The Simpson College Music Department provides unique experiences for Simpson College music students with the presentation of one Music Education Workshop every semester, each led by successful music educators from across the country.
Teachers and graduate students from the community are also invited to attend, and should register using the link listed below.
These Workshops are interactive opportunities to learn about different methods, philosophies, and ideas of teaching in the field of music, and helps equip our students with many different ideas and skills to become fantastic and versatile music educators.
The Simpson College Music Education Workshop Series has been substantially funded through the generous gift of Stephen Horvath ‘03, in honor of Michael Patterson and in memory of Maria DiPalma, Former chair of Music at Simpson. The 2022-23 workshops have also been sponsored by the Kodaly Educators of Iowa.
Join us for this year’s
Workshop in Music Education:
SEPT. 17, 2022
Alicia Brown
Diverse Children’s Literature for the Music Classroom
Alicia Brown began her teaching career in Northeast
Iowa and currently teaches PK-6th grade Spanish and English bilingual music for Chicago Public Schools. Ms. Brown received her Master of Arts in Music Education with a concentration in Kodály and completed Level I-III training in Orff-Schulwerk at the University of St. Thomas. She has presented around the country on topics such as Spanish-language folksong repertoire, composition and improvisation, and bilingual/ESL teaching strategies.
Ms. Brown is passionate about creating inclusive classroom spaces that honor students and their unique strengths.
Workshop Times:
8:30 AM Greetings with snacks and coffee
9:00 AM Workshop Starts
11:00-11:15 Brief Break
11:15-1:00 Second Half of Workshop
Those seeking graduate credit will also need to complete some additional online work.
JAN. 21, 2023
Tanya LeJuene & Carrie Nicholas
Work Smarter, Not Harder: Bridging Musical Concepts Through Song Literature
After a few challenging years, many teachers may feel they are playing catch-up with their students. Double duty songs are an efficient way to work smarter and not harder as students are able to prepare, present, and practice multiple concepts with the same song. In this session, participants will experience a wide variety of song literature and leave with a multitude of ideas for utilizing these songs to promote musical literacy and fluency. We’ll also discuss how songs, games, and activities can be enhanced through the use of technology.
Carrie Nicholas and Tanya LeJeune are both elementary general music teachers in the Jefferson County School District of Colorado. Carrie is currently in her 22nd year of teaching and Tanya is in her 26th. Both have received Kodály certification and Master’s Degrees from the Colorado Kodály Institute at Colorado State University, where they have also both served on the summer faculty. Tanya and Carrie are active presenters, having shared workshops and sessions for school districts, universities, state and national music education conferences, and Kodály and Orff chapters throughout the United States. Carrie and Tanya co-host the popular general music education podcast Music Teacher Coffee Talk.
Please email mike.eckerty@simpson.edu with any questions and specific registration details.
Past Clinicians featured in
Simpson’s Workshops in Music Education:
Peter & Mary Alice Amidon
Eunice Boardman
Pam Bradford
Angela Broeker
Jay Broeker
Nyssa Brown
Susan Brumfield
Dee Coulter
Paul Cribari
John Feierabend
Lillie Feierabend
Dr. Leigh Ann Garner
Virginia Giglio
Helen Kemp
Sandy Knudson
Kathy Kuddes
Cynthia Lilley
Sanna Longden
Ellen McCullough-Brabson
Linda McEachran
Andrew McMahan
Aileen Miracle
Joy Nelson
Sarah Richardson
Martha Riley
Teresa Schroepfer
Julie Scott
Wendy Sims
Robyn Swanson
Jill Trinka
Marilyn Wood
Sister Lorna Zemke