Music Sheets

UMEA 

Virtual Professional Development Conference

UMEA Professional Development Conference

Letter from the UMEA Board

The executive committee has met several times since our last UMEA board meeting. We have looked at several online platforms and feel like we have arrived at a solution for our virtual conference in February. We are in the process of negotiations and a contract to produce our Virtual Professional Development Conference. This is not an inexpensive venture; however, it is comparable to renting the Dixie Center. We are not ready to release our final budget for the project, but please understand that we are considering each piece in order to have the most accurate picture possible. After looking at several options, we feel that this decision will meet our main objectives: 1) Keep the highest level of professional development for Utah music teachers 2) Keep the cost of the conference the same or lower than we have in the past 3) Keep the amount of work on the back end of the conference to a minimum. 4) Provide our vendors with a meaningful experience. 5) To have performances -- We are still working on what this will look like. We have not decided on a final format (schedule) for the conference, but we will shortly. In the past we have offered about 56 sessions. Our current plan is to offer 32 - 40 sessions. We have not allocated these by division yet, but you can expect detailed information to be coming your way in the next few weeks.



Will there be a General Session and Awards?

The Awards Ceremony and Keynote Speaker will be virtual. It will be available to anyone who is registered for the convention. Normal awards will be presented. February 6, 10am.



Will there be performances?

Yes. February 5, 6pm and February 6, 1:30pm.



Is there a schedule of when the clinics and performances happen?

February 4, 4-5pm, Session Block 1 February 4, 6:30-7:30pm, Session Block 2 February 5, 4-5pm, Session Block 3 February 5, 6-6:30pm, Performance Block 1 February 5, 7-8pm, Session Block 4 February 6, 8:30-9:30am, Session Block 5 February 6, 10-11am, General Session and Awards February 6, 11am-12pm, Session Block 6 February 6, 1:30-2pm, Performance Block 2 February 6, 2:30-3:30pm, Session Block 7



What about All-State Jazz Band?

Visit the All-State Jazz Band webpage for more information.



Will there be vendors / exhibitors?

Yes and there will be dedicated time for their presentations and for you to visit them virtually.



What will the cost for the conference be?

$60 - Current UMEA member $100 - Non-UMEA member (includes non-music educators). MEMBERSHIP IS NOT INCLUDED in this fee. Visit NAfME to renew or sign-up. $20 - Current Collegiate NAfME member $35 - Current Collegiate non-member (this is for undergrad only) Retired members free (but you will need to register in order to get links) Membership in the association (NAfME and UMEA) is NOT included in the cost of the conference.



Part of what I enjoyed was the socializing.  Is there a plan for that?

We are working on the details and will give you more information, but the short answer is YES!



Will there be clinics?

Clinics will be 60 minutes. There will be an e-schedule of the convention, similar to the printed version used at the UMEA PD Conference. This schedule will be available online. When you register for the conference, you will have access to an e-copy of the program guide that includes clickable links to attend clinics and other events virtually.

The clinician will be able to share a PowerPoint presentation and to play audio and video within the clinic. Most will be live presentations, not recordings. Each clinic will have a host—a person who will handle the technology for the session, introduce the clinician, and monitor comments and questions from the attendees. Many clinics will be sponsored by exhibitors and will include a brief presentation from the exhibitor at the opening of the clinic.

The conference is scheduled for February 4 - 6, 2021.



How do I register for the conference?

Complete the registration form and pay the registration fee. That's it. You will receive links for the conference via the email address that you provide during registration. Register for the conference here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/UtahMusicEducators/_2021UMEAConferenceRegistration After you register, you will be redirected to a "conference payment" page where you can make your payment. In addition you will receive an email confirming your registration with additional information including a link to the payment page.



CONFERENCE

UMEA MIdwinter Conference
February 4, 5, 6, 2021