Waldorf hosts IMTA conference after 12 years

Music educators from across the state gathered at Waldorf College June 5-7 for a conference full of learning opportunities, faculty and guest recitals, social time and a variety of musical offerings.

Organized by Dr. Kristín Jónína Taylor, Waldorf College’s associate professor of music and keyboard area coordinator, the Iowa Music Teachers Association event was held at Waldorf for the first time in 12 years.

Dr. Timothy Schmidt engages the audience in the French Double-
Manual Harpsichord as recent graduate Drew Jackson plays
the Bassoon.

Most of the events took place in the Odvin Hagen Music Building, and all the sessions were in the Recital Hall.

The three-day conference was highlighted by the presence of international pianist and recording artist Frederic Chiu and noted piano pedagogue Ingrid Jacobson Clarfield.

While Clarfield engaged the audience in developing basic technical/musical vocabulary to inspire artistry, Chiu examined the benefits of emotional practicing.

“Ingrid’s presentation was informative and fun. She’s just a terrific presenter,” said Laura LaGrange, an Ames-based music teacher and church organist. LaGrange also enjoyed the faculty and artist recitals during the conference. “Some of us only get to see each other once or twice a year, so it is really good to connect with people from across the state.”

Lorrie Martin, a music educator from Cedar Rapids, thought it was nice to hear a variety of instruments throughout the conference.  “As a pianist you need to get those sounds in your head,” she said.

Between educational presentations, the teachers reveled in different social activities, from a casual picnic in the Atrium to a more formal luncheon in Waldorf’s restored Ballroom with Dr. Timothy Schmidt playing the French Double –Manual Harpsichord.

In a faculty presentation, Waldorf’s Dr. Brent Dodson promised to scare away the fear of technology that many educators share: using technology to enhance music learning. Dr. Dodson introduced the tech survivors to Garage Band, a digital audio workstation by Apple.

“It makes things a little more exciting,” he said to a roomful of teachers eager to update their teaching styles and connect more meaningfully with their students.

Dr. Dodson explained the audience how they can record lessons, performances, music examples and podcast episodes that will help students understand better.

The audience also enjoyed Dr. Taylor’s personal account of her musical research in Iceland, which has been ongoing since her teens.

Waldorf psychology and sociology professor Julienne Friday offered a special musical treat from during the picnic on Sunday. Friday played the bowed psaltery, a musical instrument from the renaissance period, which distracted teachers from their burgers, potato chips and cookies.  “It’s my hobby run amok,” said Friday as she explained her audience how to work the instrument. “The denser the wood, brighter the tone is.”

“So many people came up to me and said what a success it was and how well we did,” said Dr. Taylor. “It reminds people that Waldorf has an excellent music department.”

The venue for the next state conference, which is held every year, has not been decided yet.