Saturday, October 22, 2022
Session 4 - 8:30 - 9:30am
Catherine Robbins
Vocal Health for Singers and Educators: Toward Tension-Free Singing
Thompson Room - Conference Centre
This session provides an overview of the roots of muscle tension in both speech and singing with a focus on principles of tension-free respiration, tone production, and resonance. Using medical models to increase understanding, techniques to develop healthy singing habits for choirs will be explored. Ideas for warm-ups and exercises for singers of all ages will be presented.
Sandra Dackow
Reading Session of String Orchestra Literature
Tramonto - East Tower
Bring instruments and read the latest easy and intermediate arrangements of Sandra Dackow. Over 100 selections are available for perusal and can be read by request by an ensemble of teachers. If you have an interest in a particular kind of work (feature lower strings, Holiday selections, etc.) these can also be requested.
Julie Fisher & Jennifer Pighin
Indigenous-Centred Music Education
Whistler Ballroom A - East Tower
Educators from SD 57, (Prince George), will guide you through the Indigenous Music resource they have created for colleagues in their district. This resource highlights local Indigenous musicians from Northern BC and supplies teachers with the audio and/or video clips of their music. Songs are accompanied by lesson plans that include not only Curricular Competencies and Content, but also FPPL and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. This is a living document that they continue to add to, and are now expanding from elementary to secondary content. Jennifer Pighin and Julie Fisher will speak of their journey working together on this project and will share some of the songs and activities with participants. Time will be left at the end of the workshop to answer questions from other districts interested in creating similar resources for their area.
Shannon Wolf
How can we empower students through music inquiry?
Whistler Ballroom B - East Tower
Teachers will participate in inquiry-based music activities, and will explore music inquiry through a collection of lesson sequences. Teachers of all levels and class-types are welcome! The primary resource we will be exploring features a variety of topics; singing, rhythm, band, tech, ukulele, choir, general music, connecting music with literacy, outdoor musicking, and more. There is an elementary, intermediate, and high school lesson sequence for each of the following categories: composition & notation, rhythm, expression, aesthetic, tone & tuning, and ensembleship. How can you empower your students through music inquiry?
Rosemary Lindsay
Vocal Function: Why does Ella sound like she does?
Whistler Ballroom C - East Tower
If you lead a choir and desire more knowledge about how the voice works, want a new approach to warm-ups, or tuning, or any other voice related issue, bring your curiosity and your questions. A presentation on voice using the principles of Somatic Voicework™, an organized method of vocal training that incorporates physical awareness, aural acuity, kinesthetic development and vocal freedom. Learn how to listen differently, and to guide from the perspective of aiming for healthy vocal function. A jazz choir needs a different sound than a concert choir. Find out why.
Ken Lister
Bass Desires
Capilano/Birkenhead Room - Conference Centre
A question and answer session about anything related to the bass, including anything that you may have missed in the other workshops, or whatever you desire, relating to getting your student bassists having fun on the bass! If there aren't any questions right away, Ken will play a bit, demonstrating some common styles and typical issues, and answer questions you might have pertaining to bassic topics on your mind.
Gail Evans
The Elementary School Musical: A “How-To” and “Why-To” Guide
Lillooet Room - Conference Centre
Tips from a seasoned educator on how and why to put on an elementary school musical.
Dr. Adam Con
What is the future of Music Education?
Upper Lobby 1 - River Rock Show Theatre
In November 2021, the National Coalition for Music Education published the historic 3 year study on the state of Music Education in Canada: Everything Connected, A landscape of K-12 Music Education. The national survey revealed some significant information about the need to rethink what we primarily do in the K-12 music classroom and more importantly, what changes to post-secondary training need to be addressed. Slowly emerging out from the initial onslaught of the COVID19 pandemic, arts organizations are embarking in what is called the great "COVID19 reset." This study points to the many changes needed to our curriculum when considering the current social justice movement and Indigenous inclusion. Are we ready to hear the truth?
Mandart Chan
BC Music Curriculum - Elaborations Update
Upper Lobby 2 - River Rock Show Theatre
The BC Ministry of Education & Child Care (MOECC) along with the BC Music Educators' Association (BCMEA) have updated the K-12 music curriculum elaborations to reflect the current practice in music classrooms in BC. Come join this co-facilitated presentation with members of BCMEA and MOECC as they review the updated elaborations.
Connor Murdock
Making Popular Music with BandLab!
Fraser Room - Conference Centre
If you've ever wondered how to get students making their own music or beats using a free and accessible DAW that can be accessed on any computer, any operating system, at school or at home, this session is for you! Connor will be demonstrating and providing resources for the many ways to use BandLab - one of the top “free and premium” (freemium) online collaborative Digital Audio Workstations. Available completely within an internet browser – no downloading, no district permission to install an app on a device - BandLab is all free, plug and play, and highly accessible (user-friendly, and accessible for those students with little to no formal music experience), with new features coming out regularly for recording and all the way to mastering and digital distribution. BandLab will be demonstrated in detail, and its main competitor SoundTrap will also be introduced. The clinic will provide project ideas, beatmaking and sampling tips and tricks, and take-home resources. Connor will give practical step-by-step demonstrations of the possibilities for collaborative and individual music composition & production projects both within ensemble-based music programs, as well as within technology-based (ADST) and Contemporary Music BC Curriculum courses, from upper elementary to high school. Connor will provide some brief highlights of current research in Popular Music Studies, including Popular Music Pedagogies, and leave some time for Q&A sharing.
Vocal Health for Singers and Educators: Toward Tension-Free Singing
Thompson Room - Conference Centre
This session provides an overview of the roots of muscle tension in both speech and singing with a focus on principles of tension-free respiration, tone production, and resonance. Using medical models to increase understanding, techniques to develop healthy singing habits for choirs will be explored. Ideas for warm-ups and exercises for singers of all ages will be presented.
Sandra Dackow
Reading Session of String Orchestra Literature
Tramonto - East Tower
Bring instruments and read the latest easy and intermediate arrangements of Sandra Dackow. Over 100 selections are available for perusal and can be read by request by an ensemble of teachers. If you have an interest in a particular kind of work (feature lower strings, Holiday selections, etc.) these can also be requested.
Julie Fisher & Jennifer Pighin
Indigenous-Centred Music Education
Whistler Ballroom A - East Tower
Educators from SD 57, (Prince George), will guide you through the Indigenous Music resource they have created for colleagues in their district. This resource highlights local Indigenous musicians from Northern BC and supplies teachers with the audio and/or video clips of their music. Songs are accompanied by lesson plans that include not only Curricular Competencies and Content, but also FPPL and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. This is a living document that they continue to add to, and are now expanding from elementary to secondary content. Jennifer Pighin and Julie Fisher will speak of their journey working together on this project and will share some of the songs and activities with participants. Time will be left at the end of the workshop to answer questions from other districts interested in creating similar resources for their area.
Shannon Wolf
How can we empower students through music inquiry?
Whistler Ballroom B - East Tower
Teachers will participate in inquiry-based music activities, and will explore music inquiry through a collection of lesson sequences. Teachers of all levels and class-types are welcome! The primary resource we will be exploring features a variety of topics; singing, rhythm, band, tech, ukulele, choir, general music, connecting music with literacy, outdoor musicking, and more. There is an elementary, intermediate, and high school lesson sequence for each of the following categories: composition & notation, rhythm, expression, aesthetic, tone & tuning, and ensembleship. How can you empower your students through music inquiry?
Rosemary Lindsay
Vocal Function: Why does Ella sound like she does?
Whistler Ballroom C - East Tower
If you lead a choir and desire more knowledge about how the voice works, want a new approach to warm-ups, or tuning, or any other voice related issue, bring your curiosity and your questions. A presentation on voice using the principles of Somatic Voicework™, an organized method of vocal training that incorporates physical awareness, aural acuity, kinesthetic development and vocal freedom. Learn how to listen differently, and to guide from the perspective of aiming for healthy vocal function. A jazz choir needs a different sound than a concert choir. Find out why.
Ken Lister
Bass Desires
Capilano/Birkenhead Room - Conference Centre
A question and answer session about anything related to the bass, including anything that you may have missed in the other workshops, or whatever you desire, relating to getting your student bassists having fun on the bass! If there aren't any questions right away, Ken will play a bit, demonstrating some common styles and typical issues, and answer questions you might have pertaining to bassic topics on your mind.
Gail Evans
The Elementary School Musical: A “How-To” and “Why-To” Guide
Lillooet Room - Conference Centre
Tips from a seasoned educator on how and why to put on an elementary school musical.
Dr. Adam Con
What is the future of Music Education?
Upper Lobby 1 - River Rock Show Theatre
In November 2021, the National Coalition for Music Education published the historic 3 year study on the state of Music Education in Canada: Everything Connected, A landscape of K-12 Music Education. The national survey revealed some significant information about the need to rethink what we primarily do in the K-12 music classroom and more importantly, what changes to post-secondary training need to be addressed. Slowly emerging out from the initial onslaught of the COVID19 pandemic, arts organizations are embarking in what is called the great "COVID19 reset." This study points to the many changes needed to our curriculum when considering the current social justice movement and Indigenous inclusion. Are we ready to hear the truth?
Mandart Chan
BC Music Curriculum - Elaborations Update
Upper Lobby 2 - River Rock Show Theatre
The BC Ministry of Education & Child Care (MOECC) along with the BC Music Educators' Association (BCMEA) have updated the K-12 music curriculum elaborations to reflect the current practice in music classrooms in BC. Come join this co-facilitated presentation with members of BCMEA and MOECC as they review the updated elaborations.
Connor Murdock
Making Popular Music with BandLab!
Fraser Room - Conference Centre
If you've ever wondered how to get students making their own music or beats using a free and accessible DAW that can be accessed on any computer, any operating system, at school or at home, this session is for you! Connor will be demonstrating and providing resources for the many ways to use BandLab - one of the top “free and premium” (freemium) online collaborative Digital Audio Workstations. Available completely within an internet browser – no downloading, no district permission to install an app on a device - BandLab is all free, plug and play, and highly accessible (user-friendly, and accessible for those students with little to no formal music experience), with new features coming out regularly for recording and all the way to mastering and digital distribution. BandLab will be demonstrated in detail, and its main competitor SoundTrap will also be introduced. The clinic will provide project ideas, beatmaking and sampling tips and tricks, and take-home resources. Connor will give practical step-by-step demonstrations of the possibilities for collaborative and individual music composition & production projects both within ensemble-based music programs, as well as within technology-based (ADST) and Contemporary Music BC Curriculum courses, from upper elementary to high school. Connor will provide some brief highlights of current research in Popular Music Studies, including Popular Music Pedagogies, and leave some time for Q&A sharing.
Session 5 - 9:45 - 10:45am
Erick Lichte
The ABC's of T's and B's: Practical Advice on Programming, Engaging and Training Tenor, Baritone and Bass Voices
Thompson Room - Conference Centre
Erick’s session will focus on how to support the developing Tenor, Baritone, and Bass voices in your ensembles. Learn how to encourage healthy vocal technique, inspire expressive singing, run engaging rehearsals, and program repertoire that they’ll love.
Sandra Dackow
Rehearsal Techniques for Student Orchestras
Tramonto - East Tower
This session features a lab group of a string orchestra. Rehearsal techniques specific for this age and ability level will be demonstrated and a variety of approaches will be offered and contrasted. Conducting and its impact on the sound, which results will be demonstrated, as well as problem solving, student awareness of bowings, bow speed, sound projection, following a conductor, ensemble skills, listening, subdivision of tempo, style and the production of a range of sound colours for different contexts. Showing students how to apply things they’ve learned to new contexts, as well as analyze and solve ensemble problems on their own, are crucial components of this session. Students will be rehearsed on a selection, then asked to offer their own solutions to certain ensemble problems. The production of an exciting, symphonic sound is the result of well-considered rehearsal strategies.
Tori Beil
From Carts to Storage Closets: Juggling the Roles of a Music Itinerant
Whistler Ballroom A - East Tower
So you’re an itinerant music teacher at multiple locations where no school building or community is exactly the same? Tips and tricks for maintaining consistency (and sanity) across varying teaching environments and technology availability, as well as making meaningful connections and healthy boundaries with students and coworkers that you only see once a week! Fun and engaging lessons that are easily portable between classrooms and schools will also be shared.
Dylan Maddix and Cait Nishimura
The Band Room Podcast LIVE with guest, Dr. Steven Capaldo Hosts - Dylan Maddix & Cait Nishimura
Whistler Ballroom B - East Tower
Hosts of The Band Room Podcast, Dylan Rook Maddix and Cait Nishimura sit down with conductor, composer and Associate Professor of Music Education & Conducting at the University of Victoria, Dr. Steven Capaldo for the first BRP LIVE! Join them as they learn more about Steven's musical beginnings, making the move from Australia to Canada, his position at the University of Victoria, being a composing conductor and so much more!
Rosemary Lindsay
Laban loves Dance and Choral Music and Jazz
Whistler Ballroom C - East Tower
This workshop will be an experiential introduction to the principles of Laban movement (a method used for documenting movement in the world of dance), specifically directed towards conducting. Learn how you can add gestures to your warmups to elicit particular sounds. Whether you teach jazz choir or other choral repertoire, a Laban perspective will give you a new and exciting tool-kit with which to flavour your music.
Will Schlackl
Reading Melody on Guitar
Capilano/Birkenhead Room - Conference Centre
While playing by ear is wonderful, many players could benefit from some understanding of how the notes actually translate from the page. As the saying goes,” How do you get a guitar player to turn down? Put a sheet of music in front of them.” This session will focus on a basic approach for melody reading on the guitar. It will focus on using a two-octave major scale pattern to get players reading right away. This is especially good for beginning guitarists.
Gail Evans
Three By Copland: Elementary Listening
Lillooet Room - Conference Centre
How to get kids moving and motivated to learn through listening at the elementary level. Will feature Hoedown from Rodeo, Appalachian Spring, and Fanfare for the Common Man.
Dr. Adam Con
ADEI for Choral Conductors
Upper Lobby 1 - River Rock Show Theatre
ADEI: Access, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Choral Music Educators. What does this mean and what does it not mean? Dr. Adam Con, Executive Board Member and Chair of the ADEI Committee for Choral Canada, provides a forum and a safe space to have discussions about how we each find our own good way forward through this complex and messy conversation. World musics; Indigenous content; process vs. performance; the spectrum of music literacy; music creation vs. music recreation; and, building new relationships.
Mark Reid and Nick Godsoe
Building a Viable Path: Music Career Education
Upper Lobby 2 - River Rock Show Theatre
Now more than ever, is it essential that students understand that musical performance is just one of many viable career paths in music. This is why MusiCounts has worked with educators and industry professionals across Canada to create a new learning resource aimed at introducing both educators and students to the broad scope of career possibilities that exist in the Canadian music industry. From music publishing, to music streaming, to artist management, to radio: MusiCounts has worked with professionals in several different areas of the commercial music industry to create interactive, audio-visual teaching materials that educators can leverage to get their students thinking critically about how the music industry works, and the many different career paths that exist therein. In this session, Nick Godsoe (Manager of Programs & Education, MusiCounts) and Mark Reid (District Resource Teacher, Career Education, Vancouver School Board), will introduce educators to how to effectively use this MusiCounts resource in the classroom, and provide practical suggestions on how conversations about careers in music can be integrated into existing courses and programs existing courses and programs.
Presented by MusiCounts
Ruby Ba
Building A Community - Reflection on the Indigenous Drum Making Legacy Project and further steps
Fraser Room - Conference Centre
Connecting with the goals to converse and share ways to embed Indigenous way of knowing and being in music classes, this session will begin with the personal journey of an indigenous drum making project that went from vision to reality in a Vancouver elementary school. The perspectives of a non-Indigenous educator working with Indigenous knowledge keepers and members in the community will be shared. Using personal experiences to jumpstart the conversation, participants will then have the opportunity to explore practical ways of bringing community-based teaching principles back to their practice.
The ABC's of T's and B's: Practical Advice on Programming, Engaging and Training Tenor, Baritone and Bass Voices
Thompson Room - Conference Centre
Erick’s session will focus on how to support the developing Tenor, Baritone, and Bass voices in your ensembles. Learn how to encourage healthy vocal technique, inspire expressive singing, run engaging rehearsals, and program repertoire that they’ll love.
Sandra Dackow
Rehearsal Techniques for Student Orchestras
Tramonto - East Tower
This session features a lab group of a string orchestra. Rehearsal techniques specific for this age and ability level will be demonstrated and a variety of approaches will be offered and contrasted. Conducting and its impact on the sound, which results will be demonstrated, as well as problem solving, student awareness of bowings, bow speed, sound projection, following a conductor, ensemble skills, listening, subdivision of tempo, style and the production of a range of sound colours for different contexts. Showing students how to apply things they’ve learned to new contexts, as well as analyze and solve ensemble problems on their own, are crucial components of this session. Students will be rehearsed on a selection, then asked to offer their own solutions to certain ensemble problems. The production of an exciting, symphonic sound is the result of well-considered rehearsal strategies.
Tori Beil
From Carts to Storage Closets: Juggling the Roles of a Music Itinerant
Whistler Ballroom A - East Tower
So you’re an itinerant music teacher at multiple locations where no school building or community is exactly the same? Tips and tricks for maintaining consistency (and sanity) across varying teaching environments and technology availability, as well as making meaningful connections and healthy boundaries with students and coworkers that you only see once a week! Fun and engaging lessons that are easily portable between classrooms and schools will also be shared.
Dylan Maddix and Cait Nishimura
The Band Room Podcast LIVE with guest, Dr. Steven Capaldo Hosts - Dylan Maddix & Cait Nishimura
Whistler Ballroom B - East Tower
Hosts of The Band Room Podcast, Dylan Rook Maddix and Cait Nishimura sit down with conductor, composer and Associate Professor of Music Education & Conducting at the University of Victoria, Dr. Steven Capaldo for the first BRP LIVE! Join them as they learn more about Steven's musical beginnings, making the move from Australia to Canada, his position at the University of Victoria, being a composing conductor and so much more!
Rosemary Lindsay
Laban loves Dance and Choral Music and Jazz
Whistler Ballroom C - East Tower
This workshop will be an experiential introduction to the principles of Laban movement (a method used for documenting movement in the world of dance), specifically directed towards conducting. Learn how you can add gestures to your warmups to elicit particular sounds. Whether you teach jazz choir or other choral repertoire, a Laban perspective will give you a new and exciting tool-kit with which to flavour your music.
Will Schlackl
Reading Melody on Guitar
Capilano/Birkenhead Room - Conference Centre
While playing by ear is wonderful, many players could benefit from some understanding of how the notes actually translate from the page. As the saying goes,” How do you get a guitar player to turn down? Put a sheet of music in front of them.” This session will focus on a basic approach for melody reading on the guitar. It will focus on using a two-octave major scale pattern to get players reading right away. This is especially good for beginning guitarists.
Gail Evans
Three By Copland: Elementary Listening
Lillooet Room - Conference Centre
How to get kids moving and motivated to learn through listening at the elementary level. Will feature Hoedown from Rodeo, Appalachian Spring, and Fanfare for the Common Man.
Dr. Adam Con
ADEI for Choral Conductors
Upper Lobby 1 - River Rock Show Theatre
ADEI: Access, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Choral Music Educators. What does this mean and what does it not mean? Dr. Adam Con, Executive Board Member and Chair of the ADEI Committee for Choral Canada, provides a forum and a safe space to have discussions about how we each find our own good way forward through this complex and messy conversation. World musics; Indigenous content; process vs. performance; the spectrum of music literacy; music creation vs. music recreation; and, building new relationships.
Mark Reid and Nick Godsoe
Building a Viable Path: Music Career Education
Upper Lobby 2 - River Rock Show Theatre
Now more than ever, is it essential that students understand that musical performance is just one of many viable career paths in music. This is why MusiCounts has worked with educators and industry professionals across Canada to create a new learning resource aimed at introducing both educators and students to the broad scope of career possibilities that exist in the Canadian music industry. From music publishing, to music streaming, to artist management, to radio: MusiCounts has worked with professionals in several different areas of the commercial music industry to create interactive, audio-visual teaching materials that educators can leverage to get their students thinking critically about how the music industry works, and the many different career paths that exist therein. In this session, Nick Godsoe (Manager of Programs & Education, MusiCounts) and Mark Reid (District Resource Teacher, Career Education, Vancouver School Board), will introduce educators to how to effectively use this MusiCounts resource in the classroom, and provide practical suggestions on how conversations about careers in music can be integrated into existing courses and programs existing courses and programs.
Presented by MusiCounts
Ruby Ba
Building A Community - Reflection on the Indigenous Drum Making Legacy Project and further steps
Fraser Room - Conference Centre
Connecting with the goals to converse and share ways to embed Indigenous way of knowing and being in music classes, this session will begin with the personal journey of an indigenous drum making project that went from vision to reality in a Vancouver elementary school. The perspectives of a non-Indigenous educator working with Indigenous knowledge keepers and members in the community will be shared. Using personal experiences to jumpstart the conversation, participants will then have the opportunity to explore practical ways of bringing community-based teaching principles back to their practice.
Thank you to Session 5 Sponsors!
Lunch Break: 11:45 - 1:45pm
BCMEA AGM: Whistler Ballrooms: 12:30 - 1:30pm
Session 6 - 1:45 - 2:45pm
Catherine Robbins
Understanding and teaching respiration for singers of all ages
Thompson Room - Conference Centre
Breath is the power source of the voice. When inhalation for singing is free and the process is clear in the chorister's mind, healthy sound production is the result. This session includes a comprehensive description of the respiration process involving 3D models and visuals. Methods to teach foundational principles of breathing movement, inspiration, and breath management for all ages will be presented, and ideas for effective choral gesture will be explored.
Sandra Dackow
Hands on Conducting for School Orchestra Directors
Tramonto - East Tower
Rehearsal strategies, non-verbal communication skills and high expectations are all essential components of a teacher’s toolbox. Too often teachers follow younger groups, rather than lead them in performance. This session will demonstrate critical steps, which can be taken to transform a young orchestra into a group which responds to conducting gestures and other orchestral protocol. Easy explanations and analogies will be presented. The sound of the group, and its range of expression and dynamics, are impacted by the confidence and conducting skill of its teacher.
Brent Taylor
Jazz Band Rehearsal Time: Improv vs. Ensemble
Whistler Ballroom A - East Tower
With limited rehearsals, how do you allocate time? How much time on improv? On ensemble work? In this session we will discuss different approaches to allocating rehearsal time. Brent will offer ideas about what to focus on while developing both ensemble and improv skills.
Dylan Maddix and Cait Nishimura
Conductor, Composer & Community | Creating a Healthy Musical Ecosystem Through Commissioning
Whistler Ballroom B - East Tower
Join composer Cait Nishimura and conductor Dylan Rook Maddix as they break down the barriers to the commissioning process and invite everyone to be involved in meaningful collaborations between conductor, composer, and community. This discussion will explore how commissioning can motivate, connect, and empower your students, and provide an opportunity to contribute to shaping the musical future.
Rosemary Lindsay
Singing in the Moment
Whistler Ballroom C - East Tower
This vocal/choral workshop provides an immersive, singing experience. Put down the written music. Discover the immediate magic of music making taught by call and response, a mode of learning that is immediately accessible to all. The material is drawn from contemporary song leading circles and contains varying degrees of challenge. Participants (and your students) can self-select what they want to sing, find their comfort zone in terms of range and melodic or rhythmic difficulty. There is also scope for improvisation for those who are excited about launching in their own unique way. There will be surprisingly cohesive music making throughout the workshop and you will have inspirational “ear worms” to take away with you! Use these in warmups or take them into your performances.
Will Schlackl
Guitar Improvisation and Comping
Capilano/Birkenhead Room - Conference Centre
Moveable patterns, chord grips, and improvisation are essential for an emerging jazz guitarist. A progressive approach to chord grips will allow players to move away from basic cowboy chords and start to understand how chords actually work. The approach I use is a combination of many methods I have been shown over many years. Getting away from using only the blues scale will help players approach multiple genres. Don’t get me wrong! I still love the blues scale. There is just so much more available.
Sabrina Brooks
Proactive Music Program Advocacy
Lillooet Room - Conference Centre
For elementary music to survive, we must entrench the elementary music program in the soul of the district. We must make elementary music impossible to consider removing because of how visibly important and impactful it is to stakeholders. We can do this by being flexible, being a salesperson, and knowing who you are speaking to when you fight for and build your program. In this workshop, Sabrina will help you identify who your stakeholders are, what is important to them, and how you can use what is important to them to help your program thrive. Prepare to sing and play - bring an instrument - we will be coming up with some tangible examples and making music together!
Larry Dureski
It Won't Let the Air Through: Dealing with Common Brass Instrument Problems
Upper Lobby 1 - River Rock Show Theatre
Brass instruments do not have the same amount of moving parts as woodwind key systems, but brasses have unique challenges in keeping them working at their best. Most brass-related issues can be addressed through physical organization in the Band room, preventive instructional approaches, and easy maintenance steps. Time spent at this session will pay off in less down-time in your your brass section.
Helen Van Spronsen
But HOW do I include more Indigenous content?
Upper Lobby 2 - River Rock Show Theatre
We are all doing our best to honour our Indigenous students and know that we are not able to simply include Indigenous songs in our repertoire. In this workshop, Helen will demonstrate how she uses Kodály strategies to lead Grade 4/5+ students through a study unit of Jeremy Dutcher's 'Mehcinut', introducing them to this Canadian Indigenous LGBTQ+ Classical composer who incorporates the music of his ancestors in his compositions as a way to connect with his language and culture.
Michael Beauclerc
Cuban percussion for outsiders
Fraser Room - Conference Centre
Canadian percussionist Michael Beauclerc will break down and demonstrate popular Cuban rhythms and styles in a simple and easy-to-replicate method. Audience participation is encouraged!
Presented by Yamaha Canada Music
Understanding and teaching respiration for singers of all ages
Thompson Room - Conference Centre
Breath is the power source of the voice. When inhalation for singing is free and the process is clear in the chorister's mind, healthy sound production is the result. This session includes a comprehensive description of the respiration process involving 3D models and visuals. Methods to teach foundational principles of breathing movement, inspiration, and breath management for all ages will be presented, and ideas for effective choral gesture will be explored.
Sandra Dackow
Hands on Conducting for School Orchestra Directors
Tramonto - East Tower
Rehearsal strategies, non-verbal communication skills and high expectations are all essential components of a teacher’s toolbox. Too often teachers follow younger groups, rather than lead them in performance. This session will demonstrate critical steps, which can be taken to transform a young orchestra into a group which responds to conducting gestures and other orchestral protocol. Easy explanations and analogies will be presented. The sound of the group, and its range of expression and dynamics, are impacted by the confidence and conducting skill of its teacher.
Brent Taylor
Jazz Band Rehearsal Time: Improv vs. Ensemble
Whistler Ballroom A - East Tower
With limited rehearsals, how do you allocate time? How much time on improv? On ensemble work? In this session we will discuss different approaches to allocating rehearsal time. Brent will offer ideas about what to focus on while developing both ensemble and improv skills.
Dylan Maddix and Cait Nishimura
Conductor, Composer & Community | Creating a Healthy Musical Ecosystem Through Commissioning
Whistler Ballroom B - East Tower
Join composer Cait Nishimura and conductor Dylan Rook Maddix as they break down the barriers to the commissioning process and invite everyone to be involved in meaningful collaborations between conductor, composer, and community. This discussion will explore how commissioning can motivate, connect, and empower your students, and provide an opportunity to contribute to shaping the musical future.
Rosemary Lindsay
Singing in the Moment
Whistler Ballroom C - East Tower
This vocal/choral workshop provides an immersive, singing experience. Put down the written music. Discover the immediate magic of music making taught by call and response, a mode of learning that is immediately accessible to all. The material is drawn from contemporary song leading circles and contains varying degrees of challenge. Participants (and your students) can self-select what they want to sing, find their comfort zone in terms of range and melodic or rhythmic difficulty. There is also scope for improvisation for those who are excited about launching in their own unique way. There will be surprisingly cohesive music making throughout the workshop and you will have inspirational “ear worms” to take away with you! Use these in warmups or take them into your performances.
Will Schlackl
Guitar Improvisation and Comping
Capilano/Birkenhead Room - Conference Centre
Moveable patterns, chord grips, and improvisation are essential for an emerging jazz guitarist. A progressive approach to chord grips will allow players to move away from basic cowboy chords and start to understand how chords actually work. The approach I use is a combination of many methods I have been shown over many years. Getting away from using only the blues scale will help players approach multiple genres. Don’t get me wrong! I still love the blues scale. There is just so much more available.
Sabrina Brooks
Proactive Music Program Advocacy
Lillooet Room - Conference Centre
For elementary music to survive, we must entrench the elementary music program in the soul of the district. We must make elementary music impossible to consider removing because of how visibly important and impactful it is to stakeholders. We can do this by being flexible, being a salesperson, and knowing who you are speaking to when you fight for and build your program. In this workshop, Sabrina will help you identify who your stakeholders are, what is important to them, and how you can use what is important to them to help your program thrive. Prepare to sing and play - bring an instrument - we will be coming up with some tangible examples and making music together!
Larry Dureski
It Won't Let the Air Through: Dealing with Common Brass Instrument Problems
Upper Lobby 1 - River Rock Show Theatre
Brass instruments do not have the same amount of moving parts as woodwind key systems, but brasses have unique challenges in keeping them working at their best. Most brass-related issues can be addressed through physical organization in the Band room, preventive instructional approaches, and easy maintenance steps. Time spent at this session will pay off in less down-time in your your brass section.
Helen Van Spronsen
But HOW do I include more Indigenous content?
Upper Lobby 2 - River Rock Show Theatre
We are all doing our best to honour our Indigenous students and know that we are not able to simply include Indigenous songs in our repertoire. In this workshop, Helen will demonstrate how she uses Kodály strategies to lead Grade 4/5+ students through a study unit of Jeremy Dutcher's 'Mehcinut', introducing them to this Canadian Indigenous LGBTQ+ Classical composer who incorporates the music of his ancestors in his compositions as a way to connect with his language and culture.
Michael Beauclerc
Cuban percussion for outsiders
Fraser Room - Conference Centre
Canadian percussionist Michael Beauclerc will break down and demonstrate popular Cuban rhythms and styles in a simple and easy-to-replicate method. Audience participation is encouraged!
Presented by Yamaha Canada Music
Thank you to Session 6 Sponsors!
Session 7 - 3:00 - 4:00pm
Frances Roberts
A Choral Cornucopia: Coming Out of Covid
Thompson Room - Conference Centre
This will be a comprehensive session aimed at high school choirs from Grades 8-12. We will focus on re-invigorating and inspiring our choristers with dynamic and different types of warm-up activities, circle singing and improvisation, SOLFA, re-learning/teaching choral basics and community building, bringing students back to choir and the safe place it can be.
Marcus Abramzik
Composing in the music room using Chrome Music Lab
Tramonto - East Tower
Chrome Music Lab is a free and user friendly resource, which students love to explore. In this workshop we will be using an Orff inspired approach to extend student understanding of music skills through the lens of Chrome Music Lab. Through scaffolding student understanding of pitch, rhythm and composition within the platform, we are able to make composition easily accessible to students who may find learning to read traditional notation difficult. Once students have demonstrated understanding of Solfege, Chrome Music, and have composed their pieces, we will be transferring their compositions onto instruments, and learn to play their ideas.
Julie Fisher & Jennifer Pighin
Indigenous-Centred Music Education
Whistler Ballroom A - East Tower
Educators from SD 57, (Prince George), will guide you through the Indigenous Music resource they have created for colleagues in their district. This resource highlights local Indigenous musicians from Northern BC and supplies teachers with the audio and/or video clips of their music. Songs are accompanied by lesson plans that include not only Curricular Competencies and Content, but also FPPL and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. This is a living document that they continue to add to, and are now expanding from elementary to secondary content. Jennifer Pighin and Julie Fisher will speak of their journey working together on this project and will share some of the songs and activities with participants. Time will be left at the end of the workshop to answer questions from other districts interested in creating similar resources for their area.
Craig Thomson
Developing Your Woodwinds
Whistler Ballroom B - East Tower
This workshop focuses on woodwind technique, and on the specifics of building a good sound on sax, flute, and clarinet. Specific warm-up exercises are demonstrated and detailed that allow students to move beyond the basics of air support and embouchure to some of the more specific requirements for each instrument (air support is different on a bass clarinet than on a sax, for instance). These exercises allow woodwind players to build beautiful, characteristic tone/sound that is unique to them without losing the ability to blend with an ensemble while building their power and projection without the need for blasting and losing that characteristic tone.
Presented by Yamaha Music Canada
Steven Beasley
Pace, Rigour and Accountability in Instrumental Music (Grades 4-9)
Whistler Ballroom C - East Tower
Have you ever wondered "what are the other students doing while I rehearse the trombone, Recorder 1 or Alto sections?". In this session, I will share strategies to engage all learners in a rapid-fire workshop looking at a developing pace, rigour and accountability in your rehearsals. We will build upon the narrative that hard work = success and we will tap into celebrating achievement (interpersonal & academic) as a means to motivate and expedite high quality student outcomes.
Will Schlackl
The Guitarist – Musician or Gear Monster?
Capilano/Birkenhead Room - Conference Centre
The electric guitar can be a savage beast. This session will focus on choosing the right gear. In addition, it will address the differences in the vast array of guitars and amps. Also, the crazy world of effects will be looked at. Participants are encouraged to bring their school’s equipment and we can look at how to best utilise what you have.
Sabrina Brooks
Music Karate for Your Whole Program
Fraser Room - Conference Centre
Sabrina uses Karate as inspiration for leveling up through the years in her K-6 general music program at Margaret Ma Murray Community School. Every song has music at a variety of levels, and Sabrina uses these songs in school-wide performances to make sure the entire school community can be active musical participants. To honour progress and excellence, students gain Music Karate Belts as they “level up” in musical skill. Students at Ma Murray start at the “White Belt” using colour-coded music and boomwhackers, progress through xylophones (Yellow Belt), recorders (Orange Belt), ukuleles (Green Belt), drum kit (Blue Belt), all the way to band instruments (Black Belt). Prepare to play an instrument - she will be teaching you this "hands on", and we will be making a lot of noise together!
Her system works for the context of her community, but she will teach you in this workshop how to make your own Music Karate system. Sabrina started her program by working backwards. For Ma Murray students, their best chance of continuing in music lay in band, so Sabrina thought about how to build them up into being ready for band (so that they could fully face the challenge of a band instrument with as few roadblocks as possible). In this workshop, Sabrina will help you make your own Karate system by helping you identify where your students are starting from, where you want them to end up, and how they will get there, based on your own local context.
Diana Chan
Creative Programming: Using Repertoire as a Spring Board for Cross-Curricular Learning
Upper Looby 1 - River Rock Show Theatre
Music has been recognized as a subject that also covers aspects of language and reading, math, sciences, arts, and perhaps even physical education. What happens when music classes take a step further and involve other subject areas in a school to encourage cross-curricular learning? In this session, I will share cross-curricular projects I have experienced at Argyle Secondary where concerts became a platform to share student work across different subject areas. Bringing quality repertoire to ensembles leads to higher performance. Cross-curricular collaborations can also emerge through a process of thoughtful repertoire selection and intentional programming decisions. Bring repertoire ideas and be ready to share conversations on how you can experiment with a cross-curricular project with colleagues and students at your next concert!
Michael Beauclerc
Snare drum basics and way beyond
Lillooet Room - Conference Centre
Michael Beauclerc will break down the fundamentals of snare drumming in a very simple, casual, and easy to reteach fashion. From basic grips and strokes to buzz rolls, flams, and so much more. Some practice pads and sticks will be provided.
Presented by Yamaha Music Canada
A Choral Cornucopia: Coming Out of Covid
Thompson Room - Conference Centre
This will be a comprehensive session aimed at high school choirs from Grades 8-12. We will focus on re-invigorating and inspiring our choristers with dynamic and different types of warm-up activities, circle singing and improvisation, SOLFA, re-learning/teaching choral basics and community building, bringing students back to choir and the safe place it can be.
Marcus Abramzik
Composing in the music room using Chrome Music Lab
Tramonto - East Tower
Chrome Music Lab is a free and user friendly resource, which students love to explore. In this workshop we will be using an Orff inspired approach to extend student understanding of music skills through the lens of Chrome Music Lab. Through scaffolding student understanding of pitch, rhythm and composition within the platform, we are able to make composition easily accessible to students who may find learning to read traditional notation difficult. Once students have demonstrated understanding of Solfege, Chrome Music, and have composed their pieces, we will be transferring their compositions onto instruments, and learn to play their ideas.
Julie Fisher & Jennifer Pighin
Indigenous-Centred Music Education
Whistler Ballroom A - East Tower
Educators from SD 57, (Prince George), will guide you through the Indigenous Music resource they have created for colleagues in their district. This resource highlights local Indigenous musicians from Northern BC and supplies teachers with the audio and/or video clips of their music. Songs are accompanied by lesson plans that include not only Curricular Competencies and Content, but also FPPL and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. This is a living document that they continue to add to, and are now expanding from elementary to secondary content. Jennifer Pighin and Julie Fisher will speak of their journey working together on this project and will share some of the songs and activities with participants. Time will be left at the end of the workshop to answer questions from other districts interested in creating similar resources for their area.
Craig Thomson
Developing Your Woodwinds
Whistler Ballroom B - East Tower
This workshop focuses on woodwind technique, and on the specifics of building a good sound on sax, flute, and clarinet. Specific warm-up exercises are demonstrated and detailed that allow students to move beyond the basics of air support and embouchure to some of the more specific requirements for each instrument (air support is different on a bass clarinet than on a sax, for instance). These exercises allow woodwind players to build beautiful, characteristic tone/sound that is unique to them without losing the ability to blend with an ensemble while building their power and projection without the need for blasting and losing that characteristic tone.
Presented by Yamaha Music Canada
Steven Beasley
Pace, Rigour and Accountability in Instrumental Music (Grades 4-9)
Whistler Ballroom C - East Tower
Have you ever wondered "what are the other students doing while I rehearse the trombone, Recorder 1 or Alto sections?". In this session, I will share strategies to engage all learners in a rapid-fire workshop looking at a developing pace, rigour and accountability in your rehearsals. We will build upon the narrative that hard work = success and we will tap into celebrating achievement (interpersonal & academic) as a means to motivate and expedite high quality student outcomes.
Will Schlackl
The Guitarist – Musician or Gear Monster?
Capilano/Birkenhead Room - Conference Centre
The electric guitar can be a savage beast. This session will focus on choosing the right gear. In addition, it will address the differences in the vast array of guitars and amps. Also, the crazy world of effects will be looked at. Participants are encouraged to bring their school’s equipment and we can look at how to best utilise what you have.
Sabrina Brooks
Music Karate for Your Whole Program
Fraser Room - Conference Centre
Sabrina uses Karate as inspiration for leveling up through the years in her K-6 general music program at Margaret Ma Murray Community School. Every song has music at a variety of levels, and Sabrina uses these songs in school-wide performances to make sure the entire school community can be active musical participants. To honour progress and excellence, students gain Music Karate Belts as they “level up” in musical skill. Students at Ma Murray start at the “White Belt” using colour-coded music and boomwhackers, progress through xylophones (Yellow Belt), recorders (Orange Belt), ukuleles (Green Belt), drum kit (Blue Belt), all the way to band instruments (Black Belt). Prepare to play an instrument - she will be teaching you this "hands on", and we will be making a lot of noise together!
Her system works for the context of her community, but she will teach you in this workshop how to make your own Music Karate system. Sabrina started her program by working backwards. For Ma Murray students, their best chance of continuing in music lay in band, so Sabrina thought about how to build them up into being ready for band (so that they could fully face the challenge of a band instrument with as few roadblocks as possible). In this workshop, Sabrina will help you make your own Karate system by helping you identify where your students are starting from, where you want them to end up, and how they will get there, based on your own local context.
Diana Chan
Creative Programming: Using Repertoire as a Spring Board for Cross-Curricular Learning
Upper Looby 1 - River Rock Show Theatre
Music has been recognized as a subject that also covers aspects of language and reading, math, sciences, arts, and perhaps even physical education. What happens when music classes take a step further and involve other subject areas in a school to encourage cross-curricular learning? In this session, I will share cross-curricular projects I have experienced at Argyle Secondary where concerts became a platform to share student work across different subject areas. Bringing quality repertoire to ensembles leads to higher performance. Cross-curricular collaborations can also emerge through a process of thoughtful repertoire selection and intentional programming decisions. Bring repertoire ideas and be ready to share conversations on how you can experiment with a cross-curricular project with colleagues and students at your next concert!
Michael Beauclerc
Snare drum basics and way beyond
Lillooet Room - Conference Centre
Michael Beauclerc will break down the fundamentals of snare drumming in a very simple, casual, and easy to reteach fashion. From basic grips and strokes to buzz rolls, flams, and so much more. Some practice pads and sticks will be provided.
Presented by Yamaha Music Canada
Thank you to Session 7 Sponsors!