2022 Colorado Music Educators Association Conference
Thursday, January 27, 2022
West Music Presents: Music Theory That's Fun!
Denise Gagne
Managing editor of Themes & Variations, Preschool music teacher and frequent visitor to elementary school music classroomsChildren who are musically literate are given the tools to become life-long music makers. In this session we’ll explore fun ways to teach theory: games, ball bouncing, bean bags and many activities!
The ABC’s of Songwriting Activism: Art + Blues + Compassion = Change
Do you want to create more opportunities for the intersection of activism and active music-making in your classroom? Songwriting can be tricky, but provides rewarding musical experiences and a platform for student agency and activism. Come learn how the blues genre and visual art combine to provide a perfect initial journey for student activist songwriting that is accessible and successful. Participants will leave our session ready to build a blues unit where students own the entire songwriting process. Not only will they write and sing the lyrics, but they will also play recorder, ukulele, and barred instruments, while exploring important music concepts like form, theory, harmony, and music history. We will also discuss songwriting tips and tricks, plus quality resources for introducing a blues unit to your students. Bring a recorder and ukulele to join in our songwriting!
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Discovering a Treasure Trove of Melodic Games
Folk music resources are the roots of the Kodály curriculum and literacy skills are one of the many branches. In this session participants will learn some golden treasures to add to their collections. Through the materials presented in this session, melodic literacy skills will be presented, experienced and explored. Participants will walk away with new song materials as well as music literacy activities to implement in their classroom.
Presider: Paul Maley
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West Music Presents: Buckets of Fun
Denise Gagne
Managing editor of Themes & Variations, Preschool music teacher and frequent visitor to elementary school music classroomsIn this session, Denise will share a sequence for teaching students to play bucket drums or desk drums. Tips for teaching, a sequence of skills, and fun pop song play along options will be included.
Antelope Trails Elementary School - Handbell Choir
Presider - Laura Cresap, Antelope Trails Elementary School Principal
Concert Host - Julie Kuhlman, District 4 GMC Representative
Friday, January 28, 2022
Playful Procedures: Building a Community of Learners through Responsive Classroom - presented by RMC-AOSA
Come discover how consistent routines, a strong classroom community, and opportunities for exploration and play enhance the wonder of Orff Schulwerk and instill the ideals of Responsive Classroom in our music-making.
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West Music Presents: Listening Fun!
Denise Gagne
Managing editor of Themes & Variations, Preschool music teacher and frequent visitor to elementary school music classroomsListening and responding to music is important for the emotional well being of our students. In this session, you’ll explore engaging and fun listening activities for all age, from your littles to Middle school. We’ll move and create movement with scarves, ribbons, cups, plates and more. We’ll explore form and cultural context. This session is fun – and will give you many lessons to use in your classes!
AESco: Manipulative Madness! Creativity in the Music Classroom
Do you need ways to inspire creativity and social interaction in your music class? Get ready to move, bounce, wave, and pull as we explore musical concepts using manipulatives such as scarves, tennis balls, elastics, dowels, and more! Certified Eurhythmics teachers Oren Logan and Gregory Marxen will lead in this active session inspired by the teachings of Émile Jaques-Dalcroze.
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A Brain-aligned Approach to Fostering Belonging in the Music Room
How can we create a safe place where students have agency and feel cared for as they engage musically, socially, and emotionally? Learn what practical insight educational neuroscience has for those seeking to forge authentic connections to students and how these apply specifically to elementary and middle school music classrooms.
Learn how educational neuroscience help teachers create a safe place where students have agency and feel cared for as they engage musically, socially, and emotionally.
Using Children's Literature to Teach Melodic Literacy
When we think about teaching music literacy to elementary-aged children, most music educators’ minds turn to Zoltan Kodály. In this session, children’s literature serves as the inspiration for melodic music reading via the Kodály sequence. Your students will enjoy singing, dancing, playing barred instruments, creative movement, and improvisation as they learn to read music notation.
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The Path to Personal and Professional Antiracism: an honest look at my journey so far
A period of difficult personal & professional reckoning led me to confront my own racism, internal bias, & privilege. As a Filipina-American woman, I was surprised to discover how oblivious I was to the pervasive nature of systemic racism in education, the US, & in myself. Every day I grapple with how to eliminate these in my classroom by doing the hard work of shedding my former “colorblind” philosophy to put on one in which I see, acknowledge, value, & celebrate each student. This has resulted in many necessary challenges to me in my philosophy, practice, & pedagogy, but with each step on the path I know I am moving in the right direction. While my story is imperfect, I hope that sharing it provokes thought & encourages other educators to join me on the journey to create a more equitable, musical, thoughtful, & just world for students, their families, & our communities.
Ark Valley Children's Chorale Concert
Presider - Janet Golding
Concert Host - Shannon Glenn, GMC Secretary
Teresa Himel will receive her 2021 25-Year Recognition Award during this concert.
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Just Add Kids
It’s amazing what kids can do when given the right materials! Join clinician Andy Beck to experience the newest 2-part chorals, songbooks, movement ideas, musicals, and other classroom resources—perfect for those energetic young singers of yours! A complimentary music packet will be given to each director in attendance.
Moving to multiple genres of music: increasing student connection, engagement, and musicality
Movement is integral to true understanding in music - helping students better comprehend expression, form, and other musical concepts. When a student develops movement competence in the early years, the learning is even more powerful and continues into adulthood. Learn how to boldly and joyfully include all genres of music, including Pop, Global, R & B, to your repertoire to meet students where they are and draw them into this crucial (and fun!) component of being musical.