Clinic attendees will gain insight into a composer’s creative process, how that influences rehearsal procedure and, ultimately, the improvement of ensemble performance.

This session will touch on some of the ways I approach writing for an ensemble. Insights into inspiration will lead to discussion about practical concerns involved in writing music: form, tempo, style, key, dynamics, orchestration and articulation/bowing. Musical excerpts will be shown and played (from recordings) to demonstrate certain concepts.

Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:

• Handout

String teachers tell their students to play like a singer, while voice teachers tell their students to sing like a string player. What does it all mean? Join this session to learn and experience some specific techniques and concepts to improve the string and vocal techniques, musicality, and creativity of your students!

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:

• Session Presentation Slides

This session for Tri-M students and their teachers will explore case studies from around the country on the role of musicians in their communities. Bring your ideas for a project to collaborate with your colleagues!  Resources will be provided. We will also cover some basic College application strategies for pursuing a degree in Music.

Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:

• Session Presentation Slides

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:

1. Explain the four dimensions of wellness as they relate to musicians: physical, social, emotional, and financial.
2. Facilitate discussion around the principles of wellness for artists as taught at the university level.
3. Share resources to apply with students; from a brief rehearsal break to long-term tactics for struggling students.
4. 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:

• Session Presentation Slides

In this interactive workshop, we will explore possibilities for expressive vocal technique strategies you can use in the choral rehearsal. You will learn how to connect vocal technique to the meaning of your repertoire while enhancing camaraderie and vocal independence in the classroom. You will walk away feeling empowered for your own practice and to support your ensembles. (and it will be fun!)

Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:

• Session Presentation Slides

• Handout

This session gives you the tools and curriculum to teach your students to conduct in front of the ensemble. Group activities with your band, choir, or orchestra will be provided along with literature and examples in each area of music at varying difficulty levels.

How are you creative? We all know that we inherently possess creativity, and often utilize it in our music making; but how can we employ our creativity to address the challenges in our loves? Based on new research Creative Generation has produced a tool for young people to identify and understand the elements of their creativity – as honed through their music education. Check out this hands-on workshop for learning about and employing your creativity in your community, school, and life. Attendees will explore how they are creative, while crafting tangible next steps for their own leadership as a musician.

This session will present top tips and strategies for your team building experiences, as well as low or no prep activities that will be ready to go when you return from the conference!

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:

• Session Presentation Slides

• Handout

Students will break into Sections and rehearse Grand Finale

Students will break into Sections and rehearse Grand Finale.

Students will perform the Grand Finale for Teachers/Chaperones/CMEA Members

Thank yous and Goodbyes