The 4th Annual
Zeswitz Symposium
June 16 at Spring-Ford Area High School
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Act 48 Credit Available: 6 Hours
Educational Tracks:
- Instrumental
- Vocal
- General Music
UPDATE: Walt Straiton has been added as a session presenter for the Zeswitz Symposium-a unique opportunity for networking with other highly motivated educators. REGISTRATION EXTENDED!!
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The Zeswitz Symposium is an annual professional development day for music educators. There will be educational tracks for instrumental, vocal and general music teachers. The Zeswitz Symposium is a great opportunity for networking with other highly motivated educators and securing much needed Act 48 credits.
Keynote: Mr. Rick Ghinelli
Rick Ghinelli
Director of Music Administration Outreach for Conn-Selmer
Rick Ghinelli graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Music Education and began his career in the Spring Independent School District as a middle school band director. During that time, his bands earned a number of awards on both the local and state levels. Rick later earned his Masters of Administration from Sam Houston State University, and he continued his career in Spring ISD as an elementary assistant principal, a middle school assistant principal, and a middle school principal. In 2000, he assumed the role of Director of Performing and Visual Arts for the district, a position he held until his retirement in 2013. While serving in this position, fine arts programs in Spring ISD gained notoriety for their excellent work and were frequent recipients of the highest honors at the local, state, and national levels of competition. In 2014, Rick was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus in Music Education from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Rick now serves as the Education Support Manager for the Southwest Region of the Conn-Selmer Division of Education.
Session Title: Communicating With Your Administrators: How To Talk So Principals Will Listen
Description: Having trouble getting your administrators to understand what you do? In this session, Rick will share tips on advocacy and provide suggestions on how to communicate more effectively with your administrators. Real examples will be given from over 30 years of experience as a band director, a campus administrator, and a district fine arts director.
Presenter: Walt Straiton, Education Support Manager-East Region for the Conn-Selmer Corporation, as well as the Executive Producer/Music Director for the newly-formed Commonwealth Pops Orchestra.
Session Title: “The 21st Century School Orchestra Program-Thoughts, Perspectives, and Experiences”
Description: Participants will be provided materials for Jazz String Ensembles, Bluegrass, Mariachi, and Fiddling. Walt will also introduce rehearsal techniques that have been successful, and will lead participants in sharing “best practices” that have worked in their classrooms.
Presenter: Dr. Jenny Neff, University of the Arts, NAfME Council for Band-Eastern Division Representative
Session Title: “No Teacher Is An Island: Tools for Survival in Today’s Climate”
Description: How we understand and get along with others can often lead to success not only as individuals but also as a department. Jenny's session will share insights into how to maintain a positive culture in today’s climate, better understand others, unite with colleagues to face adversity, build consensus, and makes ways of knowing waves of knowing. Participants will have a chance to share ideas along the way and engage in purposeful activities.
Presenter: Dr. Steve Selfridge, Garnet Valley High School & PMEA Content Representative for Music Technology
Session Title:The 24-7 Teacher: Using Teaching Videos to Boost Student Success
Description: Do you wish you had more time with your students? The use of video instruction in the “blended learning” approach has become a quickly growing movement in education. In Steve's session, we will explore how you can use teaching videos to boost student engagement in and out of the classroom, and help students be more effective in their practicing.
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Presenter: Justin McAdams, Band Director and District Music Coordinator, Phoenixville Area School District
Session Title: "Off the Beaten Path" A Band Reading Session of new works from self-published authors
Description: A hands-on session featuring new works for wind band with a focus on works that are currently being published by the composers themselves. With technology and social media allowing composers to bypass major publishing houses, Justin will showcase some of their works. Participants are encouraged to bring their instrument and participate in the session.
Presenter: Bill Naydan, Retired Music Educator and Member of the PMEA Hall of Fame
Session Title: "Creating a Quality Choral Program"
Description: Bill will share strategies and tips on how to develop and maintain a strong choral program within your school community. This session is geared for middle school and high school level with ideas for courses, repertoire selection and community involvement to make your program invaluable to your community.
Presenter: Brent Edmondson, Principal Bassist of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
Session Title: Keeping up with the Fiddles
Description: Tips and Tricks for young bassists to play comfortably, accurately, and quickly. We will explore current double bass pedagogy to better understand concepts of posture, shifting, and simple thumb position to give bass players a fighting chance of impressing their peers and advancing at the same rate as a young violinist or cellist.
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Presenter: Tom Kamp, Band Director, Berkeley Heights Public Schools
Session Title: “No Rules, No Fear Jazz”
Description: Miles Davis said, "Do not fear mistakes, there are none." With that as inspiration, come learn a positive, proactive and powerful way to teach jazz improvisation at any level. Students as young as fourth grade have learned to improvise using this teaching method, yet there are enough advanced concepts to challenge middle school and high school players. Break some rules you’ve been given about teaching jazz: change what you teach, change how you teach, change how you think about improvisation. Jamey Aebersold, the great jazz teacher said it best, “Anyone can improvise.” Bring your instrument, or an instrument you need to be able to teach.
Presenter: Joe Perry, Music Specialist, Spring-Ford Middle School 8th Grade Center
Session Title: You Can Be, You Will Be, You Are a Musician: Using Guitar in the General Music Classroom
Description: In this session we will be looking at how the research of Lucy Green and the Musical Futures program can inform meaningful musical experiences in the general music classroom. We will be participating in group warm-up activities, looking at resources and materials, and discussing compositional techniques to set all students up for success in the general music classroom.
Presenter: Dan Peters, General Music Teacher at Loomis Elementary & Director of Marple Newtown District Choir
Session Title: A Hike with a Handpan
Description: You may have seen a handpan (commonly called Hang drum) on YouTube videos but have you considered using it in the general music classroom? Participants will learn how you can easily use this unique instrument and its benefits in the general music classroom. Original compositions for recorder and Orff Ensembles will be provided.
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Presenter: Rick Ghinelli- Director of Music Administration Outreach
Session Title: If You Build It, Will They Come…and Will They Stay?
Description: Even the best music programs need to find ways to attract students…and keep them! A “tried and true” process for selecting instruments for beginners will be shared, as well as additional tips for recruiting, selecting, and maintaining students in your program.
Presenter: Kevin Haugland, Lawrence Township Public Schools, Grades 4-6 Instrumental Music Teacher
Session Title: All Music is Music: Empowering Students With Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) And More!
Description: This session is intended to give educators tools and ideas to empower students not involved in school music programs. Kevin's session will focus on project-based learning and music technology of various levels, including alternative routes for those who may lack the most up-to-date technology.
The Symposium is open to all Zeswitz Music clients. Not yet a client? Contact Us or fill out the form in the side bar for more details.
REGISTRATION EXTENDED
Register for the Zeswitz Symposium by June 13.
