Description: Discover ways of using Hula-Hoops to teach songs and music theory in an electrifying experience. The class will explore the use of hoops to engage students in better listening, moving with a purpose, introduction of songs, and teaching and reinforcing...
Description: This session will offer an overview of the adolescent voice. Attendees will learn voice building exercises that address the most common issues in the changing voice. Strategies will include specific pathways to deal with the challenges of vocal...
Description: Classroom management with preschoolers is always an adventure! In this session, we will dig into teaching strategies and activities to keep preschool children engaged, smiling, and participating. Location: Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Description: This session will include ideas and pedagogical practices for working with children with disabilities in a general music class. Location: Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Description: Make the most of your children's choir time! Learn how to organize your rehearsals, work with games into learning tasks to keep children engaged and joyful. Location: Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Description: Who knew learning looked so much like playing? In this session for preschool leaders, learn practical ideas, activities, and teaching tips to help preschool children develop important foundations for music literacy like steady beat, vocal exploration, and...
Description: Have the rehearsal doldrums got you down? Put some extra Energy in your planning with creative ideas for introducing, teaching, and memorizing songs! The class will explore how to help students visualize musical concepts using "props" such as empty soda...
Description: Tomorrow's composers and song writers just might be in your children's choir! We will explore ways you can incorporate creativity and expression into choir time, giving children the opportunity to compose and create. Let's sing a NEW song to the Lord!...
Description: Grab a five-gallon bucket and let the fun begin! The class will explore the use of drumming in a creative way as a tool for the teaching of solid musical concepts, such as steady beat and rhythm reading, as well as performance ideas. Location: Baylor...
Description: Let's look at some ways to make music with scripture concepts and Bible stories! By interacting with the Bible through movement, rhythm, chants, instruments, and singing, children can hide God's word in their hearts while having fun. Location: Baylor...
Description: Rhythm is foundational to becoming a good singer and musician. Explore engaging activities to experience and teach rhythm. The class utilizes visual aids, activities, movement, games, and more to instruct and develop good rhythm reading skills. Location:...
Description: Helping the "underdeveloped singer" gain confidence through Steady Beat, Vocal Exploration, and Directed Listening Activities. Location: Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Using several pieces of handbell literature as examples, the presenters will demonstrate possibilities for increased musicality with what we offer to our congregations and audiences. We will focus on score study, creative use of handbell techniques, and unique musicality topics related to our instrument.
How do you make the most of the precious rehearsal minutes you have with your handbell group? We’ll discuss thorough planning before the rehearsal, efficient execution of the plan with strong leadership during the rehearsal, and analysis after the rehearsal. We will also discuss how to approach problem solving for some of the more difficult passages using Level 3-5 music.
As musicians, we have training and experience in what it takes to make improvements on our main instrument/voice. While there were classes to guide skills development on that from public education through college and perhaps beyond, there was not the same emphasis available on how to develop the handbell or any other type of ensemble.
Are you thinking of getting involved with handbells, and not sure where to start? This class will explore the equipment needed, ringing fundamentals, damping, handbell exercises, assignments, and beginning handbell techniques.
The focus in this session is on the teaching strategies for every known one-bell handbell technique, starting with the proper ringing stroke. This session is appropriate for both beginning handbell ringers/directors as well as those who may need a refresher on some of the more obscure techniques.
This session will explore techniques used by more experienced handbell ringers. Some of the subjects we’ll discuss include low bass bells, multiple-bell techniques, bell passing, weaving, and if time, several of the more ‘rare’ handbell techniques.
The clinician will share programming ideas that build community, including use of themes, artistic collaborations, visual elements, video projects and intergenerational invitations.
Visuals and manipulatives add lots of vitality to our rehearsals. Let’s discuss creative ideas to incorporate visuals (both hard copy and digital) and manipulatives that will add sparkle to your choir sessions and make learning fun and easy. (Target: mixed age groups)
YouthCUE’s ground-breaking new resource, CUEcoach provides exciting possibilities for providing students basic knowledge and training for their participation in student choir. Creator and teacher Dr. Jonathan Rodgers joins the discussion to provide insights into how to gain the best benefits from this new teaching concept.
Think beyond the rehearsal. Explore easy art integration strategies to help students become learners, problem solvers and artists. Mixed age groups explore a bible story for presentation using visual, kinestic and aural arts. (Target mixed age groups)
The session is an in-depth look at the history of the spiritual, performance practice, and the arrangers.
Should worship band members be able to read music? What kind of charts are most helpful for your worship band? What is the best way to give them all the details while avoiding page turns? We’ll answer these questions and more in the Teaching Your Worship Band a Song session.
Randy Edwards guides a panel of sharp and diverse teenagers as they engage in a rich conversation about their choral experiences. The content of this discussion will touch our heads as well as our hearts as we hear how young lives are changed and enriched for the better through the choral arts we directors provide them.
Singing voices may have been mostly dormant for the past 18 months. Let’s explore some engaging ways to help children rediscover beautiful and healthy voices as we reawaken the joy of singing. (Target: mixed age groups)
Take your piano arranging skills to the next level with this informative session. Topics will include creating beautiful keyboard textures, modulations, introductions, and endings.
We’ll share strategies for easy-breezy, no-stress auditions, engaging and FUN rehearsals, and quick but memorable drama “add-ons” for your church anthem performances. We’ll also talk strategies for giving EVERY child a chance to shine.
Simple tools, tips and tricks to help the youngest singers find their voice and build beautiful tone. Rhyming texts, silly stories and imagination run wild as we use all the senses for active learning. (Target Pre-K – younger elementary).
As we emerge from lockdowns and quarantines, we are cautiously optimistic about the promise of a new normal. Let’s discuss how we can best support children in the process and bring renewed energy and perspectives to our children’s choir ministry. (Target: mixed age groups)
Keep on Singing: Short Stories, Tall Truths Curriculum [back to top] Growing in Grace is pleased to present its latest curriculum with all new songs and content. Learn about this theme year that offers digital/video resources adaptable for distance learning, all essential print materials for in-person teaching, and professionally printed poster kits. (Target: Ages Four and Five)
For many children, church choir rehearsal might be their only exposure to Scripture all week! Let’s talk about strategies to engage our young singers in Scripture, using rhythm games, audiation, music, and creative devotionals.
The clinician will share tips and tricks to foster beautiful tone, using canons and favorite pieces. Examples will be shared for the youngest (Pre-K/K) through elementary age and middle school. In addition, participants will learn how to build good choral habits with young singers, use spot practicing in rehearsal, and how to successfully ask for help. Finally, the clinician will address ways to help young singers “buy in” or take ownership of their repertoire and musical skills.
Using Bible stories and children’s literature sing, say, dance and play to channel students sense of curiosity while supporting your choir curriculum. (Target Pre-K – younger elementary).
The pandemic months have uncovered a number of knotty issues related to racial equality and social justice. In this session, Randy Edwards pulls together a distinguished group of panelists who will help us wade through the challenges and celebrate the joys of becoming a truly hospitable group of singers.
These games, activities, and strategies will make church choir productive and fun for our energetic elementary singers!
Growing in Grace is pleased to present its latest curriculum with all new songs and content. Learn about this theme year that offers digital/video resources adaptable for distance learning, all essential print materials for in-person teaching, and professionally printed poster kits. (Target: Grades 1-6)
The clinician will share ways to kinesthetically engage and inspire singers in a choral setting. Solfege techniques, kinesthetic movement, warm-ups, motivation and management techniques, word wall and brain break activities will be highlighted. Come move, sing, and be physically and mentally engaged as we explore the engaging choral classroom for the young at heart singer (regardless of age).
The clinician will outline successful choral lesson plans that engage young singers. Many conductors want help with how to teach a piece and how to plan a rehearsal. This session will give many ideas for the creative use of solfege, teaching strategies, pacing, kinesthetic involvement, and musicianship training based on repertoire.
Kids need to move! Connecting body and mind helps students learn more deeply and meaningfully. Explore movement and games with your youngest singers. (Target Pre-K – younger elementary).
This session will focus on making your rehearsal productive and engaging.
The clinician will ask participants to join in and experience creative play and team building. Some games work best before rehearsal actually begins. Other games are creative ways to involve students in the warm-up or rehearsal. Finally, there are games that serve to build musicianship skills.
Explore ways to bring student creativity into the rehearsal space using hand drums, boomwhackers and more! (Target older elementary)
An important music theory lesson on the construction and application of major scales.
Defining goals for our teaching that are based on sequential musical growth and age-appropriate expectations.
We will investigate ways to introduce new songs to our singers that improve their musical awareness and lay a foundation for music-reading skills.
A collection of practical ideas to immediately help the typical church choir sing with passion and a quality sound.
Description: Worship is an action word! In this class you will shake, rattle, and find real soul as you experience the joy of praise and worship of our Lord. Location: McCrary Music Building, Baylor University - Waco, Texas Session Handout: Shake, Rattle, and Soul...
Come experience this unique teaching method in which the entire music class is in the dark using black…
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it….