MISSY STRONG

2019 Texas Music Educators Association Convention – February 13 – 16, 2019

Just the Facts, Please: Neuroscience and Music Education

Movement Instruction in the Elementary Music Classroom

It is useful to know about music and the brain, but teachers must be careful when looking at brain research findings. Musical “neuromyths” will be presented and teachers will receive tips on how to avoid common mistakes in attempting to interpret neuroscientific research. Basic brain function will be discussed, and an introduction to the growing field of “Educational Neuroscience” will be given. 

Movement Instruction in the Elementary Music Classroom 

Movement is integral to true understanding in music. When a child can move, they can better understand expression, form, and myriad other musical concepts in a very powerful way. When they begin to move in the early years, this learning is even more powerful. Formulating a sequential movement program, however, can be challenging to those who work with young children. You will hear a rationale for consistently including movement in the elementary music classroom. This rational is based on the assertion that movement is of equal importance to singing and rhythm, as well as the relationship that exists between movement and development. 

Learn how movement is an authentic and fun way to help develop student intuition for beat and meter while also providing meaningful expressive opportunities. Attendees will be given information about proprioceptive sense and learn one way to employ the work of Rudolf Laban in the elementary general music class through movement exploration, movement for form and expression, and beat motion activities.  

Contact: Frank Coachman Email: fcoachman@tmea.org

JOHN FEIERABEND

FIRST STEPS IN MUSIC: VOCAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS                                  

During the early learning years, children can acquire musical sensitivities, which will provide them with a lifetime of expressive and accurate singing intuitions.  This lively session will present insights and activities that can foster those intuitions in children from three to age nine, through the use of folk songs and games.

 FIRST STEPS IN MUSIC: MOVEMENT DEVELOPMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS         

During the early learning years, children can acquire musical sensitivities, which will provide them with a lifetime of expressive and accurate movement intuitions.  This energetic session will present insights and activities that can foster those intuitions in children from birth to age nine, through the use of folk songs and rhymes as well as through movement experiences with classical recordings.

12 STEPS TO MUSIC LITERACY USING CONVERSATIONAL SOLFEGE:  Part One Rhythmic Development                                       

Through carefully sequenced activities this fun workshop will address the National Standards while demonstrating how to enable students to joyfully assimilate the content and skills necessary to become musically literate including the acquisition of listening, rhythmic and melodic reading, dictation, composition, and improvisation in an intuitive manner. Participants will experience a curriculum that grows out of tonal and rhythmic elements that exist in the folk song literature of this country.  Each rhythm or tonal element will be explored in patterns, songs and themes from classical literature.

12 STEPS TO MUSIC LITERACY USING CONVERSATIONAL SOLFEGE: Part Two Melodic Development                            

Literature using advanced Solfege patterns with a parallel development of rhythm patterns in 2/4 and 6/8 meter will be presented. Opportunities for early experience in part singing are demonstrated with, rhythmic and melodic sight-reading, dictation, composition, and improvisation.  Participants will experience a curriculum that grows out of tonal and rhythmic elements found in folk song to classical literature.

Contact Ruth Debrot Email: rdebrot@aol.com

Boston Seaport Hotel/ World Trade Center

LILLIE FEIERABEND

INTENTIONAL MOVEMENT IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM

Movement is an integral part of being musical; worthy of the same explicit and intentional instruction devoted to the literacy component of our curriculum. This lively session will share strategies and techniques to enhance the movement component while involving students in our rich folk music heritage of songs, dances, and singing games. This course is applicable to elementary music teachers, preschool and elementary teachers, physical education teachers, day care providers, movement specialists and others who work with young students

BRIDGES TO THE COMMUNITY: PLANTING SEEDS FOR A LIFETIME OF MUSICAL GROWTH

Music Educators plant seeds for a lifetime of music making but teachable moments do not always happen in the classroom. The school year provides many opportunities for music educators to make experiences available to students outside of the music classroom. By doing so, we also make them available to our faculty, school, and community. When the community is invited to participate in our music programs, they become invested in the child’s development and the growth of the music program, as well. This session will share a dozen ways to enrich the musical growth and development of your students, your school and your community while providing opportunities that may inspire a lifelong love of music.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT: THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL TEACHING

Music educators spend a great deal of time developing, designing and delivering wonderful lessons. Classroom management should also be the product of this type of thoughtful, intelligent, and sequential design. No matter how excellent the lesson, no matter how superb the musical examples, no matter how many content standards we can connect to, if students are not attentive, they are not learning.

Teaching students to be active learners is the product of good design. The effective teacher establishes the management style of the class and guides the students toward becoming active learners. Proactive management guarantees that the teacher has a plan and is not merely reacting to every problem that arises. Music educators are in a unique position to help students develop and strengthen these most important skills. In a well-managed classroom, the focus can be on the content and musical growth and development of each student. More can be accomplished in a classroom where students are actively involved in their own education and the focus is on learning. The teacher will succeed in helping students grow musically and give them the opportunity to develop these important skills. The ability to focus and be a successful learner is the foundation for a lifetime of learning

Contact Information:  Ruth Debrot at rdebrot@aol.com.

CONNIE GREENWOOD

1. Tips and Tricks for teaching infant and toddler music classes
   Connie Greenwood, University of Hartford
   Seasoned First Steps in Music teacher trainer, Connie Greenwood will share her secrets to having a successful and productive infant and toddler music class with parents or in a Pre-K classroom.
   Gen Mus, Thurs, 9:15-10:15, Beacon Hill 2&3
2. Nurturing a Moving and Learning Child in the Music Classroom.
   Connie Greenwood, University of Hartford
   Based on Anne Green Gilbert’s “Brain Dance” Connie will give music and movement ideas to rewire and encourage synaptic connections. She will address movement assessment and give specific ways to enhance movement creativity in the Pre-K through second grade classroom.
   Gen Mus, Thurs, 2:45-3:45, Skyline

   Contact Ruth Debrot Email: rdebrot@aol.com

   Boston Seaport Hotel/ World Trade Center