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.

Bring your own recorder or one will be provided for you, clean and sanitized. The recorder is an inexpensive but beautiful musical instrument that merits a sequential curriculum with a diverse repertoire of songs from around the world. By building on what students already know from their General Music experience, we enable whole classes to learn and play songs, rounds and harmony parts. As we move effortlessly between singing, solfège and playing, we maximize student success and achievement for ALL students - all abilities and ethnicities. Rather than rewarding students who learn notation quickly, we can enable whole classes to play songs together. It’s time for an engaging, enjoyable and musical recorder experience for ALL!

• Upper Elementary/General Music (Grades 3-5)