While aptly prepared to lead a rehearsal, teach beginning technique, or prepare for the next performance, many band directors often do not recognize an opportunity to address mental health through music education. In this session, we will discuss many topics regarding mental health for diverse populations of students and teachers. Educators will leave this clinic with techniques and activities to implement into their daily classroom routines.
Christopher Barchesky
- Biographical Information
Christopher Barchesky is the
Associate Director of Bands at Troy Buchanan High School (TBHS) in Troy,
Missouri. At TBHS, he conducts the concert band and the ninth grade concert
band, co-directs the Trojan Pride Marching Band, and teaches beginning guitar
classes. Additionally, he assists at Troy South Middle School, where he works
with the 7th and 8th grade bands. Mr. Barchesky also
serves on numerous building and district-wide committees, where he advocates on
the behalf of his fellow teachers.
Currently in his 14th year of public school
teaching, Mr. Barchesky has served as a guest clinician and adjudicator at the
middle school and high school levels throughout Missouri. He has presented
clinics and research at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference
(2023, 2019, 2018, & 2015) and at professional development events in
several schools. Mr. Barchesky is published in the Journal of Band Research and The
Instrumentalist. He currently serves as the Band Vice President for the
Northeast Missouri Music Educators Association.
Mr. Barchesky earned his Educational Specialist in Mental
Health Practices in Schools, Master of Education in Music Education, and
Bachelor of Science in Music Education (summa cum laude) from the University of
Missouri. His professional memberships include the National Association for
Music Education, Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Bandmasters
Association, and the Missouri State Teachers Association.
Aaron Wacker is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO. Additionally, he teaches graduate music education courses at Capital University’s Summer Master of Music Education program in Columbus, OH. Dr. Wacker previously held positions at The University of Tulsa in Tulsa, OK, and Missouri Valley College in Marshal, MO.
An active music education researcher, Dr. Wacker has presented at state, national, and international conferences, including the Missouri Music Education Association annual conference, the Oklahoma Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the International Society for Music Education conference, Visions of Research in Music Education international conference, the Music Research and Teacher Education National Conference, the QMUE 4 Symposium for LGBTQ studies in Music Education, and the Society for Music Teacher Education. He is published in the International Journal of Music Education, Journal of Band Research, Visions of Research in Music Education, Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education, Contributions to Music Education, Band and Orchestra Magazine, and The Colorado Music Educator. Dr. Wacker currently serves on the editorial board for the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education.
Dr. Wacker received his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Missouri, Master of Music Education (with an emphasis in wind conducting) at the University of Northern Colorado, and Bachelor of K-12 Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado.