Waukee CSD Teachers Present at International Music Conference
Waukee CSD teachers Deb Dunn (retired, 29 years in WCSD) and Mary Crandell (current, 18 years in WCSD) presented a session at the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago. Being able to present at Midwest is a milestone for anyone in instrumental music, no matter the level one teaches; collegiate, middle school, etc. The pair were grateful to be able to represent what they have collaboratively developed within seventeen years of teaching together with people all over the world.
The pair’s session Building from the Ground Up: A Successful Blueprint Created for Middle School Band Programs demonstrated how specific middle school rehearsal techniques are incorporated into a regular rehearsal situation. Each technique can be differentiated to the skill level of any ensemble and can be embedded into concert music instruction. This lends itself to naturally synthesizing the fundamental concepts of performing within an instrumental music ensemble, while maintaining high quality instruction with positive results.
Building from the Ground Up: A Successful Blueprint for Band Programs is also the title of Mary and Deb’s recently published book, through the C.L. Barnhouse Publishing Company. It includes valuable information on organizing an entire band program, developing student leaders, establishing daily routines and creating a positive and successful space for band students. This is a hands-on, realistic guidebook created for music educators, by music educators. It aims to maximize efficiency and effectiveness within the band program.
“Collaborating on this book project has allowed us to dive deeper into what works for us, what does not and how we can adapt what we do to fulfill the needs of our students,” says Crandell. “We have received positive feedback about the book and are working to increase the reach to young teachers.”
