#13: How Classroom Structure Sets the Stage for Success | With Wendy Weeks
07/25/22 • 71 min
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This week, Wendy Weeks, head choral director at Abilene High School, joins us to talk about the importance of having structure in your classroom from day 1, and how it affects the rest of the teaching and learning experience for both you and your students.
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Follow the Abilene High School choirs on Instagram!
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A music educator of twenty-eight years, Wendy Weeks is serving her sixth year as Director of Choirs at Abilene High School. Mrs. Weeks proudly hails from the outstanding music programs of the Abilene Independent School District, singing under the direction of Don Scargall at Madison Junior High, and Bobbie Sumerlin and Barbara Perkins at Cooper High School. While in high school, Wendy had the privilege of performing the Brahms Requiem in the 1989 TMEA Texas All-State Choir under the direction of Robert Shaw.
Mrs. Weeks earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Abilene Christian University, where she majored in Music Education and Vocal Performance. As a member of the ACU A Cappella Choir, she performed a concert at TMEA. As a vocal student of Julie Pruett, she participated in NATS competitions, opera and oratorio performances, musical theatre productions, and served as an ACU Sing Song Hostess. She was awarded the Janey Nance Hall Music Scholarship in her senior year at ACU.
In 1995, she began her teaching career at Cooper High School as Assistant Choral Director with her former choir teacher and mentor, Barbara Perkins. From 2000 to 2011, Mrs. Weeks taught elementary music at College Heights and Jackson Elementary schools. College Heights Elementary School honored Mrs. Weeks in 2002 by naming her Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Weeks furthered her music education during the summers earning her Kodaly Certification through the West Texas Kodaly Initiative in 2008.
From 2011 to 2017, Mrs. Weeks served as Choral Director at Craig Middle School, where she also acted as the Fine Arts/Electives Chairperson. Under her leadership, the choral program grew from 120 students to one that served almost 300 students. The Craig Choir annually placed many students in the TMEA Region XVI South Zone Honor Choirs, and consistently earned Sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading contest each spring. In 2014 and again in 2016 respectively, the Craig Concert Boys Choir and Concert Girls Choir were selected as Invited Performing Choirs to the Texas Music Educators Association’s annual convention in San Antonio.
Mrs. Weeks currently holds memberships in ACDA, TCDA, ACDA, OAKE, TMAA, as well as TMEA, where she has served as Middle School Choir Coordinator. She is active as an adjudicator and as a clinician. Mrs. Weeks sings in the Sanctuary Choir at First Baptist Church, Abilene, and previously held the position of Children’s Choir Coordinator. Wendy and her husband, John, are proud parents of three daughters, Hayley, Whitney, and Courtney.
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Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
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Have a guest recommendation? Let us know!
This week, Wendy Weeks, head choral director at Abilene High School, joins us to talk about the importance of having structure in your classroom from day 1, and how it affects the rest of the teaching and learning experience for both you and your students.
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Follow the Abilene High School choirs on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/abilenehighchoirs/?hl=en
A music educator of twenty-eight years, Wendy Weeks is serving her sixth year as Director of Choirs at Abilene High School. Mrs. Weeks proudly hails from the outstanding music programs of the Abilene Independent School District, singing under the direction of Don Scargall at Madison Junior High, and Bobbie Sumerlin and Barbara Perkins at Cooper High School. While in high school, Wendy had the privilege of performing the Brahms Requiem in the 1989 TMEA Texas All-State Choir under the direction of Robert Shaw.
Mrs. Weeks earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Abilene Christian University, where she majored in Music Education and Vocal Performance. As a member of the ACU A Cappella Choir, she performed a concert at TMEA. As a vocal student of Julie Pruett, she participated in NATS competitions, opera and oratorio performances, musical theatre productions, and served as an ACU Sing Song Hostess. She was awarded the Janey Nance Hall Music Scholarship in her senior year at ACU.
In 1995, she began her teaching career at Cooper High School as Assistant Choral Director with her former choir teacher and mentor, Barbara Perkins. From 2000 to 2011, Mrs. Weeks taught elementary music at College Heights and Jackson Elementary schools. College Heights Elementary School honored Mrs. Weeks in 2002 by naming her Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Weeks furthered her music education during the summers earning her Kodaly Certification through the West Texas Kodaly Initiative in 2008.
From 2011 to 2017, Mrs. Weeks served as Choral Director at Craig Middle School, where she also acted as the Fine Arts/Electives Chairperson. Under her leadership, the choral program grew from 120 students to one that served almost 300 students. The Craig Choir annually placed many students in the TMEA Region XVI South Zone Honor Choirs, and consistently earned Sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading contest each spring. In 2014 and again in 2016 respectively, the Craig Concert Boys Choir and Concert Girls Choir were selected as Invited Performing Choirs to the Texas Music Educators Association’s annual convention in San Antonio.
Mrs. Weeks currently holds memberships in ACDA, TCDA, ACDA, OAKE, TMAA, as well as TMEA, where she has served as Middle School Choir Coordinator. She is active as an adjudicator and as a clinician. Mrs. Weeks sings in the Sanctuary Choir at First Baptist Church, Abilene, and previously held the position of Children’s Choir Coordinator. Wendy and her husband, John, are proud parents of three daughters, Hayley, Whitney, and Courtney.
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings
Previous Episode
#12: Patience and Authenticity as a Composer and Teacher | With Remel Derrick
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In this week's episode, choral composer and assistant choral director at Abilene High School, Remel Derrick joins us on the podcast to discuss his composition and publishing processes, as well as how it applies to the classroom and our lives overall. This is a great episode for teachers who are just beginning to dip their toes into composition, and likewise for young composers who are just beginning to work on getting their music published and ready for the classroom.
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Purchase Remel's music on J.W. Pepper:
https://www.jwpepper.com/myscore/RemelDerrick
For requesting commissions and other inquiries, contact Remel at [email protected]
Remel M. Derrick (b. 1981) Composer, Conductor and Church musician is a music graduate of Southwestern Christian College and Abilene Christian University. His collegiate experiences include being the student director of the Southwestern Christian College A Cappella Chorus, and music director for Summer Tour, an a cappella touring ensemble. As a professional singer he has performed with the Abilene Chamber Singers, and Chorus Abilene. Remel is the Associate Director of Choirs at Abilene High School in Abilene, Texas where he shares in the responsibilities of directing both varsity and non-varsity choirs, as well as teaching AP Music Theory. While at Abilene High School, Remel has music directed and/or conducted the orchestra for several musicals, including, Drowsy Chaperone, Big Fish, Seussical and Oklahoma! His professional affiliations include, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Choral Directors Association. An accomplished composer, Remel's compositions are self-published with his company, Summit Pointe Music Publishing (BMI), and he also has two works published with Walton Music Corporation. A native of Dallas, Texas, Remel currently resides in Abilene, Texas with his wife Angela, their daughter Caylie, and their Mini Aussie, Asher.
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings
Next Episode
#14: How to Work with Middle Schoolers in the Music Classroom | With Lyndsey Ransford
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Everybody knows it: Middle Schoolers are quite the adventure to work with in any classroom, but especially in a musical setting. Lyndsey Ransford, Head Choral Director at Craig Middle School, joins us on this week's episode to talk about the best ways to work with middle school students, how to get them to participate, how to motivate them to do their best work, and ultimately create a culture of safety and support for them!
Follow our official Instagram page and become a part of the community!
Follow the Craig Middle School choir on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/craigmiddleschoolchoir/?hl=en
Browse Kara's TPT Store!
Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!
https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings
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