Carnegie Hall Offers Two Summer Music Educators Workshop Sessions

From July 11-14 and July 25-28, Carnegie Hall will host two Summer Music Educators Workshop sessions, giving music teachers from across the country the opportunity to re-energize their teaching practice, learn from leaders in the field, and exchange best practices with peers. Over the course of four intensive days, participating educators will engage with expert guest faculty on a range of topics. The first session, "You Are What You Play," will explore how to open students' minds and hearts to the power of artful, rich, and engaging repertoire. The second session, "Dare to Create," will look at ways to use composition and improvisation to inspire students inside and outside the classroom.

Session 1 will kick off with a keynote from David Herskovits, Founding Artistic Director of the Target Margin Theater in Brooklyn. Participating teachers will also have the opportunity to meet and play side-by-side with members of NYO2, Carnegie Hall's free orchestral program for some of the most promising young instrumentalists from across the nation. Teachers will also rehearse in ensembles throughout the week and present an informal concert in the Resnick Education Wing at Carnegie Hall.

Session 2 will begin with a sketch comedy/improv workshop led by members of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Educators will also have the opportunity to work with celebrated jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and attend the Carnegie Hall debut of NYO Jazz-the third in a trio of Carnegie Hall's national youth ensembles-on Friday, July 27 at 8:00 p.m. The session will culminate in a pop-up performance in Times Square led by Steven Reineke, Music Director of The New York Pops, onSaturday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m. (Additional details to be announced.)

These intensive summer sessions build upon the success of Carnegie Hall's free school year program for K-12 teachers based in the New York City area, which includes monthly professional development sessions held in Carnegie Hall's Resnick Education Wing. In 2015, the summer program was launched for music instructors nationwide, reaching 64 educators in its inaugural year, 100 in summer 2016, and 125 last season. Registration is still open for both sessions this summer, with 250 spots available (Deadline: June 15).

"Carnegie Hall is deeply committed to providing students across the country with access to a high-quality music education, and we believe the single most powerful tool in making that happen is a motivated, skilled, and well-supported music teacher," said Sarah Johnson, Director of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute. "The Music Educators Workshop gives teachers the opportunity to rethink their practice, take inspiration from peers across the country, and learn from leaders in the field. We hope that participants will return home reinvigorated and ready to implement what they have learned in their classrooms, deepening the experience of countless young musicians."

The program has resonated with teachers at all stages of their careers. Phoebe Payne, an experienced educator who has been teaching for five decades, still found value in the work: "The Summer Music Educators Workshop has provided for me a renewal of purpose, an affirmation of my original idealism and love for music and education, and an inspiration to continue to teach with enthusiasm and success." For Nora Tycast, a high school music teacher from outside Minneapolis, the experience was similarly energizing: "My own personal and professional musical creativity was challenged throughout the week, and it helped me take larger risks in the classroom-both in lesson planning and in student performance opportunities." And for Eric Dalio, a former program participant who is now returning as a faculty member, the program "is fostering an environment in which teachers learn from each other and grow together."

Guest faculty for Session 1, "You Are What You Play," will include:

• Thomas Cabaniss, Composer and Teaching Artist
• Michael Haithcock, Director of Bands, University of Michigan
• Margaret Jenks, Choral Teacher, Madison Metropolitan School District
• Richard Mannoia, Teaching Artist and Education Consultant
• Reggie Thomas, Director of Jazz Studies, Northern Illinois University

Guest faculty for Session 2, "Dare to Create," will include:

• Eric Dalio, Secondary Teacher and Professional Development Facilitator
• Onome Djere, Vocalist and Interdisciplinary Sound Artist
• Wycliffe Gordon, Trombonist, Composer, Conductor, and Arranger
• Jascha Hoffman, Singer, Songwriter and Teaching Artist
• Richard Mannoia, Teaching Artist and Education Consultant
• Nicole Mitchell, Flutist, Composer, Bandleader, and Educator
• Ronnie Oliver, Jr., Associate Director of Choral Activities, Manhattan School of Music
• Steven Reineke, Music Director, The New York Pops

During the 2018-2019 school year, Music Educators Workshop participants from the New York City area will also have the opportunity to go deeper into a content area of their choice in one of three curriculum tracks:

Creating Memorable Introductions to Music: Explore a wide range of approaches to making the most of students' first impressions of formal music instruction.

Exploring Composition and Creativity: Discover ways to engage students creatively through composition, improvisation, and songwriting across a range of genres.

Leading and Creating Ensembles: Develop conducting techniques, rehearsal strategies, and planning routines to lead instrumental or choral ensembles.

For applications and more information about both programs, visit: carnegiehall.org/musiceducatorsworkshop

Photo by Fadi Kheir