Dear Collegiate Member,
Happy Halloween! In this issue, you will find this month’s feature article, “Ten Tips For Improving Your Conducting Skills and Experiences,” by Dr. Victor Vallo Jr. You’ll also learn about what’s going on around MENC, get news and announcements, and find interesting opportunities. Brand-new this year, Collegiate Specialty Items for sale! Check out the new lapel pin, ink pens, and fleece blankets designed with the collegiate student in mind.
As always, if you have comments, questions, or would like to share your chapter’s activities or recruitment strategies with us for publication in a future issue, e-mail Shauna Leavitt.
TEN TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR CONDUCTING SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES
Dr. Victor Vallo Jr. is currently a professor of music and chair of the Department of Music at Immaculata University (PA). He received his bachelors of music in music education with performance honors (Trumpet) from Syracuse University, masters of music from George Washington University, and Ph.D. in music education with an emphasis in conducting from the University of Florida.
Dr. Vallo is also the Music Director/Conductor of the Immaculata Wind Symphony as well as a guest conductor with the Immaculata Symphony Orchestra with whom he has also played cello. Dr. Vallo has also been guest conductor for a number of orchestras around the country to include the Arkansas Festival Orchestra, Alabama All-State Orchestra, South Carolina All-State Orchestra, Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra, Greenville Community Chamber Orchestra, and was the Music Director of the Alabama Youth Symphony and Music Director/Conductor of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra (SC). Dr. Vallo currently teaches both Basic and Advanced Conducting at Immaculata University and has published a number of articles on the topics of music education and conducting.
Conducting is both a skill and an experience. If you’ll be teaching band, chorus, orchestra, or other ensembles, you’ll need to take what you’ve learned from participating in such ensembles yourself and from college conducting courses and practice these skills. Here are some tips and ideas for both music education students and new music teachers to improve your conducting skills and experiences.
1. PRACTICE CONDUCTING WITH AN ENSEMBLE:
Once you’ve taken conducting courses, seek opportunities to demonstrate and practice these skills with an ensemble. Most music teacher education programs offer practical conducting experiences in select rehearsals with student ensembles. Other opportunities include college reading lab rehearsals, community ensembles, or a small ensemble that you put together yourself. Use these experiences to get feedback on how well you did and what areas need improvement.
2. OBSERVE OTHER CONDUCTORS:
By observing the rehearsal techniques of other conductors (how they walk onto the stage, podium presence, clarity of ictus, expressiveness of gestures, facial expressions, and so forth), you’ll gain insight into how music can be made. Choose which modeled behaviors would work well for you, your rehearsals, and your ensembles.
3. ATTEND A CONDUCTING WORKSHOP OR CLINIC:
Several professional organizations offer conducting workshops or clinics. Professional conductors provide constructive feedback while you work with ensembles that are specifically organized for these clinics. You can learn more on the following Web sites:
A) The Conductors Institute
B) The Conductors Guild
C) League of American Orchestras
4. TAKE TIME FOR PERSONAL PRACTICE AND SCORE STUDY:
It’s important to you make time to practice your physical conducting gestures. The more comfortable you become with the physical gestures of conducting (e.g. arm, hand, wrist movements and facial expressions) the more confident you will be on the podium. In addition, your knowledge of and comfort with the score will help you practice conducting gestures. Together, these complementary skills will assist in your “inner hearing” of the music, which you’ll then be better able to convey to your ensemble.
5. READ CONDUCTING BOOKS AND ARTICLES:
There’s a lots of published literature on how to conduct, such as the Max Rudolf’s Grammar of Conducting, resources by Elizabeth Green, and MENC articles. All of these are most helpful for studying the techniques of conducting, which can then help you think about how to apply your knowledge in a practical and musical manner.
6. STUDY PRIVATELY WITH A PROFESSIONAL CONDUCTOR:
When you’ve built a good foundation from your conducting courses and have gained experience working with ensembles, you might consider working one-on-one with a professional conductor. A professional conductor can offer specific guidance on techniques for conducting certain pieces of music, different perspectives and techniques for score study, and insights into the psychological dimensions of conducting.
7. GUEST CONDUCT:
Another valuable experience is to guest conduct other musical ensembles at the middle school, high school, college, community, regional, or state level. There’s also a reciprocal educational benefit in that you’ll gain valuable experience learning how to work with other ensembles. In return, ensembles will have a chance to learn from you as a new conductor.
8. RECORD YOUR REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS:
Audio- or videotape your rehearsals and concerts and then evaluate yourself. There’s nothing like seeing and hearing how well you did on the podium. This exercise can also be effective in peer evaluations. Use a guide with a set of musical behaviors to evaluate yourself or a peer so that each evaluation has the same set of behaviors for comparison. Check out a sample Conductor Self/Peer Evaluation Guide, listing a number of categories critical to conducting.
9. SEEK PEER REVIEW AND FEEDBACK:
Ask for feedback during your rehearsals and/or concerts. Ask one or more of your colleagues to attend your rehearsals or concerts and offer positive and constructive criticism on your technique and the resulting sound of your ensemble. When done well and taken well, this peer review can help you know firsthand how to improve your conducting.
10. USE TECHNOLOGY:
Technology can offer effective and innovative ways to learn and improve your conducting. In addition to audio- and videotaping your rehearsals and concerts and yourself on the podium, newer and more cutting-edge technologies can increase your awareness of your physical conducting gestures. The 2008 GIA DVD with workbook, The Anatomy of Conducting: Architecture and Essentials by James Jordan and Eugene Corporon, uses motion capture animation, body mapping, sound shaping, and sound morphology to illustrate conducting principles. Find additional information at www.giamusic.com.
In summary, conducting is both a skill and an art that can be learned and nurtured pedagogically and practically. Whether it’s through music education courses, teacher certification courses, or professional development experiences, it’s important that your conducting skills continue to grow and develop. The result should be not only a more musical conductor but also a more musical ensemble!
2009-10 Chapter of Excellence
Do you want your Collegiate chapter to be recognized on a national level? Send in your application for Chapter of Excellence. The Chapter of Excellence Recognition was developed to distinguish chapters for their successful chapter Music Programs, Professional Development Projects, Recruitment Techniques, and Service Projects. This recognition is conferred annually and is based on the significant contributions made by the chapter to the development of the MENC Collegiate membership program at its institution between January 1, 2009, and the Chapter of Excellence entry deadline of December 15, 2009.
Chapters submit a description and a Chapter of Excellence Application for each chapter activity to be considered. Activities completed between January 1 and the Chapter of Excellence deadline of December 15 are eligible for Chapter of Excellence Recognition. A committee made up of sitting MENC Collegiate National and Divisional chairs will select the Chapter of Excellence entries to be recognized.
New! Collegiate Specialty Items …
- Blanket: Light gray, 50 by 60 inch machine-washable fleece. MENC Collegiate logo in black and white stitching. #8055. $20.00/$15.00 MENC members.
- Pen/Highlighter: Dual ended with black ink and yellow highlighter. Silver pen with black MENC collegiate logo. #8057. $1.60/$1.20 MENC members.
- Lapel Pin: ¾ inch steel pin with dark and light blue enamel. #8056. $1.60/$1.20 MENC members.
To order: Call 1-800-828-0229 or visit www.menc.org.
Member Benefit Spotlight
MENC Online Job Center
The Online Job Center provides current listings of open positions for all specialties and levels in music education. All graduating MENC Collegiate members seeking jobs can also list personal information and qualifications at no charge. This service is offered year round. Visit the Career Center.
Trust for Insuring Educators Plan
Through an agreement with Forrest T. Jones & Company, Inc., MENC offers a variety of group insurance coverages for you and your family for low monthly costs and full protection.
Insurance plans available to all members include:
- Professional liability
- Private practice professional liability
- Term life
- Long-term care insurance evaluation service
- Disability income protection
- Personal auto
- Headstart
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Life after 50.
First-year members have the option of free life insurance. For more information, call Forrest T. Jones & Co. Inc. at 1-800-265-9366. Also available from Forrest T. Jones & Co. Inc, the MENC Health Benefits Program™ provides members with comprehensive health insurance benefits at an affordable price. For specific features of this program, call 1-888-715-6584.
Current News and Announcements
2010 BMI John Lennon Songwriting Program
The 2010 BMI John Lennon Songwriting Program offers one $10,000 Scholarship and two $5,000 Scholarships. This scholarship is awarded to the best original composition for vocal-instrumental performance with the broadest popular appeal. Open only to current students or recent alumni at any institution with an active MENC Collegiate chapter. Students can enter by submitting entries to the campus Collegiate Chapter advisor.
The deadline to submit entries to your campus MENC Collegiate chapter advisor is December 1, 2009. Below are the necessary forms for 2010.
If you have any questions, please e-mail Shauna Leavitt.
2010 Biennial Music Educators National Conference
Join us March 25-27, 2010 in Anaheim, California, for this wonderful event! We are in the process of including at least two days of workshops and sessions specifically for collegiate members. It should be a wonderful event. For registration and housing information, visit 2010 Music Educators National Conference.
2010 Music Education Week
June 23-29, 2010 – Washington, DC
Music Education Week is a new annual event created by MENC at the direction of the MENC National Executive Board. It is built around a new format, different from that of past national biennial conferences. This format is designed to provide members with opportunities for music education advocacy, intensive professional development, and performances in a destination location on an annual basis, and during the summer instead of the school year. Watch MENC’s Web site for program details in fall 2009.
Chapter Spotlight
Kent State University – Stark, Canton OH
Advisor: Patricia Brutzmacher
Collegiate Chapter Sends Music Majors To Poland
Kent State University MENC Collegiate members Alekzandria Peugh, Samantha Childress, and Elizabeth Stirbens, spent one month in Poland from June 24 through July 25, 2009, as Volunteer Teaching Assistants in NadWarcianski Grod a residential camp which is the County Base of Ecological Education, known as "Green School," located in southwestern Poland near Wielun. The program, “Music for Peace and Understanding,” was an arts-focused English language camp. The American staff consisted of six teachers and six teaching assistants from various locations in the United States representing music, visual arts, drama, language arts, creative movement, and audio-video technology. This Enriched English Camp is based on a strong belief in the power of the arts as a means to engage students in aesthetic education through arts experiential learning, creative activity and intercultural understanding.
New Book Explores Teaching Music Composition to Students of All Ages
Minds On Music
By Michele Kaschub and Janice Smith
The authors of a new book, Minds on Music: Composition for Creative and Critical Thinking (MENC/Rowman & Littlefield), explain that without the guidance of a music educator, young people may never know that many things they do in daily life are natural forms of music composition.
“Imagine a society that taught children to read, but not how to create stories or poems of their own,” Janice Smith says. “A music education that does not value children’s potentials in sound— their ability to create songs and pieces uniquely their own—is similarly less than complete.”
Kaschub, coordinator of music teacher education and graduate studies at the University of Southern Maine School of Music, and Smith, undergraduate coordinator of music education at Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, City University of New York, have worked together previously at several summer composing workshops. The workshops helped give a focus to the book, which they describe as a true collaboration. Its topics include research on the rationale for teaching composition, assessment, designing and working in a composing community, and composing activities for different age-groups.
For more information about Minds on Music, visit Rowman & Littlefield.
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October Poll of the Month
Each month, MENC asks its members for their input on current issues and trends in music education. This month’s question is: How many school-based concerts do you anticipate presenting this school year? Share your thoughts today.
October Monthly Special
Spread the Word – Music! Just Imagine…
The NEW 2010 Music In Our Schools Month® tattoos are now available. The October member special is a fantastic time to stock up! These colorful 1-1/2 inch square temporary tattoos are a great way to introduce this year’s logo to your students. In October only, MENC members can purchase a bag of 100 tattoos for half the nonmember price. (That’s only 4¢ per tattoo!)
No additional purchase is required.
MIOSM® 2010 Tattoos: #7039R $4.00
This special is not available at state conference resource shops. Call 1-800-828-0229 or visit www.menc.org to order.
Follow MENC on Twitter
Collegiate Facebook Groups
- Stay connected with other MENC Collegiate members around the world by joining MENC’s Collegiate Facebook group. To join, simply visit www.facebook.com and search “MENC Collegiate Headquarters.”
- Want to know what’s happening at MENC Headquarters? Become a fan of MENC on Facebook!
MENC on LinkedIn
Connect with fellow MENC members and music education advocates on LinkedIn, a professional networking site. Participate in dicussions about current topics, get music education news, and network with others in the field. To join, login to LinkedIn, select "Search Groups" from the top drop-down menu, and search for "MENC." If you haven't created an account yet, you can sign up at linkedin.com.
New MENC Collegiate Home Page
Check out the new MENC Collegiate Home page with announcements and news, and links to all things collegiate.
“Ask the Mentors” Forum
Do you have music education questions? MENC’s mentors have the answers! Each month from September to May, the “Ask the Mentors” forum features a different mentor for band, orchestra, chorus, general music, jazz, guitar, and mariachi. The mentors are veteran teachers who offer advice in response to your teaching questions. Post questions and read responses on the Future Teacher’s Forum. Read about this month’s MENC Mentors.
Month of October
Band – Jim Kull
General Music – Joyce Larson
Chorus – Teryle Watson
Orchestra – Barry Kolman
Jazz – Andrew Goodrich
Guitar – Mark Campayno