Thursday, March 14, 2013

Event Summary: Secondary Instrument Lab

 
Our first secondary instrument lab was SO MUCH FUN. As this one dealt with Orffestrations and Strings, the next secondary instrument lab will be for band and choir. It will take place shortly after spring break, so keep your eyes peeled for a Facebook event. Meanwhile, sign up for one of our upcoming instrument petting zoos!

If you missed this week's lab, Annemarie Dickerson can tell you what you missed:

 On Wednesday, we had our first successful secondary instrument lab!

Starting off with Orff instruments, we played some awesome tunes with timpani, guitar, recorders, and xylophones (very helpful information for all of your future elementary school students). For the next hour, we all grabbed a string instrument and formed a chamber group, sight-reading some lively songs, including Pirates of the Caribbean, and a Lady Gaga Medley!

It was a whole lot of fun, plus it is a great opportunity to get better at all different instruments so you can become a more well rounded teacher.

So stay tuned for announcements about the next secondary instrument lab, and I think everyone would really enjoy coming! =)

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

MIOSM

The last issue of the Washington Post magazine was all about school music. Do you have any informative or inspiring articles to share? Let us know in the comments!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

MMEA: Mission Accomplished


Look at those pearly whites!

We all learned a lot at the Maryland Music Educator's Conference this weekend. We're going to have a busy March and April, so head on over to the "Calendar" tab to see what's coming up.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

MMEA Roundup

This week, I'm sending some highlights from the Friday MMEA schedule your way. Saturday highlights will be coming soon.

Friday Sessions

Prevention and Rehabilitation of Performance Injured Musicians

Presenters: David Fedderly and David Shulman
"We are treating your best musicians due to performance injuries. Each presenter will discuss methods of helping your students elementary through high school prevent, and recover from performance injuries. There will be time for Question & Answer."

Performing with a Classical Period Orchestra in High School

Presenters: The Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Orchestra
"Incorporating wind players for a full orchestra and performing music from the Classical Period and Early Romantic works.  Arranging for the Classical Period Orchestra will also be covered."

Music and Martial Arts

Presenter: Stephanie Mayer-Sattin
American music educator Stephanie Mayer-Sattin (Daoist San Feng Pai name:  Mei Mao Zi Yang), instrumental music director at the Bullis School in Potomac, MD and the first American woman to become a 16th-generation, San Feng Sect Taoist martial arts disciple of a 600 year Chinese lineage tradition, will not only demonstrate these martial arts forms, but also produce evidence of their
effectiveness in the music classroom and provide examples of how to successfully incorporate elements of Tai Chi and Qigong into the music rehearsal.


First and Second Year Teacher Roundtable

Presenter: Phil Klickman
This session is geared toward an audience of college students.  Participants will have the opportunity to engage in questions with 1st and 2nd year public school music teachers from P-12 levels and various geographical areas, to gain insight into how to handle various challenges and opportunities at the start of their careers.

 See the full Friday schedule here: http://www.mmea-maryland.org/Copied-February-2012-Session-Schedule.php

  

 




Friday, February 1, 2013

Forum Roundup

Forum: General Music

Topic: "Lesson Idea for You," Using Shapes and Geometry in the Music Classroom

Replies: 1

"Hi All! My latest blog post is another bit about using shapes in the music room. Included is a shape song, the process I use and pictures of student artwork. Enjoy! http://www.budomada.blogspot.com/"
http://musiced.nafme.org/topic/lesson-idea-for-you/ 

 Forum: Music Composition

Topic: "Favorite composition teaching experience?"

Replies: 2


"I’ve enjoyed teaching quite a few music composition lessons to middle school and high school bands, but I’ve also had some that have been very rough experiences. I thought it might be fun to share some of our success stories to inspire one another." 
http://musiced.nafme.org/topic/favorite-composition-teaching-experience/ 

Forum: Guitar

Topic: "Buying a Guitar"

Replies: 6

"Buying a guitar kind of reminds me of buying a car. There are economy models and then there are luxury cars. What’s the difference? Both models will get you from point A to point B. You know the difference, the ride might be quite a bit nicer in a luxury vehicle."
http://musiced.nafme.org/topic/buying-a-guitar/ 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Forum Roundup

So.

This winter I went onto the NAfME forums to ask a question, and nobody answered me. Let us put a stop to this injustice!

I'd like to start a weekly roundup from the forums. I'll be taking samplings from several of the topics, not just "Future Teachers." Take a second to answer somebody's question, or stop by and see what good advice others have offered!

Forum: Band

Topic: "What have you learned from Music Conferences?"

Replies: 0


 "Hi All,
As conference time approaches for many of us, it is often looked at as the get away time, or time where we can learn something new. My question to you is two-fold, why do you go to music conferences, and what have you learned most from them?"
http://musiced.nafme.org/topic/what-have-you-learned-from-music-conferences/

Forum: Choral

Topic: "Female singers and a male director"

Replies: 5


"I am wondering if a big part of my problem is the fact the kids I have now have only really worked with a male choir director and haven’t heard that mature female sound to emulate. My other thought is that, in my efforts to get the darker tone my kids are placing their sound too far back to project well..."
http://musiced.nafme.org/topic/female-singers-and-a-male-director/

Forum: Orchestra

Topic: "Engaging Warm Up Activities"

Replies: 8

 This thread has a great website in it!


"What strategies and routines do you use in your high school orchestra classroom that effectively “warm up” the ensemble, reinforce skills, and are ENGAGING to the students? My warm-up routines need a shot of adrenaline!" 
http://musiced.nafme.org/topic/engaging-warm-up-activities/


Reminders from Dr. Montgomery


You know how we aren't ever sure when any of our forms are due? Problem solved, these dates are going on our calendar right now.

Sophomores, don't wait until the last minute for those letters of recommendation!

SOPHOMORES
Are you currently enrolled in MUED 311 or MUED 222?  If so, you are considered a "music education sophomore." All music education sophomores need to apply to the College of Education in order to enroll in junior classes next fall.  The deadline to submit your application is Feb. 15, 2013. (Reminder:  Your Praxis I scores are part of this application, as well as 3 letters of recommendation from former music teachers, professors outside of music education, and others who can speak to quality of your character!)

JUNIORS
Are you enrolled in MUED 411 or 472?  If so, you are considered a "music education junior."
Music education juniors who plan to do their student teaching internship next spring (SPRING 2014) need to complete an application.  The deadline to submit your application is Feb. 15, 2013.)