Session Descriptions

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Instrument Repair Strategies: Join Noel Hand for a hands-on session covering essential repair techniques for a wide range of band instruments. This practical workshop is designed specifically for band directors, offering straightforward guidance on handling common minor repairs in the classroom. Learn how to troubleshoot issues, perform simple fixes, and recognize when an instrument needs professional attention. Have a troublesome trumpet or a finicky flute? Bring them along! If time allows, Noel will offer live diagnostics and advice on your specific instruments.

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Recruitment and Retention: Strategies to Engage, Inspire, and Sustain: What draws students into a band program, and what keeps them engaged year after year? This session will explore strategies for both recruiting new members and retaining current ones, with a focus on creating meaningful, motivating experiences for students. We’ll share practical ideas for building strong, sustainable band programs, while also considering the importance of teacher motivation and well-being in fostering long-term success. Join your colleagues in an open conversation about the challenges and opportunities of recruitment and retention, and leave with fresh perspectives and actionable strategies to inspire both you and your students.

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Rural Music Education in NL: Opportunities Abound… Take the Chance: So many children in Newfoundland and Labrador miss out on a formal music education experience due to their geographic location. In addition, resourced and supported rural music programs are being discontinued as positions repeatedly go unfilled. Frequent teacher turnover and lack of extended commitment in the rural setting have also negatively impacted rural music programs.  The rural music education context holds great opportunities for both new and experienced music specialists. In this session we will explore what music education can look like in the rural setting. We will dig into my guiding philosophy of Culturally Relevant Music Education; what it is and how it can be the key to incredible teaching and learning opportunities.

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Tried, Tested, and True: Effective Band Repertoire for all Occasions: This session will highlight tried, tested, and true band works that are musically rewarding, pedagogically sound, and adaptable for concerts, festivals, assemblies, and community events. Participants are welcome to bring and share their own repertoire recommendations, but there’s no pressure. Whether you come to contribute or simply to listen and gather ideas, you’ll leave with a refreshed library of effective pieces for all occasions.

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Creating Newfoundland Concerts for Primary & Elementary: School Concerts! We love ‘em, we hate ‘em. We are constantly challenged to find material that lets our students shine, without losing the last vestiges of our sanity in the process. In this session, Janine would like to share her experiences in putting together performances that reflect our Newfoundland culture. It will include examples of poems, recitations, storybooks, skits, plays, and of course, songs, all with the intention of making your concert planning a little easier. Come on along and have a little fun with Nanny!

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Reading Sessions - Ten New Arrangements of Music from Newfoundland and Labrador for School Singing: This workshop will present the BCECM's legacy project - a collection of ten songs from across time, genres, and traditions arranged for school groups of all sizes to sing which will be distributed, for free, to all schools across the province. Join us for a fun opportunity to make some music together as we explore these pieces

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K-6 Concert Sharing Session: Nighttime vs Daytime, Musical vs Cabaret, Admission vs Donation. There are so many different ways to showcase the talent of your students. Come prepared to share and learn from each other on how you set up your shows and some of your favourites from over the years.

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Choral Warm-Ups: Join Robert Colbourne as he shares vocal warm-ups and rehearsal strategies inspired by his recent experience at the World Choral Symposium in Istanbul, Turkey. Discover fresh techniques used by choral leaders from around the world, and explore new ways to energize your ensemble and enhance vocal performance.

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Easter Seals NL Inclusion Through Music: Join Elizabeth McNeill, Recreation Music and Arts Coordinator with Easter Seals NL, for an engaging session on how to create an inclusive music classroom that supports students of all abilities. This session will provide lesson ideas, resources, and valuable insights to help you build a safe and welcoming environment where every student can thrive.

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Navigating the Music Teaching Profession: This session is designed for teachers who are new to the profession or just beginning their careers in education. It will provide an overview of how the Newfoundland and Labrador Music Educators' Association (NLMEA) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA) can support you as a new educator. You'll learn about your rights and responsibilities as a teacher, explore the services and resources available to you, and gain a solid understanding of the NLTA Code of Ethics. This is a valuable opportunity to start your teaching journey with confidence and clarity.

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Every Voice Belongs: Adapting Music Therapy Concepts for the Classroom: In this session, participants will explore how concepts from music therapy can be adapted to support accessibility and inclusion in the music classroom. Designed specifically for educators, this presentation will introduce practical strategies for making music activities more engaging and responsive to the diverse needs of students with special and different needs. While rooted in music therapy principles, the focus will be on how teachers can integrate these ideas into their own teaching practice—not as a replacement for music therapy, but as a way to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all learners.

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Centers & Games in the Music Classroom: Explore creative and effective ways to use centres and games in your music classroom! In this session, I’ll share my own experiences with different types of centres, activities, and choices for learning. Then, we’ll collaborate to exchange ideas, tips, and success stories. Topics will include activity types, favourite online sellers, "literacy block" rotations, dividing students into groups, and more—all aimed at keeping music learning engaging, organized, and fun. Participants will all leave with one game they can take to their classroom for small group play.

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Music & SEL: Music Listening as a Mental Health Strategy in the Middle School Music Room: This session, grounded in research and informed by a music therapy perspective, will introduce ready-to-use music listening strategies that are designed for middle school classrooms. These strategies will not only meet curriculum expectations but also support students’ social-emotional growth. Through music, students can learn to process emotions, strengthen relationships, and develop self-awareness. You’ll walk away with practical activities and teaching ideas that encourage students to reflect on how music connects to their own lives—making SEL both meaningful and manageable in your classroom.

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Project-Based Learning in the Middle School Music Room: Looking to engage your middle school music students through project-based learning, but not sure where to start? PBL is an incredible way to foster student voice, choice, and autonomy. This session will offer specific strategies and teaching ideas to begin implementing project-based learning your middle schoolers will love!

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Let’s Get Organized! Tips, Strategies and Systems for Busy Music Teachers: Are you looking for time-saving and efficient teaching systems to help you do more in less time? Feel like you have a million ideas, but unsure how to get clarity? The ‘Get Organized’ workshop will help you transform your teacher life with organization systems to help you plan your year, lesson plans, materials, music classroom, and more. (SESSION OFFERED TWICE).