SongWorks Annual Conference
“From Our Roots We Continue to Grow”
2022 SongWorks Conference
March 31 – April 2, 2022
Dallas, TX
Save the dates!
We are delighted to announce that the SongWorks Educators Association Annual International Conference will return in person in the Spring of 2022. Join music educators from around the world for three days of learning, playing, and inspiration in Dallas, TX, March 31 – April 2, 2022.
Or attend virtually on Saturday, April 2nd and take advantage of live streamed presentations, asynchronous learning and an online meet and greet with SongWorks colleagues.
View more details below, or click the button to register now!
Access the Conference Platform for a
detailed schedule, handouts, Zoom links, and more!
“Playful Teaching, Vibrant Learning”
2023 SongWorks Conference
March 17 – 18, 2023
Boston, MA
Every Spring, SongWorks educators from around the world gather to experience educational exchange, joy, and camaraderie.
We are delighted to announce that the next annual SongWorks Conference will be held in Boston, MA on March 17-18, 2023! Save the date!
If you are interested in submitting a session proposal, please see the details below.
Conference registration is now open!
Deadline: March 5, 2023
Presentation Proposals & Guidelines
This year’s conference theme is “Playful Teaching, Vibrant Learning.” What session might you share to invite us into the playfulness and vibrancy in your classroom? We want to know about it! See details below for more information.
Download the Presentation Proposal Guidelines (PDF)
Submission Overview
- Confirm your SWEA membership is up to date to be considered for a conference presentation. Contact Alice Nordquist (registrar@songworkseducators.com) if you are unsure of your membership status.
- Review the Proposal Selection Factors below as you create your proposal.
- Submit a separate form for each session you are proposing.
- Submit your proposal(s) here: Proposal Form by September 30, 2022.
- Contact Conference Chair Jake Harkins (jake@songworkseducators.com) if you have questions or want to discuss your thoughts.
Selection Factors
Applicability / Value
Will attendees be able to immediately incorporate what they learn into their teaching?
Will you share your process and intentions for learning so others can apply your ideas in their classrooms?
Repertoire
In addition to the core study songs of SongWorks, a variety of repertoire is welcome. Please be sure to research the history and meaning of any repertoire you are considering to ensure it is authentic and culturally affirming.
Variety
Overall range of conference topics and variety of activity types are considered in the selection process. Suggestions from past Conference feedback include:
- Culturally responsive and inclusive music and movement
- SongWorks for parents/grandparents, autistic students, pre-schoolers, or teaching in a private student setting
- Music and STEM
- Song writing for students
We look forward to receiving and reading your proposal! You will be notified of the status of your proposal no later than November 20, 2022.
Conference Details
Registration Fees
Member rates require current or new SWEA membership. All rates include luncheons on both days and Saturday night banquet.
- $225 – Regular Member
- $150 – Retired Member
- $125 – Student Member
- $300 – Non-Member
Membership Dues
SWEA Membership can be purchased or renewed while registering for the conference. Membership offers many benefits including discounted conference registration rates and access to teaching resources including the Sturdy Songs Collection, materials from past conferences, and recordings of SongWorks in Practice (SIP) Sessions.
- $45 – Regular Membership
- $75 – Sustaining Membership
- $100 – Patron Membership
- $20 – Student Membership
Lodging
Accommodations are available at the Boston Marriott Newton for $129/night plus taxes and fees. This special group rate is available through March 2, 2023.
Transportation
A variety of public and private transportation options are available from the Boston Logan Airport to the conference hotel. Additional details will be provided soon.
Policies
Registration Deadline: March 5, 2023
Refunds and Cancellation: Registrants canceling on or before March 5 will receive a full refund of registration fees. Membership dues are non-refundable. Alternatively, you may choose to donate these fees to support SWEA. Contact SWEA Registrar Alice Nordquist (registrar@songworkseducators.com) if you wish to cancel your registration.
COVID-19 Precautions: SWEA is monitoring the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will, at a minimum, follow CDC Guidelines to protect conference participants from the spread of COVID-19. Masks may be required during conference sessions and vaccines are highly recommended for all in-person attendees.
Financial Assistance
If you applied for financial assistance with conference registration fees, please wait to register until you are contacted by SWEA Grants Administrator Emilee Knell (emilee@songworkseducators.com).
Graduate Credits and CEUs
Graduate Credits (1.0) and Continuing Education Units (15 clock hours) will be available for in-person attendance at the conference through Seattle Pacific University (SPU). If you would like to register for either of these options, you can do so directly through SPU, with the links provided on the Conference Platform page. If you have questions, please contact SWEA Academic Coordinator Taryn Raschdorf (taryn@songworkseducators.com).
Presentation & Event Schedule
Thursday, March 31
8:00-9:00am – Registration
9:00am-4:00pm – Presentations
- Betty Phillips (OR) – It All Starts With A Great Song
- Dr. Anna Langness (CO) – Looking In On Teaching Habits (Pre-Recorded)
- Emilee Knell and Susan Kenney (UT) – From Flying to Mapping: Chopin’s Magical Phrases
- Molly Feigal (MN) – Tips from the Teacher Trenches: Three Sentences to Support Behavior Issues In Your Music Classroom
- Debanhi Garcia (TX) – Songworks for GOOD
- Max Mellman (NJ) – Now We All Stick Together: When Sammy Put the Paper on the Wall
- Molly Feigal (MN) – Surprised by a Song: A Feel Good Song by La Compagnie Créole Turns into a Melody Study
- Kate Smith (BC) – Let’s Sing and Play Together – in French! (Pre-Recorded)
- Jake Harkins (VA) – Jumping Together; Apart: Centuries of Musical Movement
7:30pm – Folk Dancing
Friday, April 1
9:00am-4:00pm – Presentations
- Danielle Solan (Hong Kong) – Song Games From Around the World the SongWorks Way!
- Jake Harkins (VA) – Lighting the Way For Listening: 11 Playful Pathways to Engage the Ear
- Molly Feigal (MN) – 2nd Grade Observation Class
- Katie Herzberg (MN) – High Hopes for Solfege & Rhythm
- Dr. Doug Bartholomew (MT) – Django, the Jazz Classic
- Alice Nordquist (MD) – From Story to Study: Stravinsky’s Firebird Comes to Life
5:30-6:30pm – Happy Hour
6:30pm – Conference Banquet
Saturday, April 2 (In-Person & Hybrid)
9:00am-4:00pm – Presentations
- Lisa Schoen (MN) – Here Comes the Sun: Movement Is A Magical Symbol System!
- Vicky Suarez (TX) – Hand-Drawn and Homemade: Magic In Their Hands
- Dr. Anna Langness (CO) & Michiko Nitaira (Japan) – The Role of Language Clusters in Teaching English (Pre-Recorded)
- Anna Shelow (OH) – Reading and Rhythm
- Emma Shukle (MN) – Vibrant Learning With Vivaldi
- Susan Kenney (UT) – Who Knows What’s In A Song?
4:30-5:30pm – SWEA Business Membership Meeting
Asynchronous Sessions & Recordings
- Eiko Oyoko, Ayame Kobayashi, Makiko Miyaki, Noriko Hirayama, and Yuka Inoue (Japan) – Japanese Nursery Song Through SongWorks
- Molly Feigal (MN) – 2nd Grade Observation Class (recorded)
- Kate Smith (BC) – Let’s Sing and Play Together – in French!
- Dr. Anna Langness (CO) – Looking In On Teaching Habits
Presenters
Download Sessions & Presenters (pdf)
Conference Chair
Children’s Choir Meets SongWorks!
Hancock’s Driftin’:
A Study in Mapping
Kids’ Brains After a Pandemic
Break ‘Em On Down, These Walls Between Us
Hoy Cantamos y Jugandos:
Bringing Songs and Games Into Your Classroom
With Authenticity and Engagement
Playing Pictures:
Student-Created Arrangements, Student-Centered Learning
High Hopes for Rhythm and Solfège
Embracing the Classics:
Dance of the Comedians
En Roulant ma Boule? Let’s!
A French-Canadian Paddle Song
Now the Song Is in Your Hand:
Mapping Manifested
Back to Our Beginnings:
It All Starts with Play
You Must Learn to Join the Dance
Ice Skates and Snowflakes:
Movement, Mapping, and Melody
Sidewindin’ Towards the Staff
Song Games from Around the World
Visiting Scholar
Since 2015, select scholars have been invited to the SongWorks Conference for the purpose of exposing them to the principles, practices, and activities of our organization. Visiting Scholars are chosen based on their leadership in and contributions to music education, as well as their commitment to excellence in learning and teaching. Throughout the conference, Visiting Scholars observe presentations and interact with attendees. We are thrilled to announce Alison Reynolds of Temple University as our 2023 Visiting Scholar!
Alison Reynolds, PhD
Dr. Alison Reynolds focuses her research and teaching interests on expressive and creative music development, early childhood and general music teacher preparation, and developing curriculum materials for children 12 years old and younger. Reynolds has been published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin for the Council of Research in Music Education, Arts Education Policy Review, Research Studies in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, Perspectives, and several state music educators’ journals.
Reynolds is co-author of Jump Right In: The Music Curriculum (Revised Edition) and Music Play: The Early Childhood Music Curriculum Guide for Parents, Teachers and Caregivers, which has been translated into Korean, Lithuanian, and Chinese; and is co-editor and contributing author for Engaging Musical Practices: A Sourcebook for Elementary General Music. She is a frequent presenter of research and practice in international, national, regional, state, and local venues.
Past Conferences
Conference materials from past conferences, including handouts, videos, and presentation slides are available in the Members Access section of the website. Not a member? You can join or renew your membership here.