2026 | Quick View | Clinic/Session Information
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Entries for 2026 | Clinic/Session Information Form
| Clinic/Session Category: | Clinic Presentation For (MMEA Area): | Title of Clinic/Session: | Clinic/Session Description: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | NAfME-Collegiate | Children’s Literature and Music – a Sound Combination |
There are many creative ways to integrate children’s literature and music in the PK-elementary grades. These not only help children learn music/literacy but also develop attention span and assist with classroom management. Participants will be involved in singing, dramatizing, playing, listening, analyzing, improvising/composing activities inspired by children’s literature representing diverse topics and authors. Genres include folk, jazz, world, classical, popular. Handouts of activities and resources will be provided, including where to find many of the books online for free. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | NAfME-Collegiate | What I Wish I Knew: A 5-year Roadmap For New Music Educators |
The first years in music education are filled with excitement, challenges, and rapid learning. But what if new teachers had a clear plan—not just to survive but to thrive? This session outlines a focused 5-year professional growth roadmap for music educators. We’ll explore what newer teachers should prioritize, including classroom culture, teaching techniques, administrative responsibilities, and self-care. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | College/University | Finding the Voice: Vocal Pedagogy Foundations for Instrumental Educators |
Many instrumental conductors are tasked with preparing large works that involve choir—whether programming masterworks, collaborating across departments, or leading community ensembles. Yet many have little formal training in vocal pedagogy. This session bridges that gap by providing instrumental conductors with practical tools for teaching healthy vocal production. Participants will explore how to apply vocal pedagogy in the context of choral-orchestral and choral-band literature, using sequenced skill development, experiential exercises, and familiar repertoire. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | College/University | Sax Appeal: Practical Strategies for Building a Better Saxophone Section |
This session offers practical methods and targeted exercises to enhance saxophone tone quality. Topics include reliable equipment selection, clear embouchure formation, optimal oral cavity and tongue positioning for improved articulation, and more. These accessible, proven techniques help students quickly achieve a blended, expressive saxophone sound, building musical confidence and artistry within the ensemble from day one. |
| Reading Session | Orchestra | Orchestra Reading Session |
Bring your instrument and play repertoire for String Orchestra from a variety of difficulty levels and styles. Light refreshments provided! |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Research | Research Posters: Informing our Future |
Posters presenting recent research by undergraduate and graduate students, classroom teachers, and college faculty in an interactive, "science fair" format. There will be a variety of topics, and every MMEA member should find something that will be interesting and informative. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Choral | Choral Warm-Ups: A Beginning Framework |
The first five minutes are crucial for our rehearsal and our preparation is often neglected for a variety of well-meaning reasons. Gilpin will present a framework he uses to create warm-ups that involve the voice, the body, the mind and heart; connecting students to each other, to the director and to the repertoire. He will also share favorite warm-ups from other choral conductors we know and love. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Early Childhood/Elementary | Repertoire for the Developing Choir: Chorals that Create Success |
The developing choir is a wide range of ages where the experience is possibly limited, the choirs are small or limited in certain voice parts, or the choral art is being newly discovered. Repertoire with quality text crafted with melody and harmony for this genre of singer may be the most important tool. Greg Gilpin will share a variety of chorals in multiple voicings including ideas and techniques that will make rehearsals fun and engaging. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | General Music | Choral Excellence with Reproducible Collections! |
Budgets are tight but the need for choral excellence continues. Greg Gilpin will present a wide array of REPRODUCIBLE choral collections that are filled with outstanding choral music for all ages along with teaching and performance suggestions. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Band | Enhancing Outcomes for Your Band's Visual Program |
This clinic will be a discussion of the evolution of pageantry arts adjudication, the philosophy behind the normative elements of judging, the tools used, and how instructors can effectively put judge commentary to use. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Band | You Can’t Afford NOT To: Essential Practices Towards a Thriving Band Program |
We juggle it all—rehearsals, recruiting, budgeting, student needs, and somehow our own well-being. In this session, I’ll share the things we can’t afford not to do if we want to build strong, sustainable programs and still love our jobs. From advocacy and retention to wellness, logistics, and culture-building, you’ll leave with real, usable strategies to reduce burnout and boost success. Whether you’re new or experienced, this session is about thriving—not just surviving—the band director life. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Band | You Pick Your Music--You Pick Your Rating! |
Most subject area teachers are told what, when, and how to teach. As band directors WE get to make those crucial choices! It is an awesome responsibility! In this session we discuss the values underlying our programming choices as well as review the simple things were taught in school but forget. Finally, we'll discuss helpful tips for evaluating potential pieces in order to elevate your ensemble's performance through well-chosen repertoire. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Band | From Whoa to Wow! Building Confident Young Musicians |
This clinic is designed to help beginning and middle school band directors make rehearsals fun and exciting with creative, outside-of-the-box teaching strategies. It covers the Five Pillars of Music Performance, Suzuki-inspired sound-before-sight methods, how to use method books, fun games, easy ways to learn scales, and tips for moving students from method books to sheet music. The focus is on building students’ confidence, natural musicianship, and a lasting love of music. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Band | Edge of Your Seat Rehearsals: Engage All Students Always |
Discover rehearsal strategies that will actively engage, energize, and elevate the level of performance of every student, leading to successful recruitment, retention, and personal fulfillment. Edge of Your Seat rehearsals are fun, exciting, and filled with growth and inspiration. Students are empowered to contribute, collaborate, and lead. Be prepared to add to your rehearsal techniques toolbox, find meaning and purpose in your repertoire, welcome more students into your music program, and reimagine how music can be taught. Get ready to implement many of these ideas at your next rehearsal. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Band | Small Band Spotlight: Insider Tips for Festival Success |
This clinic is designed to help directors examine their motivation for participating in adjudicated events and clarifying the goals of these assessments. Advice, hints and help will be given from the perspective of the adjudicator to help both students and directors be successful in evaluative festivals. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Orchestra | String Jam! |
"A “jam” is a casual way for musician to share tunes and play music together, and is an integral part of most folk and improvised music. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Orchestra | The Ultimate Process Over Product - Teaching kids to PRACTICE! |
"Were you ever taught how to practice? At some point we all figured it out, but more often than not musicians have to learn through |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Orchestra | One is Down |
Approaches and strategies to help students comprehend both the meaning and method behind what they observe in our conducting. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | MBA | Meet the All-State Band Conductor |
All-state band conductor Travis J. Cross discusses challenges and opportunities in programming for and rehearsing honor ensembles. Please bring your questions and observations for a free-flowing conversation! |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Equity | A Special Need for Music: Teaching Individuals with Disabilities: HANDS-ON SESSION |
In this hands-on session, participants will learn how music lessons with one student evolved into a performance ensemble for students with special needs. Participants will get to experience how individuals with disabilities can learn to perform music just like everyone else. Basic hand drum techniques will be demonstrated, and those techniques will be applied to popular songs. Presentation topics will include fundamentals of playing, rhythm and speech, how to make accommodations, appropriate materials, and the rehearsal process. There will be many opportunities for volunteers to participate throughout the session. Everyone will leave with an understanding of how simple it is to incorporate music for all learners. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Equity | Deaf Students CAN be Successful in Band! |
The clinicians will share strategies and rehearsal techniques from the perspective of those who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing, based on twenty years combined experience as both a student and teacher in band classrooms and in marching band. Information related to hearing loss, assistive devices and hearing protective measures will be provided, as will suggestions for adaptive techniques for effective, inclusive rehearsals. This session will be a resource for educators who are looking to improve the musical experiences for all students. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Advancing Music Education | Neuroscience in the Music Room |
It can be illuminating for music educators to become acquainted with the basic workings of the brain and how these impact potential for learning and the actual learning process itself. In addition to better advocating for the place of music education in the curriculum, a basic understanding of how the brain works and how students acquire information helps inform and fine tune instruction to better meet the needs of all students at the musical, social-emotional, and culturally-responsive levels. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Early Childhood/Elementary | “ Be Musical:" How Two Words Revolutionized Engagement and Community in My Classroom |
Two simple words, “Be Musical” coupled with some knowledge about the power of belonging transformed my music classroom, helping create a foundation for what is now a community of (almost always) joyful, cooperative musicians. Learn what the research says so you can make this happen in your classroom! |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | General Music | Think Outside the Box: Relevant Movement in General Music |
Movement and folk dancing can help students experience embodied music making while developing their inherent musicality. Boldly and joyfully including multiple genres of music, including Pop, Global, Rap, R & B, Hip Hop and more serves to meet students where they are in meaningful ways that add to the richness of music class. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | General Music | The Curiosity Connection: Mindfulness and Trauma-Informed Teaching in Music |
Zoltán Kodály believed music to be central to the wellbeing of the human person. He wrote and spoke about this belief a great deal, even saying, "No other subject can serve the child’s welfare - physical and spiritual - as well as music." During this session, we will explore the connection between our art form, mindfulness, and trauma informed teaching practices. Taking into account both positive and adverse childhood experiences, and the many opportunities for healthy human connection offered through group singing, we will share strategies for community care in the music class setting. All participants will leave with a list of free resources to further support understanding of Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences in the lives of our students as well as ideas for connection during music class, and of course, a few new songs and canons. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | General Music | Random Song Generator: Collective Songwriting in the Music Classroom |
Come write an original song with the Lafayette Guitar Ensemble! Learn to use functional music theory and collaborative techniques to create original compositions and take the mystery and fear out of songwriting. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | General Music | From Baton to Broadway |
This workshop is designed specifically for music educators looking to dip their toes into the world of musical theatre production or just to incorporate some theatrical elements to their classroom and performances. Whether you're tackling your first show or looking to add more theatrical flair to your concerts, you'll leave with practical tools and resources to "Break a leg!" |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | Tri-M | If I Knew Then What I Know Now |
Tri M - This clinic focuses on the cornerstones of teaching excellence. We come to the profession with much information; the key is to be able to COMMUNICATE it in a fashion that keeps the interest of the students. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | General Music | Random Song Generator: Collective Songwriting in the Music Classroom |
Come write an original song with the Lafayette Guitar Ensemble! Learn to use functional music theory and collaborative techniques to create original compositions and take the mystery and fear out of songwriting. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | General Music | Think Outside the Box: Relevant Movement in General Music |
Movement and folk dancing can help students experience embodied music making while developing their inherent musicality. Boldly and joyfully including multiple genres of music, including Pop, Global, Rap, R & B, Hip Hop and more serves to meet students where they are in meaningful ways that add to the richness of music class. |
| Keynote Address | MMEA | President Approved | Upbeat Mindset for Downbeat Times (keynote) |
Times are tough and we are all confronted with massive challenges in music education. This session will share how, no matter the difficulty of situation, we can choose our personal upbeat and develop habits of thought and action that can transform our personal and teaching life to optimize our personal physical, mental, and emotional health so that we can be at our best for our students. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | MMEA | President Approved | The 6 Keys to Unlocking Joy |
Our jobs as music teachers are stressful and it is easy to get bogged down in the daily grind and the pressures from so many directions. While recognizing the challenges we face, Dr. Matthew Arau shares 6 keys to keep the joy alive in teaching while centering our personal wellbeing, sense of worth, and true power to make a transformative difference in the lives of our students. Connection, passion, and joy are just a key change away. |
| Primary Clinic/Session (60 minutes) | MMEA | President Approved | MMEA Members Mixer - Dueling Pianos |
Featuring the Fountain City Ivories |
| Keynote Address | MMEA | President Approved | THE IRREPLACEABLE VALUE OF MUSIC LEARNING |
Music crosses every societal barrier around the globe; it is often coined THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE. As music educators, we have the opportunity to avail our students of an artistic vocabulary availing them to an endless treasury of expression that extends beyond the logical mind and connects to one’s heart-’n-soul. For many, we hold the key to guiding our students to tap into their endless creative potential; the teacher who “makes the difference.” Let’s focus on where we can have the greatest positive impact in our rehearsals and classes as we continue to build a culture of excellence. |
| Round Table/Panel Discussion | MSHSAA | MSHSAA Music Membership Update & Advisory Roundtable |
MSHSAA Associate Executive Director James Melton will provide a brief update on issues impacting the association, music education, and festival initiatives. Additionally, MMEA members will be able to engage with members of the MSHSAA Music Advisory to help guide change, share concerns, and speak directly with their representatives to the MSHSAA Board of Directors. |
| Clinic/Session Category: | Clinic Presentation For (MMEA Area): | Title of Clinic/Session: | Clinic/Session Description: |