From July 13 to 16, Carnegie Hall will host the Summer Music Educators Workshop, giving ensemble directors from across the country the opportunity to reenergize their teaching practice, learn from leaders in the field, and exchange best practices with peers. Over the course of four days, participants will hear from expert guest faculty, observe demo rehearsals, study music scores in depth, and attend the July 14 performance by the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA).
This summer intensive builds upon the success of the Weill Music Institute’s ongoing Music Educators Workshop, a free school year program launched during the 2013–2014 season for ensemble directors based in the New York City area. During monthly professional development sessions, teachers investigate core strategies for teaching music skills, learn about choosing the best repertoire for their ensemble, discuss how to program inspiring and successful concerts, develop creative composition and improvisation activities for their classrooms, and observe visiting faculty working with student ensembles. In 2015, the Weill Music Institute launched the Summer Music Educators Workshop, reaching 64 educators in its inaugural year. This season, over 100 teachers will participate.
“Carnegie Hall is deeply committed to providing young people in New York City and across the country with access to a high-quality music education, and we believe the single most powerful tool in realizing that goal is a highly skilled and well-supported school music teacher,” said Sarah Johnson, Director of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. “The Music Educators Workshop provides teachers with resources to teach more effectively and thoughtfully, in turn deepening the experience of countless students. The summer workshop allows us to build on the success of the local school year program and reach educators nationwide.”
Guest faculty for the Summer Music Educators Workshop will include:
- Eric Booth, Senior Advisor, El Sistema USA, Teaching Artist
- Michael Haithcock, Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting at University of Michigan
- Margaret Jenks, Choral Director, Madison Public Schools
- Richard Mannoia, Teaching Artist and Education Consultant
- Randal Swiggum, Artistic Director, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
- Reginald Thomas, Director of Jazz Studies, Northern Illinois University
During the 2016–2017 season, Music Educators Workshop school year participants will also have the opportunity to go deeper into a content area of their choice in one of three curriculum tracks:
- Building from Repertoire: How to get the most out of the music you play with your ensemble.
- Composing with Your Ensemble: Support for educators looking to lead songwriting and composition work with students across a range of genres.
- Leading and Creating Your Ensemble: Opportunity to investigate a range of rehearsal strategies and develop conducting technique through participation in a choral ensemble with peers
For more information about both programs, visit: carnegiehall.org/musiceducatorsworkshop