2009 CMN National Conference
![[Graphic: Quilt]](images/2009Quilt.gif)
"A Tapestry of Songs"
Mark your calendars now! Join us in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina on October 9, 10, and 11, 2009, for the twenty-second Annual Children's Music Network National Conference. Nestled on 1,200 acres of forested woodlands, the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly conference facility in Black Mountain (Asheville, NC area) offers an inspirational site for sharing songs, ideas and support.
Magic Penny Award recipient Tom Chapin
If you are interested in volunteering to assist with this event, please contact Marie Hopper at 336/375-3861 or email@musicare-usa.com.
Meet our Keynote Speaker: Billy Jonas
CMN is honored to have popular "found percussionist" and singer-songwriter Billy Jonas as our Keynote speaker this year. He will be speaking about his take on the future of children's music, as well as sharing some songs in a performance, which has been described as "an explosion of energy." In singalongs, bangalongs, whisperalongs, as well as improvised songs, his primary instrument is the audience.
Jonas' heartwarming work has been enjoyed across North America since 1987. Previously a member of the highly acclaimed duo, "The Billys," he has been featured at prestigious festivals and venues nationwide. Jonas has shared stages with some of the world's favorite acoustic artists, including Patti Larkin, Ani DiFranco, David Wilcox, Richard Thompson, and Pete Seeger.
Jonas has generated an enthusiastic following for his family show. His CD "What Kind of Cat are You?!" caters to this audience, and received multiple awards including a First Place/Gold from AFIM (American Federation of Independent Musicians), and a Parent's Choice Gold. Jonas also has released 2 video/dvd's for family/young audiences: "Everybody's in the Band!" and "Bangin' and Sangin.'" Both have garnered critical acclaim, including Parents Choice Awards; "Bangin' and Sangin'" received a New York Times "Best" listing.
CMN is thrilled to invite this innovative and highly-in-demand artist to speak at our conference. We look forward to hearing what he has to share.
| Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |||
| 4 pm | Check In Begins | 8 - 8:45 am | Breakfast | 8 - 8:45 am | Breakfast |
| 5:15 - 6 | Newcomers Circle | 9 - 10:15 | Workshops, Session 1 | 8 - 9 am | Room Check-Out |
| 6 - 7 pm | Dinner | 10:30 - 11:45 | Workshops, Session 2 | 9:15 - 10:30 | Workshops, Session 4 |
| 7:30 - 8:15 | Opening | 12 - 12:30 pm | Annual Meeting | 10:45 - 12:15 | Magic Penny Presentation |
| 8:30 - 10:30 | Round Robin Part 1 | 12:30 - 1:30 | Lunch | 12:30 - 1:30 | Lunch |
| 10:30 | Bonfire/Jamming | 2 - 3 | Keynote Speaker | 1:45 - 2:30 | Closing |
| 3:30 - 4:45 | Workshops, Session 3 | ||||
| 5 - 6 | Free Time/Networking/ Life Celebration: Lisa Atkinson & Paul Strausman | ||||
| 6 - 7 | Dinner | ||||
| 7:30 | Round Robin Part 2 | ||||
| Post RR | Late Night Jamming | ||||
(tentative schedule of events – subject to change)
We have a great line-up of workshops for this year's conference! Here is a sampling of topics and presenters. (Please note: All topics and presenters are subject to change.)
|
ROOM A |
ROOM B |
ROOM C |
ROOM D |
Saturday |
Social Justice Song Swap David and Jenny SS |
Music for Montessori Liz Hannan ?? |
Making Fundraising Recordings in the Classroom Sally Rogers L, OF |
Sing-Song-Belong! Ellen Bowman L, OF |
Saturday |
Metaphorical Musicals and Songs: Teaching Tolerance L |
Dancing Feet! Carole Peterson MC |
Marketing Music Rick Hubbard OF |
Curious, Caring & Playful: Nurturing relationships with nature through song SS |
Saturday |
Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Sarah Pirtle L |
Connecting with your Early Childhood Classroom Teachers: Bridging the gap between songs you can read and books you can sing! Fran McKinney MC |
Marimba Magic: Sue Ford MC |
The Brain Loves Mar Harman MC |
Sunday |
World Harmonies Elise Witt MC, SS |
Let’s Do That Story Again! Songs, Stories & Drama Liz Buchanan OF |
Local 1000: The Traveling Musicians Union: Pension, Solidarity & More Deborah Van Kleef OF |
Using Sign Language in Performance Jackson Gillman MC |
KEY: OF–Open Forum, L–Lecture, MC–Master Class (includes participant participation), SS–Song Swap
Here is a short summary of information you may find helpful as you begin
planning your trip to the mountains of North Carolina for the 2009
Children's Music Network Annual Conference.
Dates: October 9, 10, 11, 2009
Location: Blue Ridge Assembly Conference Center, Black Mountain, NC – www.blueridgeassembly.org
Accommodations: hotel-style rooms with two double beds and private bath
Meals: Friday dinner through Sunday lunch; vegetarian options always available; all meals are buffet-style in the dining hall
Facility: The conference facility includes hiking trails, tennis, basketball, volleyball and shuffleboard courts, playground, exercise room, wireless internet in the main lobby, and gorgeous views; more info at: www.blueridgeassembly.org
Camping Option: KOA – www.koa.com/where/nc/33116
Program Highlights:
Keynote Speaker – Billy Jonas – www.billyjonas.com
Magic Penny Award – Tom Chapin – www.tomchapin.com
Workshops and Songswaps
Round Robins – a chance to share songs
Getting there: 30 minutes from the Asheville Airport; 2 hours from the
Charlotte Airport; near highways I40 and I26. We are still exploring
various shuttle options from the airport to the facility. Car rentals are
available.
Teacher Credits: We are still exploring the ability to offer teacher credits for the conference. If you need credits, please contact us asap.
If we've left anything out, please feel free to call or email with any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you in October!Contact Marie Hopper, Conference Chair – 336-375-3861; email@musicare-usa.com or the CMN office – 847-673-2243.
Conference program materials such as the workshop schedule and attendee address list that are distributed at check-in will be packaged together in an 8 1/2 x 11 booklet, and you may advertise in it or have personal greetings printed. Some possibilities are
Display ad with art for your business
Display ad from a business in your area that would like to support CMN
Short personal greeting;
Announcement of your new recording
Business-card-size ad
To place an ad online, use our Online Program Book advertisement form, or print and mail the paper copy of
this Program Book form. 
The Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) will be held the weekend following the CMN Conference in Black Mountain in the Asheville, NC area. There are many LEAF In Streets and Schools programs happening during the week between the two events. We are in conversation with the LEAF staff about a possible collaboration between our two organizations. Read about LEAF and its schedule of events at www.theleaf.org. Like CMN, LEAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and connecting families through music. It offers festivals and other events and conducts mentoring and educational programs, which may be of interest to performers and teachers..
The Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) is held in various Blue Ridge Mountain settings; by the lake, under the sun and stars, in the mountains, on four stages, on jam porches and in a kids’ village, and is one of the top small festivals in the world. Over three days it provides a wealth of great music from a wide range of U.S. and global traditions including African, Latin, Appalachian, Cajun, Celtic, blues, bluegrass, French, New Orleans sounds and more. There are presentations of healing arts, poetry, theater and a handcraft and folk art show. It's advisable to order tickets early: they often sell out.
For a look at the January issue of LEAF's newsletter, click here.
