The session will teach directors of any level to shift the focus to the student and energize the rehearsal environment with student involvement. Through video demonstration and discussion, attendees will improve rehearsal efficiency, effectiveness, and student engagement with positive language, thoughtful sequencing, and physical activity. Techniques will be demonstrated and applied to musical concepts such as rhythm, time and tempo, balance and intonation, chamber music concepts, and form.
Cormac Cannon
- Biographical Information
Cormac Cannon is Assistant Professor of Music at the Michigan State University College of Music. He conducts the Concert Band and Spartan Youth Wind Symphony, assists with athletic bands, and teaches courses in music education. As a composer, Cannon has received commissions from ensembles throughout the U.S. and has been honored by organizations including the National Band Association and the Dallas Wind Symphony. As an arranger for marching and concert ensembles, he has collaborated with groups throughout the country, including multiple Grammy-winning Asleep at the Wheel, and the electro-punk ensemble Ghostland Observatory. His wind ensemble transcription of John Adams' The Chairman Dances was recently hailed by the composer as "remarkable" and "wonderfully inspired." He has delivered clinics at multiple state music conferences, is featured in GIA’s Composers on Composing for Band Volume IV, and has contributed to the GIA Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series.