Many of the challenges of teaching music have the same common denominator: classroom management. This is a common challenge among both beginning and experienced teachers, and is often cited as a common concern among supervising administrators. This session will focus on positive and proactive strategies to manage music ensemble classrooms based in psychology. Participants will leave with tools to eliminate stress and improve student and teacher success.
Michael Antmann
- Biographical Information
Michael Antmann is in his 25th year as a music educator and his
10th year as Director of Bands at Freedom High School in Orlando, Florida. He
holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Florida State
University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Central Florida.
His previous positions include Music Resource Teacher for Orange County Public
Schools and band director at Bridgewater Middle School (Winter Garden) and
Swift Creek Middle School (Tallahassee).
Ensembles under Dr. Antmann’s direction have
earned invitations to perform at prestigious events, including the UGA Middle
School Band Festival (2004), CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference (2006,
2024), UCF Music for All Regional Concert Band Festival (2019, 2022), and the
Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Conference (2011, 2014, 2022).
His honors include five Citations of
Excellence from the National Band Association, the Florida Bandmasters
Association “Tom Bishop Award,” the “Oliver Hobbs Award,” OCPS/Kessler Grand
Bohemian Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts Award, and Teacher of the Year. He
was a national semi-finalist for the 2019, 2020, and 2025 Grammy Music Educator
Awards and was recently named one of the CMA Foundation’s “Music Teachers of
Excellence.”
Dr. Antmann is an active member of FMEA, FBA,
ASBDA, and NBA, and currently serves as president-elect of the Florida
Bandmasters Association. He is co-founder and instructor of the Florida Band
Director Workshop in Titusville—an intensive, interactive clinic focused on
conceptual teaching and band pedagogy. He remains in demand as a guest
conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout Florida.