2024 All-State Conference
University of Maine, Orono May 16–17, 2024
School of Performing Arts
Division of Music and Theatre/Dance
5788 Class of 1944 Hall Orono, Maine 04469-5788
Tel: 207-581-4700
Fax: 207-581-4701
umaine.edu/spa
May 15, 2024
Dear Music Educators, Music Students, Families, and Music Industry Members,
On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students at the University of Maine, we welcome you to our state’s flagship and only R1 institution of higher education for the 2024 MMEA All-State Conference and Festival. Thank you for joining us on the beautiful University of Maine campus to reconnect, rejuvenate, and be inspired by the fantastic sessions the Maine Music Educators Association has brought together for you. We look forward to this event each year and hope you enjoy participating in our community. While you’re here, please enjoy our picturesque campus and state-of-the-art performance spaces. We’ll have many faculty, students, and staff around to help with anything you need. It’s a pleasure to have you here in Orono!
Sincerely,
Philip B. Edelman Director, The University of Maine School of Performing Arts
Less than $500 per course based on a 3-credit course SMCC is now offering SUMMER MUSIC CLASSES!
Take advantage of SMCC’s classes with a combination of online learning on your schedule and one week of on-campus course instruction.
Take advantage of SMCC’s classes with a combination of online learning on your schedule and one week of on-campus course instruction .
Courses available this summer:
Courses available this summer:
• Kodaly Principles in Action
Take advantage of SMCC’s classes with a combination of online learning on your schedule and one week of on-campus course instruction.
• Kodaly Principles in Action
Courses available this summer:
• Dalcroze Methodology for the Classroom Teacher
• Dalcroze Methodology for the Classroom Teacher
• Kodaly Principles in Action
Less than $500 per course based on a 3-credit course
Less than $500 per course based on a 3-credit course
To search and register for classes
• Dalcroze Methodology for the Classroom Teacher
To search and register for classes
Visit www.smccME.edu/creditcourses or scan the QR code
To search and register for classes
Visit www.smccME.edu/creditcourses or scan the QR code
Visit www.smccME.edu/creditcourses or scan the QR code
Exhibitors and Vendors
Anthem Musical Instruments
BandJoe Music
Darmouth College
David French Music
Falcetti Music
Gordon College
Horace Mann Insurance
Maine Retirement Annuities
Manhattan Concert Productions
Marine Corps Music Program
Music and Arts
New England Music Camp
Osher School of Music, USM
Portland Conservatory of Music
Portland Symphony Orchestra
Perkins Music House
School of Performing Arts, University of Maine
Second Wind Music
Southern Maine Community College
University of Maine at Augusta
University of New Hampshire
World Class Vacations
Concert & Rehearsal Information
REHEARSAL SPACES
Orchestra: 1944 Hall Room 100
Band: Hauck Auditorium
SSAA: 1944 Hall Black Box
SATB: 1944 Hall Minsky Recital
CONCERTS
Instrumental Concert at 11:00am
Choral Concert at 3:30pm
Thursday
May 16,
Williams Hall Room 110
Planning and Teaching a Popular Music Performance Class
John Ginocchio M, GM
Striking a chord with science: A harmonious interdisciplinary approach to teaching
Brandon Duras & Kait Ostrov GM
2024 Conference Schedule
Williams Hall Room 120
Registration & Exhibits Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Estill Voice Model: Introducing an Anatomy-based Vocal Technique
Christine Letcher C
Reading Session: Public Domain Gems for High School
Sarah Bailey C
Williams Hall Room 140
Dealing with Behaviors in the General Music Setting
Caitlin Geishaker GM
Beyond Notes and Rhythms: Strategies for Adaptive Music
Rebecca Hanaburgh & Carlena Tromblay GM
Registration & Exhibits (Collins Center for the Arts Lobby) ACDA Luncheon (Memorial Union Bangor Room)
CONFERENCE KEYNOTE ADDRESS (DP Corbett Room 100)
Upbeat! The Power Within Dr. Matthew Arau
Using BandLab to Collaborate on Music Production
Lindsey Wiehl GM, T
Green Flags: Tools to create safe music programs for LGBTQ+ students
Cassie Cooper DEIA
Reading Session: Galaxy Music Publishing
Drew Albert C HELP! Subplans
Ben Potvin GM
K-5 Reading Session: Music in the public domain
Christian Giddings GM
JAZZ MEETING (DP Corbett Room 100)
Supporting Singers with the Transmasculine Changing Voice
James Slipp C, DEIA
PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION / AWARDS CEREMONY (Wells Conference Center)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS Michael Brownell, NAfME Eastern Division President
EVENING EVENT (Collins Center)
Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership Dr. Matthew Arau
DP Corbett hall Room 107
DP Corbett hall Room 115
Registration & Exhibits Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Other Locations
Using Multitrack Recording to Practice and Develop Jazz Improvisation
Casey Schmidt J, T
Motivic Development in Jazz: Taking students’ improv to the next level
Aaron Henry J
Band Try-Out Kits, Tips & Tricks
Ben Potvin B
Programming Outside the Box: Five Band Works that Break the Mold
William Kinne B
9:45 In the Collins Center: All-State Festival Welcome For Students & Directors
Registration & Exhibits (Collins Center for the Arts Lobby) ACDA Luncheon (Memorial Union Bangor Room)
CONFERENCE KEYNOTE ADDRESS (DP Corbett Room 100)
Upbeat! The Power Within Dr. Matthew Arau
All about that Bass: Starting beginners on tuba
David Stern & Erica Scarano B
It Starts With You: Leadership From the Podium!
Dr. Timothy Heath & Dr. Marcus Morris A
Student Travel Strategies for the High School Director
Bill Lacey A
Exciting Interactive Jazz Performances through Reverse Engineering
Dan Barrett J
JAZZ MEETING (DP Corbett Room 100)
Bodwell Lounge in CCA
USM Jazz Combo Performance Aaron Henry J
Memorial Union: Bangor Room String Instrument Repair 101
Rob Lorimer O
PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION / AWARDS CEREMONY (Wells Conference Center)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS Michael Brownell, NAfME Eastern Division President
EVENING EVENT (Collins Center) Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership Dr. Matthew Arau
Interest Session Descriptions
10:00–10:55
Planning and Teaching a Popular Music Performance Class
John Ginocchio
Many students in high schools have considerable interest in music, but their interests lie outside the normal band, choir, and music appreciation courses offered in most school curricula. Popular Music Performance classes can provide a guided educational experience for many of these students while expanding learning opportunities in music for all students. This session will present ideas for organizing and running a Popular Music Performance Class.
Estill Voice Model: Introducing an Anatomy-based Vocal Technique Model
Christine Letcher
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the Estill Voice Model, a vocal technique model that identifies and teaches isolated control of individual anatomical structures within the voice production system. Participants will learn about a few of the key anatomical parts of the vocal tract, and will explore how to isolate and move these parts to achieve different vocal qualities. This introductory workshop will give music teachers and conductors a few key tips that will help their students and choirs get the sound they want. Likewise, these techniques will help students and choirs achieve reduced performance anxiety and more confidence, as well as a balance of vocal health and aesthetic freedom.
Dealing with Behaviors in the General Music Setting
Caitlin Geishaker
Description: A round table discussion to offer assistance for those of us struggling with behaviors and not enough support to make it work. Do you have magic tricks? Or fail-safe activities that keep even the toughest child engaged? We know there’s not a one-size fits all solution but we can arm ourselves with many strategies that help keep the flow of the class going.
Using Multitrack Recording to Practice and Develop Jazz Improvisation
Casey Schmidt
Learning jazz provides students with the rich opportunity to improvise. Jazz improvisation is guided by performer interactions, groove, melodic development, and the harmonic structure and form of the tune used as the improvisational framework. Students become more proficient and creative with their improvisations when they understand the harmonic and formal structures of their tunes. This presentation will explore an approach to supporting students as they learn how to improvise over harmonic frameworks through the development of accompaniments using multitrack recording. This approach scaffolds for learning to improvise over complex structures through an incremental process of conceptual and creative development.
Band Try-Out Kits, Tips & Tricks
Ben Potvin
If we want band students to make an informed decision about the instrument they want to play, they need to try it out first! This session will include an explanation and demonstration of the Jupiter mouthpiece Try-Out Kits. Conference attendees will also be invited to test the kits out for themselves. For the remainder of the session, tips and tricks will be shared to create a well organized, fun, and supportive music room where band students will want to learn. Sponsored by David French Music.
11:00–11:55
Striking a Chord with Science: A Harmonious Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching
Brandon Duras & Kait ostrov
As music teachers, interdisciplinary lessons can be something we feel necessary to include in order to validate our content area. Doing this can feel forced and uncomfortable if you’re unsure of the content. You don’t have to do it alone! How thrilled would your administration be to offer a whole interdisciplinary class to your students? How thrilled would your students be to learn from the two coolest teachers in the school at the same time? In this session Brandon Duras, alongside his colleague Kait Ostrov, will share their experience developing and teaching a fully interdisciplinary and completely co-taught class “The Physics of Music.”
Reading Session: Public Domain Gems for High School
Sarah Bailey
This reading session will explore a variety of high school literature available for free in the public domain. The main focus will be on SATB voicings.
Beyond Notes and Rhythms: Strategies for Adaptive Music in K-5
Rebecca Hanaburgh & Carlena Trombley
In this session, Carlena and Becky will share activities used in their K-2 and 3-5 adaptive music classes. They will discuss location considerations, classroom set-up, materials used and ways in which speech/language and OT/PT goals can be incorporated into the classes through coordination with special ed colleagues.
Motivic Development and Communication in Jazz Improvisation: Taking Your Students’ Improv to the Next Level
Ryan Blotnick, Daniel Fischer-Lockhead, & Aaron Henry
Jazz Improvisation has been focused on scales, arpeggios, and licks for a long time. In this session, we’ll focus less on notes and scales and learn methods and techniques to help students work with the material they already know and get them to communicate, playing cohesive, developable ideas to take their improvisation to the next level.
Programming Outside the Box: Five Band Works that Break the Mold
WIlliam Kinne
What has been your most memorable experience as an audience member? Could you describe the atmosphere of the venue, the sounds you heard, the scent and feeling in the air? How did the concert compare with your expectations? What made that concert experience memorable? In this session, we will explore how five unique compositions led to cross-disciplinary collaborations or multi-sensory concert experiences beyond what is expected at a wind band concert. Each participant will receive an extensive list of works of varying difficulty that lend themselves to imaginative and collaborative projects.
1:20–2:20
KEYNOTE: Upbeat! The Power Within
Dr. Matthew Arau
We often look outside of ourselves for the solutions and answers to the challenges we
Interest Session Descriptions
face. Dr. Matthew Arau reminds us that despite the hurdles, we can make a significant difference by tapping into the power within ourselves and our team-members. Through choosing our personal upbeat and being intentional with how we teach and lead, we can create a positive, inclusive culture by design and elevate the level of learning, performance, joy, belonging, empowerment, and motivation.
2:25–3:25
Using BandLab to Collaborate on Music Production
Lindsey Wiehl
It’s time to welcome EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and songwriting into your music classroom. BandLab is a free online program that allows real-time collaboration of music production projects. The program’s easy-to-use interface and extensive sound library allow students to forego the writer’s block and get started on producing their own music. Come learn how BandLab can give new life to your K-12 music program, and how to lead a class in creating their own music. Explore how this program can harness student’s prior knowledge and what they already love about music and connect with your classroom objectives.
Choral Reading Session: Galaxy Music Publishing
Drew Albert & Colin Graebert
This workshop will feature a reading session that showcases a range of choral music from Galaxy Music Publishing. The session will include songs in various voicings suitable for middle and high school choirs. Participants will have the chance to explore new choral repertoire to inspire them for future programs. Participants will be able to sight-read the reading session pieces and take home physical copies.
HELP! Sub Plans Needed!
Ben Potvin
Rarely is there a trained musician who can sub for us when we are not in the classroom. And sometimes our sub plans need to be ready at a moment’s notice. During this session, electronic and non-electronic music sub plans will be presented that can be facilitated by any guest teacher. Following the presentation, conference attendees will be asked to provide their favorite music sub plans which will be compiled and shared with all session participants.
All about that Bass: Starting Beginners on Tuba
David Stern & Erica Scarano
Interactive session! Please bring your tubas and/or mouthpieces. We will discuss innovative ways to cultivate young tubists. Regardless of size, you can play tuba! Topics will include suggested equipment and potential financial resources to support your situation.
Student Travel Strategies for the High School Director
Bill Lacey
From its simple beginnings of school exchange concerts and away games, student travel has evolved into an industry designed to bring students, teachers and family members together, “in contact” with educational, cultural, and significant landscapes and events apart from their own. In our Roundtable, we’ll focus on 4-5 specific points-of-interest in timeline format: Venue/Location selection; contract and itinerary agreements; payment programs and
financial obligations; cancellation policies and travel insurance. As air travel is sometimes on the table for high school groups, we’ll focus on TSA, safety and required documentation. There has never been a better time to incorporate travel into your program, as recruitment, reward or adjudication/performance.
USM Jazz Combo Performance
Aaron Henry
3:35–4:35
Green Flags: Tools to Create Safe Music Programs for LGBTQ+ Students
Cassie Cooper
One safe adult can save a life, multiple safe adults can transform them. Participants will learn best practices to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students in music programs. Strategies will include inclusive classroom materials, pronoun and name changes, degendering language, interrupting bias, advocacy. The culminating activity will be formulating individual action plans using strategies and resources gained from the presentation. Participants will receive inclusive classroom posters, online access to SEL Activities by grade level, as well as online access to our Inclusive Schools Best Practices Guide.
Reading Session: Public Domain Gems for Elementary Chorus and General Music
Christian Giddings
This reading session will explore a variety of elementary chorus and general music literature available (grades K-5) for free in the public domain.
Supporting Singers with the Transmasculine Changing Voice: Considerations for Music Educators
James Slipp
There is insufficient research regarding how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) affects transgender vocalists, therefore music educators continue to seek further guidance to enhance this aspect of their teaching approach. This session will focus on adolescent and young adult singers with the transmasculine changing voice in the general music classroom, voice studio, and choral ensemble setting. Due to fear of vocal damage or loss of progress in vocal technique, many transgender vocalists are hesitant to pursue HRT treatment. This presentation will highlight the impacts of hormone replacement therapy and vocal techniques to encourage healthy development for transgender vocalists.
It Starts With You: Leadership From the Podium!
Dr. Timothy Heath
Leadership in ensembles starts with the conductor-teacher. Effective leaders continuously grow as musicians and teachers while providing the best instruction possible to their students. This session has four areas of discussion. First, the clinicians will guide the audience to a stronger understanding of leadership and impact. Second, they will share how to provide appropriate positive feedback to your ensembles. Third, they will provide ways to continue to grow as a musician and educator after completing your degrees. Finally, they will discuss the importance of a work-life balance and how it can benefit everyone to be the version of themselves.
Interest Session Descriptions Thursday May 16th, 2024
Exciting Interactive Jazz Performances through Reverse Engineering
Dan Barrett
Communication and interaction between the musicians bring great energy to jazz, and are among the things we enjoy most from a great performance. This session explores detailed listening to great recordings in order to pull out some key principles to work on with our students. We’ll tackle some things that each instrument in the jazz ensemble can do, in addition to their default roles, to bring a creative and collaborative approach to the music.
String Instrument Repair 101
Rob Lorimer
This session will help with basic string repair including changing strings, bridge adjustments, chin rest adjustments, peg adjustments, etc. You do not need to be a string player to attend!
thursday events
Jazz Meeting 4:45pm, DP Corbett Room 100
President’s Reception / Awards Ceremony 6pm, Wells Conference Center
“Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership” 8pm, Collins Center
GORDON DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
MUSIC AT GORDON
Significant scholarships available!
Be nurtured by faculty at the top of their field. Be inspired and trained through an innovative curriculum and hands-on experience.
Join a community of Christ-followers to develop your musical gift for global impact.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
B.M. in Music Education
B.M. in Performance
B.A. in Music
» Composition concentration
Minor in Music
Minor in Musical Theatre
Conversational
The 12-step unique literacy this approach, literature that correlates Standards broken then reassembled musical
Michelle S. McConkey
Master of Music in Music Education
Accepting applications for fall 2024 enrollment. gordondepartmentofmusic gordonmusic gordon.music
Wenham, Massachusetts l www.gordon.edu/music
» Music in Worship concentration
Level
Scott N. Edgar
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G-5381
G-5381FL
G-5381S
CD-527
This practical guide takes units designed to hone important such as regulation emotions, ing stress, and building is structured around the ty, Belonging, and Agency—and both pre-service and in-service them through a series of strengthen their skills, as journal, draw, and commit
Level
G-5382
Spiral-Bound, p
CD-1050
(Each CD
Conversational Explained
John Feierabend on the Conversational many fun all 12 steps
DVD-946
This book showcases the tive ideas of music educators instruction with intentionality elementary, middle, and
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New and Featured Resources from GIA Publications, Inc.
Upbeat!
Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership in Music Education and Beyond
Matthew Arau
Conversational Solfege
s ocial e M
12-step Conversational Solfege curriculum is a pedagogical approach for teaching music to 2nd through 8th grade students. With approach, music literacy starts with great literature and an “ear-before-eye” philosophy correlates with the Core National Standards for Music Education. Great songs are down into their basic components and reassembled so students can apply greater
U p B eat ! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership in Music Education and Beyond
Just as a conductor’s preparatory “upbeat” gesture at the beginning of a performance influences the way an ensemble plays, we too get to choose our “upbeat”—our thoughts and attitudes—at the start of each day, at the beginning of each class, and in our interactions with students and colleagues.
A Guide for Developing Teacher SEL Competencies Your Well-Being Matters
Matthew Arau
With this clever premise at its core, Upbeat! presents a winning combination of mindset and mindfulness strategies as well as leadership principles that will motivate, inspire, and transform not only your internal world but the culture of your music program.
understanding.
McConkey Edgar takes teachers through 13 sequential important self-care and SEL skills, emotions, resolving conflict, managpositive relationships. Each unit the 3 core pillars of SEL—IdentiAgency—and offers connections for in-service music teachers that guide of thought-provoking exercises to as well as space to discover, reflect, commit to growth.
2:
Foreword
by
Tim Lautzenheiser
Divided into three parts—Ignite, Inspire, and Lead—Upbeat! takes readers on a journey from internal self-reflection to outward expressions of leadership, with chapters addressing such topics as:
• Self-care for optimal mental, emotional, and physical wellness
• The transformative power of positivity and gratitude
• Growth mindset
• Mindful breathing and listening in an ensemble setting
• Fostering a culture of excellence and connection
• Creating vision and mission statements for your organization
• The essential qualities of an effective leader
• How to develop a thriving student leadership program
Upbeat! presents a winning combination of mindset and mindfulness strategies as well as leadership principles that will motivate, inspire, and transform not only your internal world but the culture of your music program. Divided into 3 parts—Ignite, Inspire, and Lead—this thought-provoking resource takes readers on a journey from internal self-reflection to outward expressions of leadership. With immediately applicable ideas and strategies that work for students, teachers, and professionals in any field, Upbeat! affirms the importance of living and working with intentionality and establishes that what we do, why we do it, and how we do it matters.
Dr. Matthew Arau, founder of Upbeat Global and Upbeat! Leadership Workshops, Coaching, and Keynotes, is an Associate Professor of Music and the Chair of the Music Education Department and the Symphonic Band Conductor at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. G-10550
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With immediately applicable ideas and strategies that work for students, teachers, and professionals in any field, Upbeat! affirms the importance of living and working with intentionality and establishes that what we do, why we do it, and how we do it matters.
is also available as an MP3 download.)
Edited by Scott N. Edgar
Feierabend presents 6 hours of instruction the history, philosophy, and pedagogy of Conversational Solfege and demonstrates the fun and effective techniques for teaching steps in each of the 13 units.
pioneering book
Beyond the Notes: Thoughts on Meaningful Music Making
Paula A. Crider
The Heart of Teaching Music
Scott N. Edgar
The Music Teacher’s Guide to Recruitment and Retention
Angela Ammerman
Jessica
GO ON, Tell Your Story! Voices of Women Band Directors
LaToya A. Webb, Julia L. Baumanis
Friday May 17, 2024
Williams Hall Room 110
Williams Hall Room 120
Williams Hall Room 140
7:30–10am Registration (Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Empowering Rural Music Teachers: Self-Efficacy and Teaching Commitment
Ed Michaud A
EXHIBITS & Coffee/Donuts
Reigniting the Fire: Surviving Burnout and Creating a Work-Life Balance
Dr. Timothy Heath A
Advocacy: Saving and Protecting Your Program from Day 1
Heidi Corliss A
Trauma-Informed Response to Student Behavior in the Music Classroom
Rebecca DeWan & Tammy Carusone A
Barbershop music: It’s not straw hats and handlebar mustaches anymore!
Renae Misner C
Repertoire for the Developing Choir: Chorals that Create Success
Break | Meet Michael Brownell, NAfME Eastern President Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Reading Session: Free & Low-Cost Choral Music
Rebecca DeWan C, DEIA
Reading Session: Public Domain Gems for Treble Choir
Cathy Murray C
EXHIBITS (Collins Center Lobby)
Choral Warm-Ups: Connecting with Purpose
Greg Gilpin C
Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! 2-Part Repertoire to Get Your Choir Moving
Greg Gilpin C, GM
From Gym to Carnegie Hall: Favorite 2-Part Repertoire
Greg Gilpin C
Greg Gilpin C, GM 8–9 9 9:50–10:50 11-12 12 1:15–2:15 2:20 3:45-4:45 8:00 7:30
GENERAL MUSIC LUNCHEON - Hermon HS Steel Band (Memorial Union Bangor room) ALL-MEMBER MEETING (Donald P. Corbett Hall Room 100)
Ragtime in Elementary Music Classroom
Alex Judge GM
The Choral Art of Text, Melody, and Harmony
Greg Gilpin C
How to Set Your Beginner String Players Up for Success
Anna Clement O
Tone Development in Orchestras
Anna Clement O
EVENING CONCERT - The Maine Idea Barbershop Quartet and Jazz Concert featuring Alan Ferber (Collins Center for the Arts)
UMaine/USM Reception (Wells Conferene Center, Room 2)
DP Corbett hall Room 100
Bebop by the Numbers
Bill Leather J
DP Corbett hall Room 107
DP Corbett hall Room 115 Memorial Union Lown Room
7:30–10am Registration (Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Breaking Down the Classical All-State Vocal Audition for Non-voice Specialists
Bronwyn Kortge B, O
EXHIBITS & Coffee/Donuts Break | Meet Michael Brownell, NAfME Eastern President Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Think Like a Drummer: A Rhythmic Approach to Improvisation
Alan Ferber J
Alan Ferber Nonet/ Big Band/Combo Reading Session
Alan Ferber J
Chris Plaisted B
Navigating LGBTQ+ Identities: the Student / Parent Perspective
Sue & Brady Barre DEIA
String Orchestra Reading Session
Bill Bell O
EXHIBITS (Collins Center Lobby)
GENERAL MUSIC LUNCHEON - Hermon HS Steel Band (Memorial Union Bangor room)
Brass Embouchure 101
Dan Barrett B Instrument MAINEtenance
How to Drive the Bus
Bill Leather J
Don’t Stop Believin’! We Are Lifelong Musicians
Maine Lobstars GM, M
ALL-MEMBER MEETING (Donald P. Corbett Hall Room 100)
From Bach to TikTok
Brandon Duras & Evelyn Price T, A
Developing YOUR Sound, Tone, and Embouchure
Aaron Henry J
Songs from Here: Student Composition Project
Sue Barre M
EVENING CONCERT - The Maine Idea Barbershop Quartet and Jazz Concert featuring Alan Ferber (Collins Center for the Arts)
UMaine/USM Reception (Wells Conferene Center, Room 2)
Interest Session Descriptions
8:00–9:00
Empowering Rural Music Teachers: Self-Efficacy and Teaching Commitment
Ed Michaud
This session investigates the role of self-efficacy sources in informing the self-beliefs, teaching practices, and commitment of rural music teachers. People’s efficacy beliefs affect how much effort they will give, their resilience in the face of adversity, how they respond to stressors, and what results they realize. Understanding the four sources of self-efficacy development may motivate teachers to persist and improve their teaching practice through perseverant action, improving student learning, and strengthening commitment levels. Building connections of community are important to develop rural music teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, and to discover an enduring concept of success in a rural teaching experience.
Barbershop music: It’s Not Straw Hats and Handlebar Mustaches Anymore!
Renae Misner
The world of Barbershop music has evolved into an exciting an invigorating genre of music. The use of more contemporary music and arrangements brings experiences for the performers and their audience. Come and see how you can easily incorporate the barbershop style into your program to enhance sight reading and ear training. We will explore some simple arrangements, tags and resources that are free to you as educators. Come and try something new!
Repertoire for the Developing Choir: Chorals that Create Success
Greg Gilpin
The developing choir is a wide range of ages now where the experience has been limited or the choral art is being newly discovered. Repertoire with quality text crafted with melody and harmony for this genre of singer may be the most important tool. It sets to the tone and foundation for all other vocal and interpretive teaching. Greg Gilpin will share some of his favorite choral works for the developing choir, and how he uses them in his own rehearsals.
Bebop by the Numbers
Danny Kolke & Bill Leather
Bebop by the Numbers is a super fun, simple way to learn how to improvise and create music. Breaking down the most complex concepts and using scale degrees, this method of exercises and games introduces you to Stingers, Pickups, Simple Scales, Circles, Noodling and Turns, as building blocks to help you create your own ideas, play them in any key and strategically place them over chord progressions. So profoundly simple and fun, it’s brilliant. You will help your kids sound like pros! Bring your instruments for this session so you can get a hands on experience with Bebop by the Numbers!
Breaking Down the Classical All-State Vocal Audition for Non-voice Specialists
Bronwyn Kortge
Do you want more insight into how to prepare the classical all-state vocal audition? We’ll break down next year’s specific audition components: the aria, the madrigal and the scale. We’ll look at the MMEA website tools available to help prepare. We’ll introduce fundamental vocal technique as we dig deeper into the aria and the madrigal, exploring basic Italian pronunciation and essential stylistic demands of the aria. We’ll share techniques to teach these concepts, as we learn the song. We will explore the madrigal’s pronunciation, phrasing and stylistic demands.
9:50–10:50
Reigniting the Fire: Surviving Burnout and Creating a Work-Life Balance
Dr. Timothy Heath
At some point, we will experience burnout in our careers. It’s okay to admit you have experienced burnout or you do not have a good work-life balance. The presenter has struggled with both and will share his story and journey to recovery and reigniting his passion for music. This session provides strategies for reigniting the fire of your love of music and teaching. The session also addresses creating and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. You will leave this session with ideas on beginning your journey to finding a passion for music again and maintaining a healthy lifestyle while teaching music.
Free & Low-Cost Choral Music: DEIA Reading Session
Rebecca Dewan
In this reading session, we will explore free and low cost music accessible to a wide-range of choral ensembles. Repertoire is the vehicle through which we teach our curriculum, and therefore selecting the best repertoire for the ensemble in front of you is paramount. In this session, we will utilize a DEIA lens of music education as we analyze the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of the choral curriculum, considering such elements as composer background, accessibility of music, inclusive language, and cultural representation.
Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! 2-Part Repertoire to Get Your Choir Moving
Greg Gilpin
Movement is key to learning, singing, memorization and retention, physical well-being, and inclusion. Greg Gilpin will present a selection of diverse chorals, each with its own unique movement ideas that can be incorporated into rehearsal and performance to elevate the choral art.
Think Like a Drummer: A Rhythmic Approach to Improvisation
Alan Ferber
Rhythm is arguably the most important element in jazz music, though it all too often takes a back seat to melody and harmony during the process of learning how to improvise. This clinic, geared toward all instrumentalists and vocalists, will focus on ways to develop your internal sense of time and rhythm. We will focus specifically on the triplet, exploring different ways to strengthen your rhythmic independence and generate ideas that give your improvising a stronger and more compelling rhythmic “dance.” This clinic encourages participation from everyone, and a few instrumentalists/vocalists will be invited up to the stage for individual feedback.
Navigating LGBTQ+ Identities: Perspectives from a Parent/Teacher & Child/Student
Sue & Brady barre
Do you ever feel like you can’t keep up with your students? Using the correct pronouns or understanding new LGBTQ+ identities can be difficult at first, and that anxiety is normal. Being able to respect and support your students can make their school experience so much more positive. This presentation will hopefully provide some insight on how to navigate these new scenarios from student, parent, child and teacher perspectives.
String Orchestra Reading Session
Bill Bell
Attendees are encouraged to bring in works for various string orchestra levels that the
Interest Session Descriptions
group can play through. Please bring your string instrument! A list of pieces along with their level will be shared at the end of the reading session.
10:55–11:55
Advocacy: Saving and Protecting Your Program from Day 1
Heidi Corliss
Too busy for advocacy? Never! In reality, we need to advocate for our music programs and our music students everyday! We need to educate our administrators and community members so that they will support our programs. This session will give a few tips and tricks for local support as well as touching on some things that are happening at the state and national level.
Reading Session: Public Domain Gems for Treble Choir
Cathy Murray
This reading session will explore a variety of Treble Choir literature available for free as public domain. The primary focus will be for High School level Treble Choirs but will include relevant literature for both Middle School and College levels as well.
From Gym to Carnegie Hall: Favorite 2-Part Repertoire
Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin will share his favorite repertoire he has conducted in his 35 plus years in the choral music industry as composer, conductor, and editor. The 2-PART music will range from openers, closers, the always difficult to find “second selection”, encores and various languages and cultures. Many selections will be available in other voicings for mixed choirs and men’s and women’s ensembles.
Alan Ferber Nonet/Big Band/Combo Reading Session
Alan Ferber
This Jazz reading session with be led by one of the world’s finest trombonists, Alan Ferber. Join us as we read through some of Alan’s great music for big band and nonet, which can be found on his website at https://www.alanferber.com/
Instrument MAINEtenance
Chris Plaisted
Mr. Fix-Its guide to basic instrument maintenance, specifically focused on the common stressors for Maine instruments. About 80% of common school band instrument repair problems can be avoided with proper maintenance. We will discuss techniques, tools, and products to help you and your students properly maintain woodwind and brass instruments.
String Orchestra Reading Session
Bill Bell
Continued from 9:50 session. Attendees are encouraged to bring in works for various string orchestra levels that the group can play through. Please bring your string instrument! A list of pieces along with their level will be shared at the end of the reading session.
1:15–2:15
Trauma-Informed Response to Student Behavior in the Music Classroom
Rebecca DeWan & Tammy carusone
The impact of trauma is a silent force felt in every community and every school district. Exposure to trauma–—such as violence, racism, or a pandemic—can impact students’ readiness to learn. After a brief overview of the brain science of trauma exposure, this session will examine teachers’ responses to student behavior through a trauma-informed lens. By exploring reactionary and preventative measures, this session provides real-world classroom strategies to make your classroom more trauma-informed.
Choral Warm-Ups: Connecting with Purpose
Greg Gilpin
The first connection with a choir is incredibly important, even magical. It creates the first communication and sets the tone for the rehearsal whether it’s the beginning of the year, the week, the day, or a one-time choral event. Greg Gilpin will present an engaging session of reminders, refreshers, and nuances involving “the meet and greet”, breath, vowel, diction, the “warm-up rut” and a list of “keeps” that will help you to connect and reconnect with your singers in every rehearsal. To top off the session, he will share favorite warm-ups from some of the most well-known choral conductors in the industry!
How to Set Your Beginner String Players up for Success (Part 1)
Anna Clement
This session will focus on how to set up your string students for success. Step by step exploration of foundational teaching methods that are proven for the successful, confident string playing.
Brass Embouchure 101
Dan Barrett
This clinic is especially for non-brass players that teach beginning brass players (although all are welcome). This clinic demonstrates some ways to form a nice simple embouchure that can produce a beautiful sound, and how to teach this accurately without ambiguous metaphors and tricks. We’ll explore the merits of free buzzing and mouthpiece buzzing, and discuss some common embouchure problems found in young brass players. Bring a mouthpiece if you want!
How to Drive the Bus: Top 10 Tips and Tricks for the Most Important Chair in the Big Band: Your Drummer!
Bill Leather
The drummer’s role in a Big Band is crucial to the success of your ensemble. This session is designed to give you concepts to help your drummers make an immediate impact on the ability of your ensemble to swing more like the pros!
Don’t Stop Believin’ We’re Lifelong Musicians
Maine Lobstars, Abby Jordan, Alicia Farmer, Johnathan Hatch, Kalina Young, Jennifer Holmes McLaughlin, Pamela Kinsey, Cassie Cooper
This group of Modern Band teachers have been active in the Music Will community and have been meeting to jam and exchange ideas on teaching practices. We have found great
Interest Session Descriptions
value in teaching through Modern Band and would like to share why and how.
3:45–4:45
Ragtime Music in The Elementary General Music Classroom
Alexander Judge
In this interactive conference session, attendees will learn about and engage in content from a 10-week unit pertaining to the ragtime music of Scott Joplin that I have created, designed, and implemented for general music students in both grades three and four. Topics discussed will include the singing of original text to “Maple Leaf Rag”, “Pineapple Rag”, “Peacherine Rag”, and “The Easy Winners”, discussion of the “jobs” of both the pianist’s left hand and right hand when performing ragtime music, and learning dance styles of the early 1900’s.
The Choral Art of Text, Melody, and Harmony
Greg
Gilpin
Knowing and understanding selected repertoire is important to both teacher and student. A quality text sets the tone and foundation for all other vocal and interpretive teaching. The text can decide if your students will be engaged in the rehearsal. Once text is explored and understood, the teaching of how the melody and harmony connects will create a more interesting, musical experience. Through selected portions of choral works, Greg Gilpin will present ideas he uses as a composer, conductor and editor, giving tools to expand the beauty of the choral art with students.
Tone Development in Orchestras (Part 2)
Anna Clement
A strong foundation for string players is crucial, but how to do you help develop your beginning student orchestras to sound…Beautiful? And how do you foster and continue to develop tone production in large and small classes? This session will continue to discuss methods and ideas for developing a strong tone in multi level groups. From classroom rehearsal strategies to repertoire; this session explores it all.
From Bach to TikTok: Using Social Media to Promote Your Ensembles
Brandon Duras & Evelyn Prince
Social media consumes our lives. Students especially spend an increasing amount of time on social media. Instead of fighting against it, why don’t we embrace it and use it to our advantage? Feeling like you might be too old to connect with students in an effective way? No worries! Brandon Duras (old-man music teacher), alongside his student Evvie (in-tune youth) have worked for four years developing a booming social media presence. In this session, they will provide tips and tricks on how to use social media to build your brand for your music program in an engaging and exciting way.
Songs from Here: Student Composition Project for Modern Band
Sue Barre
The 23/24 school marks the second year that Waterville Senior High School students have collaborated with Sara Tuttle and Erica Ball. Songs from Here gathers songs written around a given theme. This year’s theme is woods and water and the Modern Band stu-
Friday May 17th, 2024
dents of Waterville High School, wrote lyrics and developed melodies and composed songs with guidance from Sara and Erica. The project culminated in a performance at the Gordon Center for Arts at Colby College in March.
Developing YOUR Sound, Tone, and Embouchere on Jazz saxophone and Woodwinds
Aaron Henry
Help your students learn to develop their best tone and OWN it as their voice. Focus will be on vocalization of notes, airflow, embouchure, reed strength, mouthpiece options, lip/ muscle flexibility, and imitation of jazz saxophonists.
friday events
All Member Meeting
2:20pm, Donald P. Corbett Room 100
Evening Concert
7:30pm, Collins Center for the Arts
The Maine Idea Barbershop Quartet and Jazz Concert featuring Alan Ferber
UMaine/USM Osher School of Music Reception
8pm, Wells Conference Center, Room 2
CLINICIANS
DREW ALBERT
Drew Albert is a native Mainer, born and raised in Millinocket. He graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in Music Education. There Drew had the privilege of studying with Dr. Dennis Cox and served as the music director of the Maine Steiners, and the Assistant Conductor of the University of Maine Singers.
Drew has been teaching high school music since 201. He has served as Choral Music chair in the Maine Music Education Association and is the membership chair of the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2022 Drew joined the Camden Hills Regional High School faculty, teaching vocal music.
DR. MATTHEW ARAU
Dr. Matthew Arau, author of “Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership in Music Education and Beyond” and founder of Upbeat Global, is an Associate Professor of Music and the Chair of the Music Education Department and Symphonic Band Conductor at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Dr. Arau serves as Leadership Editor for GIA Publications, Director of Community Engagement for SLAM (Servant Leadership Association for Music), and as a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician. Dr. Arau has guest conducted, led professional development, and presented clinics on leadership, mindfulness, growth mindset, rehearsal techniques, and creating positive cultures in 38 states and 4 continents in person.
SARAH BAILEY
Sarah Bailey has been conducting choirs for more than 20 years. As a music educator she strives every day to inspire students to achieve vocal artistry. She is currently the director of choirs at Greely High School in Cumberland, music director for Greely Drama, chorus master for Portland Ballet, children’s chorus master for Opera Maine, and co-director of the Portland Symphony Orchestra Children’s Chorus. She has previously served as chorus master for Opera Maine and Maine State Ballet, and has been a guest conductor with several local organizations and regional festivals throughout Maine.
Ms. Bailey is proud to have had hundreds of students audition successfully for honors festivals at the regional, state, eastern and national levels through organizations such as Maine Music Educators Association, Nation-
al Association for Music Education, and American Choral Directors Association. Her ensembles can be found performing at various local venues throughout the year, including an annual appearance singing the national anthem for the Portland Sea Dogs. Ms. Bailey is active in her professional organizations, having held multiple offices with Maine Music Educators Association at the district and state levels. She has been honored by her administrators with multiple teaching awards and by her peers with nominations for MSAD 51 Employee of the Year and the Maine ACDA Distinguished Choral Director Award.
Off the podium Ms. Bailey is also a locally-known classical soprano, performing with groups such as: ChoralART, Maine Music Society, Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, Bach Virtuosi Festival, and the White Mountain Bach Festival.
Ms. Bailey holds a BM in Music Education (Magna Cum Laude) from Houghton University and a MM in Choral Conducting (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Southern Maine. She lives in North Yarmouth with her husband Stuart and cat Cupcake.
SUSAN B. BARRE
Susan B. Barre is currently the Past President of the NAfME Eastern Division and is the band director in Waterville, Maine for grades 5-12. Mrs. Barre has thirty years of experience teaching instrumental and choral music and has owned a preschool music program, taught French Horn at Bowdoin College and is currently in her seventeenth year as band director for grades 5-12 in Waterville, Maine. Mrs. Barre is Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department in Waterville and holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Horn Performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Science in Instructional Leadership from the University of Southern Maine.
DR. DAN BARRETT
Dr. Dan Barrett teaches low brass and supervises the Jazz Studies program at the University of Maine, where he directs the UMaine Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band and teaches jazz piano, jazz arranging, and jazz pedagogy. He performs with various jazz and classical ensembles throughout the state. Dr. Barrett is the author of Solo Training for Trombone, a book of exercises based on standard solo repertoire for high school and college students, published by Mountain Peak Music.
Clinicians
MICHAEL BROWNELL
A nationally recognized advocate and leader for the advancement of music education, Michael Brownell is currently the President of the Eastern Division of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and is a past president of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). Mr. Brownell served as Director of Vocal Music at McGraw High School in central New York from 1988 to 2021 and is now on the music education faculty at Ithaca College as the Senior Student Teaching Coordinator. He holds music education degrees from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam (BM) and the Ithaca College School of Music (MM). Mr. Brownell continues to be an active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor.
TAMMY CARUSONE
Tammy Carusone is the Choral Director and Classroom Music Teacher at Cape Elizabeth Middle School in Cape Elizabeth Maine. She has 15 years experience teaching music to middle school students from all types of backgrounds. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine and a Master’s Degree in Trauma Informed Education from Columbia College.
ANNA CLEMENT
Anna Clement, a Rochester, New York native has lived and performed in multiple states throughout the US and has been a public school educator for over ten years. In addition to maintaining a private violin/viola studio throughout her career she has primarily taught elementary, middle, and high school orchestras throughout the United States. Anna graduated from Nazareth University of Rochester in 2010 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. In 2015 she completed her Master of Music in Education degree from Indiana University’s the Jacobs School of Music where she studied violin with Dr. Brenda Brenner and string pedagogy with Professor Mimi Zweig. While at Indiana University, she taught for the Fairview Violin Project and was an Associate Instructor for the music education department’s string methods course. She currently teaches private lessons at RDL strings in Bangor and is a substitute for the Bangor Symphony.
CASSIE COOPER
Cassie Cooper (they/them), M.M.E, is a graduate of Southeastern University (‘16) and Florida State University (‘21). Originally a general music teacher in Florida and Maine, Cassie is now the School Engagement Coordinator for the LGBTQ+ youth serving organization, OUT Maine. Cassie has experience coordinating honor Orff ensembles, assistant directing marching bands, teaching SEL drumming circles, modern band instruction, conference presentations, and guest lecturing. Cassie now enjoys training school staff, administrators, and school boards in research based best practices for serving LGBTQ+ youth in Maine schools. Cassie continues to enjoy serving as MMEA’s state Secretary since 2021.
HEIDI E. CORLISS
Heidi E. Corliss earned a BME in Music Education and a Master of Music with a concentration in Choral Conducting from the University of Maine. She received a Certificate of Fine Arts Administration from Fitchburg University and holds National Board Certification. She taught music for 40 years in Maine public schools, directed several church and community choirs, was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine, and served as choral director and music theater director for many years for Maine Summer Youth Music Camp. In 2001 and 2023, she was recognized as the Russell/Cox Distinguished Choral Director of the year by Maine ACDA. Mrs. Corliss has been guest conductor and adjudicator at numerous festivals throughout New England. Heidi retired in 2023. In her retirement, she directs a middle school show choir, is adjudicator for numerous festival auditions, directs a chime choir, and is advocacy chairperson for MMEA.
REBECCA DEWAN
Rebecca DeWan is the Libra Assistant Professor of Choral/General Music Education at the University of Maine where she teaches undergraduate music education courses and conducts Collegiate Chorale. Rebecca’s 14 years in the K–12 classroom inform her research on trauma-informed, equity-centered teaching and learning. She earned a Ph.D. in Music Education from Michigan State University. She is committed to building community through music.
Clinicians
BRANDON DURAS
Brandon Duras is currently the Director of Instrumental Music in Brunswick, Maine where he conducts the two jazz bands, Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, and teaches piano and music theory. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he received his Bachelor of Music Education in 2017 and Master of Arts in Wind Conducting in 2019. In his short career, he is already a decorated conductor with several national and international recognitions participating in the Warsaw Wind Ensemble Conducting Competition (2021) and Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition (2023). Duras was awarded third place in the 2021-22 American Prize Competition for Wind Band Conducting. In 2022, he was named MMEA’s Outstanding New Music Educator. Duras was one of forty educators to be featured in Yamaha’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2023 and is a contributor for the Yamaha Educator Suite. He will be presenting at the biennial WASBE Conference in South Korea this July. You can learn more about Brandon at www. brandonduras.com.
ALAN FERBER
Multiple GRAMMY-nominated trombonist/ composer Alan Ferber has been called “one of the jazz world’s premier composers and arrangers for larger groups” and was recognized as 2022’s winner of Down Beat magazine’s Rising Star trombonist. He has released nine albums as a bandleader and has collaborated with Esperanza Spalding, Miguel Zenon, Louis Cole, and Lee Konitz. He has written and/or recorded music for Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, The National, Dr. Dre and the video game, Valorant. Alan serves as Associate Director of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop and teaches at New York University and Montclair State University. He is coordinator for the summer jazz intensive at the New England Music Camp in Sidney, Maine.
FISHBLOT (+1)
Fishblot (+1) is the fully improvised jazz duo of UMaine Saxophone Faculty Danny Fisher-Lochhead and College of the Atlantic Guitar/Improvisation faculty member Ryan Blotnick, plus USM Jazz Saxophone Artist Faculty Aaron Henry. Ryan and Danny have developed a musical language that is surprising, melodic, emotional, and organic
CAITLIN GEISHAKER
Caitlin Geishaker is in her 20th year of teaching music, closing out her 14th year in elementary general music arena. She attended UMaine and graduated with a Bachelors in Music Education in 2004. Caitlin obtained her Masters in Education, with a Literacy concentration, in 2011 from New England College. She was fortunate enough to return back to her hometown in 2010 to teach in MSAD #11, serving students in West Gardiner (Helen Thompson School), Pittston and Randolph (Pittston-Randolph Consolidated School) and now Gardiner (River View Community School). Caitlin has been the auditions chair and choral manager for KVMA and choral manager for DIII. She has served nearly 2 years on the MMEA board as VP of PK-5 General Music. Caitlin resides in Augusta with her family.
CHRISTIAN GIDDINGS
Christian Giddings is a conductor, composer, and music educator from Unity, Maine. He holds a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona and an M.M. and B.M. in Music Education from the University of Maine. Christian is the Co-founder of Choir Unlimited - a choral music publisher specializing in publishing digital copies of choral music. Currently, Christian is the music director of the Tri-City Community Chorus in Biddeford, Maine, Artist Faculty in Voice and Composition at the University of Maine Augusta, and Choral Director at Noble High School in North Berwick, Maine.
GREG GILPIN
Greg Gilpin is a celebrated ASCAP award-winning choral composer and arranger and a highly respected choral conductor and Editor and Director of Choral Publications for Shawnee Press. He is a proud member of ACDA, NAfME, SAG-AFTRA, and is a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
JOHN GINOCCHIO
John Ginocchio is Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Southwest Minnesota State University where he conducts the Symphonic Chamber Winds, SMSU/Community Concert Band, and the SMSU Jazz Ensemble. He teaches conducting, orchestration, and instrumental music education courses and serves as chair of the Department of Fine Arts & Communication.
Clinicians
Dr. Ginocchio holds a Doctor of Arts degree in conducting and music education from Ball State University; a Master of Music degree in trombone performance from Ball State; and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University, Bloomington. He previously served as a doctoral assistant director in the band department at Ball State University, and he taught instrumental music for the Adams Central Community Schools in Monroe, Indiana for ten years.
REBECCA HANABURGH
Becky Hanaburgh has been teaching general/choral music in Maine public schools for thirty years. She currently teaches general music to grades 3-5 and directs the Small Group vocal ensemble at Falmouth Elementary School. She holds a B.A. in music from Cairn University and a Masters in Ed. from Lesley University. Additionally, she is a National Board Certified teacher in Music-Early and Middle Childhood and an Orff Schulwerk certified teacher. Becky sings with the acappella group, maineblend, and performs locally as a soprano soloist and accompanist. She lives in Gray with her husband, daughter, and menagerie of furry friends.
DR. TIM HEATH
Dr. Tim Heath is the Director of Bands and Assistant Teaching Professor of Music at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. At Wake Forest, he oversees all aspects of the band program and is a conducting faculty member. Dr. Heath has experience conducting chamber ensembles, orchestras, and bands at secondary and higher education levels. HDr. Heath is an active clinician and adjudicator for concert bands. Dr. Heath has presented sessions and research at the state and national levels, published in The Instrumentalist, The National Band Association Journal, and Percussive Notes. Dr. Heath is a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician.
AARON HENRY
Aaron Henry is a saxophonist, woodwindist, producer, and composer, specializing in modern and contemporary improvisation. He has performed at venues from Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, and Birdland to The North Sea and Istanbul Jazz Festivals. He has recorded with artists including Dave Liebman, Miguel Zenon, Anat Cohen, and Antonio Sanchez, and is a member of Grammy-nominated Mehmet Ali Sanlikol’s large ensemble What’sNext?
Aaron received his Master’s Degree in Studio Composition from SUNY Purchase College, and he graduated from The Berklee College of Music with
a degree in saxophone performance, where he received the Charlie Parker Award for Woodwind Excellence. Aaron performs extensively around Maine, New England, and the NYC area, with the occasional tour and appearance at festivals from Sweden to Korea. He is the Faculty Artist in Jazz Saxophone at USM, the Director of Bands at Yarmouth High School (ME), and is a jazz faculty member of saxophone at the New England Music Camp.
ALEXANDER JUDGE
Currently in his eighth year of teaching, Alex Judge proudly serves southwestern New Hampshire’s Monadnock Regional School District, where he provides instruction in K-6 general music at Troy Elementary School, Dr. George S. Emerson Elementary School, and Gilsum STEAM Academy. Mr. Judge takes a great deal of pride in creating engaged music making and learning environments, cultures, and communities within his music program. Additionally, Mr. Judge has experience mentoring student teachers and presenting conference sessions about classroom management for the elementary music teacher. A 2014 graduate of Ithaca College, Mr. Judge loves running and basketball when he is not in the classroom.
WILLIAM KINNE
William Kinne is an Assistant Professor of Music and the Director of Bands at the University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music, where he conducts the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Portland Youth Wind Ensemble. Dr. Kinne also teaches undergraduate courses on conducting and music education and leads the graduate program in wind conducting.
In addition to his duties at USM, Dr. Kinne is the conductor of the Casco Bay Wind Symphony, the premiere community band in the region. Before his appointment at USM, Dr. Kinne was the Associate Director of Bands at Northern Arizona University, where he directed concert and athletic bands and taught conducting.
Dr. Kinne’s career as a music educator spans a decade of teaching middle and high school instrumental music. Ensembles under his direction have earned praise for cross-disciplinary performances. He earned graduate degrees in conducting from the University of Michigan, the University of Colorado Boulder, and a bachelor of music education degree from the University of New Hampshire. Allan McMurray,
Clinicians
Donald McKinney, Michael Haithcock, and Andrew Boysen were his principal teachers.
DANNY KOLKE
Danny Kolke is a renowned jazz pianist, composer, educator, festival organizer, club owner and author–based in the Pacific Northwest. He is a recording artist on Pony Boy Records, and regularly performs at the club he founded, Boxley’s–recognized as one of the world’s best jazz clubs by Downbeat Magazine. Danny also founded JazzClubsNW, a nonprofit committed to supporting live jazz performance and education. Danny is also a gifted educator, teaching jazz improvisation for all ages for two decades and developing the Bebop by the Numbers method. His knack for making it fun has helped countless students develop their improvisation skills.
JOHN KOLLMAN
John Kollman has taught music at Hermon High School for 19 years. Through the last 12 years, his steel band program has grown to 143 students and six different bands. John also plays in a number of steel bands in his spare time as well as building and tuning the drums.
BRONWYN KORTGE
Bronwyn Kortge holds a bachelor of music in vocal performance and conducting. Since 1999 she has directed the vocal ensembles at Mount Desert Island High School, including mixed concert chorus, honors chorus, an award-winning show choir and a thriving voice class. For the past twenty-two years she has been the director of the Bagaduce Chorale in Blue Hill. She enjoys contributing to music education in Maine as a vocal coach and as an audition and performance adjudicator and clinician.
BILL LACEY
Bill Lacey is the Performing Arts Dir to World Class Vacations and a retired Massachusetts music educator of 38 years. Bill has earned degrees from The Boston Conservatory and certifications from The Catholic University of America and The Disney Institute. He has been honored for his work with the Clinton initiative, “America Goes Back to School”, while his groups have toured and performed often for State and local events. He has served numerous high school music departments in New England as accompanist at festival and on tour.
BILL LEATHER
Bill Leather is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a degree in Music Education and a 2013 Masters graduate of the American Band College. After teaching High School Band in Indiana for over 10 years, Bill joined the music team at Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, WA in the Fall of 2016 as co-director of Bands where he teaches all aspects of the Jazz, Wind Band, and Percussion programs. Under Bill’s direction, Mount Si Jazz 1 was a featured performer at the Midwest Clinic in 2017 and has been an Essentially Ellington finalist in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
CHRISTINE LETCHER
Christine Letcher is an Assistant Professor in Music at the University of Maine at Augusta. She teaches applied lessons in Piano and Voice, Music Theory courses, and Music History. Christine is certified by Estill Voice International, LLC, as an Estill Master Trainer. Christine is the director of UMA’s community steel drum ensemble, Vintage Steel, and is the Music Director of CODA Chorus, a community chorus in Winthrop, Maine.
Christine received a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Music and Political Science, from theUniversity of Maine. She received a Master of Music degree in piano performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College of Rider University.
MAINE LOBSTARS
This group of Modern Band teachers have been active in the Music Will community and have been meeting to jam and exchange ideas on teaching practices. We have found great value in teaching through Modern Band and would like to share why and how.
ROB LORIMER
Rob Lorimer is the owner of RDL Strings. He personally does all repairs and restorations. RDL Strings was founded in 1986 in Bangor, Maine. For over 26 years, we have been providing quality instruments and instruction in violin, viola, and cello to the greater Bangor area and Eastern Maine.
Clinicians
ED MICHAUD
Ed Michaud taught K-8 music in Southwest Harbor for 31 years. He received a MM in Instrumental Conducting from University of Maine and a DMA in Music Education from Boston University. He performs in local and regional orchestras, a Dixieland band, and conducts the Ellsworth Concert Band since 1997. He has previously presented at Maine All-State on Japanese education system (music) and culture, Tuvan music and culture, and how to throat sing. He currently teaches PK-8 French in Southwest Harbor, drives a school bus, tunes pianos, coaches cross country and track, and continually hikes all of the trails in Acadia.
RENAE MISNER
Renae Misner has been a music educator for 34 years. A graduate of the University of Maine with a concentration in vocal music and conducting, Misner has directed many honors festivals throughout the state and enjoyed serving Maine as a music educator. Misner is also an avid Barbershop singer. Supplementing choral programs can be exciting and beneficial. Join her and see how Barbershop music and perhaps local chapters can assist you in your program.
DR. MARCUS MORRIS
Dr. Marcus Morris remains active nationwide as an adjudicator, presenter, performer, and clinician. He has presented multiple clinics and keynote addresses at annual conferences as well as several school district PD days. Marcus presented a featured session at the 2019 NAfME Conference in Orlando and has also presented a session at the MidWest International Band and Orchestra Conference. Most recently, he has presented at music conferences for Connecticut, Alabama, Virginia, Louisiana, Florida, & Kansas along with several school districts in the Carolinas and Georgia. He has conducted honor bands in several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.
CATHERINE MURRAY
Catherine Murray is the Director of Vocal Music at Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine where she directs the High School Concert Choir, Treble Choir and Chamber Singers as well as the Middle School Chorus, Piano Lab and AP Music Theory. Additionally, Catherine is the music director of TA’s Spring Musicals. Catherine received her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Maine in Orono where she majored in Piano. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Music Education and then a second Master’s
Degree in Choral Conducting from The University of Southern Maine. She is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) as the Treble Choir Repertoire & Resources chair, and is also busy in Maine District 1 as the HS Festival Auditions Chair and Festival Treasurer. Catherine has served as guest conductor for numerous festivals in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and served as a choir director at the Harmony Extreme Camp in Massachusetts. She is a recipient of the “2011 Distinguished Choral Director of the Year” Award given by the Maine Chapter of ACDA. She is in her 30th year of teaching and resides in Scarborough, Maine with her husband Matthew, the choral director at Gorham High School.
KAIT OSTROV
Kait Ostrov is a high school science teacher in Brunswick, Maine with a decade of teaching experience, specializing in subjects such as chemistry, physics and geophysical sciences. Kait graduated as a double major from SUNY Oneonta in 2014, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Adolescent Education. She later returned to her alma mater to earn her Master of Science in Educational Technology in 2020. Kait is passionate about supporting diverse learners and is currently working towards a Certificate of Graduate Study in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages through the University of Southern Maine. In addition to teaching, Kait advises the Interact Club, mentors new teaching staff, leads the technology professional learning group and serves as secretary and treasurer for her local teacher’s union.
CHRIS PLAISTED
Chris Plaisted is a former music educator who now works for the David French Music Company as a School Service Representative. He currently travels about 1,000 miles per week supporting over 50 schools in Maine with in-school repair services for band instruments.
BEN POTVIN
A native of Fort Kent, Ben Potvin holds a Master’s in Music Education from the USM School of Music. He has taught K-12 general music, band, and chorus in Maine and Vermont, where he was named
“Outstanding New Music Educator” in 2010. He has served as MMEA President, and was director of the Southern Maine Music Academy for twelve years.
Frequently in demand as an adjudicator and conductor, Mr. Potvin has performed with the Dartmouth (NH) Wind Ensemble, Maine State Music Theatre, and the Casco Bay Wind Symphony.
Ben resides in Brunswick with his husband, Nate, and their daughter, Ava.
EVVIE PRINCE
Evvie Prince is a senior at Brunswick High School where she is the trombone section leader of the band. She plays in the Honors Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Honors Jazz Band, and Jazz Band as well as a student-led combo. Evvie is the mastermind behind all BHS Band social media accounts where she lets her creativity shine with engaging, fun, and, at times, informative posts.
ERICA SCARANO
Erica Scarano has been teaching instrumental music for 11 years. She received her BME from Syracuse and her MME from The University of Florida. She taught middle and high school in her early career in Las Vegas, and in 2019 moved to Maine to teach at Sanford HS. She now teaches at Sanford MS. She previously marched tuba in the Bluecoats and currently plays in the Bowdoin College Band. She is a member of the flute section of Casco Bay Wind Symphony.
CASEY SCHMIDT
Casey Schmidt is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Southern Maine’s Osher School of Music. Casey taught instrumental music and music creativity classes in Illinois and Wisconsin public schools for more than a decade prior to his work in higher education. His research interests include music teacher development, music creativity in performance ensemble curricula, and the influence of collaborative music making on musical and social development. He has published articles in the Bulletin for the Council of Research in Music Education, the Music Educators Journal, Research Studies in Music Education, and Psychology of Music.
JAMES SLIPP
James Slipp is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance at Keene State College. He is a 21-year-old transgender baritone, actively performing at his college and in the community. James started singing when he came out as a transgender male in high school. In choir, he discovered a love of singing and wants to help other transgender musicians realize there is a place for them in vocal music. He presented this session, “Supporting Singers with the Transmasculine Changing Voice: Considerations for Music Educators”, at the 2023 New Hampshire Music Education Association (NHMEA) October Music Fest in Nashua, NH.
DR. DAVID STERN
Dr. Stern currently serves on the University of Maine at Orono faculty where he teaches applied low brass, brass class, and ensembles. He has performed in numerous ensembles throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
CARLENA TROMBLEY
Carlena Trombley is a general music teacher in Falmouth teaching grades K-2. She graduated from UMaine Orono in 2014 with a B.A. in Music Education with a Vocal concentration. In 2021, she earned her M. Ed. in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts from Lesley University. She worked in RSU 57 teaching at Alfred and Lyman Elementary Schools, before joining Falmouth Elementary School in 2022. She has experience teaching general music to grades PreK through 5th, including ukulele and recorder. When she’s not teaching, she loves spending time outside with her spouse Josh, and her dogs Peanut Butter and Ellie.
LINDSEY WIEHL
Lindsey Wiehl teaches music production, composition, and classical music classes at the University of Maine at Augusta. As a musician, Dr. Wiehl encourages others to unapologetically pursue their interests while ignoring stereotypes and preconceived notions of what it means to be a musician. She performs and has her compositions performed at national and international conferences and has several active commissions for compositions. Her research includes digging into musical analysis, composition, and creating opportunities to bring typically classical instruments into varying genres. You can learn more about her work at www.lindseywiehl.com.
MMEA Past Presidents
Elbridge Pitcher 1916-1917
A.V. Sprague 1920
Gertrude Thorne 1921
Lilla Atherton 1922
Elbridge Pitcher 1923-1925
Eve Towne 1926
Dorothy Marden 1927-1929
Mary Stuart 1931-1932
Ethel Wardwell 1933
Fredrick A. Westcott 1934
Gertrude Smith 1935
H.A. Hurd 1936
Leland Whipple 1937-1939
Lilla Atherton 1939-1940
Mary Smart 1941-1942
Madeline Perazzi 1944-1947
Angela Tsika 1948-1949
Ary Dulfer 1950-1951
Ellen F. Blodgett 1952-1953
Elizabeth Canavan 1954-1955
Katherine Ela 1956-1957
Anna Crouse 1958-1960
Nina Bailey 1960-1961
Richard Barbeur 1962
Nina Bailey 1963
Edward Murphy 1964-1966
Paul Phelan 1966-1968
S. Merrill Shea 1968-1970
Aime Simoneau 1970-1972
Frank Stevens 1972-1974
Robert S. Modr 1974-1976
Lawrence Woodward 1976-1978
Curvin “Chip” Farnham 1978-1980
Ceila Jones 1980-1982
Joseph Henry 1982-1984
Charlotte Neuberger 1984-1986
Bob Bahr 1986-1988
Bruce Lewia 1988-1990
Nancy Cash-Cobb 1990-1992
Betty W. Atterbury 1992-1994
Terry Eldridge 1994-1996
Arnold Poland 1996-1998
Faith Varney 1998-2000
Terry Eldridge 2000
Faith Varney 2000-2002
Joan Hamann 2002-2004
Ed Judd 2004-2006
Rob Westerberg 2006-2008
Silvia Moore-Young 2008-2010
Dr. Michele Kaschub 2010-2012
Nancy Penna Curran, 2012-2014
Pamela Kinsey 2014-2016
Susan Barre 2016-2018
Benjamin Potvin 2018–2020
Sandra Barry 2020–2022
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MMEA Board Members
Executive Committee
President Andy Forster president@mainemea.org
President-Elect Matt Waite presidentelect@mainemea.org
Past-President Sandy Barry pastpresident@mainemea.org
Executive Director Beth LaBrie execdirector@mainemea.org
Board Officers
Secretary Cassie Cooper
Treasurer Sarah Bailey
G. Music PK-5 VP Caitlin Geishaker
G. Music 6-12 VP Kayla Peard
Orchestra VP Andria Bacon
Band VP Sarah Dow
Choral VP Dr. Christian Giddings
Jazz VP George Redman
District Chairs
D1 Chair Eric Halpin-Desmarais
D2 Chair Erika Batalla Gates
D3 Chair Brandon Duras
D4 Chair Kris Vigue
D5 Chair Danielle Collins
D6 Chair Jamie Calandro
D7 Chair Jon Simonoff
Specialty Interest Chairs
DEIA Nathaniel Menifield
Music Teacher Education Dr. Philip Edelman
Tri-M Honors Society Jen Fortin
Advocacy Heidi Corliss
Retired Teachers Nora Krainis
MMEA Historian Sam Moore-Young
Teacher Mentor Erin Morrison
Collegiate Advisory Council Dr. Rebecca Dewan
MIOSM Savannah Wright
Publication Staff
Webmaster Adam Metzler
Editor Hanna Flewelling
Social Media Hanna Flewelling
Conference & Festival Chairs
Conference Bill Buzza
Conference Registrar Jon Simonoff
Jazz Conference Assistant Aaron Henry
BOC All-State Festival Kristen Thomas
Jazz All-State Festival Kristen Thomas
All-State Auditions David Morris
Instrumental Jazz Jason Priest
Vocal Jazz OPEN
Solo & Ensemble OPEN
State Festival Managers
BOC All-State SSAA Chorus Julia Edwards
BOC All-State SATB Chorus Ashley Albert
BOC All-State Orchestra Ben David Richmond
BOC All-State Band Kyle Smith
Jazz All-State Honors Jazz Kayla Peard
Jazz All-State Jazz Band Craig Ouellette
Jazz All-State Combo Jason Priest
Jazz All-State SSAA Chorus David Morris &
Jesse Meyers-Wakeman
Jazz All-State SATB Chorus Ciara Hargrove
Co-Founder
Co-Creator
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