CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 23

Registration - 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Ballroom 2 (3rd Floor) 

If you arrive after 10:00 am, please contact Joel Hill to register/check in  - msconferenceregistrar@yahoo.com

Session 1 - 10:00AM

ROOM 214 - Pressure Proof: Practicing for Peak Performance - Elizabeth Rosinbum

There are three main learning objectives covered in this presentation: practicing for skill development, skill retrieval, and performance. As such, the material presented is ideal for an audience composed of band, choral and orchestral students and teachers, including advanced high school and college students, middle and high school teachers, and college professors.

ROOM 216 - How can the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) support Music Teachers? - Jennifer Davis & Limeul Eubanks

This session will explore the ARTS INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES, the guide created for preK-12 music teachers to establish and enhance music programs. 

ROOM 227 - Finding Harmony and Achievement in the Adjudication Process - Amy Barrett Lee

This session tackles the aesthetic nuances and complex vernacular of the state performance assessment adjudication rubric by “breaking it down” in a fun, exploratory unit of study for choral directors to implement with young singers. If knowledge is power, then this session will help you to guide singers in an exploration of respectful listening, deeper interactions, and challenging discussions–all centered around the performance assessment rubric!

Session 2 - 11:00AM

ROOM 214 - A Spoonful of Sugar: Making Repertoire Reading Fun and Painless - Carrie Owens & Jennifer Adams

In this session, presenters will share their approach to teaching repertoire through tonal and rhythmic patterns using activities and games that have students singing, reading, listening, dictating, improvising, audiating, moving, collaborating, competing, and most of all having FUN.

ROOM 216 - Finding Common Ground: Merging Orff Schulwerk and Popular Music - Dr. Ian Cicco & Dr. David Dockan

This session explores the intersection of Keektman/Orff Schulwerk and popular music. Participants will explore the power of incorporating students' musical interests, which thus underscores how Orff Schulwerk seamlessly merges with popular music.

ROOM 227 - Just Hit Something - Dr. Drew Trautman

What is this drum? Would this drum work instead? Should they play what's on the page or improvise? How many parts can one person play? Which drums should I buy? How much should I spend? From where? What do percussionists from outside the choir need from me (students or professionals)? All these questions and more will be addressed in this session on the ever increasing world of percussion in choral music.

THEATER - My Child is in Choir - Now What? Parents as Advocates for Choral Music - Dr. Hannah Gadd Ardrey

This session will provide parents and chaperones with resources to advocate and support their child's choral music program. All chaperones and parents attending the conference with a child are encouraged to participate in this session.

Session 3 - 1:00PM

ROOM 210 - From Page to Mind: Strategies for Enhancing Audiation Skills in Students - Allen Sanders

This session equips music educators with effective strategies to strengthen students “mind’s ear.” We will explore scale studies, drills, and techniques that foster deep musical comprehension and literacy. 

ROOM 216 - Sight-Singing Success: Unlocking Your Musical Potential - Dr. Bobby Helms

This session will utilize four-part hymns and Solfege to teach sight-singing so that singers will be provided a practical and enjoyable way to enhance their ear training and musical literacy skills as they further develop their understanding of intervals and harmony.

THEATRE - Elementary Division Meeting - Tab Ash Keeton

Session 4 - 2:00PM

THEATER - Elementary Honor Choir Streaming Contempory/Commerical Concert Session

CONTEMPORARY AND COMMERCIAL CONCERT SESSION - MANONI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Northwest Rankin High School Ambassadors

Sumrall High School Traces of Blue

Session 5 - 3:00PM

ROOM 210 - The Choral Tone Tool Box - Chandler Smith

This session sets out to discuss the different tone colors that are achievable, why we as directors seek these colors, and what choral tone should I be asking my singers to strive for.  

ROOM 214 - The Untethered Rehearsal - Sarah Little

This session will provide both the instructor and learner tips to effectively remove the constant tether of cell phones and social media from the rehearsal environment, as well as how to build meaningful community and relationships amongst your singers through intentional actions and activities.

ROOM 216 - Inclusive, Responsible, and Authentic Choral Programming - Dr. Alissa Rowe (Live - Virtual Session)

This session dives into the long-standing programming traditions of choral music in the US. Programming for our choral ensembles may be the single most important and yet difficult task we face as choral conductors. Explorations into choral programming traditions display what considerations have been made in the past and the myriad of strategies used when organizing a choral program/concert. Visions of the "ideal" structure for a choral program have continued to evolve over the past sixty years and it is time we discuss how to unite our singers and community with creative, authentic, and inclusive programming the avoids tokenism and culture appropriation. Attendees will study sample programs and discuss a variety of editions and sources for programming ideas that are representative of music beyond the western choral canon. 


ROOM 227 - Musical Inclusion for ALL - Mandi Dickens

Musical Inclusion for ALL is a session that looks into the different ways to include Special Education students into Elementary Music classes, whether that be integrated in general classes or through self-contained classes. We will discuss how to be effective in the music classroom, how to utilize resources, and play through some of those resources!

THEATRE - Junior High Division Meeting - Ginger Partain

Session 6 - 4:00PM

ROOM 210 - S-Cubed Sightreading Program - Dale Duncan

ROOM 214 - Harmony in the Classroom: Building Culture, Connection, and Engagement in Choir - Hilary Strum

In "Harmony in the Classroom," Hilary will guide you through innovative strategies to build a strong, positive culture in your high school and middle school choirs. This hands-on workshop will feature engaging icebreakers designed to foster camaraderie, practical techniques for building rapport with students, and creative methods to keep your choir members motivated and invested. 

ROOM 216 - Our Song Shall Rise: Thematic Programming for Church Musicians - Creighton Holder

Steps and resources for church musicians to plan cohesive worship services

THEATRE - High School Division Meeting - Jordan Langworthy

Session 7 - CONCERT SESSION - 7:00PM

CONCERT SESSION - MAIN STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

Collegiate Honor Choir

Hernando High School Advanced Treble Choir

Mississippi Valley State University Valley Singers

Friday, January 24

Session 8 - 9:00AM

THEATER - ALL CONFERENCE SING! - Harmonizing Mississippi! 

Session 9 - 10:00AM

ROOM 210 - Classroom Management and Starting the Year Strong - Dale Duncan

ROOM 214 - JWPepper Reading Session - Suzanne Logue

ROOM 216 - Sequenced Choral WarmUps w/ Movement - Dr. Alissa Rowe

ROOM 227 - Show Choir 101 - Bridging the Gap Between Show Choir and Concert Choir - Strategies and Methods to Facilitate a Cohesive Choral Music Program - Toney Keeler & Sam Lovorn

This session aims to bridge the gap between show choir and concert choir in the junior high and high school choral music classroom. Participants will explore practical strategies and methods to create a choral space where both mediums coexist equitably. The workshop will delve into ways to introduce elements of show choir into the traditional choral setting and vice versa, ensuring a cohesive and balanced choral program.

THEATRE - Solo & Ensemble Master Class - Dr. Lynn Hollimann

Session 10 - 11:00AM

ROOM 210 - Working Magic with the Changing Voice: Recruitment and Retention - Dale Duncan

ROOM 214 - Ready, Set, Rehearse: The Skillful Rehearsal for a Superior Performance - Dr. Nicholaus Cummins

Ready, Set, Rehearse guides conductor-teachers through a comprehensive rehearsal planning process, emphasizing achieving goals and understanding singers' progress. 

THEATRE - Pop A Cappella Reading Session - Jeffrey Coulter

Session 11  - LUNCHEON - 12:00PM  

USM Touchdown Club (Stadium)

1:00 pm - Research Poster Session 

(following luncheon @ the Touchdown Club) 

Session 12  - 2:00PM

ROOM 210 - (Re)-Building Your Program - Dale Duncan

ROOM 214 - Every Moment Matters: Find and Cultivate Your "Why" as a Conductor-Teacher - Dr. Nicholaus Cummins

This session aims to help conductor-teachers rediscover their initial motivations for becoming music educators and integrate those motivations into the rehearsal process.

ROOM 216 - Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Fostering Community in the Choral Classroom - Terrell Hall

Join us for this interactive session where we'll explore practical icebreakers, team-building activities, and resources  to build foster relationships, boost morale, and create a positive learning environment for singers of all ages.


THEATER - Elementary Reading Session - Tab Ash Keeton

Session 13  - 3:00PM

ROOM 210 - Planning, Teaching, and Conducting Masterworks with High School Choirs and Orchestras - Thomas Ardrey

This sessions seeks to help aspiring high school choral directors in programming extended works for choir and orchestra.

ROOM 214 - Mental Health Advocacy for Singers, Teachers, and Choral Directors - Amy Barrett Lee

This session confronts the pressures and stressors facing musicians and music educators to constantly do more and be more and offers alternate approaches, bypassing exhaustion and burnout to create a healthy balance that can flourish in harmony with the health and achievements of both you and your students.

ROOM 216 - Interview with James Mulholland - Dr. Greg Fuller

THEATER - Junior High Reading Session - Ginger Partain

Session 14  - 4:00PM

ROOM 210 - Artistry & Adolescents: Unlocking the Musicality of Young Singers - Stacy Daniels

This session will focus on the importance of building musicality and artistry within singers - incorporating metaphors, imagery, and text painting  consistently during the rehearsal process, building a strong relationship between the teacher and singers to unlock all students’ musical potential, and putting traditional and innovative skills into practice by selecting proper repertoire that meets a high musical standard. 

ROOM 216 - Modern Band and Orff Schulwerk: Bridging Pedagogical Approaches for Culturally Sustaining Teaching - Dr. Ian Cicco

This session will emphasize the intersection of modern band pedagogy and Keetman/Orff Schulwerk. In particular, participants will have the opportunity to engage in active music-making experiences, identify how modern band pedagogy and Keetman/Orff Schulwerk lead to similar learning outcomes, and synthesize their understandings of both approaches through discussions and pedagogical sequencing. 

THEATRE - High School Reading Session - Jordan Langworthy

Session 15  - CONCERT SESSION - 7:00PM

CONCERT SESSION - MAIN STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

Mississippi Boychoir

Pearl High School Women's Chorus

University of Southern Mississippi

Masterclass Performances

Saturday, January 25

Bennett Auditorium

All-State Elementary Treble Honor Choir - 9:00 AM

Bennett Auditorium

All-State Junior High Treble Honor Choir - 9:40 AM

Bennett Auditorium

All-State Junior High Mixed Honor Choir - 10:20 AM

Bennett Auditorium

All-State High School Treble Honor Choir - 11:00 AM

Bennett Auditorium

All-State High School Mixed Honor Choir - 11:40 AM