NYSSMA Winter Conference
What is the Winter Conference?
It's a music education conference and a trade show. All the major organizations present sessions related to their field (ACDA, ASTA, NYSBDA, CMENC). There are even sessions specifically for education students, including:
- Student teaching
- Interviews
- Resumés
Also, vendors set up booths, including:
- Instrument manufacturers
- New technology
- Graduate schools
- Music publishers
- Education resources
- Chocolate!
You can also see the All-State ensemble rehearsals, which is a great way to get observation hours! The NYSSMA conference as a whole is a fantastic opportunity for music education students to prepare for their careers and feel like a part of the music education profession!
When is the conference?
The conference runs Thursday, December 3 through Sunday, December 6. It's the same weekend as Candlelight, but you can attend both. Many Crane ensembles are already going to the conference, so why not attend and stay for an extra day?
What are this year's sessions and concerts?
A full schedule for this year is available here. You can also read the schedule on our NYSSMA Winter Conference bulletin board outside Crane Commons.
Several sessions have a connection to Crane:
- Mark Campbell & Phillip Greco: "Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences in Undergraduate Teacher Education"
- Mark Campbell, Darryl Kniffen, & Patrick Burke: "Popular Music Practices for MS and HS Students: A Curriculum Study"
- Caron Collins: "Action Research for Music Educators"
- Hannah Gruber: "Benefits of a Music Learning Theory Based Intervention for Children with Autism"
- Robyn Hosley: "Clickers in the Music Classroom"
Can I attend?
Yes! Even if you're in Candlelight, you can attend at least one full day of the conference! Even if (especially if) you're in one of the Crane ensembles performing at the conference, you can attend at least one full day of the conference! Transportation and lodging will all be arranged through MENC, working closely with the Crane ensembles. All the student-specific sessions are on Friday, so they don't conflict with Candlelight or Crane's performances.
Why should I attend?
You should attend because it is both fun and informative. You'll be able to interact with fellow music education majors, support Crane's ensembles, talk to real educators already in the field, see great performances, and improve your skills as a future teacher!
The conference costs $140 once you've graduated, so now is the time to take advantage of the $25 student price!
How do I sign up?
Send us an email at menc@potsdam.edu saying that you'd like to sign up for the NYSSMA conference. Let us know what day/time you'd like to arrive and what day/time you'd like to leave, and we'll try to work everything out for you!