Session Proposals

Peter Markes (Marcus) lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, Kris, and their two boys, Patrick and Vincent. Since 2020 he has taught on faculty at his alma mater, Oklahoma City University, as associate professor and director of music education and faculty advisor for OCU's NAfME Collegiate Chapter. From 2002-17 he was director of orchestras at Edmond North High School, taking the ensemble to a performance at the Midwest Clinic in 2012 and two tours to Carnegie Hall. In 2013, he was selected as the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and also one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by School Band and Orchestra magazine. In 2026, Markes was a finalist conducting candidate for the OKCPHIL’s education concert series, and also the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras OYP ensemble. As a performer, he has partnered with Kyle Dillingham for over 30 years, and together they have performed and taught in over 30 countries on five continents, played on the Grand Ole Opry, the halftime show for the OKC Thunder, and released several recordings in the Americana and folk-pop genres. As a solo artist, Markes has released two albums, I Have a Dream (2018) and My Father’s Age (2024), available to stream worldwide. Learn and hear more at www.PeterMarkes.com and YouTube and social media @PeterMarkesMusic.

Dave Easley is Professor of Music Theory at Oklahoma City University and current chair of the Society for Music Theory’s Committee on Accessibility and Disability. He has published and presented research on American hardcore punk and metal, the music of Giuseppe Verdi, and critical music theory pedagogy. He has served on the editorial board for the Engaging Students: Essays in Music Pedagogy series since 2014. Dave is a dedicated pedagogue and received OCU’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2016. He is currently working on a project that questions and reimagines the role of music theory and aural skills in music education.

College Music Degree…I can perform or teach, and I have to have a pretty great audition, right? There’s so much more! But our students might not know this. Is an iPad someone’s favorite instrument for making music – Music Arranging! How about punk-rock drums or other “chamber” music styles – Music Business and Songwriting! Is there a highly organized pre-med-bound oboist with an eye for relationships, communication and business – Arts Administration or Management!

In this session, Oklahoma City University professors Dr. Dave Easley, music theory, and Peter Markes, music education, will share their lived experiences as performers, teachers, and music business and academic entrepreneurs – synthesizing these into actionable strategies for teachers to guide their students to prepare for and pursue music beyond high school. The session will also encompass a preview of OCU’s new 3-year Bachelor of Arts degree with tracks in multiple music avenues – one of the first of its kind in the nation and scheduled to start in the Fall of 2027.

• Band - Secondary
• Choral - Secondary
• Orchestra - Secondary
• Collegiate