HOME OF SALUTING AMERICA'S BAND DIRECTORS™
HOME OF SALUTING AMERICA'S BAND DIRECTORS™
Saluting America’s Band Directors is offering four continuing education unit (CEU) opportunities exclusively for members of The Band Directors Marching Band while we are in California. A CEU credit has been created for the overall band experience itself. In addition, three consecutive 45-minute, CEU-granting workshops will take place on December 31, starting at 6:30 pm. Participation in any or all of these continuing education opportunities is entirely optional, but they offer a convenient way for our members to earn needed credits for recertification and/or salary advancement.
Each workshop and the overall band experience will grant a continuing education credit administered through and accredited by Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio. The cost is $60 per unit. Many school districts will cover all or part of these fees, so be sure and check with your administration. Also, check with your administration to see if these credits will apply in your specific case. You will be notified when online registration is available to enroll.
We are grateful to Alfred Watson, Ramon Rivera, James Swearingen and Jon Waters for leading these sessions. The times below may need to be adjusted to allow for unforeseen circumstances.
6:30-7:15 pm Session One
“Creating a Climate of Excellence”
Presented by Alfred L. Watkins
This session will detail practices and methods that may be utilized in the classroom to create an energy of high level of personal achievement that may be transferred to all aspects of the school band program. This approach is very comprehensive in nature and examines motivational tools the teacher may use to create excellence in every aspect of the program. Special emphasis is placed on the motivation behind the development of individual skills, which may be applied to marching, concert, jazz, chamber and participation in various honor groups.
Presenter information for Alfred Watkins
Director of Bands (retired)
Lassiter HS (GA)
Musical Director, Co-Founder and Conductor
Cobb Wind Symphony, an all-adult community band
Co-Founder, Minority Band Directors National Association
Midwest Clinic Legend
Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor
Edwin Franko Goldman Award, ASBDA
Member, Bands of America Hall of Fame
Member, American Bandmasters Association
Member, Phi Beta Mu Georgia Bandmasters Hall of Fame
Phi Beta Mu, International Bandmaster of the Year, 2021-2022
Member, Florida A&M University Gallery of Distinguished Alumni
Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Distinguished Service to Music Award
7:15-8 pm—Session Two
“Mariachi in K-12 Education and its Impact on Students”
Presented by Ramon Rivera
Mariachi programs are flourishing in many regions of the United States, transforming and connecting students with their cultural identity. Mariachi music is an important facet of post-colonial Mexican culture, and with that comes a great sense of pride and validation that provides many students, particularly Mexican Americans, a level of gratification and significance. In this clinic, mariachi educator Ramon Rivera will share their experience introducing mariachi music to their schools and its impact on K-12 students.
Presenter information for Ramon Rivera
Ramon Rivera is the Director of Mariachi in Mount Vernon School District in Mount Vernon, Washington, where he teaches six mariachi and folklórico classes with an enrollment of over two hundred students grades six-twelve. Mr. Rivera has been recognized as a pioneer in cultural arts and has received numerous awards and accolades during his teaching career. As a clinician, Mr. Rivera has presented classes and workshops for KHS Music, VH1 Save the Music, H. Jimenez Guitars, Eastern Washington University, the University of Iowa Northern, Napa Valley College, the International Music Education Summit, Berklee Plus, and the for the Give a Note Foundation.
8-8:45 pm—Session Three
“Hearing your Band in High Definition”
Presented by Professor Emeritus James Swearingen
Composer and educator James Swearingen has spent a lifetime helping band directors formulate a successful philosophy on how to make their performances “come to life.” More than just playing notes, he will discuss important considerations as it relates to the topic of musical interpretation. In addition, a variety of rehearsal strategies will be offered as possible solutions for achieving your desired outcomes.
Presenter information for James Swearingen
A legendary composer and conductor, Mr. Swearingen’s works are perhaps the mostly widely played and loved scholastic concert music in the country. He was a good friend of Mike Sewell and the Pickerington Bands and continues to work with the bands in a variety of ways. Mr. Swearingen frequently appears as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician, both nationally and internationally, and is a professor emeritus at Capital University.
December 29-January 2
“Participation in The Band Directors Marching Band”
Presented by Professor Jon Waters
Members of the Band Directors Marching Band who attend all performances and rehearsals while in California can apply for CEU credit for this program. Participation in The Band Directors Marching Band includes four days of rehearsals and performances under the direction of Jon Waters. Participants will do the same sorts of things that they ask of their students at home every day. This “lab” experience will give the directors new techniques and skills that they can immediately put to use in their home band rooms.
Presenter information for Jon Waters
Jon Waters is an internationally known music educator and band director. As director of marching and athletic bands at The Ohio State University, his innovative use of iPads in creating unprecedented animated marching formations led to worldwide recognition and millions of You Tube hits. In 2014, he delivered a TEDx talk on "Tradition thru Innovation.” Professor Waters is currently director of bands at Heidelberg University in Ohio.