Music Ed. Committee minutes

Sept. 13^th, 2008

1. Fall Jazz Workshop
   1. Designed to help new jazz directors or those without a jazz background
   2. Tentative dates – still need state e-board approval

                                                               i.      1^st choice – Sept. 19^th

                                                             ii.      Alternate date – Sept. 26^th

                                                            iii.       

3. Topics could include

                                                               i.      Basics of style

                                                             ii.      Blend of the ensemble

                                                            iii.      Improvisation

                                                           iv.      What you see on the page/what it really means

                                                             v.      Rhythm section

                                                           vi.      Instrument voicing

                                                          vii.      Understanding of different scales

                                                        viii.      Adapting to smaller schools

                                                           ix.      Festival selection/musical styles

                                                             x.      Ensemble vocabulary

                                                           xi.      Equipment selection

                                                          xii.      Jazz piano

4. Directors invited to bring instruments
5. Some possible locations and clinicians were discussed

2. Trimester – discussion of a survey sent out to each director in the state.  The hope is that all directors teaching in schools currently on the trimester system can give information about how it is set up in their school and what effects, both positive and negative it has had on their programs.
   1. Discussion included

                                                               i.      How the information  could be used

                                                             ii.      Needs to be done in as informative a matter as possible without MSBOA expressing an opinion on trimester

                                                            iii.      Idea behind survey is to give directors of school looking into changing to the trimester system some information and possible resources to best prepare.

3. Music Reading Session
   1. How can we increase the number of directors in attendance

                                                               i.      Make sure it is listed in this years program

                                                             ii.      Different title – “New music on required list”

                                                            iii.      Compile a list of pieces that will be read and distribute to the membership

2. Include information regarding each piece
3. Reminders to bring instrument to the conference
4. Include a handout with places to write comments about each piece
5. Perhaps invite a university or a community band to serve as the reading group

4. “Older piece recommended list”
   1. Collection of the older pieces that are wonderful, but haven’t been programmed as much in the last few years – Newer director may not be as familiar as more “seasoned” directors

                                                               i.      Emeritus members – pick their brains for pieces

5. How to best use the MSBOA website
   1. Discussion revolved around using the “forum” on the website in different ways
   2. We looked at a variety of websites for resources

                                                               i.      Comments section for directors to add information regarding pieces on the basic music list

                                                             ii.      Recruiting information

                                                            iii.      Information on switching students to different instruments

                                                           iv.      Set up of forum section would possible change to accommodate various topics of interest

                                                             v.      Could be limitless in this area

                                                           vi.      Topics could be added by the membership

                                                          vii.      Members of the committee were asked to visit various websites so we can discuss different layouts at the next meeting