the Woods College in Indiana. Jared also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Oglethorpe University. His bachelors and masters degrees also came from GSU where he studied jazz percussion.

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CHAPTER Tri-M® is the only national honor society for student musicians in the country. It highlights your school’s music program and gives students the opportunity to perform, lead, and serve. Besides looking good on a college application, a Tri-M® Music Honor Society chapter is easy to start, easy to run, and benefits your students, the school, and the community. Over 2,300 Tri-M chapters already enrich the lives of over 85,000+ students throughout the country and around the globe.

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news & announcements

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For Immediate Release Contact: Catherina Hurlburt catherinah@nafme.org or (571) 323-3395

$8.5 Million for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion; Social-Emotional Learning; Leadership in Arts Education to Promote Student Arts Achievement RESTON, VA (October 7, 2021)—Arts education across the nation could become even more integral to student and school success as well as more inclusive of diverse student experiences and cultures over the next five years as a result of a groundbreaking partnership between arts education organizations led by the National Art Education Association (NAEA), a national non-profit for visual arts, design, and media arts educators. Partners received a more than $8.5 million federal grant to fund their project, Connected Arts Networks (CAN): Leveraging Arts Learning Communities for Teacher Leadership and Student Achievement, which focuses on equity, diversity, and inclusion; social-emotional learning; and professional learning communities for arts teachers. All work is aligned to the National Core Arts Standards which recognizes arts education as dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. In addition to NAEA, project partners are the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), and the New York City Department of Education’s (NYCDOE’s) Office of Arts and Special Projects (OASP). Moreover, a comprehensive five-year evaluation of the project will be conducted by Metis Associates. The grant is from the U.S. Department of Education. The project is based on a New York City program in which arts educators across disciplines and grade levels meet monthly in professional learning communities to investigate how to incorporate best practices into arts education content, instruction, and leadership. The methodology has proven successful, so national arts education organizations want to take the approach nationwide. “Through this unique and unprecedented partnership, the four national arts education organizations can leverage the foundational work in New York City and move the model to a national scale, with the ability to impact over 800,000 students across diverse communities as well as more than 1,600 dance, music, theatre and visual arts educators,” said Mario R. Rossero, executive director of NAEA.

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“The NYCDOE is honored to collaborate with the nation’s premier arts organizations and deliver a highquality arts education to thousands of students across New York City’s public schools and beyond where self-expression and all artistic voices are valued and honored. This partnership grant will provide essential supports and resources for arts educators committed to nurturing our student artists," said Maria Palma, executive director of the Office of Arts and Special Projects, New York City Department of Education. “NAfME is excited to be part of this new, collaborative initiative, which combines and highlights the strengths of music and arts educators across disciplines at the national and local level,” said Dr. Mackie V. Spradley, NAfME President and Board Chair. “This program will build on and support NAfME’s strategic efforts, and the on-going efforts of music educators across the country, to develop their leadership capacity, effectiveness, and knowledge, skills, and awareness to address diversity, equity, inclusion, and social-emotional learning in their standards-based music and arts instruction.” The national project has four goals: 1) to develop highly effective arts educators, building their capacity to address diversity, equity, inclusion, and social-emotional learning in their standards-based arts instruction; 2) to develop a local and national cadre of teacher leaders in the arts by building their content knowledge and leadership skills to expand the impact of arts learning for students and their communities; 3) to develop accessible arts-based instructional materials, strategies, and tools to disseminate to the field nationally; and 4) to create a model for developing, deepening, and maintaining effective partnerships among school communities, local education agencies, and national arts education associations. Participating arts educators will: •

• • • • •

Be part of learning communities, where they will engage with their peers teaching in the same arts disciplines and grade bands to focus on strengthening their instruction and addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion; social-emotional learning; and leadership in their standardsbased instruction and practice; Participate in semi-annual observations and visits to peers’ classrooms; Attend workshops with experts in the fields of equity, diversity, and inclusion; social-emotional learning; and educational leadership; Lead their own learning communities; Engage in summer institutes; and Provide service to the field including designing and implementing professional learning, creating guides and toolkits, and participating in school leadership teams.

In Year 1 of the project, partner organizations will recruit teachers to participate in national teacher leader learning communities, which will begin fully in Year 2. The national teacher leaders will facilitate learning communities with peers during Years 3-5, creating a mechanism to expand the reach of the project and for continued service to the field and professional learning. Additionally, CAN’s participating educators will create comprehensive sets of instructional materials and resources culminating in online toolkits and guidebooks. NYCDOE will serve as an incubator and laboratory for testing, implementing, and revising the materials and approaches. The content will be

GEOR GI A MUSI C N EWS | W IN T ER 2 02 1

further tested and honed with hundreds of arts educators across varied settings, further ensuring broad accessibility and relevance. Arts educators are expected to increase their self-efficacy in and use of practices that incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion; social-emotional learning; and leadership in their standards-based arts instruction. For students, this will lead to improvement in their expression of their identities, cultural backgrounds, and beliefs; understanding of their peers’ artworks and processes; and knowledge of the societal, historical, and cultural context of artworks. Moreover, students may develop enhanced social-emotional learning skills, specifically with regard to their self-esteem, self-awareness, emotional resilience, social awareness, and conflict resolution skills. Overall, CAN will enable the successful replication of NYC’s professional learning communities with arts educators across the country and result in the development and dissemination of accessible, arts-based tools and resources for the classroom and for national partnerships. Program activities for this project are fully funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistance for Arts Education Program, projected for a total of $8,515,648.00 over five years. ### National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members teaching millions of students nationwide, the organization is the national voice for music education in the United States. Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme). About the Educational Theatre Association: https://www.schooltheatre.org/about/mission About the National Art Education Association: https://www.arteducators.org/about About the National Dance Education Organization: https://www.ndeo.org/ About the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/arts

About Metis Associates: https://www.metisassociates.com/

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | W INTE R 2021

Music Education Pandemic Fact Sheet

In response to the impact of COVID-19, music educators must work with administrators to ensure awareness of research and best practices relating to safe music instruction. The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is committed to supporting our music educators with up-to-date information to help advocate for the safe return of inperson music making in our schools. International Performing Arts Aerosol Research Study •

Mitigation strategies such as bell covers, absorption pads for spit valve contents, proper ventilation, and/or “air purifiers” is a result of the International Performing Arts Aerosol Research Study and Guidelines. The results of this published study (August 2021) are linked below. o Measurements and Simulations of Aerosol Released while Singing and Playing Wind Instruments

CDC Recommendations for Music and Performing Arts •

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers general strategies for the return of music education and instruction that align with the mitigation strategies offered by the Performing Arts Aerosol Research Study. Along with the strategies listed in the above link, the CDC “emphasizes implementing layered prevention strategies to protect students, teachers, staff, visitors, and other members of their households and support in-person learning.”

General Music/Elementary Guidance •

When considering strategies for elementary students, please view the NAfME General Music Council webinar (8/31/21) and the following resources: o NAfME and NHFS Phase III Guidelines: General Music Situations o NAfME and NFHS Suggestions from General Music Teacher for Restarting or Continuing Face-to-Face Instruction

Delta Variant and Music Making •

The vehicle in which the virus is spread is through aerosol particles. It is important to note that particles from the Delta variant are similar in size to the other COVID-19 variants. Therefore, in addition to the CDC’s recommendations to combat transmission, layered strategies of prevention included in the Performing Arts Aerosol Study effectively mitigate the spread of COVID-19 variants. For in-person music instruction, this includes layered bells covers, absorption pads to collect valve contents, proper ventilation, voice amplifiers for educators, etc. o CDC Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science o CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools

The resources contained here are for informational purposes only. All information is provided solely for your convenience. Posting of these resources by NAfME is not a warranty of the information and NAfME disclaims any responsibility for the content provided.

Music Education Pandemic Fact Sheet Fall 2021 GEOR GI A MUSI C N EWS | W IN T ER 2 02 1

Using the Performing Arts Aerosol Research Study to Keep Music in Our Classrooms As students across the United States headed back to school in fall 2021, the International Coalition Performing Arts Aerosol Study, of which the National Association for Music Education is a member, released updated guidelines for music education classrooms that had been completed in July 2021. Current guidance updates mitigation tactics with the understanding that states must consult local and state COVID-19 guidance and transmission rates for appropriate mitigation adoption and adjust accordingly. Many questions remain about age levels and vaccination rates. The latest information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that more than 40% of students ages 12–17 were fully vaccinated by the start of the 2021–22 school year; and vaccinations for students ages 11 and younger have only just begun. Overall vaccination rates in the United States remain nearly 60%, which means there is ample space for the spread of COVID-19. The Delta variant has added an additional challenge to returning to safe in-person instruction, and caution will need to be taken with our unvaccinated populations. Mitigations such as masking, bell covers, social distancing, short rehearsal times, and increased ventilation may need to be used. What Does the Science Tell Us? Masks and Bell Covers: Musicians and performers produce prominent jets of aerosol particles. Aerosol production spikes significantly when singing or playing without mitigation methods. When masks and bell covers were used by performers, aerosol particles were comparable with current room levels. Using a bell mask substantially decreases the speed and extent of the jet coming from the bell of an instrument. For singing, using a mask almost completely blocks airflow in the horizontal direction. Time and Air Flow: In an outdoor environment, ambient wind breaks the musician’s expelled airflow and accelerates the dilution of aerosol particles. In an indoor environment, the musician’s expelled airflow increases the spread of aerosol far more rapidly due to space confinement. Indoor walls force circular movements of air and the consequent distribution of the particles. To minimize infection risk to musicians and audiences via aerosol particles, the study showed the lowest risk occurring with an exposure duration of less than 60 minutes for indoor singing and instrument playing. Distance: Computational fluid dynamic simulations show that while an indoor environment causes a more rapid airflow spread of aerosol when making music, social distancing, along with the use of masks and bell covers, decreases the risk of transmission due to dilution of aerosol particles. Delta Variant: The focus on the Performing Arts Aerosol Study was on the vehicle of transmission of the novel coronavirus, not the virus itself. Notwithstanding this, the mitigation strategies of masking, distancing, timing, hygiene, and air quality through adequate ventilation are highly effective in reducing the spread of the Delta variant. The variant remains the same size as the original strand and moves within aerosol particles in the same fashion. The layered mitigation strategies in the aerosol research remain effective in reducing aerosol spread by around 90 percent. Performing Arts Aerosol Study Guidelines Performing Music Outdoors: •

No mitigation is needed for outdoor performances depending on the level of local and state transmission rates. Playing and singing outdoors remain the safest situation for performances. The high air-exchange rate and ultraviolet rays help diffuse the viruses’ ability to transmit effectively.

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | FALL 2021

| Using the Performing Arts Aerosol Research Study to Keep Music in Our Classrooms

Fall 2021

Performing Music Indoors: •

Masking with a well-fitted 3-layer surgical-style mask remains the best way of reducing potential infected aerosol particles from circulating in an indoor space. Masks are recommended be worn while singing and speaking. When performing with brass and woodwind instruments, the performer should wear a surgicalstyle mask with a slit for the mouthpiece.

•

Depending on your comfort level and transmission rates in your area, instrumentalists may be able to be perform without masks, only wearing them when speaking, and slitted performance masks are optional. Please consult your state, local, and school rules and recommendations for further guidance.

•

Bell covers made with a MERV-13 filter material, or a 3-layer surgical mask, remain the best way of reducing potentially infected aerosol from circulating in an indoor space. Masks should meet the ASTM F2100 or GB/T32610 standard.

•

In spaces with good ventilation rates and High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration, increased indoor rehearsal times of 50 minutes may be considered. A minimum of 3 air exchanges per hour should be used. If there are spaces with higher air-exchange rates, you may consider longer rehearsal times. When performing indoors, it is important to aim for an elevated outdoor air exchange rate from heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). If that is not possible, aim for typical outdoor air exchange rate from HVAC along with recirculation of air through MERV 13 filters or the addition of appropriate-size HEPA air cleaners.

•

Social distancing should be at no less than 3 feet, adjusting farther or closer depending on local conditions.

•

Practice good hygiene by washing hands, using sanitizers, and preventing uncontrolled spit-valve release.

•

Plastic face shields are largely ineffective because they only stop large droplets, not smaller aerosol particles. Room dividers inhibit the function of the HVAC system and are not recommended.

General Education: •

For non-aerosolization activities, such as dancing or use of non-aerosol producing instruments such as pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments, follow the procedures and protocols your school has created for general education classes.

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Recorders should have the bottom covered with a cloth material to catch aerosol droplets. Bell covers made with a MERV-13 filter material or a 3-layer surgical mask may not be necessary because it is generating minimal aerosol. The bell cover is just catching condensation and droplets.

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3-layer surgical style masks are recommended be worn while singing and speaking. Consider purchasing disposable masks that children can dispose of when they have completed their lesson.

References Stockman, Teyha, et al. “Measurements and Simulations of Aerosol Released while Singing and Playing Wind Instruments. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsenvironau.1c00007 Spede, Mark, and James Weaver. (2021, November 8) Unprecedented International Coaltion led by Performing Arts Organizations to Commission COVID-19 Study. https://www.nfhs.org/articles/unprecedented-international-coalition-ledby-performing-arts-organizati.s-to-commission-covid-19-study/

Using the Performing Arts Aerosol Research Study to Keep Music in Our Classrooms GEOR GI A MUSI C N EWS | W IN T ER 2 02 1

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

ELECTRONIC MUSIC

COMPOSITION CONTEST WINNER

Jackson Laird is the 2021 NAfME Electronic Music Composition Competition Winner (K-8) for the piece Run Away (listen here). Jackson attends Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts, Columbus, Georgia, under the instruction of Samuel Brown.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION The NAfME Electronic Music Composition Competition recognizes outstanding compositions and highlights the effectiveness of music technology in the school curriculum. Entries were judged based on their aesthetic quality, use of electronic media, and the power of the composition. Association member adjudicators selected winners in each of the following categories: Grades K-8, Grades 9-12, and Collegiate.

Learn more about the competition and hear other winning compositions. C L I C K

G EO R G IA M U S IC NE WS | FALL 2021

H E R E

Introducing the

FRED AND DINAH GRETSCH SCHOOL OF MUSIC at Georgia Southern University. The Gretsch Company has added Georgia Southern University to its family with the newly named Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music. The collaboration will ensure the Gretsch Company’s historic impact is appropriately documented and preserved, while also allowing our legacy to continue through the next generation of leaders in the music industry. GeorgiaSouthern.edu/music

FRED AND DINAH GRETSCH SCHOOL OF MUSIC GEOR GI A MUSI C N EWS | FA L L 2 02 1

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