Ensemble Director Summer Refresher Course

Dates: Last week of July and first two weeks of August 2024
Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday* evenings, 8:00 pm CDT (GMT -05:00)
Instructor: Dr. Cory Meals, University of Houston

... Think of it as yoga for your music teaching brain

Course Description:

Join us for the "Ensemble Director Summer Refresher" course led by Dr. Cory Meals. This course will equip secondary ensemble directors (band, choir, orchestra) at all experience levels with innovative strategies and practical tools for the upcoming school year. As a participant, you will receive permanent access to archives of all purchased sessions.

The course is led by Dr. Cory Meals, a faculty member at the University of Houston, who teaches undergraduate courses in secondary instrumental music education, focusing on band and graduate courses in music education research. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music, a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Houston, and a Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Washington. Dr. Meals’ extensive experience includes serving as Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Kennesaw State University and as a successful public school band director in several Texas districts.

Course Overview

Session #1: Organization: Work Smarter, Not Harder (July 23, 2024)

Effective organization is the cornerstone of a successful ensemble program. This session will explore setting yourself up for success with efficient organizational strategies. Learn the concept of "Mise en Place" to streamline your setup, harness the power of ChatGPT and automation to simplify your tasks, and discover innovative approaches to creativity by “recycling” existing resources. This session will also cover practical applications for improving your communication strategies, optimizing logistics, strategically planning, and managing administrative duties effectively and efficiently.

Session #2: Curriculum: How to Connect Spring to Fall (July 25, 2024)

Creating a cohesive curriculum that bridges spring and fall semesters is essential for continuous student development. This session focuses on setting and achieving meaningful goals, putting the "fun" back into fundamental skills, and building a supportive learning environment through educational scaffolding. We'll also discuss how to gradually foster musical independence, ensuring students develop the skills to become mature, skilled performers and musicians.

Session #3: Methods: Learning How to Learn (July 30, 2024)

Understanding your students' diverse learning needs is crucial to their success. This session will delve into tailoring your approach to individual learners, creating a motivating and structured environment, and considering the impact of students’ prior experiences. We will also address students' social and emotional needs, explore different group learning modalities, and discuss how to curate and individualize learning experiences to maximize student engagement and growth.

Session #4: Methods: Technology Integration (July 31, 2024)

Technology is central to modern education, but balancing traditional methods with new tools is essential. This session will cover the effective use of analog technology alongside modern digital tools and explore the balance between pedagogical extension and replacement. Learn how to use technology as a scaffold to support learning and enhance your teaching methods.

Session #5: Evaluation: Rubrics, Passoffs, and Playing Tests (August 6, 2024)

Assessment is more than just grading; it provides meaningful feedback and accurately measures student performance. This session will discuss the importance of validity, reliability, fairness, and practicality in assessments. Learn how to create powerful rubrics, manage pass-offs and playing tests effectively, and ensure that your assessments are equitable and provide valuable insights into student progress.

Session #6: Planning For the Last Day and Starting on the First (August 8, 2024)

Strategic planning is essential for the school year's beginning and end. This session will guide you through beginning with the end in mind, determining clear goals, creating objectives and checkpoints, and developing a practical schedule. By the end of this session, you'll be ready to implement your plan with confidence, ensuring a smooth and successful school year from start to finish.