Collaborative Conference

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sheraton’s Urban Sanctuary

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Canadian Composer’s Forum

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Kalimba Workshop

www.mtna.org/conference07/pedagogyfriday.html

NOTE: The conference was a huge success, non-stop workshops, clinics, masterclasses and performances for five days straight, not to mention so many wonderful colleagues to meet and get to know – I am still recovering!!

This week marked the largest Music Pedagogy Conference ever held in Canada. Collaborative Conference ’07 was co-hosted by the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Music Teachers National Association, and the Canadian Federation of Music Teacher’s Associations, with over 3,000 in attendance which included many first-time visitors to Toronto from the U.S. It was a wonderful chance to be a tourist in my own town for a few days, and I have to admit, the perspective from the Sheraton allowed me to be hugely proud of Toronto.

To my knowledge it was also the largest gathering of RCM Examiners, so there was a wonderful sense of renewal and collegiality. I particularly enjoyed collaborating with colleagues from the the RCM, Dianne Aitken & Margot Rydell, co-hosting workshops they were presenting, ‘A Peek in the Exam Room, Woodwinds’, offering an inside look at a sample Grade 8 Flute Exam, and ‘Technical Fitness for the Woodwind Player’.

Highlights from the conference will gradually emerge here, and will include descriptions of:

• Canadian Composers’ forums
• a workshop on African Thumb Piano
• a keynote speech delivered by Bramwell Tovey,
• as well as a most extraordinary presentation regarding ‘special needs students’

This final workshop that I attended explored the challenges and rewards for both student and teacher alike, and featured a poised, articulate and talented young musician with Tourette Syndrome.

Oh, and did I mention that I just missed meeting the actor who played the Wizard of Oz by a scant 15 minutes on the final day in the Exhibitor’s Area? Long story, although I did come away with a signed copy of a photo of the original cast!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

…the first ‘official’ Urban Flute Project recording, 10/31/06

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.