Session Proposals

Matt Caldwell is in his 29th year of teaching in Oklahoma schools. He is currently the director at Twin Hills School in Okmulgee county. Before teaching at Twin Hills he taught at Garber, Mounds and Beggs schools. High School bands under his direction consistently earned superior ratings in marching, concert and jazz bands. His bands at Beggs earned several OSSAA Sweepstakes and Outstanding Achievement Awards. His Twin Hills Advanced Guitar Ensemble was selected to perform at the OKMEA Fall Conference in 2023.

Mr. Caldwell holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from East Central University and Masters Degree in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. In 2018 he completed the United States Marine Corps Educator Workshop and is also a certified instructor for the national program Guitar for Veterans. Matt lives in Mounds, Oklahoma with his wife Autumn.

Looking to expand your music program or reach students beyond traditional ensembles? This session explores how teaching guitar in the middle school classroom can engage a broader range of learners through a hands-on, culturally relevant, and accessible approach to music education.

Attendees will learn how guitar instruction fosters musical independence, creativity, and ensemble skills while supporting diverse learning styles and student interests. We’ll cover practical strategies for classroom management, curriculum design, repertoire selection, and assessment. Whether you're just starting a guitar program or looking to enhance an existing one, this session will provide tools and inspiration to make guitar a vibrant part of your music offerings.

• Upper Elementary/General Music (Grades 3-5)
• Band - Middle School
• Choral - Middle School
• Orchestra - Middle School