Dear Colleagues,
As we all know, the rigors
of being a music educator in today's school climate can be an overwhelming
and particularly demanding experience. As we prepare for concerts,
band reviews, musicals, choral and orchestral events, and all of the
activities that enrich the musical lives of our students, it is not
uncommon for us to disconnect with colleagues and friends who share
similar classroom experiences.
Unlike other subject areas
that have multiple faculty members on campus collaborating with one
another, a single music educator is often given the responsibility of
serving as band director, choir director, orchestra director, and is
called upon to organize any function involving music. Elementary
and middle school music teachers may have an itinerant schedule that
requires travel between three or more schools. These expectations
can result in a feeling of
isolation from fellow faculty members, who often don't realize the
magnitude of a music teacher's responsibilities.
One of the best ways for us
to thrive under the demands of our jobs is to network with our music
colleagues at festivals and conferences. Our jobs become much
more rewarding knowing there is a support system of people who share
the same joys and frustrations that teaching music can bring.
The 2008 Bay Section Winter Conference held on January 11, and 12 at
San Jose State University offers us the opportunity to meet and
learn from outstanding music educators from both the local and national
levels.
This year's conference promises
to be a rewarding experience for all of our attendees. Here is
sampling of what is scheduled for this year's event.
- We are pleased to
have Michelle Winter, Sharon Vela, and Dr. Andy Collinsworth as our
Conference Orchestra, Choir, and Band guest conductors.
- Tim Harris is proud
to present sessions by award winning composer, David Gillingham.
Cort McClaren of UNC Greenboro and C. Allen Publishers will also present
a special percussion section clinic.
- Orchestra representative,
John Felder will present sessions with renowned innovator in string
education, Bob Phillips. The Cypress String Quartet will also
participate in a roundtable discussion on chamber music in the curriculum.
- Victoria Schmidt
will offer an elementary and secondary choral reading sessions, and
a special session on Middle School Repertoire and Techniques by Anthony
Arnold.
- Aaron Lington will
offer some exciting jazz sessions, including a trumpet workshop by Paul
Tynan from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.
- For classroom teachers,
Kara Ireland D'Ambrosio will have a presentation by Diane Lister,
who is currently the Pacific Region Music and Art Curriculum Specialist
with Pearson Publishers.
- Our new tech coordinator,
John Wilson of Chabot College will have a presentation by John Brummel
demonstrating the Smart Music system.
- Diana Hollinger
will have a lunch and conversation session for all collegiate members.
San Jose State Unviersity professors, Gordon Haramaki and Abi Ramirez
will present sessions on current music education trends and teaching
Latin American rhythms.
- Orrin Cross will
provide separate adjudication sessions on Friday and Saturday for current
and perspective adjudicators.
- There will be reading
sessions of new band, choral, orchestral, and jazz ensemble music.
- Last and certainly
not least, Glenn Roberts, of Best Music Company in Oakland will once
again be providing his delectable tasting of fine wines for our Wine
and Hors D'ourves Reception Friday evening from 5:30-7:00.
As you can see there is something
for everyone at this year's conference. The sessions promise
to be both exciting and informative, and will provide us with new tools
and techniques for us to bring back to our classrooms. We are
also offering a fifty percent discount on conference fees for first
time attendees, so all teachers new to music education are encouraged
to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. See you at the
conference!
Michael Galisatus
Bay Section President-Elect
and Conference Host
