Instrumental Workshop Schedule
Day 1
Covering the Developmental Spectrum of the Large Ensemble Education System: Repertoire and Curriculum Development
Presenters: Jonathan Grantham & Jessica Vaughan-Marra
Repertoire selection is among the most important decisions made by music educators. From curricular content, artistic quality considerations, and advocating for inclusion, this well-meaning process can become overwhelming. The purpose of this session is to share effective processes for literature selection used by veteran band and orchestra directors grounded in research, experience, and success in meeting these varied needs from beginning through collegiate ensembles. Attendees will leave with a variety of strategies that they can apply to their ensembles at all levels.
Breaking the Mold: Cultivating Musical Independence in Large Ensembles
Presenter: Jessica Vaughan-Marra
When it comes to expanding or changing how music teaching and learning is conceptualized, nothing is more challenging than trying new ideas without a model to reference. Prioritizing musicianship skill development in the ensembles requires foundational experiences that lead to opportunities for future musical independence. These are organized and systematic with a paralleled focus on technical skills development in tandem with musical independence. This session will include recommendations and approaches for musicianship skill development across the beginning/elementary through to advanced/high school band ensemble settings. This includes recommendations for using pre-existing method book materials in innovative ways as well as connecting musicianship skill development into the rehearsal processes related to concert repertoire.
The Different Plates We Spin: Cellular Rehearsals Strategies for Musicianship Development in the Concert Band
Presenter: Jonathan Grantham
When band directors consider the day-to-day rehearsal planning process, it can be easy to fall into routines that end up resulting in an imbalance of skill development. The notion of “cellular teaching” helps directors quickly plan for addressing musicianship skills within a spiral curriculum during warm-ups that directly connect to the literature for a particular concert cycle. Attendees will review models of cellular teaching, explore concepts in a lab ensemble setting, and brainstorm cellular teaching topics for their ensembles.
Day 2
Unveiling the Secrets to Building Thriving Large Ensemble Communities: Marketing, Recruitment, Retention, and Ensemble Culture Development
Presenter: Jonathan Grantham & Jessica Vaughan-Marra
Success in the large ensemble classroom is uniquely situated to the teacher and students they serve. Master music educators are intuitive to the recruitment and retention needs of their groups. And, though this can take multiple forms, themes emerge across band cultures that include a sense of musical community, connection to others, and individual motivation to support the collective goals of the ensemble. This session provides recommendations aligned with research on group motivation and leadership that authentically support the music making of the large ensemble. The session will include small group activities to brainstorm approaches applicable to a teacher’s classroom as well as lab ensemble exploration of recommended approaches.
Digital Artists in the Large Ensemble: Bridging Online and In-class Learning Spaces through Technology Integration
Presenter: Jessica Vaughan-Marra
With the prevalence of mobile technology available to students during the school day, ensemble music educators have an opportunity to utilize this to extend class activities beyond the rehearsal space. Using frameworks such as technological pedagogical content knowledge, and examples of student work, the purpose of this session is to offer avenues and approaches for students to perform and create using mobile technology beyond performance assessments and file storage. This presentation will provide research based practices on technological pedagogical content knowledge and the intersections within music education for the large ensemble curricula. Next, suggestions will be offered for expanding the use of learning management systems and mobile technology to welcome rich and authentic student discussions of ensemble experiences and their musical selves within the digital platform. Recommendations will focus on creating a rehearsal space that welcomes students to connect to the learning management system to collect resources, self-reflect, and present their work. Examples of student discussions and projects will be provided.
Practical Tips and Tricks - Getting to the Heart of Music Student and Music Teacher Motivation
Presenter: Jonathan Grantham
One avenue for engaging large ensembles in self-reflection during the rehearsal process is through asking questions. Unfortunately, getting students into a routine of discussions and reflections during rehearsals can be a struggle. While some teachers may need ideas for establishing routines, other educators may find themselves needing guidance for creating meaningful moments of inquiry in preparation for future rehearsals. This session is focused on providing educators with a detailed discussion about the characteristics of ensemble environments that best promote and encourage inquiry for all members of the group. Participants will also be provided: (a) a variety of resources for collecting and developing meaningful self-reflection in the large ensemble; as well as (b) opportunities to develop questions to take back to their classroom.