The first month of a beginning instrumental class is the foundation for a successful year of music making. This presentation will cover the tips and tricks employed in the first month that helped grow a new band program to over 180 students in four years. Strategies will be presented for instrument try-outs, starting beginners in a heterogeneous band room, teaching music and English reading skills, peer-teaching projects, and other methods that get students making music fast!
Kelley Gossler
- Biographical Information
Kelley Gossler is currently the Director of Bands at Lincoln Park High School in Chicago Public Schools. She previously taught for four years at Westinghouse College Prep in CPS where she established the instrumental music program. While at Westinghouse, she was the recipient of the Mr. Holland's Opus Grant and Ted Oppenheimer Teacher Incentive Grants. She is currently a member of the Northshore Concert Band where she plays clarinet. Kelley earned her master's of music in wind conducting at Northwestern University and bachelor's of music education at the University of Colorado at Boulder.