2025 Maine Music Educators Association Conference: Full Schedule

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10:00am EDT

Drumset Tones and Techniques

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 10:55am EDT

In need of new cymbals or drumheads? Why do my two drummers sound totally different on the set? My brushes don't make any sound on my snare!
There will be over 12 ride/crash/hi-hat cymbals on hand to hear and play yourself..... Over a dozen pairs of drumsticks and mallets.... over 4 different drumheads to hear..... I will explain, play and compare each of those items as well as talk about proper technique to get the best tone out of each cymbal, stick and drum.

Speakers

Patrick Bragdon

Presque Isle Schools

Patrick has taught music for 34 years. He graduated from USM in 1991 and taught for 11 yers at Central Aroostook HS and the past 33 years in Presque Isle. Patrick has performed with the Portland and Bangor Symphonies, McLaughlin Big Band, Dale Perkins Big Band, many musical shows... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 10:55am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 115 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band Jazz

10:00am EDT

Leading Changes - targeted improvisation to create more musical solos

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 10:55am EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Often times, using chord scales can be mysterious and overwhelming for students. "Use this scale" isn't always as helpful as we intend it to be. In this session, I'll show simple approaches to targeting certain notes at certain times, to create melodic phrases through the chord changes that give students a confident grasp on how to play the changes in a clear and concrete way.

Speakers

Aaron Henry

Band Director, Yarmouth High School

Aaron Henry graduated from the Berklee College of Music Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Music Performance, and received his M.M in Studio Composition from SUNY Purchase College. He leads bands at Yarmouth High School and is the Artist Faculty in Jazz Saxophone at USM.. He performs... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 10:55am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 100 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Jazz

11:00am EDT

Preparing a Successful Jazz All State Audition (Instrumental)

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 11:55am EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Join us for this moderated panel discussion that will provide you with an in depth look at the Jazz All State audition, featuring current and past Jazz All State judges. We will go over tips and tricks to help students prepare, what judges are looking for and how selections are made. Whether you're brand new to the jazz world or an experienced educator you're bound to learn something new here!

Speakers

Benjamin Cox

Director of Instrumental Music, Mt. Ararat High School

Benjamin Cox is the Director of Instrumental Music at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Maine. Cox is the current president-elect for MMEA, has served as the chair for District 3 and has hosted and managed a number of district honors festivals. During the Summers, Cox directs the... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 11:55am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 115 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Jazz

1:15pm EDT

Teaching Meaningful Improvisation

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Meaningful improvisation is where creativity and honest expression intersect with jazz language. After students begin improvising with appropriately simple materials, they often hit a plateau of repetitiveness. This session explores how we can help our students expand their perspectives and move toward a more advanced, creative approach. We will talk about processing and absorbing great recordings, mirroring conversation, paying attention to our inner voice, and more. Bring an instrument, or your voice!

Speakers

Dan Barrett

Assistant Professor, University of Maine

Dr. Dan Barrett directs the Jazz Studies program at the University of Maine, where he directs the UMaine Jazz Ensemble and teaches jazz pedagogy, jazz piano, and jazz arranging. He performs often with the UMaine Faculty Jazz ensemble, and recorded the album Putting a Groove on a Bad... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 115 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Jazz

2:25pm EDT

195th Army Band - Opportunities and Benefits

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:25pm - 3:25pm EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

The 195th Maine Army National Guard Band offers many music ensembles including Concert Band, Marching/Ceremonial Band, Jazz Ensemble, Rock Band, and Brass Band. This session will give insight into what the 195th Army Band has to offer for musical opportunities. During this session, you will hear performances from our Rock Band, Brass Band, and Ceremonial Band. Please feel free to bring your instrument and play along with the 195th Army Band!

Speakers

Jason Priest

Hampden Academy

Jason Priest lives in Hampden, Maine where he is the director of bands at Hampden Academy. In addition to his duties at Hampden Academy, Jason is also the Executive Officer of the 195th Army National Guard Band, where he conducts the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and Jazz Ensemble... Read More →

Brady Harris

Sponsors

Maine Army National Guard

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:25pm - 3:25pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 115 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band Jazz

3:35pm EDT

Jazz Meeting

Thursday May 15, 2025 3:35pm - 4:35pm EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

This meeting will provide members with the opportunity to receive updates on the upcoming changes to jazz activities for the 2025-26 school year.

Speakers

Matthew Waite

Thursday May 15, 2025 3:35pm - 4:35pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 115 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Jazz