2022 Colorado Music Educators Association Conference
Day 2
Thursday, January 27, 2022
CMEA Conference Registration
Pre-registration packets may be picked up during this time. If you have not registered for the conference by January 21st you will need to complete the on-line registration form and either make payment by credit card or by check and come to the on-site registration area. You will be asked to present your invoice and check payment if paying by check.
CMEA Opening Session, Keynote, and Honor Awards Ceremony
CMEA President Kevin Beaber and CMEA President-elect Cynthia Eversole welcome all to the 2022 conference and annual meeting of the membership. Enjoy a keynote address presented by Omar Thomas, and celebrate the accomplishments of our CMEA Honor Award Recipients from 2021 and 2022.
Bow Guides, Wrist Guards, Chapstick? A Guide to Teaching Aids and Their Many Uses
Parents are busy and tired of fighting with their kids, students can't remember everything to practice and as a teacher, you know you can't move on until technique is correct. Sometimes technique feels like an uphill battle and can be very discouraging to students and parents. There are so many teaching aids, common and uncommon, to use to help with this exact scenario and this session will focus on what can be used to help the many different technique pitfalls our students succumb to. These teaching aids help the student focus on what's really fun about learning music: The Music!
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Rocky Ford Junior Senior High School - Meloneer Concert Band
Presider - Cindy Cowan, Rocky Ford High School Principal
Concert Host - Marti Bott, IMC District 6 Representative
John Balderson will receive his 25-year Recognition Award during this concert.
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 PowerMinute Fixes: Diagnosing and Adjusting Bassoon Reeds from the Podium
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Research-based Strategies for Recruitment and Retention in Choir
Choral music educators are often anxious about enrollment rates in their choir programs. Moreover, the schooling disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have deepened these concerns. In this session, we explore practical strategies and research-based concepts for recruitment and retention in the choral classroom. First, we will briefly address the basic social-psychological factors that motivate students to begin and sustain activities in their lives. Second, each of these concepts will be paired with practical recruiting and retention strategies. We will provide attendees with our own tried-and-true strategies as well as a compendium of recruiting strategies sourced from other Colorado choral educators. Third, we will conclude with a brief discussion of what healthy choral participation might look like - and it's not always about having the biggest program in town!
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Take It Outside! Songs and Games for Outdoors or Large Spaces
Come sing and play as we learn 2nd-5th grade songs, games, and dances that work well outside or inside.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
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!
Denver School of the Arts - Treble Choir
Presider - Heather Schenck
Concert Host - Shannon Schell, VMC District 1 Representative
He Said, She Said, They Said: Gender Neutrality in the Music Room
Our ultimate goal, as teachers, is to ensure that our students feel safe, respected and valued members of the class community. Therefore, it’s important to look at various aspects of our classrooms, ensuring that ALL students are seen and respected for who they are as an individual. One prime example of this is gender neutrality. In this session we will explore the importance of gender neutrality in various ways. Participants will discuss the “what, who, where, when” of gender neutrality. The session will have a “hands-on,” or demonstration, approach, focusing on the importance of neutral pronouns and non-gender specific roles in singing games, play parties and other musical repertoire. Attendees will have a chance to explore using gender neutrality within various classroom situations and to discuss how this will make music education more inclusive for all students.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
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.
Making Impact With the Power of Music
What if you could give a child battling a critical condition the gift of Hope, Strength, Love and Joy? A gift delivered through the power of music.
Chase the Music makes these gifts possible. Together with composers and performers we make a positive impact with the power of music.
You can be part of creating and delivering these gifts. Chase the Music, an organization focused on giving children battling critical conditions: Hope, Strength, Love, and Joy through the power of music can help you bring original music to a child in need.
Founder, and impresario Clark Hodge talks about the process and impact of having pieces composed and performed for children battling critical conditions. Not only is the impact on the afflicted child, but on the composer, performers and audience. An entertaining presentation on creating and performing original music with a greater purpose.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
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!
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
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:
Lesher Middle School - Advanced Chamber Orchestra
This performance is limited to 75 registered attendees, due to Health & Safety Protocols. Be sure to select "attending" (or click the + symbol) for this session to ensure your spot! Note: Additional seating will be made available on a first-come-first-serve basis after the start time of the session.
Presider - Thomas Dodd, Lesher Middle School Principal
Concert Host - Lindsay Fulcher, CO ASTA President-Elect
Castle View High School - Versailles
Presider - Rex Corr, Principal, Castle View High School
Concert Host - Anna Saks, Vocal Council District 5 Representative
Growing Your Viola Garden-From Seeds to Full Bloom!
It takes careful nurturing of your viola "seeds" but the rewards of a thriving viola section in all of your ensembles is worth the watering, pruning and reseeding. This session will give directors and teachers strategies for growing a great viola garden, from beginners through high school.
Rocky Mountain High School - Rocky Mountain Winds
Presider - Craig Woodall, Rocky Mountain High School Principal
Concert Host - Peter Toews, IMC Chair
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
25 Best Practices, Tips and Hacks for the Middle Level Band Teacher
This session will provide you with 25 (or more!) best practices, tips, and hacks that you can use with your beginner and intermediate level bands right away. Topics will include percussion, administration, email, sheet music, planning, classroom culture and more!
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Building an Equity Bridge Through Student-Led Chamber Ensembles
El Sistema Colorado's mission is to harness the joy of music and ignite the potential in our future leaders through an immersive youth music education program that transcends socioeconomic barriers. We see our equity focus coming to life in two distinct areas: Dismantling white supremacy within the arts environment and facilitating socio-emotional learning with a social justice focus. How does a music program make this shift? Through student-led chamber ensembles designed to give students both voice and choice in their music making experience. We think these small ensembles may be the most efficient and effective way to shift music education to being more student-centered, equitable, and culturally responsive.
Join El Sistema Colorado and Quartet Maravilla as we demonstrate how chamber music can build an equity bridge while preparing students for lives as professional musicians.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Cherry Creek High School - Jazz Band A
This performance is limited to 75 registered attendees, due to Health & Safety Protocols. Be sure to select "attending" (or click the + symbol) for this session to ensure your spot! Note: Additional seating will be made available on a first-come-first-serve basis after the start time of the session.
Presider - Ryan Silva, Cherry Creek High School Principal
Concert Host - Andrew Holcombe, IMC District 1 Representative
Help! How do I build a program in a small school?
Do you work in a small school with little control over the class schedule, your student roster, or access to resources? Are you the only teacher for K-8, 6-12, or K-12 school music programs? Or, do you have experience in similar settings and ideas to share that have been successful? Come check out this session designed to provide a platform to share ideas for teachers in various challenging situations for culturally responsive ways to build their programs into integral parts of their school culture and communities.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
New and Notable in Music Technology
Educational music technology specialist and consultant Ryan Unangst will provide a wide variety of the latest in music technology that will aid, inspire and motivate your music students’ knowledge and performance success. From smart phone/tablet condenser microphones and podcast kits to the latest in portable and installed sound systems with digital mixers and wireless microphones to the many choices of innovative K-12 and college music labs including piano, music theory and notation and creative music labs for STEAM schools, Mr. Unangst will show you a host of options to suit your needs and budget.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Career Paths in the Modern Music Industry: Audio Production, Songwriting, Music Business, Electronic Music, and more!
Join CU Denver Music & Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) faculty members for an exciting discussion about career options in the modern music industry. There are so many careers options in the modern music industry that many aren't aware of. This session will include information about Music Publishing, Audio Production, Live Sound, Songwriting, Music Law, Artist Management, Electronic Music Production, and more! We will also discuss the degree programs at CU Denver that prepare students for these careers.
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
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
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!
Music and Children's Books: A Harmonious Duet
Are you looking for some great new books to support your music curriculum? Come discover books that focus on musicians, music genres, rhythm, and more. Attendees will receive a list of books discussed in this session.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Practicum to Student Teaching to Interviews
The time has come to start putting the skills you have been developing into practical applications. This session will cover topics such as choosing a location for practicum, expanding your experiences during student teaching and showcasing your strengths during an interview. Come and explore this journey through the eyes of a public-school teacher and adjunct professor at CU Boulder. Regardless whether or not practicum is right around the corner or still in the future, this session is for you. Feel free to ask questions along the way.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Using Jazz Warmups as Ear Training Exercises
David Von Kampen
University of Nebraska, Lecturer of music theory and literature and teaches a variety of music courses and directs the Jazz SingersThe Manning School - Resonance
Presider - Christian Ramaker, Principal, The Manning School
Concert Host - Shanti Gruber, VMC District 8 Representative
Denver School of the Arts Middle School - Orchestra
Presider - Dave Hammond, Denver School of the Arts Director of Bands
Concert Host - Rachel Lavadie, CO ASTA Western Slope 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.
AESco: The "Keys" to Improvisation, Making Piano Easy for Movement-Based Learning!
Improvising music for movement doesn’t need to be scary! Join us for some keyboard games with four AES-certified Eurhythmics teachers. Learn tips and tricks for making improvisation easy and fun and ideas for incorporating movement in your classroom. Participants will walk away with some basic improvisation concepts, melodic inspiration for growing your playing, and some newfound confidence!
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Arranging with Your Secondary Ensemble
Understanding the basic elements of art music (melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, texture, etc.) is an essential part of every musician's education. The ability to manipulate these elements in creative ways can help solidify knowledge of these elements in ways that simply encountering them in repertoire cannot. At the secondary level, directors often lack the time or resources to give their students creative license over materials played in the classroom. This session offers classroom-tested strategies for arranging and composing with secondary level ensembles that focus on engaging all students in the creative process while teaching and reinforcing the knowledge of musical elements.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Help Teaching Music Theory/Harmony to Children - contact Dylan Fixmer at [email protected]
Copyright Compliance and the Music Classroom
James Weaver
National Federation of High School State Associations, Director of Performing Arts and SportsUsing copyrighted materials is a complicated, but necessary ingredient in music education. This workshop will focus on the background of copyright and the best practices on using copyrighted materials in your classroom. Topics will include fair use, educational exemptions, arrangements, copyright law and commonly asked questions.
Singing Games Night: Strengthen the Heart of Your School Music Community
How can we involve families in music making along side their children? Learn how to host a kindergarten or 1st grade Singing Games Night that will showcase the musical learning and joy happening in your classroom.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Teaching Melody, it CAN be Fun!
Teaching melodic elements is so much more daunting than teaching rhythmic elements. Students must establish a solid foundation of listening skills to be successful when learning about melodic elements. In this session, participants will sing, move, play, and read their way through the preparation and practice of a few melodic elements. How to establish a strong foundation to develop the students’ ears will be discussed. Most importantly, FUN teaching strategies will be demonstrated and experienced to ensure student success.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
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
Wellness and Self-Care for Artist’s: Tips for You and Your Students
Musician’s wellness is an under-researched topic, despite obvious impacts to overall wellbeing. Students, however, are at an age that they can start creating habits to grow an understanding of self-care practices that 1) are specific to musicians and 2) help them to keep making music in search of a career path that is healthy and sustainable.
In this session, presenters will:
- Explain the four dimensions of wellness as they relate to musicians: physical, social, emotional, and financial.
- Facilitate discussion around the principles of wellness for artists as taught at the university level.
- Share resources to apply with students; from a brief rehearsal break to long-term tactics for struggling students.
- Lead experiential exercises that offer a reset for CMEA attendees, and provide space to communicate about self-care experiences as they relate to career growth.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Rocky Mountain High School - Rocky Mountain Singers
Presider - Craig Woodall, Principal, Rocky Mountain High School
Concert Host - Marla Sitton, VMC District 7 Representative
Colorado State University - Pueblo - Jazz Ensemble 1
This performance is limited to 75 registered attendees, due to Health & Safety Protocols. Be sure to select "attending" (or click the + symbol) for this session to ensure your spot! Note: Additional seating will be made available on a first-come-first-serve basis after the start time of the session.
Presider - Mark Hudson, Colorado State University - Pueblo Department Chair of Music
Concert Host - Marti Bott, IMC District 6 Representative
Inherently Political: A Conversation Around Activism and Artivism in Concert Music
In this session, I will discuss the activism that is at the core of a number of my works, and considerations that should be taken when composing and commissioning such music.
Diverse Children's Literature for the Elementary Music Classroom
Are you looking for books for your elementary music classroom that feature music and musicians from diverse races, ethnicities, cultures, and both genders? Come find some books that will help add diversity to your music curriculum. Attendees will receive a list of books discussed in this session.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Journey Around the Globe with Recorder
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Magic In The Middle - Building A Successful Middle School Choir
Roger Emerson will demonstrate choral resources that are specifically designed to meet the challenges of Tenor/Basses in the middle school mixed choir setting. Warmups, Rounds, and literature with the tenor/bass in mind will be presented in a reading session format. Adapting scores to meet the needs of the changing voice will also be demonstrated.
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:
Teachers Matter Too: Recognizing and Reducing Teacher Burnout
Balancing work and home life is difficult for most music teachers. In many instances, music teachers sacrifice their personal well-being and time with their family so they can provide their students with quality experiences. This unhealthy divide was only exasperated during the pandemic. In this session, I will discuss the internal, external, and physical factors that cause teacher burnout, how to recognize the signs of burnout, and strategies for reducing teacher burnout. Attendees will also share their solutions for balancing their work and home lives.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Teaching Guitar: Classical Technique, Modern Approach
Would you like to build a school guitar class with the scholastic integrity and ensemble chops of a great band or orchestra program? This clinic will focus on ways to explore culturally diverse repertoire from a foundation of music literacy and classical technique. Music educators who teach guitar but aren’t yet confident players and those who have recently been assigned or would like to begin a guitar class will find this session particularly helpful. The clinician will demonstrate and discuss effective ways to teach medium to large groups of students how to play guitar with ergonomic technique and to avoid the negative habits that often befall beginning students. He will also explore tactics for getting students to read music and play as an ensemble from the very beginning of their guitar-playing experience. Ultimately, we want students to have an engaging and enriching experience on this most accessible instrument.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
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.
Kinard and Preston Middle Schools - Kinard/Preston Treble Choir
Presiders - Lindsey Makin, Principal, Kinard Middle School and Amy Schmer, Principal, Preston Middle School
Concert Host - Bryan Kettlewell, VMC District 3 Representative
Antelope Trails Elementary School - Handbell Choir
Presider - Laura Cresap, Antelope Trails Elementary School Principal
Concert Host - Julie Kuhlman, District 4 GMC Representative
Creating Your Flute Intonation Prescription
This session explores the concepts of how embouchure compression, air volume, mouth/throat shape, and rolling affect intonation on the flute. Once educators know the four main influences of flute intonation, they can more readily empower their flutists with the tools to adjust their intonation based on each student’s individual tendencies. At the conclusion of this session, attendees will come away with the skills to create a "prescription" for each flute student's intonation while maintaining tonal integrity.
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
New Jazz Music Reading Session
This performance is limited to 75 registered attendees, due to Health & Safety Protocols. Be sure to select "attending" (or click the + symbol) for this session to ensure your spot! Note: Additional seating will be made available on a first-come-first-serve basis after the start time of the session.
This session is sponsored by Music and Arts.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Women Conductors - Creating Community and Support
This session will look at the numbers of women in the band conducting field in high schools in the state of Colorado and higher education wind conductors in the United States. Information will be shared about results from my research entitled: Prominent Women Wind Conductors in Higher Education: Trials, Triumphs, and Recommendations for Improving Gender Equity in the Field.
Western Colorado University - Choir
Presider - Kenneth W. Todd, Western Colorado University, Department of Music Program Director
Concert Host - Teri Bohl, VMC Secretary
Exhibits Reception
Complete your exhibitor signature card and turn it in for a free drink ticket!
Live Podcast Recording: Why Change? A Podcast for the Creative Generation
The Why Change? podcast brings listeners around the globe to learn how artists, educators, and cultural practitioners can change the world, one community at a time. We believe that young creatives are our world’s greatest asset and recognize that we – as the adults who are dedicated to their creative development – have work to do so they can thrive. Attendees of this session will join podcast co-hosts, Ashraf Hasham and Jeff M. Poulin, and their special guest to learn and laugh while envisioning new futures through the question, “why change?”