Virtual BOCH Festival 2021 – Saturday, January 30, 2021
While we are disappointed that we cannot host our annual BOCH (Band, Orchestra, Choirs Honors) Festival in person this year, we are very pleased and excited to offer a Virtual BOCH Festival in 2021. This Festival will take place on Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 8:30-5:00. Open to students in grades 9-12, offered will be numerous sessions for students and teachers, including mini-lessons. Please see below for the full schedule.
Cost is $20 for students and free for teachers/directors. For teachers, it is not required to have a student participate in the Virtual BOCH Festival to participate in the Teacher Track. Registration opens December 1. Students, please see the link at the right and click on the registration link. For instrumentalists, please note that spots are limited due to the number of mini lessons available. Confirmation of successful registration will be sent promptly after registration. In the event that spots fill for a particular instrument, students will be added to a wait list.
Deadline to register: Saturday, January 9
Directors and teachers, please click here to register for the Teacher Track!
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8:30am: |
Student Track: Welcome Session Dr. Washington Garcia, Director of the UNO School of Music |
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9:00am: |
Student Track: Sessions with the Conductors Band: Dr. Karen Fannin and Dr. Joshua Kearney Choir: Dr. Derrick Fox Orchestra: Prof. Miguel Harth-Bedoya Meet the conductors and learn about ensemble opportunities in the UNO School of Music for music majors and non-majors. |
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9:30am: |
Student Track: Flute Masterclass with Dr. Christine Erlander Beard Oboe Masterclass with Darci Gamerl Bassoon Masterclass with James Compton Clarinet Masterclass with Dr. Emily McIvor Saxophone Masterclass with Dr. Ben Nichols Trumpet Masterclass with Jason Johnson Horn Masterclass with Ross Snyder Trombone and Euphonium Masterclass with Dr. Jay Wise Tuba Masterclass with Alex Serwatowski Percussion Masterclass with Dr. Hannah Weaver Violin Masterclass with Dr. Mary Perkinson and Prof. Olga Smola Viola Masterclass with Brian Sherwood Cello Masterclass with Greg Clinton Bass Masterclass with Prof. Jeremy Baguyos Voice Masterclass and College Audition Preparation Session with Prof. Shelby VanNordstrand, Prof. Zac Colby, and Leah Kolar
Teacher Track: Join any Masterclass – open to all. |
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10:30am: |
Student Track: Mini-Lessons (instrumental) with UNO faculty begin (20/25-minute lessons). Open Zoom session with Voice Faculty begins (open until 12:30). Drop in our Zoom Room to meet the voice area faculty, ask questions about auditions, get vocal advice or mini lessons, or find out more about our programs. UNO Admissions session For any students wishing to visit with an admissions counselor and hear more about application and admission to UNO.
Teacher Track: The Versatile Curriculum—Working with Composers in the Era of COVID-19 (50-minute session) For many ensemble directors during the time of COVID-19, finding/selecting repertoire and developing curriculum materials has become significantly more complicated. Scheduling, instructional formats, safety precautions, etc. have highlighted the unique situations many of our country’s music programs are facing, often rendering a one-size-fits-all approach to planning inefficient and potentially ineffective. By interfacing with composers, even once the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, teachers can develop a curriculum that is budget-friendly, versatile, engaging, and tailor-made for their students. |
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11:00am: |
Student Track: Open Zoom session with Voice Faculty continues. Mini Lessons (Instrumental) continue.
Student and Teacher Track: Musician Health & Wellness (30-minute session) As musicians we are hard-wired to prioritize our music-making, oftentimes at the expense of our physical, mental, and emotional health. This session will explore the eight dimensions of wellness, how they apply to musicians, and strategies for incorporating whole-body wellness into your every-day practice and music-making routine. |
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11:30am: |
Teacher Track: Starting a Master’s Degree in Music (50-minute session) Dr. Shelly Cooper and Dr. Katrina Cox Are you thinking about continuing your education and starting a Master’s degree in music? If so, come learn about the Master’s degrees offered at the UNO School of Music. Other items discussed will include admissions criteria and time to completion. Following a brief summary of programs and requirements, will be an opportunity for Q&A from the participants. |
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12:00pm: |
Student Track: Open Zoom session with Voice Faculty continues. Mini-lessons (instrumental) continue.
Jazz Improvisation (50-minute session) This session is for students who want to hone their jazz improvisation skills but have not had much experience or formal training. If you are sometimes nervous about improvising in front of others this session is for you because you'll have the option of being muted the entire time in the comfort of your own home! Please have headphones or external speakers available when you zoom in to this session. |
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12:30pm: |
Teacher Track: Juggling Artistry and Strategy: Maximizing Time in Our Rehearsals, Days, and Years (50-minute session) One of our greatest challenges is struggling with how we spend our time. How do we make time to fuel our artistry on a daily basis while juggling a myriad of logistical tasks? Discussed will include creative ways to maximize time in rehearsal, ideas of how to prioritize our musical growth, and strategies to conquer nonmusical roadblocks that can get in the way of music making. |
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1:00pm: |
Student Track: Mini-lessons (instrumental) continue.
So, You Want to Be a Music Major (50-minute session) Dr. Shelly Cooper and Dr. Katrina Cox Drs. Cooper and Cox will take you through a typical day, year, and program of a music education major at a NASM (National Association of Schools of Music) Accredited School. If you wish to stay past the initial presentation, you can learn the specifics about UNO’s Music Education Program. |
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1:30pm: |
Teacher Track: Refreshed and Renewed: Protecting Your Passion for Teaching in the Music Classroom (50-minute session) This session will offer strategies for the music educator who is looking to refocus their purpose and practice in the classroom. |
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2:00pm: |
Student Track: Mini-lessons (instrumental) continue.
Student and Teacher Track: The Piccolo Un-EAR-Plugged (50-minute session) Everything you ever wanted to know about the piccolo but were afraid to ask – including why flutists should learn to play piccolo, tips om how to tame the shrieking twig, and how to select the perfect instrument |
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2:30pm: |
Teacher Track: Revamping Your Solo Voice Literature (50-minute session) Are you interested in diversifying the solo vocal literature you assign for District Music Contest? If so, this session is for you! This session explores unknown art songs of marginalized composers for the high singer. Walk away with new ideas and resources for your next District Music Contest! |
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3:00pm: |
Student Track: Mini-lessons (instrumental) continue. UNO School of Music Advisory Council Panel Discussion (50-minute session) Learn more about what the UNO School of Music has to offer for you from a college student perspective. Led by current UNO students. |
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3:30pm: |
Teacher Track: Teaching Strings for the Non-String Player (30-minute session) Teaching any instrument outside of your primary instrument family can be challenging and at times overwhelming. This session will provide tips and tricks on the basics of left- and right-hand violin technique. We’ll explore exercises and techniques that you can apply to your own string development and pass on to your students. |
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4:00pm: |
Student Track: Mini-lessons (instrumental) continue.
Teacher Track: Trombone for Dummies: For those who feel like the kid on the playground who can't swing and don't know how to use the slide! (50-minute session) Ever feel like the kid on the playground who can't swing and doesn't know how to use the slide? This session is geared towards non-trombone playing teachers and will discuss common pitfalls of aspiring young trombonists including pitch, articulation, buzzing, and stylistic idiosyncrasies of the jazz genre. |
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5:00pm: |
Conclusion of Day |
History of the UNO BOCH Festival
UNO's School of Music created the BOCH Festival in 2007. While most institutions hold separate honors events for each ensemble, the BOCH Festival combines these groups to host an event that brings more than 300 high school students from across Nebraska and the Midwest to work with nationally renowned clinicians. This unique experience will culminate in a performance at the newly-renovated Strauss Performing Arts Center on the campus of UNO.
Though a rigorous audition process, high school musicians from across Nebraska and surrounding states are selected to come together and perform with other musicians at one of Omaha’s premiere performance venues. Students have the opportunity to work with UNO Music faculty and students as well as guest clinicians in both masterclass and rehearsal settings. It is a fun-filled weekend of music making and learning with other talented musicians. We look forward to hosting the BOCH Festival again in person in 2022.
