District 11 11th Annual Professional Staff Development Conference
November 3, 2015
Montgomery County Community College
8:15-9:00
9:00-10:15
Check-in, Vendors, Refreshments
Session #1:
Welcoming Remarks and Keynote Address:
Michele Cuomo, Dean of Arts and Humanities-MCCC
Victor Holladay, District 11 President
Larry Livingston, Conn Selmer – ALL IN: Music Advocacy: The Music Man
Was Right
10:30-11:30
Session #2: Breakout Sessions
Michelle Przybylowski – Time for a Rhyme and Keeping in Time! (General Music)
Nancy Taylor – Better Trumpet Playing (Band)
Anna Radspinner – Beginner String Strategies (Orchestra)
Thomas Sabatino – Choral Reading Session (Choral)
Jeff Cooper – Teaching Students with Special Needs: Let’s Talk! (Special Learners)
Larry Livingston – Some Thoughts on Conducting (Band/Orchestra)
Tom Snyder - New for PMEA Adjudication in 2016: A 'Festival' Option & More!
(Band/Choral/Orchestra/Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment)
11:45-12:45
Session #3: Breakout Sessions
Eileen Fields – Beginner Choir Whatever the Grade Level (Choral)
Sean J. Kennedy – Realistic Drumset and Percussion Concepts (Band/Orchestra)
Todd Parrish – New Music for String Orchestras (Orchestra)
Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy Parker – Promoting Healthy Vocal Production with Adolescent
Singers (Choral)
Michelle Przybylowski – Strategies for Working with Special Needs (General Music/
Special Learners)
Nancy Taylor – Teaching Healthy Musicianship (General
Music/Band/Choral/Orchestra)
Deborah Confredo – Flute Rudiments and Percussion Breath Support??? Effective
Assessment in Heterogeneous Ensemble Settings
(Band/Orchestra/Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment)
12:45-1:45
Lunch, Visit the Vendors
1:55-2:55
Session #4: Breakout Sessions
Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy Parker – Music-Making Off of the Page: Creativity and Improvisation
in General Music Settings (General Music)
Deborah Confredo – Hot Off the Press! New Music for Band (Band)
Tom Kelly – Quick Fixes for Orchestra Instruments (Orchestra)
Eileen Finley – Intermediate Level Choral Techniques (Choral)
Nancy Taylor – Teaching Healthy Musicianship (General
Music/Band/Choral/Orchestra)***Repeat from Session #3
Sue Schmidt – Technology Resources for Music Educators (General
Music/Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment/Technology)
Neil Delson – Building Blocks: a clear, concise method for jazz improvisation
(Band/Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment)
2:55-3:00
Check-out
Session Descriptions
Session #1
ALL IN: Music Advocacy: The Music Man Was Right
Larry Livingston
Conn Selmer
What are those qualities found in the exemplar music educators that result in a life-changing experience for
students? Through their curricula and practice teaching, collegiate programs do a good job of preparing
teachers. The graduates of these programs understand the basics of pedagogy and musicianship. Yet, the
great music educators have that “something extra” which goes beyond the material and concepts covered in
school. It is that “essence” which empowers the music educator to have a profound impact on students,
inspiring them to succeed not only in music but in life. Students who study music stay in school and
demonstrate higher graduation rates than those who do not. The evidence is broad and deep that music
learning improves a student’s academic achievement. But the best programs even further strengthen test
scores and grades, and lay the groundwork for success in professional life following school.
Behind every outstanding program is an outstanding teacher who knows that, when building a music
program in today's climate, it may not be enough to rely on the value of music for its own sake. It will be
essential to use the pro-social argument the Music Man knew so well: music can help keep kids out of the
pool hall. This is the General Session for all attendees.
Session #2
Time for a Rhyme and Keeping in Time!
Michelle Przybylowski
School District of Cheltenham Township
Discover: the beat and the rhythm of a rhyme. Explore these concepts through movement, body
percussion, small percussion, recorder, and instruments. IMITATE, EXPLORE, and CREATE! Target
Grade Level is Elementary.
Better Trumpet Playing
Nancy Taylor
University of Texas at El Paso
In this session you will learn strategies to teach your trumpet section to play better. Tone quality,
articulation, and equipment will be addressed. Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High
School.
Beginner String Strategies
Anna Radspinner
Williamsport Area School District
This string session will focus onbasic beginner skills of Posture/Playing position, Left hand shape, right
hand shape and finally pitch. We will practice setting up each of the stringed instruments from “Day 1”
with a variety of strategies that are quick, easy and effective. We will use some household items to bring
some concreteness into the abstract world of string playing. Interspersed throughout the presentation will be
tips and tricks for recruiting and retaining through relevancy in your program. If you teach beginners, you
will not want to miss this high-energy, fast-paced, hands-on learning experience! Please bring an
instrument to this session! Target Grade Level is Elementary.
Choral Reading Session
Thomas Sabatino
J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc.
This session will focus on the presentation of J.W. Pepper’s “Editor’s Choice 2015” and top selling music
from multiple publishers. Participants will have the opportunity to sing through and discuss how the
selections could be effectively incorporated into any classroom curriculum and programmed into concert
settings. Target Grade Level is Middle School/High School.
Teaching Students with Special Needs: Let’s Talk!
Jeff Cooper
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
Please bring your questions regarding special needs students and/or best practices to share with others.
Clinician will act as a moderator for participating conferees, but will also offer information as needed.
Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High School.
Some Thoughts on Conducting
Larry Livingston
Conn Selmer
This session will focus on conducting and rehearsal techniques. Participants should bring a baton. Target
Grade Level is Middle School/High School.
New for PMEA Adjudication in 2016: A 'Festival' Option & More!
Tom Snyder
PMEA Adjudication
Come check out the exciting new developments in PMEA Adjudication for bands, orchestras and chorus at
all levels! In addition to the existing ‘Traditional’ format, directors will now be able to choose to participate
in the new ‘Festival’ performance context with a ‘menu’ of options available to customize an adjudication
experience that best meets the needs of directors and their programs. Updates will also be presented
concerning the PMEA Selective Music Lists for BOC that are fully underway. Target Grade Level is
Middle School/High School.
Session #3
Beginner Choir Whatever the Grade Level
Eileen Fields
Upper Moreland School District
Walking into an established choral problem is a rare stroke of luck. For the majority of educators, choral
classes will be filled with students who can't match pitch, don't know how to follow a score, and are
perplexed at the challenges of holding a harmony part. This session will address these issues at every
building level, elementary, middle, high school, along with repertoire ideas that match skill levels yet are
age-appropriate. Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High School.
Realistic Drumset and Percussion Concepts
Sean J. Kennedy
Zildjian Cymbals and Alfred Publishing
A session devoted to helping band and orchestra directors who are not percussionists by trade. Practical
ideas and advice will be presented to help you with your school band and orchestra drumset players and
percussionists. Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High School.
New Music for String Orchestras
Todd Parrish
J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc.
This reading session will present 12 of the best new publications for string orchestra. It will feature grade 1
through grade 4 music from many different publishers. Attendees are requested to bring stringed
instruments to play at the session as well as a folding music stand. Target Grade Level is
Elementary/Middle School/High School.
Promoting Healthy Vocal Production with Adolescent Singers
Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy Parker
Temple University
In this session, we will actively engage in vocalises that support healthy tone production, breath and
alignment concepts, and aural concepts for choirs. Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High
School.
Strategies for Working with Special Needs
Michelle Przybylowski
School District of Cheltenham Township
Explore special needs through musical discovery and accommodating the BEST learners! This session will
offer the participant many musical explorations that will help enhance the special needs students in your
music class. Play with musical materials while, learning, reviewing, and discussing, the facts about the
various special needs and the various choices you have as a music educator to bring emotional intelligence
and a positive, successful learning environment for EVERYONE! Target Grade Level is Elementary.
Teaching Healthy Musicianship
Nancy Taylor
University of Texas at El Paso
Learn to identify and prevent common playing-related pain issues to optimize your rehearsal time and
ensemble's performance potential. Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High School.
Flute Rudiments and Percussion Breath Support??? Effective Assessment
in Heterogeneous Ensemble Settings
Deborah Confredo
Temple University
Did they meet objectives? Did they get it? How effective was I? Flute and drums – apples and oranges?!?!?
Assessing learning outcomes in instrumental ensembles settings is a large and necessary part of successful
teaching. We will look at ways to address student learning that are useful, efficient, and informative.
Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High School.
Session #4
Music-Making Off of the Page: Creativity and Improvisation
in General Music Settings
Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy Parker
Temple University
In this interactive session, we will explore creativity and improvisation in the general music practicum.
Participants will begin with structured improvisation, create soundscapes with poetry/literature, and engage
in a summative performance. The goal is not only to consider one's teaching process as a creative endeavor,
but also to generate future thought toward fostering student creativity and improvisation. Target Grade
Level is Elementary/Middle School.
Hot Off the Press! New Music for Band
Deborah Confredo
Temple University
Bring your ax and a stand and get ready to play through brand new compositions for band from FJH and
Alfred music publishers. Selections will cover grades 0.5 through 5. We’ll focus on music with great
content for addressing performance objectives that will be enjoyed by students and audiences. Target
Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High School.
Quick Fixes for Orchestra Instruments
Tom Kelly
Zeswitz Music
On the spot quick fixes for orchestral instruments and bows. How to diagnose and cure the troubling
problems that often times lead to frustration and lose of instruction time. The simple fixes that can be
accomplished to get your students through a lesson or concert. Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle
School/High School.
Intermediate Level Choral Techniques
Eileen Finley
Pennsylvania Youth Chorale
This session will examine the specific vocal development, theoretical knowledge and literacy skills
necessary for a choir to function on an intermediate level. Appropriate repertoire and rehearsal techniques
will be presented to illustrate typical intermediate level choral development. Target Grade Level is
Elementary/Middle School/High School.
Teaching Healthy Musicianship
Nancy Taylor
University of Texas at El Paso
Learn to identify and prevent common playing-related pain issues to optimize your rehearsal time and
ensemble's performance potential. Target Grade Level is Elementary/Middle School/High School.
Technology Resources for Music Educators
Suzanne Schmidt
Cairn University
This workshop will present a variety of valuable technology resources for the music educator from terrific
websites to apps and beyond. A look at teaching Music Theory online will also be demonstrated and
discussed. Target Grade Level is High School.
Building Blocks: a clear, concise method for jazz improvisation
Neil Delson
Central Bucks High School West
This session will walk attendees through a clear, concise, yet comprehensive method for jazz
improvisation. The method is organized in a step-by-step, easy to follow manner that is appropriate for the
youngest of improvisers. Students who work through this method should be able to decode chord changes
and successfully improvise over nearly any piece they encounter. Attendees will leave the clinic with the
confidence to teach the method to their students and will have full access to all print materials to use freely
in their classrooms. Target Grade Level is Middle School/High School.
PMEA District 11 Professional Development Conference
Registration Rates and Information
Pre-registration Fees:
PMEA Members - $25.00 (includes lunch)
Non-Members - $50.00 (includes lunch)
PCMEA, Student Teachers, Tri-M Students, Retired
Members (with membership card) - $10.00 with lunch;
$0 with no lunch
No lunch rebates.
Pre-registration must be completed online at http://district11.pmea.net by
October 20th.
Walk-in Rates:
PMEA Members - $40.00
Non-Members - $60.00
PCMEA, Student Teachers, Tri-M Students, Retired
Members (with membership card) - $10.00 with lunch; $0
with no lunch
Please contact Debbie Chrisman at dchrisman@pvsd.org with any questions
regarding conference details (sessions, schedule, meals, etc) or registration.
The lunch provided will be a boxed lunch that includes the following: Deli
Sandwich, Bag of Chips, Whole Fresh Fruit, Cookies, Soda or Bottled Water.