Music education conference coming to Brandon University

The 18th annual Da Capo Conference for music educators is returning to Brandon University on Saturday, Jan. 20.

The all-day workshop of professional development opportunities for pre-service and current music educators is organized by BUSMEA, the Brandon University Student Music Educators Association, who are music education students creating professional development opportunities through workshops and other related events.

“BUSMEA is excited to welcome Alexis Silver as the keynote speaker for this year’s conference, who will present a session titled The Value of Teaching with Values,” said Abby Petersen, President of BUSMEA. “It’s wonderful to have her back at Brandon University for another Da Capo Conference.”

Silver teaches Bands at École Secondaire Sisler High School in Winnipeg; served as Visual & Performing Arts Department Head, and is an Associate Director with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra and Winnipeg Women’s Jazz Orchestra. Alexis has played, guest conducted, presented, and/or adjudicated with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra; Winnipeg Wind Ensemble; East Side Jazz Band; Manitoba Band Association; Ontario Band Association; International Music Camp; Montreal Junior Honour Band; Comox Valley Music Festival; Vic Lewis Music Festival (Canmore); Women of Note Choirs; University of Manitoba; Brandon University, and school divisions and regions across Manitoba.

Alexis has served as a Regional Representative, Advocacy Chair, and Vice-President of the Manitoba Band Association; Performance Chair for the Canadian Music Educators Association Conference, and Parliamentarian of the Manitoba Drama Educators Association. She has been a mentor teacher with Winnipeg School Division, and served on the WSD Arts Leaders Committee.

Her articles ‘Self-Care for Instrumental Music Teachers 1 & 2’ were published in the Canadian Winds Journal in 2015 and 2018, respectively. The Sisler Band Program was awarded the Don Green Award at the International Optimist Band Festival in 2015 under her direction. Alexis believes in the healing power of the Arts and is an advocate for Arts Education.

Additional confirmed presenters at this year’s conference include Brandon University professors Dr. Wendy Zander and Dr. Nora Wilson. Local Brandon music educators, Graydon Cramer and Kelsey Simpson, will also be presenting, as well as the President of the Manitoba Orff Association, Dawn Muir. Joining Da Capo as roundtable presenters are Jeni Taylor and Sean Irvine, who will offer their insights into the role of Educational Assistant’s in the music classroom, and Avonlea Armstrong-Green will be joining us to bring a choral perspective to our conference.

The Da Capo conference will also welcome Kevin Doell back to present his Mock Interview session for fifth-year students. Session topics for this year’s conference include two Orff education sessions, Extensive Exploration, and Active Augmentations, Creating Gender Inclusive Spaces in Music, Avoiding Rehearsal Paralysis, Percussion: Reaching and Teaching your Back Row Musicians, Conducting FUN-damentals, The Joy of Pop, and the Fundamentals of a Successful Choir Program.

All are welcome to attend Da Capo including music educators, music education students, high school students, music administrators, education students and performance students. Registration forms can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/PDcTsyhyuHWYairXA

Feel free to contact any BUSMEA member or email busmea@brandonu.ca with any questions. Don’t forget to check out their Instagram @bu_busmea to stay up to date on the Da Capo Conference and other upcoming events.

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