CASDA’s Music Educators Symposium Returns with Renewed Energy

After a few years hiatus, CASDA’s Capital District Music Educators Symposium came back in full force last October. Nearly 80 music educators gathered at SUNY Schenectady’s School of Music for a full day of learning, sharing, and reconnecting with colleagues across the region.

“We wanted to bring back a program that truly reflected what music educators need right now,” said CASDA Executive Director Timothy Backus. “Music educators deserve relevant, engaging professional development that supports the work they’re doing in their classrooms.” And that’s exactly what the day delivered.

One of the things that made last year's symposium so successful was the collaboration behind the scenes. Frank Roselli, Administrator for Fine Arts and Music at Shenendehowa, and Stephanie Dykeman, a music educator from the Greater Amsterdam School District, worked closely with CASDA's Assistant Director of Research and Program Development Jerome Steele to design a program that mirrored the wide-ranging needs of today’s music classrooms.

Together, they pulled from the expertise of local, practicing teachers and SUNY Schenectady faculty to build an impressive slate of 12 workshops spread across three session blocks. Topics covered just about every corner of music education - general music, string instruction, brass techniques, vocal and choral work, percussion, Orff ensembles, and even strategies for supporting ENL students in the music room. As Roselli put it, “It is remarkable how much can be offered by the people in our own backyard.”

The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive. One educator wrote simply, “I am just thrilled that this event is back!” Another highlighted how “extremely relevant” and “outstanding” the ENL workshop was. The Orff Ensemble sessions were a particular hit, with many attendees describing them as engaging, energizing, and a fun chance to “jam with colleagues.”

But beyond the sessions themselves, participants appreciated the opportunity to reconnect. Events like this give educators space to step outside their own classrooms, meet peers from other districts, share what’s working, and reflect on the bigger picture of music education today. As one attendee said, “It is always great to learn from colleagues!”

The success of this year’s symposium is only the beginning. CASDA is committed to ensuring that the Music Educators Symposium continues to grow as a relevant, educator-driven professional development cornerstone for the Capital Region.

“We couldn’t do it without great collaborators like the Suburban Council Music Educators, SUNY Schenectady, and John Keal,” Backus said. “We look forward to what comes next.”