2025 Maine Music Educators Association Conference: Full Schedule

10:00am EDT

How to make your 5th grade Band program thrive!

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

I will share an overview of a successful year in 5th grade Band including instrument suitability testing for 4th graders, how to run your instrument rental day, effective letters to parents, parent open house, how to curb the quit wave, scheduling ideas and effective rehearsal techniques for 5th grade full band. I want to share things that have worked best through 38 years of trial and error, listening to the experts and honing my skills.

Speakers

Larry Jackson

Larry Jackson has been teaching 5th & 6th grade band for 38 years. He taught at the Willard School in Sanford, ME for 13 and is in his 25th year at Falmouth Middle & Elementary Schools where he currently has a 5th grade band of 105 members. He received his Bachelors degree from the... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 10:55am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band

10:00am EDT

Drumset Tones and Techniques

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

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

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

11:00am EDT

Beyond the Snare: Rediscovering Your Percussion Section

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

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Maybe it's been a while since your percussion methods course, or you just want a refresher/different perspective on foundational techniques. We’ll revisit essential snare drum skills and focus on the often-overlooked instruments in your percussion section. Whether you're working with auxiliary percussion or other instruments that don't always get the spotlight, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of how to integrate them effectively into your ensemble. This interactive session also invites your questions, ensuring you get personalized insights to take back to your practice or classroom.

Speakers

Dr. Timothy Heath

Director of Bands, Wake Forest University

Dr. Timothy Heath is the Director of Bands and Assistant Teaching Professor of Music at Wake Forest University, where he leads the band program. He also directs the Triad Area Medical Orchestra and founded NexTonal, a chamber winds group. An accomplished clinician, conductor, and... Read More →

Sponsors

Remo Drumheads

Sabian Cymbals

Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mallets

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 11:55am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band

1:15pm EDT

Why So Many Tambourines? The Art of Curating Your Percussion Section

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

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

We’ll dive into the art of percussion instrument selection, unraveling the nuances that make all the difference in your ensemble's sound. We'll cover everything from choosing the right drums and drumheads to selecting mallets that enhance your performance. You’ll also explore the subtleties of cymbals, triangles, tambourines, and other essential percussion instruments—learning how each choice impacts the overall timbre and musical expression. Whether you're seeking a brighter tone or a richer, warmer sound, you leave with resources providing knowledge to match the perfect instrument to your musical needs.

Speakers

Dr. Timothy Heath

Director of Bands, Wake Forest University

Sponsors

Remo Drumheads

Sabian Cymbals

Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mallets

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band

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

2:25pm EDT

Bassoon basics and beyond: First steps and practical considerations for teaching beginning bassoonists.

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

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

The bassoon is one of the most versatile instruments of the band and orchestra, yet it can be intimidating to directors and beginning students. The goal of this session is to provide band directors with the foundational knowledge needed to guide beginning bassoonists and encourage them to start students on the instrument or how to make the switch from another instrument. USM Osher School of Music artist-faculty Wren Saunders will provide a roadmap for success and demonstrate what every bassoonist and band director needs to know. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to bring their bassoons (BYOB) and reeds and engage in a hands-on demonstration.

Speakers

Wren Saunders

University of Southern Maine

Bassoonist Wren Saunders is on the faculty of the Osher School of Music of the University of Southern Maine. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Music degree from New England Conservatory of Music in bassoon performance. Ms... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:25pm - 3:25pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band Orchestra

3:35pm EDT

Enhancing Performance Development with Comprehensive Musicianship in Instrumental Ensembles

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

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Performance development and repertoire mastery are central aims within instrumental ensemble learning experiences. Although performing is a primary artistic process students engage with in instrumental ensembles, the National Core Arts Standards call on ensemble educators to also foster the artistic processes of creating, responding, and connecting to support comprehensive music learning experiences in ensemble rehearsal spaces. The challenge for ensemble teacher/directors is to carve out time and space for all the artistic processes while fulfilling the important obligation of meaningful performance development. This presentation will explore practical strategies that attend to each of the artistic processes in performance ensemble learning environments. Please join this session on comprehensive musicianship in instrumental ensembles to learn more about how this approach can have a positive impact on both individual and collective performance achievement.

Speakers

Casey Schmidt

Assist. Professor of Music Education, University of Southern Maine

Casey Schmidt is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Southern Maine’s Osher School of Music. Casey taught instrumental music and music creativity classes in Illinois and Wisconsin public schools for more than a decade prior to his work in higher education... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 3:35pm - 4:35pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band Orchestra

8:00am EDT

Band Repair Basics: FL, CL, Sax

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

China Rd, Orono, ME 04473

In this clinic we will learn and practice repair tactics for the most common emergency woodwind repairs in the state of Maine. We will also discuss materials and tools that every Maine Band Director should keep on hand for emergency repairs when going to the shop just isn’t an option. NOTE: These skills are for emergency repairs and are NOT intended to be a substitute for your local repair shop or service technician.

Speakers

Chris Plaisted

School Service Rep., David French Music Co.

Chris Plaisted is a former music teacher that now works for David French Music as a School Service Representative. Traveling approx 800 miles per week, he visits schools across the state of Maine for instrument rentals and repair services. His passion is to provide top-notch service... Read More →

Sponsors

David French Music Co.

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Memorial Union Coe Room China Rd, Orono, ME 04473

Band

8:00am EDT

Preparing Your Clarinetists for College Playing

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

This session will include tips to review for students looking forward to playing in ensembles at the College level, including audition preparation for those hoping to major in music. Embouchure issues, hand position suggestions, tonguing tips, and warm-up exercises from various current clarinet instructors will be presented, along with information from the International Clarinet Association and its online resources. Attendees are encouraged to bring their clarinets with them to the session.

Speakers

Beth Wiemann

University of Maine

Beth Wiemann was raised in Burlington, VT, studied composition and clarinet at Oberlin College with Richard Hoffman and Lawrence McDonald, and received her PhD in composition from Princeton University. She teaches clarinet, composition and theory at the University of Maine, and performs... Read More →

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band

8:00am EDT

Eleven Leaps to Literacy for Beginning Band & Strings

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

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.

Speakers

Dr. Michael Francis Smith

Michael Francis Smith is an American composer, songwriter, author, and music educator with over 30 years of experience. Known for promoting inclusive and creative music-making for all students, he has presented at the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago and music educator conferences nationwide... Read More →

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 100 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band Orchestra

9:50am EDT

Troubleshooting Tone - Using Mouthpieces & Mini-Instruments to Address Fundamentals

Friday May 16, 2025 9:50am - 10:50am EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Whether you are trying to establish strong fundamentals in younger students or trying to troubleshoot established habits in older students, teaching students to play with characteristic tone can be a challenge. There are so many factors that can contribute to poor tone - many of which we can’t actually see! Through discussion of embouchure development, tongue placement, and air direction/speed, this session will give teachers concrete tools, language, and exercises to help students improve their tone. We encourage teachers to bring the following to this hands-on session: flute headjoint, trumpet or trombone mouthpiece, and a clarinet or alto saxophone.

Speakers

Caitlin Ramsey

Co-Director of Bands, Cape Elizabeth Middle School

Caitlin Ramsey, Co-Director of Bands at Cape Elizabeth Middle School, has been an active clinician and guest conductor throughout New England for the past twenty-one years. She currently serves as the Eastern Division Representative on the National Council of Band Education and the... Read More →

Missy Shabo

Missy Shabo, Co-Director of Bands at Cape Elizabeth Middle School, has worked as a middle school band director for the past 17 years. Ms. Shabo holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education, Masters in Music Education, and Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership... Read More →

Friday May 16, 2025 9:50am - 10:50am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band

9:50am EDT

Tone first then intonation: Strategies to improve your trumpet sections tone and intonation

Friday May 16, 2025 9:50am - 10:50am EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Tone First - THEN Intonation

Good intonation is essential for an ensemble to sound excellent - but it’s not all about tuning slides or pulling out your headjoint ¼ inch! Working within the framework of trumpet playing, this session will challenge you to consider good tone production first, with improved intonation as a secondary result. The presenter will discuss the benefits and science of good tone production as well as demonstrate exercises and methodologies to help you improve your trumpet students’ tone, and ultimately their intonation. Participants will also participate in workshopping to brainstorm how to practically apply these techniques for other instruments.

Speakers

Ryan Noe

University of Southern Maine

Dr. Ryan Noe is an active freelance trumpeter and educator. He holds the position of Principal Trumpet for the Glens Falls Symphony(NY) and has performed with the Boston Pops, Portland Symphony, Vermont Symphony, and Bangor Symphony. Dr. Noe has performed for such dignitaries as William... Read More →

Friday May 16, 2025 9:50am - 10:50am EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 115 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band Jazz

1:15pm EDT

Beginning Band at the High School Level

Friday May 16, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Having a high school beginning band class can be a valuable recruitment and retention tool for the high school instrumental music program. This session will cover the many aspects to consider when developing such a class including: philosophical considerations, providing instruments, instructional approaches, assessment tools, and resources for you to use.

Speakers

Bill Buzza

MMEA Conference Chair, Edward Little High School

William “Bill” Buzza earned his BM in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine studying with Bill Street and Peter Martin and his MS Ed in Educational Leadership from the University of New England. Bill teaches at Edward Little HS in Auburn, Maine where he conducts... Read More →

Friday May 16, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band

3:45pm EDT

Band Repair Basics: Brass

Friday May 16, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

In this clinic we will learn and practice repair tactics for the most common emergency brass repairs in the state of Maine. We will also discuss materials and tools that every Maine Band Director should keep on hand for emergency repairs when going to the shop just isn’t an option. NOTE: These skills are for emergency repairs and are NOT intended to be a substitute for your local repair shop or service technician.

Speakers

Chris Plaisted

School Service Rep., David French Music Co.

Friday May 16, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 115 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band

3:45pm EDT

Beginning Band Day - Fighting the March Slump

Friday May 16, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT

28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Could you start a beginning band day in your area? This session will discuss the Beginning Band Day that Aroostook County has done for the past nine years. Topics include what schedule for the day, what music to perform, faculty involvement, benefits we've seen since starting this event, and other things we've learned along the way.

Speakers

Jon Simonoff

Ashland School

Jon Simonoff is the music teacher in Ashland Maine, a PreK - 12 school in Aroostook County. Jon is also the director of the Central Aroostook Community Band. Jon is performing bassist. He plays for the Star City Synidcate, Skinny Elvis, Haystack Union, and the Pelletier Lovejoy Jazz... Read More →

Friday May 16, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469

Band