2027 Illinois Music Education Conference

Thursday, January 28, 2027

Flipping Your Daily Rehearsals to Increase Student Engagement & Ownership

David Pope

4:15 PM — 5:15 PM

CC 401

Creating band and orchestra classrooms where students are empowered is vital to high-level performances. In this session, attendees will learn various rehearsal strategies that reduce the teacher's role during daily rehearsals and allow students to take over more of the rehearsal process. Shared strategies include teaching leadership skills, building in small-group opportunities, and incorporating student problem-solving into the rehearsal process. I will share how to teach students to identify, analyze, and solve common performance issues in small groups, sectionals, and as a large ensemble. As a result, students at all ability levels can learn to become leaders, gain independence, and build the confidence to become their own teachers.

Friday. January 29, 2027

“That’s a Great Idea! If Only I Had More Time…” How to Maximize Rehearsal & Performance Outcomes with Limited Time in an Instrumental Music Ensemble

George Andrikokus; Meghan Fulton

8:30 AM — 9:30 AM

CC 401

"That's a great idea, if only I had more time?" Sound familiar? It's a common phrase many directors use. Presenters will share and demonstrate practices they have implemented, using technology tools like MakeMusic Cloud, the Yamaha Harmony Director, and Google Classroom to maximize pedagogical efficiency, especially when time with students is limited. Devices designed to improve students' performance capabilities will be demonstrated by students via pre-recorded video clips and will be available for participants to try. Strategies for "buy-in" and for creating an environment that sets students up for success will be discussed. The aim of this presentation is to give directors ideas to utilize and/or build upon that enhance student performance during rehearsals and as individual musicians.

Creating Confident Instrumentalists by Solving Common Performance Issues

David Pope

9:45 AM — 10:45 AM

CC 136/16

Teaching instrumentalists to overcome common problems is vital to cultivating a classroom culture where individual students and the ensemble can succeed. To meet this objective, music teachers must first identify common struggles for students in the band and orchestra classroom. In this session, attendees will learn, discuss, and model teaching strategies that help students overcome common performance issues. Topics will include note reading, rhythm, intonation, improving student confidence, teaching students to listen, and how to solve potential issues before they arise. With these skills, students can become self-sufficient musicians who no longer rely on their music teacher for answers. I will share how to solve those problems by naturally integrating rote exercises, printed materials, and technology into rehearsals. These strategies are applicable to beginners and high-achieving musicians alike.