Session Proposals

Michael Francis Smith is a composer, songwriter, author, and music educator with over 30 years of experience, including 23 years as a PK-12 Music Department Chair in Massachusetts. He is known for engaging every student in making music, so they continue singing, playing and creating music for life. His work builds on research emphasizing auditory readiness, playing by ear, and improvisation at every stage of engaging with notation. He has presented at the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago and music educator conferences nationwide, working to broaden instrumental music education to welcome more students, styles, and ways of learning. Through his groundbreaking method, "Eleven Leaps to Literacy," Dr. Smith makes instrumental music accessible and engaging for every student. Discover more at mfsmithmusic.com.

This session focuses on beginning band and orchestra, offering strategies to engage every student by building on the musical foundation laid in elementary General Music. Research guiding today’s classrooms encourages students to sing joyfully, adding solfège and rhythm syllables before engaging with notation. In contrast, traditional instrumental methods often begin with notation before students experience music-making.

It’s time to bridge the gap between research and practice.
It’s time to engage every student in making music before, during, and after engaging with notation.
It’s time for students to experience a collection of songs that reflects all cultures.
It’s time to create and improvise, so students connect more deeply with the music they learn.
It’s time to play.

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