2027 IMEA Professional Development Conference

Friday, January 15, 2027

Middle School Momentum: Music for Developing Voices

Jack Zaino

12:15 PM — 1:05 PM

Grand Wayne Gallery

Looking for choral music that engages your middle school singers and is pedagogically appropriate? This reading session highlights new repertoire designed specifically for developing and changing voices. Sing through new selections, explore strategies for choosing literature that fits your students right now, and find ways to balance fun with growth. You?ll leave with fresh programming ideas, practical teaching tips, and renewed confidence. A complimentary music packet will be provided.

How to Get Your Students (and Yourself) Unstuck in Rehearsals and Lessons

Dr. Stephen Benham

12:15 PM — 1:05 PM

Grand Wayne Harrison A

Standing in front of an ensemble and knowing where to begin solving problems is a challenge for beginning teachers and seasoned veterans alike. The massive amount of information teachers monitor can be overwhelming. This session focuses on a Review of the String Systems approach? a systematic, sequential process for problem-solving. Learn how to break down what you hear and see into manageable parts, adapt your rehearsal plans accordingly, and see success become more predictable. This approach helps teachers identify recurring problems, develop strategies for remediating them, and, even more importantly, learn to proactively plan to eliminate them over the long term. As teachers become more systematic in their rehearsing and planning, they also become more effective and efficient. This allows them to predict with more accuracy where specific problems might occur and the specific challenges of individual repertoire. Ultimately, becoming more systematic improves student learning, reduces teacher and student anxiety, and provides an environment where each student's individual learning needs are addressed.

Solving Problems Before the Music Starts: The 10-Minute Orchestra Tune-Up for Intonation, Rhythm, and Tone

Dr. Stephen Benham

3:15 PM — 4:05 PM

Grand Wayne Harrison B

The opening 10–15 minutes of rehearsal can determine the success of the entire rehearsal. This session explores creative warm-up routines designed to solve common ensemble problems before they emerge in repertoire. Participants will learn practical strategies for using the first minutes of rehearsal to build tone production, intonation, bow control, articulation, and listening skills with middle- and high-school orchestra students.

Saturday, January 16, 2027

Building the High School Sound

Jack Zaino

10:30 AM — 11:20 AM

Hilton Hotel - Hamilton

Strong high school choirs grow from thoughtful repertoire choices. This choral reading session highlights music and resources created for emerging ensembles?freshman and sophomore groups, smaller programs, or choirs with tight rehearsal schedules. Explore literature that supports vocal development, ensemble building, and musical growth while keeping singers engaged. Sing through selections that meet students where they are and set the foundation for success. A complimentary music packet will be provided.

Right Rhythms Right Time Right Place: Developing Rhythmic Accuracy and Fluency

Dr. Stephen Benham

1:30 PM — 2:20 PM

Grand Wayne- Harrison B

Why do some students seem to perform rhythms effortlessly while others struggle to maintain a steady pulse or execute even basic rhythmic patterns? Developing rhythmic accuracy requires more than simply teaching counting systems. It involves understanding how the brain processes rhythm, how the body internalizes pulse, and how students develop true rhythmic audiation. This interactive session explores practical strategies for teaching rhythm to beginning and middle-level students in general music, choir, band, and orchestra. Participants will experience exercises, techniques, and games that strengthen steady pulse, rhythmic reading, audiation, and physical coordination. Special attention will be given to connecting rhythmic understanding to instrumental performance through movement, listening, and kinesthetic learning.

From Scratchy to Sublime: Strategies for Improving Tone and Intonation

Dr. Stephen Benham

3:00 PM — 3:50 PM

Hilton Hotel- Foster

This session will focus on strategies for helping string players perform with better tone, intonation, and articulation. Principles of tone production, timbre, and related bowing techniques will be presented. Participants are encouraged to bring instruments to play along. We will look at specific exercises and etudes that can help students understand the principles of tonal production, such as control of bow weight, angle, speed, and placement. We will also demonstrate exercises to improve intonation as it relates to tone. Designed for both the school orchestra director and the studio teacher, as well as native and non-native string players who are teaching orchestra for the first (or 20th) time.