THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION
News From Our Division Chairs Summer Workshop Joe Akinskas JoeA_NJMEA@comcast.net Summer Workshop Coordinator
Summer Workshop IX I am pleased to announce that Summer Workshop IX will take place on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, on the campus of The College of New Jersey. Session Ideas & Presenters needed: At the conclusion of the previous six workshops, participants were asked to respond to an online program survey. The workshop committee utilizes the timely responses as the basis for development of the next event. The survey results are attached below for everyone’s review, and to serve as a basis for generating the Workshop IX agenda. If you see a recommendation that you can facilitate let me know. Our early deliberations are focused on presenting extended-concentrated sessions in all areas. If you are interested in developing a session, please complete and return the presenter request form, via email, to njmeasummerworkshop@comcast.net or JoeA_NJMEA@comcast.net, on or before April 1, 2016. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank last year’s presenters who truly exemplify the high level of talent we are fortunate to have in New Jersey, and who are willing to share their talents and techniques with our statewide constituency. Take a minute to access our website on the NJMEA conferences link, to scan the pictures which reflect an enjoyable and productive day. We look forward to another beneficial day for all in attendance. Think summer! In What Respect(s) Was The Workshop Most Productive For You? I liked the flexibility of the schedule, i.e. going between strands. The band chamber music session was particularly helpful. A lot of useful info presented by enthusiastic educators. I was thrilled to be able to receive new arrangements for my orchestra as my budget is tiny. I also liked that all the workshops had a lot of substance to them and because the workshop was small, there was more opportunity to interact and ask questions. There were also a lot of sessions that pertained to what I teach or what I was interested in learning more about. The wide variety of topics. Helped me gain expertise in less familiar areas. I enjoyed the instrument repair workshop- it was a smaller group and hands on! I gained useful tips from the instrument repair and maintenance sessions and I got some great ideas from the drum circle workshop. There was a good variety of workshops. I enjoyed the drumming session and the movement choral session. The presenters were well prepared and the material was pertinent. The reading sessions and audio worskshops were most beneficial for me. Smaller groups made it easier to ask questions and get more in depth. I liked the variety of topics was real net and useful to my teaching. I teach both general and instrumental so I was able to attend interesting sessions about each subject.
Got many new ideas for this school year. Keeping up-to-date with technology. Getting tips from professionals in instrumental methods outside my strength. Updating and networking. I was able to see the applications of the “Music First Classroom,” how other technology can be used in the string classroom, and how I might use technology to enhance the guitar classes I teach. I really enjoyed the sandbox! The guest speaker was brilliant and his workshop was inspiring. The instrumental repair workshop was excellent. I always like learning new tricks in the realm of instrumental repair. I also learned a lot from the brass and strings workshops. Workshops focusing on particular aspects or issues related to teaching. It gave me the opportunity to get back into “school mode” by learning and connecting with colleagues. Good Clinicians have great ideas to help you kick start the new school year. I started a new position this year. I moved from elementary vocal music to middle school vocal. There were several offerings that were perfect for me in this situation. Availability of multiple strands (choral and technology were my two), and ability to attend in the summer right about when it’s time to think ahead to the new year! continued on page 18
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JANUARY 2016