KMTA Sessions at the KMEA In-Service Workshop
Friday, February 24, 2012
Century II - Room 101 Pear

Teaching Musicianship through Composition
Presented by Christopher A. Schmitz

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9:00 - 9:50 AM
Materials and Strategies for Beginning to Novice Student Composers
This clinic will provide a method for introducing young students to composition within the context of their private instrumental lessons. It is specifically designed for teachers who have limited or no experience with composition but who want to foster the creative potential of their students with useful tools and methods. The materials will work best with students who are at least eight years of age, and may also be used with older children and adult learners. Topics will cover the "nuts and bolts" of composition: tips for creating a melody, some basic approaches to harmonization, activating rhythmic textures, formal considerations, and a few simple motivic development techniques. In addition, a peripheral overview of twentieth and twenty- first century compositional techniques will be presented, highlighting a few of the many interesting alternatives to tonal composition and providing a point of departure for exploring those approaches.

10:00 - 10:50 AM
Materials and Strategies for Intermediate to Advanced Student Composers
This clinic will provide teaching resources designed to challenge developing student composers within the context of their private instrumental lessons. It is aimed toward teachers who have limited or no experience with composition but who want to foster the creative potential of their students with useful tools and methods. The materials will work best with experienced high school or adult learners. Emphasis will fall on the development of well-rounded composer/musicians, covering useful skill progressions that will support and feed the student's creative abilities. Topics will include the development of compositional approaches, as well as some thoughts on improving practical skills in counterpoint, orchestration, piano, repertoire knowledge, music technology, and philosophical considerations.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
KMTA Honors Recital
This recital features performances by winners of the MTNA and KMTA Honor Auditions held in November 2011. Students from second grade through university level will perform in piano, woodwinds, brass, vocal, and strings. The recital is free and open to the public

2:45 - 3:35 PM
Professional Development Seminar: Preparing Student Composers for College (and Beyond)
This clinic will provide resources designed to help students who are serious about composition as they prepare for college study and/or professional engagement. Topics will cover: resume development; online presentation of materials (website, links, Facebook, etc.); how to build, balance and maintain an effective portfolio of works; and, further thoughts about networking, professionalism and ethics in the music field.

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Christopher Schmitz was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. Before focusing on composition, he studied trombone at Arizona State University with Gail Eugene Wilson, then earned a master's degree in jazz pedagogy at the University of Northern Iowa. At UNI, Schmitz studied jazz arranging and composition with Bob Washut and Chris Merz. He is currently Associate Professor of Music at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. Schmitz has taught music theory and composition there since 2003, and is the director of Southwestern's newly established Center for Music Composition. He has received numerous commissions from both professional and academic organizations, and has released commercial publications through Walrus Music (sheet music), Sea Breeze-Vista (sound recordings), and Beauport Classical (sound recordings). In 2007, Schmitz won the Sammy Nestico Award in jazz composition, resulting in a special commission from the Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C. In 2010, his original composition Rhapsody (for two violas and piano) received its premiere in Carnegie Hall, New York City. Schmitz's original scores accompany feature films including Dance with the One (2010 South by Southwest Film Festival Selection) and Between Kings and Queens (REMI Winner, 43rd Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival). Schmitz earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Texas in Austin, where his primary teachers were Donald Grantham, Yevgeniy Sharlat, and Bruce Pennycook.
Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano with Thunderstorm
By Christopher Schmitz

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