University of St. Thomas

Minnesota Music Educators Midwinter Clinic

Teachers and conductors of classroom music, band, choir and orchestra, join their college and university counterparts each February for the Minnesota Music Educators Association Annual Midwinter In-Service Clinic.  This year’s clinic, hosted at the Minneapolis Conference Center and surrounding venues February 11–13, was attended by music educators and their students of every facet of music teaching and learning from pre-school to graduate school for a series of clinics, concerts, meetings, and reunions.

The Department of Music at the University of St. Thomas again had a spectacular showing at this year’s event with extensive representation by our students, alumni, faculty, and staff.  Thank you to everyone who played a part; here’s a synopsis of UST involvement:

Faculty and Staff

Dr. Angela Broeker presented “Tools for Teaching Part Singing.”

Dr. Vanessa Cornett-Murtada and Dr. Sarah Schmalenberger presented “’Suite 2th’ Teaching Improvisation in the Instrumental Classroom.”

Dr. Matthew George conducted the 2010 Minnesota College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Intercollegiate Honor Band in a world premier of Stephen Paulus’s Three Moods for Band.

Mr. Sowah Mensah with M.A. student Kathy Crockett, music teacher with Turtle Lake Elementary with the Mounds View Public Schools presented “Drumming Out of Your Comfort Zone.” 

Mr. Jay Broeker with Joanna Cortright and Carey Nadeau presented “Creating New Music with Students in the K-8 Classroom: Arranging.”

Ms. Ann Kay, former UST Kodály program director, with Lisa Lozito (M.A. 2004), elementary music teacher at Southview Elementary School in Waconia presented “The Minnesota Singing Challenge: Helping All Children Sing in Tune.”

Ms. Kara Jannings, Department of Music Program Manager, Music Admissions and Public Relations Coordinator hosted the UST booth in the exhibition hall. Thank you also to faculty members who stopped by.

UST Students and Alumni

Undergraduates

Alexandra Goebell (clarinet) and Joshua King (string bass) were members of the Minnesota CBDNA Intercollegiate Honor Band. 

The UST Symphonic Band served as the clinic band for Scott Temple’s presentation, “Learning about Music Making through Collaborative Rehearsals." 

Graduate Students 

Rick Geiger, M.A. Student, MMEA President-Elect, choir director at Coon Rapids High School, worked for the past year in organizing the clinic. 

Kate Larson, choir director at Mound Westonka High School presented her group, “Mound Westonka MADD Jazz.” 

Barry Zumwalde, Director of Bands at North Branch High School, presented “Ownership: Encouraging and Nurturing Student Leadership.” 

Alumni  

Nyssa Brown (M.A. 2008) Music Education Coordinator for the Perpich Center, with Lyz Jaakola presented “Things you wanted to Know about American Indian Music in the Classroom, but were Afraid to Ask.” 

Dr. Christopher Russell (M.A.  2001), choir director at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, presented “Technology in Secondary Music Education” and “SMART Boards and Secondary Music.” 

William Webb (B.A. 1977), director of bands at Edina High School hosted the Minnesota State High School League (MSHL) Open Forum and with Carl Lipke, hosted the MSHL Contest Management session. 

Chuck Weise (B.A. 2004), instrumental music teacher with the Farmington Public Schools and graduate student at Penn State, led a band literature reading session for MBDA. 

Ms. Ann Wingert-Williams (M.A. 2004) conducted the Twin Cities Youth Chorale with Ms. Diane Nielsen, accompanied by Ms. Julie Bright (M.A. 1998).