This conference was designed to serve both students and teachers. It was, and is, the hope and intention of the Conference Planning Committee that the experiences during the Conference will serve to enrich the musical lives of all who attend and participate and foster improved teaching and learning and, ultimately, better music making. Therefore, numerous activities and presentations have been included specifically for directors that represent genuine opportunities for professional development. See the link "Director Activities and Professional Development Opportunities" for specific activities included.
"The Joy of Middle School Band - Kids, Music, Teachers" is a one-day conference during which middle school band students and their directors/teachers interact with a nationally known composer of middle school band music and WMU School of Music faculty and students. Through the activities and offerings, the middle school students and their directors/teachers will grow in their knowledge and understanding of music, performance preparation (rehearsing/practicing), and performing middle school band music. Interactions with a nationally known composer, WMU faculty and students, and their peer directors/teachers will provide opportunities for the middle school directors/teachers to observe rehearsal and teaching approaches, try those and other approaches during small group rehearsals that they will lead or team teach, and grow in their knowledge of middle school band music, how it is composed, how to approach its preparation, how to approach its performance, and how to effectively use the music in a curricular process designed to educate students about music.
Middle School Band Directors/Teachers will…
Directors who would like to be officially acknowledged for attending and being involved in all of the activities of this conference for professional development purposes can apply at registration to receive a "Certificate of Attendance" at the end of the day. This certificate will serve as an official acknowledgment of participation in the professional development activities of the day.
Please direct any questions to Dr. John Lychner at or (269) 387-4628.
