2024 MMC PRE-CONFERENCE INFORMATION

MMEA General Pre-Conference

9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Presented by: Sue Hulsether
Additional fee for this session; fee does not include lunch

Dance On! Folk Dancing to Enhance your Classroom and School Climate

Through a full day of folk dancing, we will explore ways that dance can be used to teach general music standards, to enhance social and emotional learning, and to strengthen community in our classrooms and our buildings. Sessions will include a variety of American folk dances and a toolkit of ways to quickly and easily get students dancing -- and joyfully so. Circles, longways sets, squares, and play parties will be included, along with real and time-tested solutions to common dance pitfalls. Be prepared to dance, to laugh, to gain new repertoire, and to tweak your view of how dancing can fit into your lessons. Rather than learn-some-dances, we will learn-by-dancing.

46th Annual MSBOA Conducting Symposium

9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Additional fee for this session; fee does not include lunch

Conducting Symposiums have been offered to Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) members since 1975. The Symposium is held as a pre-conference event. Participants are video recorded as they conduct traditional band and orchestral repertoire followed by live comments from respected and experienced conductors including Dr. Mary Schneider from Eastern Michigan University and Octavio Más-Arocas from Michigan State University. Our featured rehearsal ensembles this year are the Eastern Michigan University Wind Symphony and the MSBOA/MASTA Teacher Orchestra.

Participants gain valuable insight into the art of conducting. New teachers and seasoned professionals alike can benefit from this unique, hands-on program. Up to 20 wind and 15 string conductors will have time in front of an ensemble. Those interested in conducting can sign up when registering for the MMC as a “conductor” for either “band” or “strings” in the pre-conference registration. All others should register as “observer”. It is a first come, first serve registration process. Spots to conduct do fill up quickly.

MSVMA Choral Conducting Symposium

9:00 am – 11:00 am
Additional fee for this session; fee does not include lunch

20-minute sessions with six participant conductors, focusing on conducting and rehearsal technique. This pre-conference event will allow participants to conduct traditional choral repertoire with a featured rehearsal ensemble, and receive live feedback and instruction from a guest clinician. Teachers have the opportunity to apply as either a Conductor or as an Observer (reduced fee). College students may apply as an Observer. Both new and experienced choral conductors can benefit from observing or conducting.

MSVMA Collegiate Sessions

No additional fee to attend these sessions; registration encouraged.

MSVMA Parter Program Meet & Greet (4:00 PM – 4:45 PM)

#2 – TBD (5:00 PM – 5:45 PM)

#3 – TBD (6:00 PM – 6:45 PM)

Technology Pre-Conference

9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Additional fee for this session; fee does not include lunch

A selection of practical and hands-on sessions relevant to all levels of instruction and tech proficiency. Attendees are encouraged to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and your real-world questions for some instant answers and creative networking solutions. Clock hours are available:

Creating a Comprehensive Music Technology Curriculum (9:00 AM - 9:45 AM)
Digital Audio Workstation Basics (9:00 AM - 9:45 AM)
MusicFirst Elementary: A Modern Curriculum for Elementary General Music Classes (10:00 AM - 10:45 AM)
The Elementary Gradebook: Organizing, Planning, and Recording with iDoceo (10:00 AM - 10:45 AM)
Aligning Assessment with Music Learning Goals (11:00 AM - 11:45 AM)
Internet or InterNOT: Make Your Lessons POP! (11:00 AM - 11:45 AM)
Sound Systems as Extention of Voice/Instrument (1:00 PM - 1:45 PM)
Cultivating Creativity Through Technology: Creating Video Game Soundtracks with Scratch (2:00 PM - 2:45 PM)
Utilizing The Google Platform for Sub Plans (2:00 PM - 2:45 PM)