Macmillan/McGraw-Hill to Hold 'Spotlight on Music' Workshops for Music Educators Across the Country

This summer, music educators across the country are networking and learning new teaching strategies through professional development workshops offered by the creators of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill's Spotlight on Music curriculum, one of the leading K-6 music programs in the United States.

The one-day professional development workshops address the latest in music education, including new songs and recordings that can be taken back to the classroom, new technology that can improve music education, and how movement can enhance the learning experience.

John Jacobson, Spotlight on Music co-author, leads a session that shows teachers how they can use movement and dance with students to effectively teach all elements of music. "As a songwriter and choreographer, I have the opportunity to lead the teachers through a rigorous series of teaching ideas that they can then go back and use with their students," Jacobson said. "It's a terrific teaching tool that teachers love and students embrace." Jacobson is also president and Founder of America Sings! Inc., senior contributing and writer/editorial consultant for John Jacobson's Music Express magazine, and a composer/arranger with Hal Leonard Corporation.

"John's presentation was inspiring," said one workshop participant. "He showed me I can learn and teach dance!"

Dr. Rene Boyer, Spotlight on Music co-author and professor of music education at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, leads a workshop on musical expression. Boyer's interactive workshop shows teachers how to incorporate singing, playing instruments, movement, and listening into the classroom and demonstrates different musical expressions from all regions across America.

"The musical selections in Spotlight on Music were carefully chosen to reflect all parts of our country, including patriotic, folk, and culturally diverse materials that reflect the cultural heritage of all children throughout America," Boyer said. "Music unites people, and this session gives teachers activities using rhyme, rhythm, song, and movement to use in the classroom in order to celebrate our musical heritage."

One former participant commented, "Rene is an excellent clinician not only for the urban community, but all communities. Her expertise is second to none."

Macmillan has a new Spotlight on Music workshop scheduled as detailed below.

* Albuquerque, NM

WHEN:
August 4, 2006

WHERE:
Marriott Albuquerque Pyramid North Hotel

For more information about the educator workshops offered through Macmillan/McGraw-Hill's Spotlight on Music program.

About Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill is a leading pre-K through Grade 6 publisher of print and technology-based materials that help teach every child in today's classrooms. It is unit of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), a leading global provider of instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower the success of professionals and students of all ages. It is a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 290 offices in 38 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion.