CMEA NEWS CONNECTICUT MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION volume LXXI, number 3 • www.cmea.org Conference 2020 April 2-4 | connecticut convention center CONNECTICUT MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD President Professional Development Chair Southern Region Director Amy Bovin Melanie Champion Jaminda Blackmon President Elect Advocacy Chair Western Region Co-Directors Jason Bouchard Carolyn Bennett Emre Akter, Rob Thornton Immediate Past President Membership Chair CMEA News Editor Brian Hutton Vacant Nick Loafman Executive Director Eastern Region Director Barbara Skrebutenas Megan Kirwin Student Affairs Commission Chair Northern Region Co-Directors David Winer Dawn Brys, Sharon Vocke CMEA is a 501C3 non-profit organization and is a federated Advertiser Index state affiliate of the National Association for Music Education Apple Hill Center (NAfME). Membership is open to all music teachers and those for Chamber Music ......... 33 involved in other music education related work. CCSU Summer.................... 15 The CMEA NEWS is published four times a year in September, Hartt Summerterm .............. 16 December, March, and June. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not represent an University of Bridgeport ....... 24 official position of CMEA. A subscription to the NEWS is University of Hartford ............2 included in the annual membership fee. University of Massachusetts ... 36 2019-20 Publication Submission Deadlines are: Yamaha .............................9 August 1, November 1, February 1, May 1 Manuscripts should be sent directly to the CMEA NEWS Editor at [email protected] For advertising information and rates, please visit www.cmea.org. CMEA NEWS Volume LXXI, Number 3 CONNECTICUT MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION www.cmea.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor The Connecticut Arts Institute ............... 22 Nick Loafman .............................3 2020 Keynote Speaker From the SAC Chair Dr. Richard Antoine White ............ 27 David Winer ...............................4 A Closer Look: From the Professional Development Chair General Music Sessions ................ 28 Melanie Champion .......................5 Band Sessions ........................... 29 String/Orchestra Sessions ............ 30 Advocating for Music - Who’s Your Audience Technology Sessions ................... 30 Carolyn Bennett ..........................6 Choral Sessions ......................... 31 Modern Band Sessions ................. 31 Eastern Region Report Inclusion, Social/Emotional Learning Megan Kirwin .............................8 Advocacy Sessions ..................... 32 Jazz Band Sessions ..................... 33 In Service Conference 2020 ....................8 “Uke Oughta Know” Conference Schedule Shane Peters ............................ 34 Thursday ................................ 10 Friday .................................... 12 Media & Marketing for the Music Educator Saturday ................................. 14 Michael West ........................... 37 A Closer Look: 2020 Showcase Ensembles .. 17 Conference 2020 April 2-4 | connecticut convention center CMEA News, Conference 2020 1 From pre-college through continuing education, Hartt has an experience for you. At The Hartt School, we think the best way to learn and perfect your craft is by doing. That’s why we put on more than 400 performances, recitals, lectures, and master classes each year. Through diverse coursework and close mentoring relationships with faculty, you can make your passion your profession. MUSIC DEGREE PROGRAMS • Composition • Music Industry • Jazz • Music Theory • Music Education • Performance (Instrumental and Vocal) • Music History Looking to experience Hartt first-hand? Hartt Preparatory Academy is a two-year, comprehensive pre-college music training program for high school juniors and seniors. This unprecedented curricular pathway allows students to fulfill academic and musical requirements that prepare them for an accelerated undergraduate music degree at The Hartt School. Learn more at our upcoming info session on Sunday, April 5. hartford.edu/hartt 2 CMEA News, Conference 2020 FROM THE EDITOR Nick Loafman reetings colleagues and happy support students. I find it energizing GNew Year! Time is flying, as and empowering. I know most of it seems to every year. In this, the you agree with some or all of my annual Spring issue of your News, sentiments. we wish to present and promote the I encourage you to peruse excellent opportunities to be found at the Session Summaries located our annual In-Service Conference in further in this issue. Our incredibly April. Within this fleeting moment hardworking Conference Chair, of a column, I will also use my time Michelle Martin, and Professional to implore you to participate in these Development Chair, Melanie events - come sharpen your tools and Champion, have put together an develop some new ones! outstanding slate of workshop offerings. We are excited to welcome Out there in all the chatter, there the inspiring Dr. Richard White, children’s songs in both English are some voices and forces that seem also known as RAWTuba, who will and Spanish. The lesson plans are to spread the message that teachers deliver the keynote address. He available at NAfME’s website, as are aren’t working hard enough, aren’t will also present a screening of his the 1st Grade materials from last doing a good enough job, or don’t award-winning documentary film year. Our Advocacy Chair Carolyn know enough to be successful. As on Thursday evening, as well as two Bennett shares some powerful advice more and more demands (and roles conference sessions with colleague for getting our various messages out that we were not highly trained Dr. Kevin Sanders. there to our stakeholders. Our guest for) are placed on us, we may be There is truly something for articles also align with this goal. made to believe that false narrative. everyone, and I know YOU will be Michael West shares some strategies I would like to remind you that able to find sessions that fuel your and easy-to-use tools for branding the OPPOSITE is true! We have existing passions, that address a and effective communication for all studied the craft of music and growth area for you, or that align your program, and Shane Peters teaching to a high level. We have with a current initiative or issue walks us through just how easy earned one, two, or three or more, going on in your building or district. it is to start a ukulele program at highly specialized degrees in these We have also curated some thoughts your school, therefore creating an areas. We continue to heed the and previews from our Showcase engaging offering for a wider variety counsel of our mentors, and we have Ensemble directors. I hope you of students. committed many years of diligent enjoy the insights provided by these I hope you enjoy our feature practice and reflection. We have master educators as they discuss articles as well as the conference creatively solved infinite problems, repertoire, program structure, and a previews. Moreover, I hope you and we continue to re-imagine and variety of other topics. The work of participate in our conference itself, re-shape music education in ways their students in the performances as there is so much to be gained that previous generations, even some will be inspiring as well, so be sure from the inspirational stories, of those venerable mentors, could to catch any that may interest you outstanding performances, new not even comprehend. Despite all when you’re in Hartford. ideas, and familiar faces that will be of our knowledge and successes, Don’t forget that March is Music there. As always, if there is anything there is still so much to learn! I love In Our Schools Month - NAfME you would like to see presented or learning new teaching techniques, has developed lessons for both 2nd covered in your CMEA News, please lesson ideas, repertoire, or new ways and 5th Grades that help them learn don’t hesitate to reach out. I look to connect with, validate, and and elements of music through classic forward to seeing you soon! CMEA News, Conference 2020 3 MY FINAL “SALUTATIONS FROM THE SAC CHAIR” SPRING, 2020 David Winer, Chair reetings from the Student Affairs Commission, the Ggroup of supremely dedicated and hard-working music educators responsible for guiding all things student for CMEA. After the past five years on • Adding Elementary Honors the Executive Board, my time is Ensembles coming to an end and this will be • Adding Treble Choruses and my last “Salutations” article. John other ensembles in some Regions Abucewicz, the new SAC Chair, and at All-State will introduce himself through his • Moving from one to two All- Summer issue article. It has been a State concerts great run - a great experience to work • Scaling back from four to two with amazing people and educators HS Region vocal audition pieces from all over CT! The main goal to simplify the teaching process has always been to make CMEA • Specific vocal sight-reading more accessible and user-friendly guidelines • Adding Harp to the official for students, teachers, judges, • More student-friendly, locally auditions (and consolidating ensemble chairs… even for Region composed sight reading in all their auditions to one day) Directors. Overall, much has been areas for HS Region and All- • Adding HS Jazz Vibes accomplished and it has been a very State auditions • New High School Percussion satisfying ride. In my two years • Instrumental scales changes Accessory requirements and as Northern