How can band and orchestra directors encourage their students to take more responsibility for their learning? In this workshop, music teachers will explore the importance of students taking ownership of their learning by gaining clarity about what they should know and be able to do, engaging in peer assessment using tools and protocols, setting goals, and tracking their progress in improving their performance.
James Drew
- Biographical Information
Since 2011, James Drew has served as the Director of Fine Arts for the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) in Sugar Land, Texas. Before this appointment, James conducted bands and orchestras in Texas public schools for 21 years. Ensembles under James’s direction have been selected as state Honor Band finalists and performed at the Midwest Clinic on four separate occasions. James was chosen as the 1997 Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year by the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. James earned a B.M.E. degree from Oral Roberts University in 1986, where he studied conducting with Franco Autori, retired New York Philharmonic associate conductor. Under Gary Garner’s tutelage, James received his M.M. degree in conducting from West Texas State University in 1988. As Fine Arts Director, James has worked to advance the Department’s vision of providing innovative programming led by collaborative artist-teachers in a supportive environment that values excellence in all disciplines. FBISD performing groups and individual students continue to garner state and national recognition. James is an active clinician and has guest-conducted many times at the Midwest Clinic. James was named the 2019 Music Administrator of the Year by the Texas Music Administrators Conference. James holds membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, Texas Music Adjudicators Association (TMAA), and Texas Fine Arts Administrators (TFAA). He serves as TMAA and TFAA Past-President.