2022 Colorado Music Educators Association Conference
Vocal
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 PowerResearch-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:
Denver School of the Arts - Treble Choir
Presider - Heather Schenck
Concert Host - Shannon Schell, VMC District 1 Representative
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!
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
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]
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
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:
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
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
The Silent Canon - Repertoire by Composers of African Descent (Part 2)
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
The Elephant, The Rider, And The Aliens That Didn't Come
Melanie Trecek-King
Massasoit Community College, Associate Professor of Biology and Science Educator and Communicator, Thinking is PowerWhy do discussions seem to quickly descend into ideological fights? Why don’t facts change people’s minds? And what will you do when the aliens don’t save you? This session will explore the answers to these questions to help you and your ensembles have more productive and meaningful conversations.
Rock Canyon High School - Jag Choir
Presider - Megan Brown, Principal, Rock Canyon High School
Concert Host - Shannon Schell, VMC District 1 Representative
2-Part Choral: Not Just for Kids
Many middle and high school directors have discovered the effectiveness of singing in just two well-conceived voice parts, but finding texts and topics that are suitable for teen singers can be a challenge. Come sing along as Andy Beck leads us through a complimentary packet of 2-part treble choral repertoire recommended for all ages!
Presider: Marla Sitton, Vocal Council District 7 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.
Boltz Middle School - Embers 8
Presider - Josh Richey, Principal, Boltz Middle School
Concert Host - Tara U'ren, VMC District 2 Representative
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.
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
How Vocal and String Pedagogies Can Enhance One Another
Michael Linert
Westminster High School, Performing Arts Department Chair & Director of Orchestras, Mariachi, and GuitarString 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!
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 PowerEmpowering Treble and Women’s Ensembles and Taking Our Programs Forward
In this session, I will discuss ways in which conductors can use treble and women's choirs not only as a place for making music, but also as a place in which singers can be validated and empowered. We will discuss program structure, repertoire selection, developing leadership skills, and other strategies for building up and embracing singers in women’s and treble ensembles. Treble and women's choirs have historically been viewed as the least prestigious ensembles in a given choir program. A number of scholars have highlighted that singers in treble and women's choirs have often felt inferior and undervalued in choral programs, which can have lifelong impacts on singers’ views of their musical and personal self-worth. It is our mission to combat these negative stereotypes through the work that can be done in women’s and treble choirs.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Overcoming Burnout Through Completing the Stress Response Cycle
Are you currently battling burnout? Or looking to prevent it? In the field of music education, we often wear our stress as a badge of honor, but it is time to take back our mental health and develop habits that bring us fulfillment throughout our careers. In this session you will learn concrete tools to overcome burnout for you and your students based on the research by Dr. Amelia Nagoski, Dr. Emily Nagoski and their book, “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle.” We cannot change the fact that we face countless stressors every day, but we can control the way we react through mindfulness and community care. You will leave this session prepared to complete your own stress response cycle and leave burnout behind.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
Palisade 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
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
Live Audio 101 for Vocal and Instrumental Music
Whether mic'ing a single voice, giving that jazz soloist the extra little push, or amplifying a Marching Band, knowing the ins and outs of your sound system will save you time, and result in a better experience for everyone. In this session, we'll dive into the basics of running sound so your next program can really pop! This crash course will cover how to identify your equipment and get it physically set up, how to choose microphones and gear for your application, and how to achieve a nice, natural sound through sound check.
Looking to dive deeper into the content of the session? Check out these supporting materials:
“I Don't Have Time for One More Thing - Supporting and Incorporating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into the Secondary Music Classroom”
So many of us are tired of having to do ONE MORE THING in the music classroom. Here’s a secret...we already do so many AMAZING things. Let’s renew our faith in our ability to help students grow through SEL. Mental health concerns among students and staff are nothing new in our schools and communities, but the concerns and needs have increased after COVID-19 shutdowns and various learning environments. This session will look at ways to incorporate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into the music classroom and how it can enhance your rehearsals and strengthen the connections of your students. Specific examples will be provided, as well as access to additional resources that are ready to use.
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.
Gonna Sing! New 2-Part Choral Repertoire
Don't miss this “Sing and Learn” session with Andy Beck. See what’s new for 2-part treble choirs. Learn about the composers, effective vocal tips, creative staging ideas, and more! A complimentary music packet will be given to each director in attendance.
All-State Jazz Choir Concerts
David Von Kampen
University of Nebraska, Lecturer of music theory and literature and teaches a variety of music courses and directs the Jazz Singers
Kirk Marcy
Edmonds College, Clinician and adjudicator for choral and jazz festivals throughout the country.Presider - Jeff Peckham - All-State Jazz Choir Chair