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Nova Scotia Music Educators' Association

 Empowering Musicians 

Provincial Conference – Friday October 25, 2024

 

Accuracy of conference information cannot be guaranteed. In the event of a discrepancy, precedent should be given to the appropriate Conference Registration page.

Register here!

No refunds after Friday October 11, 2024

 Registration Information

Conference Fee (NSTU Members)
$100.00
Substitutes
$60.00
Pre-Service Teachers
$15.00
Retired Members
$60.00
Other Affiliates
$60.00
As per NSTU Operational Procedure 14 E. IV.: receipts of payment and attendance will not be distributed until the conference has concluded.

 Location

Lockview High School

148 Lockview Road | Fall River, NS

 Conference Schedule

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Registration
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Session A
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Awards/Exhibits (Gymnasium)
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Keynote (Crys Matthews)

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Session B
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Networking/Exhibits
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Session C

  Keynote

 

Crys Matthews

 

Already being hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie” Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. A powerful lyricist whose songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience as what she lightheartedly calls "the poster-child for intersectionality," Justin Hiltner of Bluegrass Situation called Matthews’ gift "a reminder of what beauty can occur when we bridge those divides."" She is made for these times and, with the release of her new, hope-fueled, love-filled social justice album Changemakers, Matthews hopes to take her place alongside some of her heroes in the world of social-justice music like Sweet Honey in the Rock and Holly Near. Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.”

Matthews began performing in 2010, but cemented her acclaim at Lincoln Center as the 2017 New Song Music and Performance Competition grand prize winner. That year she also released two new projects: her album of thoughtful songs on love and life called The Imagineers, and her EP called Battle Hymn for an Army of Lovers, which tackles social justice themes. Matthews also won the Peoples’ Music Network’s Social Justice Songs contest at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. Loyal fans quickly followed as Matthews racked up performances at large music festivals and prestigious venues across the country including the Sundance Film Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, and locally at venues like The Birchmere, TheHamilton, Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, and Jammin' Java. In her TedTalk about difficult conversations called ""Sing, Don't Shout: An Alternative Approach"" Matthews spoke about being born and raised in a small town in southeastern NorthCarolina by an A.M.E.preacher, and how she witnessed the power of music from an early age. A former drum major and classically-trained clarinetist turned folk singer, Matthews is using her voice to answer Dr. Martin Luther King's call to be "a drum major for justice."

“I believe in hope”, Matthews said. “As a social-justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music.”  And, from the title track to the last track, Changemakers does just that all while tackling some heavy topics like immigration, the opioid crisis, Black Lives Matter, and gun safety to name a few. Ani DiFranco said, “People used to make records as in a record of an event,"" said Matthews, “So I hope that these songs will serve as a time capsule, a record of the events of the last four years and what it was like to live through them.” Crys Matthews's thoughtful, realistic and emotional songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes the soul."


 Agenda

Friday October 25, 2024 

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Capacity: 75

Dr. Dylan Maddix
 A • Band Reading Session
Bring your instruments
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Capacity: 60

Nelle Callanan
Ryan Henwood
Alana MacPhee
 A • Choir Isn’t Just for Lunchtime!
This reading session will focus on music that will empower the elementary/middle school teacher to think of their everyday music classes as a potential choir!  There's always an opportunity to sing with our classes as an ensemble. We will explore pedagogical tips, as well as positive and empowering music ( unison, rounds, partner songs, 2-part) that students are sure to love!
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Capacity: 75

Jennifer Cleveland
Maureen Dunn
 A • Reading Session: Elementary Music Classroom
Join Jennifer Cleveland and Maureen Dunn as they explore several accessible activities for the elementary music classroom. Jennifer (president of Orff Nova Scotia) and Maureen (president of the Kodaly Society of NS) will share suggestions on how to approach each activity through the lens of both Orff and Kodaly. Repertoire will be chosen from resources found within the Nova Scotia Book Bureau, DEECD. Come prepared to participate in cooperative music making!
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Capacity: 25

Dr. Leonardo Perez
 A • String Orchestra Reading Session
A reading session of string orchestra repertoire for local string teachers.
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Awards/Exhibits
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Crys Matthews
Keynote
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Annual General Meeting
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capacity: 25

Fran Farrell
 B • Hit the Road, Jack! Recalibrating the Road Map with the Alexander Technique
A hoarse voice, lower back pain, and nagging arm/neck tension are often painful reminders of the rigorous day we’ve just had as music educators. It’s time to tell those symptoms to “hit the road” in this hands-on session, we will update your body’s road map by exploring playful “thoving” (thinking and movement) strategies, resulting in more ease and freedom in your daily teaching activities. Suited for elementary, junior high, and senior high music educators.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capacity: 35
 B • Bridging the Divide: Music as an Intersectional Ambassador
The divisive rhetoric seemingly permeating every arena from the classroom to the boardroom has made it difficult to talk to each other. The fear of offending her, him, or them or of being canceled is keeping people silent at a time when we need to be lifting our voices more than ever. But, as Hans Christian Andersen so famously said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” From conversations about gender, race, and class to conversations about love, chances are there's a song for that. How can we use music as a way to bridge these divides? And can we go a step further and use the same song to remind various communities that there is more that unites us than divides us?
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capacity: 40
 B • Empowering Teachers: Singing in the Elementary Music Classroom
In order to get (and keep) our students singing, we need to lead by example! This can be a daunting task, and this session aims to help teachers gain confidence in their own singing ability and instruction, in order to make singing a part of their elementary music classes every day. We’ll discuss vocal health, vocal confidence, pedagogical tips for teaching singing, and how to address young singers needs in order to succeed.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capacity: 50

Joy Reeve
 B • A social-emotional education lens for the stuff we already do
As elementary music educators the context for our teaching is social.  Singing together, playing together, both with instruments and in fun, these are "tools of the trade" that are relied upon daily.  How can these activities support social emotional education in the music classroom?  In this workshop, we will look at the psycho-physiological effects of music on children, and consider ways to maximize the super-power of teaching music for the growth and support of children.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capacity: 75

Dr. Dylan Maddix
 B • Changing Your Pattern | Applying Principles of Servant Leadership to Life On & Off the Podium
This session focuses on a holistic approach to leadership both on and off the podium. Participants will delve into the application of Servant Leadership principles, which are characterized by empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to the well-being of others, as applied to music education and conducting. This session explores how we can not only attain musical excellence but also uplift and empower those in front of us.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capacity: 30

Lesley Ann Andrews
Steve Hartlen
 B • NSBA Master Teacher Roundtable with Q&A
NSBA Master Teacher designates Lesley Ann Andrews and Steve Hartlen will discuss instrumental band topics and answer questions regarding topics related to running a successful band program.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capacity: 30

Gina Burgess
 B • Musician Wellness
In this workshop we will look at ways to improve your musicianship while tending to the body, mind, and earth. We will discuss particular challenges that musicians face and will explore ways to find balance within a system which routinely encourages overexertion and perfectionism. We will discover how to use tools such as meditation, yoga, creative visualization and music itself to create stability and ease in the body/mind. This workshop will provide the attendees with actionable takeaways for creating a more sustainable career in music.
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Networking/Exhibits
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Capacity: 60

Ryan Henwood
 C • Singing for Empowerment: Considerations for the Upper Elementary Music Classroom

Looking to build a strong inclusive community of singers in your music classroom and to improve the culture of singing in your school? The answer - empower your students to love their voice! This session will explore repertoire that allows students to use their voice as a vehicle for change. As well, we will discuss the onset of voice change, strategies for incorporating popular music, and other practical issues that arise in the upper elementary context.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sheila Aucoin
Steve Hartlen
 C • “The Numbers Game”: Recruiting for Your Co-Curricular Programs
Are you looking to encourage more young musicians to join your wonderful ensembles? Is your program still in a rebuilding phase post-COVID restrictions? Have your feeder programs changed, impacting your program? This is a session for you! Join us for “The Numbers Game”: a recruitment and retention session where we will share strategies for recruitment/retention at the middle and high school levels. Steve Hartlen and Sheila Aucoin will lead the session, coming from band and choir backgrounds respectively. However, strategies shared will be applicable to any ensemble style you offer. There will be an opportunity for group discussion and sharing among colleagues. We will also share materials previously developed for Recruit, Revive, Rebuild: a 2022 session offered by the Nova Scotia Band Association and Nova Scotia Music Education Council.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Capacity: 30

Nick Fisher
 C • Jazz Band Reading Session
This reading session will include music for Jr and Sr level bands. Bring your instrument
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Capacity: 50

Joy Reeve
 C • Achieving Contentment through Creativity
Research shows that children are most contented when they have the least teacher directives in a music class.  How can we as teachers learn to facilitate spaces and time for creativity in the music classroom?  In this workshop we will look at music structures that are designed for student creative contributions.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Capacity: 15

Brett Dill
 C • Oboe ... Not as Scary as You Think!
Oboe ABC's for Band Directors
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Meg Ferguson
 C • Leveraging AI To Amplify Our Practice
Discover how AI can revolutionize your music teaching! In this engaging and practical workshop (bring a laptop), explore various AI apps to make the administrative tasks easier. After a brief introduction, you'll have hands-on opportunities to try out these tools and see how they can be catalysts for your teaching projects. Join us to unlock new potentials and transform your music education approach with cutting-edge AI technology!
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Jacob Caines
 C • Graphic Scores: More than squiggles!
Often seen as a process rather than the end product, graphic scores are more than a teaching tool en route to something more concrete. They are a point of access into exploring music without instrument facility as well as a method of nuancing existing conversations of phrase, shape, colour, and technique. Graphic scores are also collaborative and an interdisciplinary approach to working with students who have a variety of artistic interests ranging from music, painting, drawing, film, dance/movement, to electronic media. Bring your instrument
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Capacity: 30

Gina Burgess
 C • Klezmer for strings
In this workshop we will explore elements of traditional Eastern European Jewish Folk music. The Klezmer genre involves distinctive repertoire, specialized improvisation and ornamentation, unique rhythms, and ensemble interconnection. We will cover the basics of the genre and learn ways to incorporate these unique sounds into the music classroom. Be prepared to learn by ear, improvise, and have a fun time connecting with one another through music. All instruments welcome!

Register here!


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