30 Holly Mar Hill Road
Northford CT 06472
USA
203-484-2235
203-484-9016 (FAX)
Email:
Website:
www.stringstudents.info
Travels to: Anywhere
Biography:
Academic Degrees: 2002 Connecticut MENTOR Certification, Cheshire, CT; 1993 Masters of Education K-8/Math Concentration, Southern Connecticut State University; 1985 Master of Music Education, Bridgeport University, Bridgeport, CT; 1973 Bachelor of Music, Hartt College of Music, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT; 1968 High School Diploma, High School of Music and Art, NYC, NY.Teaching Assignments: ’02 Hartt College of Music, Instructor; ’02-present Naugatuck Valley Community College, Instructor; ’01 Central CT State University, Instructor; ’96 – Present Cheshire, CT Board of Education Coordinatorof String Instrumental Music Program, String Teacher, Conductor/Dodd Middle School; ’90-’96 Wallingford, CT Board of Education, Elementary General Music Teacher; ’84-’86 West Haven Board of Education, Creator & Coordinator String Instrumental Music Program, String Teacher grades 4 - 9; ’77-’82 Westport Board of Education, Elementary & Middle School String Teacher; ’74-’76 New Haven, CT Board of Education, Creator & Coordinator String Instrumental Music, String Teacher grades 4 –12.
Other Work/Positions: ’98 Creator of the Cheshire Community Music School, a co-operative of private instrumental music teachers; ’95- Present Creator/Coordinator of Wallingford Board of Education’s Summer Arts, Computer & NASA Space Camps; ’90–’00 Wallingford Symphony Creator and Conductor of Wallingford Festival String), a collection of 3 Youth String Orchestras; ’88-89 Southington, CT BOE, Artist-in-Residence; ’88-’89 Hartford Conservatory of Music, Hartford, CT, Orchestra Conductor; ’77-’86 Norwalk Youth Symphony, Norwalk, CT Chamber Orchestra Conductor.
Recent Awards: ’02 First string teacher and first CT teacher to win an award from the National Education Foundation; ’01 Sunoco Grant for three years of a URL for Dodd Middle School Orchestra Web page Stringstudents.info; ’00 Winner of the first Excellence in Teaching Award created by the New Haven Symphony
MENC Service:’97-Present, Co-Chairman of Southern Regional Middle School Orchestra Festival; ’01-Present; 04/03 National On-line Orchestra MENTOR; Adjudicator of several Regional & All-State HS Orchestra auditions; ’99-’01 Presenter, State; invited to submit session proposals at 9 state conferences for next year.
ASTA Service: ’99-present: CT-ASTA Executive Board member; ’03 Presenter of two workshops at the National Conference, presider over six more workshops; ’03: Creator and Co-Chair of CT Chamber Music Festival.
Recent Publications: 06/03 Feature article in the first two issues of Mel Bay’s new On-line Fiddle Magazine; ASTA Magazine, Spring ’02 Feature article on Fiddling, ’03 review of fiddle texts; The Instrumentalist, Spring ’03 Feature article about two composers; CMEA Magazine Fall ’00 –Present articles in each issue; Fiddler Magazine ’00 – Present several feature articles, reviews, etc.
Present Projects: I have just completed the Viola Arrangement of Brian Wicklund’s The American Fiddling Method, Book I and have already been contracted by Mel Bay to arrange Book II for Viola, as well.
Performing: First chair or first stand violist of most of CT’s symphonies. Show pit work in NYC & CT. Radio commercial recording. Onstage fiddler for The Irish and How They Got that Way. Contra Dance fiddler of Two Fiddlers2, The Reel Thing, Sweetheart Strings Band & The Cheshire Cats. Extensive resume available.
Including Fiddling in the Mainstream String Instrumental Music Program
Abstract: A participatory workshop on infusing fiddling into every level of string programs to enhance student learning, support traditional teaching goals, help meet The National Standards and increase student base. Session Description, including format: This Hands-on workshop will explain what traditional American fiddling really is and how infusing it into the mainstream private studio and in-school homo- or hetero-geneous string instrumental program can help teachers meet the National Standards of Music Education addressing improvisation and composition; improve ear training; increase tonal memory; harmonic awareness; rhythmic sense and ensemble awareness in string students. The first unit of mini-lessons, complete with the lesson plan and materials as a hand-out, is demonstrated. Two pages of fiddling resources are also included Target Audience: Elementary – College String/Orchestral Programs and Private Studio Teachers of any string instrument. Equipment Requirements: Stands and chairs for participants
Fiddle Music Reading Session: 20 Lessons in Fiddling
Abstract: A participatory workshop demonstrating progressive fiddling lessons built around 20 traditional American fiddling tunes arranged for beginning to intermediate heterogeneous string class. Session Description, including format: Presented as a fiddling "Slow Jam" with printed music for Violin, Viola, 'Cello/Bass, Guitar, etc. provided. 20 traditional American fiddling tunes are the basis for the same number of individual lessons in fiddling. Lesson plans and portfolio examples included. Handouts include the lesson plans and materials for the first unit of mini-lessons in fiddling and two pages of fiddling resources. Target Audience: Elementary – College String/Orchestral Programs and Private Studio Teachers of any string instrument. Equipment Requirements: Stands and chairs for participants
Teaching Native American and Chinese Bowed String Music
Abstract: Techniques and music are demonstrated on authentic instruments with a focus on creating curricular reinforcement lessons and new study units for all string classes. Teaching materials and resources provided. Session Description, including format: This lecture-demonstration workshop will explain the value of teaching Native American and Asian bowed string music as units of study in string instrumental music programs. The instrumental techniques and music of the Apache Violin, Tohonoho O’odham fiddle and the Chinese erhu will be demonstrated to show the differences and similarities in the technique and music of the highlighted instruments as compared to the classical bowed string instruments. The focus of this workshop will be on how teachers can use their new knowledge to create new or curricular reinforcement lessons and units of study at all levels of string study. Teaching materials and lists of resources for continued exploration of this subject will be provided Target Audience: : Elementary – College String/Orchestral Programs and Private Studio Teachers of any string instrument. Equipment Requirements: None.
Creating and Maintaining an Instrumental Music Web page
Abstract: Learn specific benefits, issues and techniques of creating and maintaining a web page for and with your music class. Session Description, including format: By guided navigation of the working web site, learn how one middle school string orchestra created and maintains a web page that includes a metronome; tuning notes; essays by luthiers and teachers on buying and maintaining string instruments, finding a private teacher, vibrato, shifting; a musical dictionary and a fiddling glossary; and interviews and bios on approximately 40 major classical, jazz and fiddling string recording artists. Details will be shared on how the web page is maintained through portfolio assignments and student and parent volunteer work, how to deal with administrative guidelines, how to handle outside links and how this group received a grant to pay for 3 years of their own URL. Target Audience: : Elementary – College music programs and private studio teachers. Equipment Requirements: Live internet connection. Presenter will bring a laptop and LCD projector.
Using Transcriber Software as a Learning Tool
Abstract for Program Booklet: See how a transcriber can revolutionize your students’ ability to learn music, improve their intonation, rhythm, tone production and interpretation of music and increase their desire and effectiveness to practice. Session Description, including format: This workshop demonstrates how to use an inexpensive transcriber software as a teaching and learning tool. This computer device can revolutionize your students’ ability to learn new music, improve their intonation, rhythm tone and interpretation of music, increase their desire and effectiveness in private practice and ensemble rehearsals. Target Audience: : Elementary – College music programs and private studio teachers. Equipment Requirements: Presenter will bring a laptop and LCD projector.
Teaching with The Creative Band and Orchestra by Julie Lyonn Lieberman Clinician: Janet Farrar-Royce
Abstract: Learn through participation specific ways to apply the concepts and techniques in this innovative and ASTA-endorsed text for teachers. Lesson outline and resource list included. Session Description, including format: This workshop demonstrates fun, short exercises that apply some of the concepts and techniques in Julie Lyonn Lieberman’s new book with your elementary, middle or high school level private student(s), lesson group, band or orchestra. Open their ears to new ways of listening and their minds to new ways of thinking about melody, harmony, rhythm and ensemble. Fun, short exercises Target Audience: : Elementary – College music programs and private studio teachers. Equipment Requirements: Chairs arranged in a circle with lots of open space to move people and furniture around in.