2022 Colorado Music Educators Association Conference
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Critical Conversations Through Productive Argumentation
Anthony Trecek-King
The Hartt School, University of Hartford and a Resident Conductor with the Handel and Haydn Society, Associate Professor of Choral Music and Director of Choral Activities
Melanie Trecek-King
Massasoit Community College, Associate Professor of Biology and Science Educator and Communicator, Thinking is PowerDenver School of the Arts - Treble Choir
Presider - Heather Schenck
Concert Host - Shannon Schell, VMC District 1 Representative
Hearing vs. Listening in Music: How to hear better by knowing what to listen for
Hearing what exactly is going on in our ensembles is perhaps the most challenging aspect of conducting. In this clinic we will explore ways to broaden our awareness and musical expression, and to hear our groups more effectively, by knowing where to listen and what to listen for.
Demystifying Jazz Harmony
Kirk Marcy
Edmonds College, Clinician and adjudicator for choral and jazz festivals throughout the country.Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Castle View High School - Versailles
Presider - Rex Corr, Principal, Castle View High School
Concert Host - Anna Saks, Vocal Council District 5 Representative
Estill Voice Training Structures and the Choral Rehearsal: Part 1
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Erie High School - CR5
Presider - Matt Buchler, Principal, Erie High School
Concert Host - Kim Waller, VMC District 6 Representative
Formation: Getting the Best Sound and Voice from Your Choir!
Claire Hudkins
Western Oregon University, Director of Vocal Studies & NTT Assistant Professor of MusicRegardless of whether we are singing Mozart, Whitacre, or even Adele, the formation of our ensemble has both positive and negative effects on an ensemble’s sound, vocal quality, vocal health and much more. In this session, we will explore the positive effects of ensemble formation on a variety of different areas including intonation, diction, balance, blend, authenticity, and vocal health from the point of view of ensemble director and private voice instructor. We will also discuss many different ways formation can be used both in the rehearsal and performance enhancing your ensemble’s overall sound, vocal health, and musical experience!
The Manning School - Resonance
Presider - Christian Ramaker, Principal, The Manning School
Concert Host - Shanti Gruber, VMC District 8 Representative
Empowered Listening: Turning Accurate into Artistic
How can you and your students elevate your performances from accurate to artistic? This session seeks to answer this relevant and vital question by providing alternative strategies that will enhance your listening skills and empower your students to engage with the rehearsal process. We will explore new methods to create your personal aural image and heighten your expectation for student performance. By using examples from a variety of scores, we will examine how to quickly process and study the printed score to make informed decisions that will determine your performance expectation. Most importantly, we will explore ways to energize your rehearsals and empower your students’ listening. It will be our goal to turn ensemble rehearsals into exciting and creative spaces where students take risks, explore the unknown, and become collaborators in the artistic pursuit.
The Silent Canon - Repertoire by Composers of African Descent
Anthony Trecek-King
The Hartt School, University of Hartford and a Resident Conductor with the Handel and Haydn Society, Associate Professor of Choral Music and Director of Choral ActivitiesA workshop on Singing Spirituals - History and Performance Practice
Rocky Mountain High School - Rocky Mountain Singers
Presider - Craig Woodall, Principal, Rocky Mountain High School
Concert Host - Marla Sitton, VMC District 7 Representative
Native American Music into the General and Choral Music Classrooms
This presentation will include an introduction to Native American music, culture, differentiation, and history from tribes in the United States, as well as lesson plan ideas, songs, and resources for implementing Indigenous music into the general or choral music space. The audience will also receive critical insight into the lives of First Nations students, and how teachers can make these students feel validated in their classrooms in any age group.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Metropolitan State University of Denver - Orchestra
Concert Host - Leanne Griffey, CO ASTA Secretary
Western Colorado University - Choir
Presider - Kenneth W. Todd, Western Colorado University, Department of Music Program Director
Concert Host - Teri Bohl, VMC Secretary
Friday, January 28, 2022
Breaking the Kodaly Norm: Engaging Upper Elementary
Join ROCKE for strategies and activities that you might not have seen before for engaging your upper elementary students. They are Kodaly inspired but provide variety in your lessons and strategies! We will share activities that utilize technology, playing instruments, projects and more!
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Rock Canyon High School - Jag Choir
Presider - Megan Brown, Principal, Rock Canyon High School
Concert Host - Shannon Schell, VMC District 1 Representative
Tune it or Die: Just intonation for any ensemble
This clinic will demonstrate the differences between equal tempered tuning versus just intonation, how and when to use both, and demonstrate why the overtone series is critical knowledge to help your ensemble tune well.
SATB Made Easy: Music for Developing Mixed Choirs
Whether you're searching for music for your freshman/sophomore voices, small school choir, mixed chorus with limited experience, or just want something quick to learn—this session is for you! Join clinician Andy Beck in reading through a packet of approachable SATB selections that will appeal to developing four-part singers. Learn how to improve your choir's sound and build choral confidence through achievable literature.
There's an APP for That!
Claire Hudkins
Western Oregon University, Director of Vocal Studies & NTT Assistant Professor of MusicOver the past year, whether we have wanted to or not, we have all become far more aware of different apps that we can use with our students for enhancing music learning inside and outside of the classroom. There are literally apps for everything. While there are thousands of apps available, it is easy to get into the weeds looking for apps that are pedagogically sound, useful, cost efficient, and accessible for students from pre-K through college. This session will explore many of the APPs available to music educators using both traditional computers, tablets/iPads, Chromebooks, and smartphones. Many of the APPs are free, readily available, and can inspire your students both in and outside of the classroom!
Exploring Timbre in Jazz Singing: Strategies for the Vocal Jazz E
Vocal jazz repertoire provides exciting opportunities for exploring a range of vocal timbres in both ensemble singing and solo singing. In this session, we will explore the tools available to singers and directors for achieving a variety of timbres through the shaping of the vocal tract. Through live and recorded audio demonstrations, we will listen to and discuss differences in both acoustical sound and amplified sound resulting from vowel modifications and other changes to resonating spaces.
Fort Collins High School and Rocky Mountain High School - One Voice - A Treble Choir Collaboration
Presiders - Tam Smith, Principal, Fort Collins High School and Craig Woodall, Principal Rocky Mountain High School
Concert Host - Bryan Kettlewell, VMC District 3 Representative
The Big Sing
Anthony Trecek-King
The Hartt School, University of Hartford and a Resident Conductor with the Handel and Haydn Society, Associate Professor of Choral Music and Director of Choral Activities
Melanie Trecek-King
Massasoit Community College, Associate Professor of Biology and Science Educator and Communicator, Thinking is PowerPalisade High School - Tenor/Bass Choir
Presider - Daniel Bollinger, Principal, Palisade High School
Concert Host - Teri Bohl, VMC Secretary
Stan Scott and Matt Doty will receive their 2022 25-year Recognition Awards during this concert. Raisha Quinn will receive her 2021 25-year Recognition Award.
Pomona High School - Midnight Vocal Ensemble
Presider - Jason Parson, Assistant Principal, Pomona High School
Concert Host - Alyssa Miller, VMC Chair-elect
Eagleview Middle School - Advanced Women's Choir
Presider - Austina Lee, Choir Director, Air Academy High School
Concert Host - Anna Saks, VMC District 5 Representative
University of Colorado at Boulder - Wind Symphony
Presider - John Davis, University of Colorado at Boulder Dean of the College of Music
Concert Host - Tom Chapman, IMC District 5 Representative
Mark Dorn will receive his 25-year Recognition Award during this concert.
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Columbine High School - Columbine Blue
Phil Newland
Columbine High School, Vocal Music, Beginning Guitar, Adaptive Music, and AP Music TheoryPresider - Scott Christy, Principal, Columbine High School
Concert Host - Andrew Watson, VMC District 4 Representative
Stick With It: Baton Technique for the Choral Conductor
Brian C. Murray
University of Wyoming, Associate Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of MusicConducting with a baton affords conductors with another tool for gestural communication with their choirs. However, many choral conductors completely avoid using a baton. Conducting with (or without) a baton should be a decision based on various musical and personal factors, not the result of uncomfortability or unfamiliarity. Whether you're out of practice or confident in your stick technique, let’s examine some basic elements of choral conducting with a baton.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Fairview High School - Excalibur
Presider - Ron Revier, Retired Fairview High School Choir Director
Concert Host - Anna Saks
Dawn Wisdom will receive her 25-year Recognition Award during this concert.