After the AWESOME full band rehearsal I had with RGS on Wednesday afternoon, I came home and got my husband and myself ready to travel to Peoria for the Illinois Music Educator's Association All-State Conference from Thursday-Saturday. My husband also teaches 5th grade band, although he travels to FIVE schools! We SO look forward to this conference each year because we get to be in one place with loads and loads of OUR people. Don't get me wrong, I have fantastic collegeagues at each of my schools, but within our little NSD2 bubble, there are 4 other music teachers. Here at this conference we are surrounded by people who teach what WE teach and can talk to us about the cool things they do and how they do them. So far, I've gone to 6 sessions ranging in topics from creating my own Professional Learning Network for my own professional development (like I said, only 4 other people at home to bounce things off of), using the cool new program I recently purchased called Smart Music, and incorporating Special Learners into the band program. I've been able to shop in the convention center for music, teaching supplies, etc. I'm having a ball learning new ideas and getting re-energized to teach your children. I can't wait to try out some of the new things I'm learning!
Last week I posted a video of one of the new pieces we're going to perform. A few students told me that they watched it because their parents shared it with them. THANK YOU!!! One parent said that her daughter was practicing the song with the recording. That is WONDERFUL! Encourage your children to do the same! I'm constantly trying to find ways to excite the students about practicing. It's definitely more fun to play with a recording than by themselves.
Have a great weekend and Practice, Practice, Practice!
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