Conference

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

  1. 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.
  2. Review the Proposal Selection Factors below as you create your proposal.
  3. Submit a separate form for each session you are proposing.
  4. Submit your proposal(s) here: Proposal Form by September 30, 2022.
  5. Contact Conference Chair Jake Harkins (jake@songworkseducators.com) if you have questions or want to discuss your thoughts.
Submit a Proposal

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*

  • $225 – Regular Member
  • $150 – Retired Member
  • $125 – Student Member

* All rates require current or new SWEA membership, and include luncheons on both days and Saturday night banquet

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.

Policies

Registration Deadline: March 21, 2022

Refunds and Cancellation: Registrants canceling on or before March 21 will receive a full refund of registration and banquet fees. Registrants canceling after March 21 will receive a refund of registration fees, less the cost of included lunches and optional banquet. 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.

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
Register Now

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.

Looking for session recordings from the 2021 Virtual Conference? Check back soon!