2025 Maine Music Educators Association Conference

This session presents a thoughtfully designed approach to Beginning Bands & Strings utilizing the educational philosophies of Gordon, Kodály, Feierabend, Orff, and Suzuki. By emphasizing the importance of auditory preparation, this approach builds a strong foundation in music-making, supporting the success of all students across diverse settings.
Students are encouraged to learn songs first with lyrics and then with solfege, progressing naturally to notation. From there, they expand their creativity through improvisation and composition, using the melodic material of the songs they’ve learned. Finally, authentic playing experiences and auditory assessments showcase student growth while fostering excitement and enthusiasm for continued learning.

Discussion around all things strings in Maine; from All-State auditions to programs.

Bring your string instruments and play through orchestral repertoire for elementary, middle, and high school orchestras.

Learn useful melodies and chords in a variety of folk styles, as well as the how and why you would want to add them into your existing classical repertoire and curriculum. We’ll cover the nuts and bolts of leading fiddle tunes and ear training in a large mixed instrument/level ensemble, touch upon gentle ways to start improvising, and even arranging tunes for performances. Bring your instruments for learning and jamming, leave feeling empowered with repertoire and resources. Session 1 will cover 2-3 tunes, Session 2 will cover an additional 2-3 tunes. Tunes will vary in key, time signatures, styles and difficulty so you have a tune for every occasion. All instruments welcome!

Learn useful melodies and chords in a variety of folk styles, as well as the how and why you would want to add them into your existing classical repertoire and curriculum. We’ll cover the nuts and bolts of leading fiddle tunes and ear training in a large mixed instrument/level ensemble, touch upon gentle ways to start improvising, and even arranging tunes for performances. Bring your instruments for learning and jamming, leave feeling empowered with repertoire and resources. Session 1 will cover 2-3 tunes, Session 2 will cover an additional 2-3 tunes. Tunes will vary in key, time signatures, styles and difficulty so you have a tune for every occasion. All instruments welcome!