Tentative WVMEA In-Service Conference 2016
Professional Development/Association Meeting/Performance Schedule
Thursday, March 10
WVMEA Registration opens 9:00 AM
Exhibits 12:00-6:00 PM
11:00 AM
Meeting Room 206
Guitar in the Elementary/General Music Classroom -In this session, Mike Christiansen will present
how to teach guitar to young students using the new My First Guitar Book. Methods that employ colors,
composition, and blended learning to achieve quick successful results in getting students to play solo and
accompaniment guitar will be given. Whether you’re a beginning teacher, or an experienced guitarist, this
session will provide loads of material to get young students playing guitar. There will also be information
on using guitar in the classroom as a teaching tool for general music application.
Mike Christiansen
Meeting Room 103
Musculoskeletal Disorder Pain in the Hand and Forearm of Adolescent Instrumental Musicians:
Causes, Preventive Measures, and Treatments- Musicians commonly experience pain/injury in the
hands/forearms at rates higher than the general workforce. This session provides information regarding
performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). Discussion topics include risk factors
associated with developing a PRMD, causes, and potential treatments. Preventive measures will be
emphasized to reduce the likelihood of students developing PRMDs.
Joseph Jancura
West Virginia Room 104
Welcome to the World of Audio- Audio can be a tricky medium to master, even for musicians. This
class provides a basis of knowledge on how to purchase, set-up, and operate professional audio
equipment. This will be built around the operation of audio boards and the proper support technology to
go with it.
Jonathan Bucci
West Virginia Room 105
Smartmusic and Gradebook Tips and Tricks- Learn to be more efficient with SmartMusic Gradebook.
Topics include tips and tricks for creating and scheduling different types of assignments, units, creating
rubrics and sharing curriculum with colleagues. Learn how to quickly export reports that document your
state's Music Standards and specific benchmark requirements.
Giovanna Cruz
Grand Hall North
Honor Ensemble Concert
12:00 PM
Grand Hall North
Honor Ensemble Concert
1:00 PM
Meeting Room 206
The Devil's in the Production Value- This session will look at current trends in designing marching band
shows and look at ways to take your show to the next level.
Adam Dalton
Meeting Room 103
Fostering Improvisation in Elementary General Music- Improvisation can be musically and
emotionally challenging for teachers and students. This session will provide a friendly environment to
improvise through singing, playing instruments, and moving within various musical styles (including
popular music). You'll walk away with instructional materials and a feeling of improvisational
empowerment!
Rachel Whitcomb
West Virginia Room 104
What Really Matters: Suggestions, Resources, and Best Practices for a Strong First Year - New
teachers often face minimal time to learn their school/community and get organized on site after signing
their contract. What really matters in this brief window of time for preparation before the first day of
school? This session engages collegiate members/new teachers with suggestions and resources for the
best success.
Brian Peterson
West Virginia Room 105
From the outback to the sea: Australian choral music for all choir levels- Discover the wonderful
world of Australian choral music. From music that encapsulates the arid, barren land of the Australian
outback, to that which depicts the tropical rainforest, and the abundant seaside, this music will capture
your adventurous spirit and embrace your soul. Suitable for conductors of all choir levels.
Kym Scott
Boardroom 201
ʺGetting to Know You: Hello! I am...ʺ- This session will provide an introduction to the new Arts
Coordinator for the WVDE, Dr. Ray Lowther. He will present an update on standards, policy and the
partnership between the WVDE and WVMEA. Dr. Lowther will use an informal discussion format so bring
your questions, thoughts and concerns.
Dr. Raymond Lowther
Grand Hall North
Guest Performance
Slide Advantage, Murray State University
2:00 PM
Meeting Room 206
So… You’re The One That Will Be Teaching the Guitar Class- In this session, noted guitar educator,
Mike Christiansen, will present material that will greatly assist the educator that is teaching classroom
guitar. Topics include: teaching sequential technique and curriculum, repertoire, implementing guitar
ensembles, and national standards content. Whether you're new to teaching classroom guitar, or a
seasoned instructor, there will be something here for you.
Mike Christiansen
Meeting Room 103
Creative Approaches to Pre-School Music- Come explore ways to make preschool music unique,
educational, and enjoyable. Songs and activities will be shared with an emphasis on how to spice them
up and incorporate your own personal creativity into instruction. Honoring the ideas of young learners will
also be a focus in this interactive session.
Rachel Whitcomb
West Virginia Room 104
Audio Editing and Cueing- This class focuses on the basic use of audio editing software and audio cuing
software. Editing includes: cutting, splicing, and other basic manipulation software tools. Cuing includes:
creation, properties, and playback of audio cues with software solutions. Please bring a laptop if you have
one (PC & Mac; Mac preferred). [Ideally the attendees could get the software before the class or during a
break before class.]
Jonathan Bucci
West Virginia Room 105
Function First: Creating Effective Vocal Exercises- Voice pedagogue Jessica Baldwin demonstrates
how to use the three basic sound ingredients of vowel, volume, and pitch to help the larynx function better
in singing. Learn how to combine these ingredients to help your students expand their pitch range,
smooth out breaks, sing both louder and softer, sing more clearly, and get a stylistically-appropriate vocal
sound.
Jessica Baldwin
Boardroom 201
Solo & Ensemble Regional Chairs Meeting
3:00 PM
Grand Hall North
WVMEA General Meeting
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Michael J. Martirano, State Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Ray Lowther, Coordinator of the Arts WVDE
4:00 PM
Meeting Room 206
Where the Rubber Meets the Road- This session will present practical solutions that can be easily
implemented to improve common band performance problems.
Richard Mark Heidel
Meeting Room 103
4 Simple Ways to Record Your Students- This session will cover four distinct ways to record student
performances for assessment, review and archiving. Ranging from overly simple to more advanced,
topics will include handheld recorders, computer, video and iPad/phone use.
Jody Underwood
West Virginia Room 104
Individual assessment in a choral setting through integrated sight-reading and solfège exercisesThis session will provide choral music educators with practical and engaging methods for individual
assessment in an ensemble setting, through the use of integrated sight-reading activities and logically
sequenced solfège exercises. This systematic and nonthreatening approach encourages students not to
fear the process, but rather empowers them to invest the energy required to become confident readers.
Samuel Barbara
West Virginia Room 105
The A cappella Revolution: Applications in the Choral and General Music Classrooms- With the
explosion of TV shows like The Sing Off, and contests like the ICCA's and ICHSA's, there has been a
revolution in the music education world through choral singing. What is the place of vocal a cappella
singing in the choral classroom? How can this be a valuable part of not just singing, but music education
in both the choral and general music classroom? Through this workshop, we will explore how vocal a
cappella music can be used both as a teaching and learning tool to inspire your students to sing and
compose as part of their choral music experience.
James Reddan
Boardroom 201
Bandmasters Executive Meeting
5:00 PM
Meeting Room 206
Meeting Room 103
Finale 101: Learn the Essentials to Get You Going- Learn how easy it is to compose, arrange, edit,
transpose, listen to and print your music with Finale 2014. Topics include: Setting up a score, note entry
with or without a MIDI keyboard, entering dynamics, markings and lyrics, key and instrument
transposition, basic page layout, printing parts, exporting to audio and tips on sharing your music with
others. Learn about the 100’s of ready-to-use music education resources included in the software
(worksheets, flash cards, repertoire and classroom music tools).
Giovanna Cruz
West Virginia Room 104
Introduction to Theater- This seminar will cover the basics of theatre production, technical theatre
concepts, and organizing educationally beneficial theatre programs. Our aim is to give music educators
the tools to give students a scaled down facsimile of college/professional theatre. *Scale-able based on
time allotted.
Jonathan Bucci
West Virginia Room 105
Shape, Size and Sound: Creative Approaches to Choral Formation in Rehearsal and Performance The formation of a choir can have an astounding impact on the overall success of a choral rehearsal or
performance. In this session, we will explore creative approaches to both rehearsal and performance
formations in relation to choral sound, size, shape. We will explore ways in which the music can guide
formation or optimal success both in the classroom and in performance.
James Reddan
Boardroom 201
Vocal Association Executive Meeting
Grand Hall North
Solo & Ensemble Recital
7:00 PM
Meeting Room 103
WV Children’s Choral Association/WVASCC/Society for General Music General Meeting
7:30 PM
Grand Hall North
Honor Ensemble-Middle School Jazz
8:30 PM
Grand Hall North
Honor Ensemble-High School Jazz
Friday, March 11
WVMEA Registration 7:45 AM-5:00 PM
Exhibits 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
8:00 AM
Meeting Room 206
All dressed up with nothing to play! A review of percussion literature for solo and ensemble
festival- A review of suggested performance repertoire for solo and ensemble festival will be presented.
Solo literature for snare drum, mallets, multiple percussion, and timpani will be discussed, along with
small percussion ensemble pieces. Demonstrations of selected works by the presenter and current WLU
Percussion Studio members will be offered.
Brain Baldauff
Meeting Room 103
Bassoon for Band Directors- Teaching your ensemble's bassoon students can be challenging, especially
if you are a non-bassoonist! This session will focus on proper playing techniques, and will also present
thoughts on the following: how to select and maintain bassoon reeds, general instrument care, and
repertoire selection.
Cody Hunter
West Virginia Room 104
Engaging All Learners: Tools and Techniques to Reach Different Types of Learners in the Music
Classroom- Come observe how a music teacher adapts music literacy, active listening, and composition
for different types of learners. Participants will get to see, and participate in differentiated ways that
musical skills can be reached within the general music classroom.
Brian Wagner
West Virginia Room 105
Unpacking the score: embedding musicianship in the choral rehearsal- Embedding music literacy
into the choral rehearsal saves time, creating independent musicians. Students are able to learn music
much faster and most importantly, without the aid of a piano, part cd, or learning by rote. Using the choral
music that we select, we are able to map out our curriculum and teach musical literacy skills to our
students without delaying the process of learning repertoire.
Kyle Weary
Boardroom 201
Solo & Ensemble Roundtable Discussion
9:00 AM
All-State Band Rehearsal Space, Room 202-205
You be the Band Festival Adjudicator-Did you ever wonder what it would be like to be an adjudicator at
concert band festival? This is your chance! Come hear a high school band perform their festival
repertoire, and complete an adjudication sheet as you listen. Then, you will have an opportunity to
compare your listening skills/ratings to that of two active adjudicators. Finally, observe how the
adjudicators address areas of deficiency for improvement.
Lab Band-Frankfort High School Band, Roger Walker-Director
David Saleeba Albert and John Hendricks, Adjudicators
Meeting Room 206
My Favorite Orchestra- My Favorite Orchestra is an opportunity for string teachers to sight-read
colleagues' most memorable pieces. Fellow West Virginia string teachers will present string pieces that
became classroom favorites and will share rehearsal strategies. Come with your string instrument. Music
will be provided for reading purposes. Non-string players are also welcome.
Shelby Clark
Meeting Room 103
Are You as Hip as a Fourth Grader?- From “Iron Man” to “We Will Rock You,” from “Billie Jean” to “Wild
Thing,” energize your music program with classic rock and pop music. Listen, learn, laugh, move, play,
sing, and watch videos of kids. Free recorder compliments of Peripole.
Jim Tinter
West Virginia Room 104
Making Connections: Using Music to Make Artistic, Interdisciplinary and Life-Long Connections
for Special Learners-Come hear how a young music teacher uses music to build important life-long
connections for special learners. Participants will see how music can connect to life skills, social skills, in
addition to Common Core Learning Standards. Participants will receive a handout and resources than
can be implemented into their own classroom.
Brian Wagner
West Virginia Room 105
Choral Workshop
Paul Head
10:00 AM
Meeting Room 206
Where do I put the mouthpiece? Teaching Strings for the non-String player-This session will provide
non-string players with tips on how to teach stringed instruments in the k-12 classroom. Topics to be
discussed will include pedagogical methods, technical issues, repairs, and proper music selection.
Jeannine Sturm and Brian Lange
Meeting Room 103
Playing the Blues in General Music- Using recorders, movement, and Orff mallet instruments, learn to
play, teach, and improvise the 12 bar blues in a fun, interactive and non-threatening manner. Videos of
4th graders will be shown. Free recorder compliments of Peripole.
Jim Tinter
West Virginia Room 104
Teaching Can Be Fun Again with Quaver!- Discover how seriously fun teaching and learning can be!
This fast-paced tour of the Quaver K-5 and the new Quaver 6-8 General Music programs will provide a
quick overview, new updates, sample lessons, and technology tips for auto-assessments, mobile devices
and more!
Gregory Roman
West Virginia Room 105
Choral Workshop
Paul Head
11:00 AM
Meeting Room 206
Strings Success-Keeping Your Program Fresh!- Strings Success - keeping your program fresh! is for
string teachers and other ensemble directors. Ideas will be shared for innovative ways to enhance school
music programs. Suggestions for classroom motivation, concert programming, effective practicing, and
fun recruitment methods will be offered. Let's create memorable music experiences!
Shelby Clark and Justin Jones
Meeting Room 103
Improvisation in an Orff-Schulwerk Framework- Sing, say, move, and play through a process for
teaching improvisation in general music. Discover techniques, strategies, materials, activities, and web
resources to make improvising easy, fun, and safe, while fulfilling the National Standards. Free recorder
compliments of Peripole.
Jim Tinter
West Virginia Room 104
It’s a Marathon, not a Sprint: Music Education Advocacy- Music educators may find themselves
concerned with not only the vibrancy of their programs, but also its possible survival. We must teach the
value of music beyond our classrooms and schools. Therefore, it is vital that we strive to educate our
students, but also parents, administrators, colleagues, and community members the value of music as an
independent area of study. Participants will leave with an understanding of the advocacy process and
how they can actively participate in these efforts.
Lindsey Williams
West Virginia Room 105
Choral Workshop
Paul Head
Grand Hall North
(depending upon selection of Honor Ensemble) either Honor Ensemble or West Virginia University Fife
and Drum Corps - Music, Education, and History-The WVU fife and drum corps was created in 2013,
in an effort to bring historically accurate music to West Virginia college and high school students. The
ensemble uses traditional fifes and rope drums, and performs West Virginia repertoire, along with
traditional fife and drum music.
George Willis
11:30 AM
Location TBA
Phi Beta Mu luncheon, Pat Garrett presiding
1:00 PM
Meeting Room 206
Drum Set Education: Playing Beyond the Groove-A good drumset performer always plays in time with
a proper groove. However, what about items such as tone? Phrasing? Melody? Reading a chart? And
perhaps most important, VOCABULARY! These items are often overlooked when teaching drumset
performance, but they are critical if we are to perform beyond the basics of time and groove. This session
will cover all of these topics in an easy to understand manner, and offer educators simple and
immediately effective ways to improve these areas of drumset learning. All of the materials and exercises
presented are universally adaptable to any method book or curriculum.
Rob Sanderl
Meeting Room 103
Song Writing in the Elementary/Middle School Classroom-Encourage creativity and reinforce
curricular content. Videos of student compositions will be shown. Free recorder compliments of Peripole.
Jim Tinter
West Virginia Room 104
Do Mobile Devices and Music Class Go Together? Let Quaver’s Marvelous World of Music give you a
peek into what’s coming (and what’s already here!) Save time, integrate across the curriculum, and
present a fast-paced, interactive, student-driven lesson everyday - no matter what tablet or device
students bring to your room.
Gregory Roman
Boardroom 201
Retired Teachers Meeting
1:30 PM
West Virginia Room 105
Vocal Association General Meeting
2:00 PM
Meeting Room 206
Balance through Literature Selection: Wind Band Literature Options for Limited InstrumentationTeaching instrumental music in a small school setting invariably means that the teacher must search for
music that is adaptable to instrumentation needs of their students. This session will provide wind band
literature selection options and demonstrate strategies specifically for those with moderate to severe
instrumentation limits. The clinician will provide opportunities for participants to share specific
instrumentation needs, which will be demonstrated by a high school ensemble focused on flexible
instrumentation options.
Lindsey Williams
Meeting Room 103
Technology Tools for k-12 Music Educators-Including iPads-This session will discuss the latest and
greatest technology tools for all manner of teaching. Topics covered will include iPad use in the
classroom, portable sound systems, music-inclusion tools, software and recording devices.
Jody Underwood
West Virginia Room 104
Emerging Leaders-Collegiate attendees and educators with 3 or less years of experience can participate
in opportunities for growth with veteran music educators.
Andrea Hasley
West Virginia Room 105
Vocal Association General Meeting continued
Grand Hall North
(depending upon selection of Honor Ensemble) either Honor Ensemble or West Virginia University Fife
and Drum Corps - Music, Education, and History-The WVU fife and drum corps was created in 2013,
in an effort to bring historically accurate music to West Virginia college and high school students. The
ensemble uses traditional fifes and rope drums, and performs West Virginia repertoire, along with
traditional fife and drum music.
George Willis
3:00 PM
Meeting Room 206
What did Holst Know about the Tambourine Anyways? An overview of accessory percussion
performance techniques- This session will introduce and review performance techniques on accessory
percussion instruments. Tambourine, cymbals, triangle, and castanets will be demonstrated and
techniques will be performed through popular band literature. Think of this as a review of your percussion
fundamentals course! Audience members are encouraged to participate.
Brain Baldauff
Meeting Room 103
Getting Started with SmartMusic- Learn how to get the most out of SmartMusic at school – and how to
help students succeed by practicing with SmartMusic at home. Explore the richness of the SmartMusic
beginning repertoire library: Method books for band, orchestra and voice, thousands of concert titles with
audio accompaniments, exercises, solo titles, all played at any tempo. Students practice with unlimited
repertoire, use the built in tuner and metronome and much more. Learn how to use SmartMusic in
rehearsals, sectionals and lesson groups.
Giovanna Cruz
West Virginia Room 104
Emerging Leaders part 2-Collegiate attendees and educators with 3 or less years of experience can
participate in opportunities for growth with veteran music educators.
Andrea Hasley
West Virginia Room 105
Show Choir Teachers Meeting
Boardroom 201
Past WVMEA Presidents Meeting
4:00 PM
Meeting Room 206
Building a Better Percussionist: Using Technique, Movement and Ear Training for Optimal
Learning- This session presents various ideas/exercises that are universally adaptable to ANY current
method of teaching or method book series. This clinic is meant to “fill in” various learning gaps that exist
within percussion education by focusing on technique, movement, and ear training, areas often neglected
in written methods. Attendees should find in this clinic a fresh and new approach to their percussion
teaching that can immediately be incorporated into their existing curriculum.
Rob Sanderl
Meeting Room 103
Film Scoring and Special Effects in the Music Classroom- This session will explore how to add music and
sound effects to video. It's easier than you think and your students will love it!!
Jody Underwood
West Virginia Room 104
Get rid of the conductor! - Teaching for Musical Independence- While a teacher conductor provides
myriad instruction and direction, it is important that we teach our students to think musically and
independently. This session will explore the individual skills needed for developing individual and
ensemble musicianship. Session participants will be actively engaged in music making activities to
demonstrate the concepts discussed.
Lindsey Williams
West Virginia Room 105
Bandmasters General Meeting
Boardroom 201
College and University Association Meeting
5:00 PM
Grand Hall North
Solo & Ensemble Recital
Municipal Auditorium
All-State Middle School String Orchestra Concert
7:00 PM
Municipal Auditorium
All-State Children’s Chorus Concert
7:30 PM
Grand Hall North
Honor Ensemble Concert
8:30 PM
Grand Hall North
Honor Ensemble Concert
Saturday, March 12
9:00 AM
Meeting Room 103
Games, Videos, and a Culture of Fun and Learning in the Choral Classroom- So many times, we find
ourselves overmatched. We are the only choral specialist (music specialist) in our schools, and we have
so little time with so many students to make a positive impact and perhaps even prepare concerts for
annual occasions. Using games and mimicking from YouTube videos, create opportunities for your
choristers to:
explore finding head voice resonance
demonstrate the focus and acuity of watching a director
introduce the concepts of steady tempo and part independence
use Curwen hand signs and sol-fa syllables to practice and expand tonal singing vocabulary
Michael Wu
10:00 AM
Meeting Room 103
Folkdance into Creative Movement: a practical sequence- Folkdance is an essential mode of
experiencing music from all cultures, but considering creative sequencing and a conceptual approach to
learning can open possibilities for creative movement that reach all areas of the music curriculum. From
beat, melody, form and meter, students can use movement to create new and exciting compositions in
the classroom no matter what the physical limitations of space.
Laura Webster
11:00 AM
Meeting Room 103
Ocarina…It’s what you Needa: An Alternative to the Recorder- This hands-on session will provide
information on how to effectively use the Ocarina as an alternative to the Recorder in General Music
Classes. The Ocarina has regained popularity due to its use in a popular video game, and has left my
students captivated and wanting more!
Jason Noland
1:00 PM
All-State High School Orchestra Concert
2:00 PM
All-State Band Concert
3:00 PM
All-State Chorus Concert