SUMMER TEACHER TUNE UP
Hands-on, Instrument Specific Professional Development Program with Master Clinicians
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who may attend the clinic?
The sessions are designed to accommodate band directors who have experience in the classroom and desire additional training on “best practices” for teaching at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of instrumental music education. Additionally, the sessions would be valuable as a refresher course for veteran high school teachers who may be teaching middle school band or considering a change in grade level instruction.
2. What is included in the cost of instruction?
Daily instruction from a teaching and performing professional, use of a personal instrument for each day of instruction, educational literature specific to each instrument, a daily instrument repair clinic specific to “The Instrument of the Day,” daily lunch and refreshments. Parking is free for the entire week.
3. Where will the “Summer Teacher Tune Up” take place?
Each day’s instruction and lunch will take place at The Gift of Music located at 590 Commerce Park Drive, Suite 175, Marietta, Georgia 30060. Parking is free and located just steps from our front door!
4. Are there any prerequisite performance requirements?
There are NO requirements of individual ability to perform on each instrument. The clinic is specifically designed to provide teachers with a new set of tools as they enter the classroom in the fall of 2025. Where individual weaknesses are present on a certain instrument, the clinic will provide the participant access to information for both pedagogical and demonstrational purposes, based on the experience they have on a given instrument.
5. What makes this clinic different from a master class that I would attend at a state or national conference?
The defining value of this clinic is not only to work with a professional who is a master teacher, but an educator recognized as professional performer. Additionally, attendees will be playing “The Instrument of the Day” and receiving a “hands on” instructional experience that mirrors the educational process of how young students learn and how to diagnose and correct bad habits from more experienced students.
6. Will I need to bring an instrument for each day of instruction?
Attendees will be provided instruments and teaching literature for each day of instruction as a part of the registration fee. Note: Attendees will NOT be sharing instruments with other participants (except for larger instruments) and will be assigned their instrument at the beginning of each day.
7. When is the last day to register for the “Summer Teacher Tune Up?”
In an effort to prepare for your attendance, we ask that all online registrations and payments are made no later than Monday, June 9, 2025. If paying by check, the deadline is May 15 to confirm registration.
Seats are limited for this experience in an effort to provide the most individualized instruction and valuable opportunity for peer interaction.
8. May I use this training as professional development hours for my school district?
Since school districts recognize professional development in different ways, we urge you to check with your music supervisor for guidance on staff development credits. Participants who attend all five days of the course will be issued a Certificate of Completion on June 20 that may be presented to local school or district leadership as proof of professional development.
9. Will percussion instruction be included in the “Summer Teacher Tune Up?”
For 2025, we will focus solely on woodwind and brass instruments. Given that this will be an annual event, we plan to provide a similar format of instruction while including percussion instruments as a part of the curriculum.
10. Will the format change on the day where my major instrument is the focus of instruction?
On the day when “The Instrument of the Day” is a participant’s major instrument, they will have the opportunity to receive pedagogical tips from the presenter as well as participate in peer discussion and individualized instruction. They will also have the opportunity to provide personal advice on topics pertinent to their instrument as well as teaching strategies that have proved to be beneficial in their own classroom.