

Resource Gallery
THE COLLABORATIVE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
These two infographic were presented at Indiana Music Educators Association Annual Conference. I hope this can help you change your department from "me" to "we".
View the 6 Essential Standards adopted from the NAfME 2014 performing ensemble standards. These 6 Essential Standards are a part of the "guaranteed" curriculum for all grade 6-8 music students in band, choir and orchestra.
View an example of proficiency scales for all 6 Essential Standards outlined in the link above.
The Power of Takadimi - Developing Rhythmical Literacy
This presentation was given in conjunction with Dr. Don Ester, Ball State University, at the 2018 Indiana Music Educators Association Annual Conference in Fort Wayne, IN.
SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN A PLC SCHOOL
This presentation was given at the 2017 Indiana Choral Directors Association State conference. It focuses on the collaborative vision of the Center Grove Middle School Central Music Department in teaching music literacy skills. If you want more resources for your music department click here.
FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS: USING 1-1 TECHNOLOGY
This presentation was given in 2017 for the DePauw University Music Teacher Education Preparation PLC workshop.
ENRICHMENT IN THE UNIFIED ARTS CLASSROOM
This presentation was given in 2017 for the Center Grove Community Schools Professional Development Day. It focuses on how to navigate the PLC process, specifically enrichment, in the large performance music classroom.
1-1 IN THE LARGE ENSEMBLE: UNLOCK THE POWER WITHIN
This presentation was given that the 2016 Indiana Music Educators Association State conference. It focuses on the use of 1-1 technology in a large ensemble like band, orchestra, or choir.
USING TWITTER TO BUILD YOUR DIGITAL BRAND
This presentation was given at a full district professional development day for Center Grove Community Schools in Greenwood, IN. It focuses on the basic elements of navigating twitter to develop a classroom brand.
Presentation given at 2015 American Middle Level Educators National Conference
July 21, 2015 presentation at the MSD Professional Development Summer Training. This presentation focuses on the use of GarageBand and iMovie on iPad in your classroom.
Visit Chris Grifa Music to learn how you can improve your band's tone! Chris is an expert in this area!
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE ROOM
Presentation made at IMEA convention 2014. Several highly effective teaching strategies that take "best practice" and apply them to a large ensemble.
When planning that next unit / concert use this template to document your journey.
Graphic organizer to help your students pre-mark music before sight reading. This is an adapted literacy strategy to help show their use in band class. Se the video below to watch this technique in action.
When students forget an instrument or materials, keep them from distracting the class with this writing assignment. This is a modification from Wendy Higdon's "Rehearsal Detective" Download a copy of my google form here.
Use this to help guide your students to performing a proper long phrase. See the video below to see this technique in action.
Download a copy to map your repertoire based units.
Download this Frank Battisti/Robert Garofalo/Gary Smith-based worksheet to prepare your scores with engaging learning activities