Guest Artist

Scott Leithead

Choral Director

Mr. Leithead is the founder and artistic director of Edmonton’s Kokopelli Choir Association and the T.I.M.E. Vocal Jazz Association. His choirs have traveled to Africa, Asia and Europe and have participated in such renowned choral events as Podium, the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors Conference; the International Society of Music Educators Conference; the International Association of Jazz Education Conference; the American Choral Directors Association Conference; Festival 500; and the Stratford Music Festival.

Check out these websites about Scott:

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

African Choir Trip journal

Teacher Contact: Judy Neumeier

Kerrobert Composite School

Grade 4, 5, 6

Oct 15 - Sherron is starting a schedule - please change/revise as you wish

Schedule

• 9:45am - 10:00am Teachers arrive, meet the artist and one another, introduce the day, expectations

• 10:00am - noon (when does the bell go Judy? And what about recess - can they just be given a break when Scott is ready?)

• lunch - plan to bring a bag lunch so we can talk about the workshop, share resources, other ideas

• 1:00pm - 2:30pm workshop continues

• 2:30pm - 3:00pm - Teacher time to debrief with Scott, reflect, discuss what to "show & share" for the next day

Discussion & Introduction:

Hi Scott - I am really excited about your visit to our school (and the choir kids can't wait either!). We're hoping you will be able to work with our Division 2 kids (grades 4,5,6 = 56 kids) plus 10 of my high school choir kids. They are all great kids (do I sound biased?) and have proven to be excellent clientelle for guest workshops we've had. We would like to do "something" on an African theme for our Christmas presentation this year, but we aren't sure what - we're just hoping to do something different from the regular pageant idea. If you have anything that you think you could contribute, we would certainly welcome any ideas - big or small. I don't know yet how many teachers to expect from elsewhere, but myself and the three other division 2 teachers will be there with great enthusiasm!

Are there any other teachers out there who have anything to contribute as to what they would like to take away from this day?

Looking forward to the 30th!

Judy Neumeier

!

Oct 24: Hi Judy and Scott - good to see the discussion starting here!

Some good news - Scott is also bringing an exchange choir member from Namibia, Linus. He'll be joining the group and will help present his songs from Africa - isn't that exciting?

We have 7 extra teachers coming to join you at Kerrobert for the day. We hope you can meet them and show them which room to go to. We'd like the teachers to meet Scott and Linus at 9:45am and so I will suggest they arrive by about 9:30. They will be asked to bring a lunch but can you provide coffee and water? Also Judy, can you make sure Scott and Linus get a lunch that day?

Renee Torwalt (an Arts Ed Teacher Leader) will also be there and will be taking photos of the day to post on the wiki. You can use these when sharing the next day with the group if you like.

Let me know if I can be of any help as you get ready.

Sherron

Hi Sherron, Scott, Linus and visiting teachers,

I would love to provide lunch for everyone that day (being a part timer gives me Monday off to whip up a mean soup and sandwich!) but if anyone prefers to have their own bagged lunch, I won't be offended. I'll supply water, juice and coffee / tea too. Looking forward to it!!

Judy N

Wow, very kind of you Judy! I'll let the teachers know attending that day. - Sherron

P.S. Scott is having trouble getting on the site but he tells me he is very happy about coming to Kerrobert!

Hello everyone,

I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful project. I will bring a long a variety of African pieces to introduce to everyone. I will see what I can find in regards to a "Christmas theme" but there are tons of sacred/secular traditionals of which I am aware.

Thank for you offering the wonderful lunch Judy - It sounds like we will be in great hands.

Linus and I are really looking forward to this!

Scott

Workshop Ideas: