MAINE MIDDLE SCHOOL

BAND DIRECTORS

FALL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 6
8am - 2:30pm
Cape Elizabeth Middle School
14 Scott Dyer Road Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Conference attendees
need to bring:
Lunch
Clarinet
Pair of drumsticks
Laptop/tablet/phone
We will only be sharing conference handouts electronically

Assigned instrument for rehearsal lab

Band room hacks to share with your peers
1. Logistical and organizational tricks/tips/systems that help your program and band room run smoothly
2. Fun band-related activities/games/competitions that motivate your students

OTHER DETAILS
Park at Cape Elizabeth HIGH SCHOOL (345 Ocean House Road)
& walk up parking circle to CEMS. No parking available at CEMS.
We ask that attendees not enter the building before 7:50am
Coffee and light breakfast fare will be provided for attendees
 PARKING
Attendees must park at Cape Elizabeth High School
Address for GPS:
345 Ocean House Road
Cape Elizabeth
-Park in one of the two designated parking lots shown below
-Walk up the bus circle (shown by orange dots) to CEMS

S
CEM

Entrance
to CEHS
Parking
Maine Middle School Band Directors
Fall Conference Schedule
Welcome & Introductions 8:00-8:30 AM

Rachel Maxwell
8:30-9:30 AM
Developing the Young Band Sound

BREAK 9:30-9:45 AM

Chris Marro
9:45-10:45 AM
Percussion Technique Part II

BREAK 10:45-11:00 AM

Caitlin Ramsey & Missy Shabo 11:00-11:45 AM

Ensemble Development Rehearsal Lab

LUNCH 11:45-12:30 PM

Maria Wagner
12:30-1:30 PM
Clarinet 101

Band Room Hacks

1:30-2:30 PM
Peer Share Session
 Maine Middle School
Band Directors Fall Conference

Rachel Maxwell currently serves as the Director of Bands at Traughber Junior High School, SD #308 in Oswego, IL. Under her
direction, the bands at Traughber JHS have performed at The Midwest Clinic (two clinic presentations and one rehearsal lab
group), the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference, the University of Illinois Super-state Festival and at the
ASBDA National Convention.

Mrs. Maxwell has taught music education courses at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago and North Central College in
Naperville, IL. In addition, she serves on the editorial review board of NAfME's Teaching Music magazine. Mrs. Maxwell has been
invited to be a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator at a number of music camps and festivals including the Music for All
National Summer Symposium, the California JH All-State Band, the NC All-State Middle School Band, ISYM at the University of
Illinois, Illinois State University Junior High Camp, and several ILMEA District Level Festivals.

Mrs. Maxwell has degrees from Illinois State University (BME), The University of Illinois (MME), and Aurora University (MAEL). She
is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at Boston University.

Chris Marro is the co-founder and co-owner of Midcoast School of Music. He is currently the percussion instructor for Cape Elizabeth
High School and Westbrook High School. Chris teaches General Music for grades 3-5 at Saint Brigid School in Portland and maintains a
sizable roster of private students. He plays in and manages a much in-demand nine piece band (Retrospecticus) as well as working
with other artists and bands as a sought-after drummer and sideman. Chris has worked with thousands of students, becoming one of
the most in-demand Percussion instructors in Southern Maine. Chris’ teaching philosophy centers on connecting with students in a
way that makes music fun and enjoyable. Additionally, in his teaching, a strong emphasis is placed on the importance of fundamentals
for all students, whether they aspire to play professionally or for personal enjoyment and recreation.

Maria Wagner is a clarinetist and educator based in Portland, Maine. She has performed with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the
Bangor Symphony Orchestra, OperaMaine, the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra, and more. Maria plays in the neofolk chamber
ensemble Forêt Endormie, and is an active freelance performer for events such as the Vigorous Tenderness installation series and the
Portland Bach Experience.

Maria has been mentoring growing clarinetists for over 19 years. Alongside running her private teaching studio, she is the clarinet
coach for the Southern Maine Music Academy and the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble, is a teaching artist at 317 Main Community
Music Center, and is applied music faculty at Bates College. Her personal practices of yoga and meditation inspire her approach to
musicianship and she leads workshops on how mindfulness practices can support musicians’ well being. www.mariawagnerclarinet.com

Caitlin Ramsey has been the Director of Bands Cape Elizabeth Middle School since 2010. For the past twenty years, she has been an
active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor and currently serves as the Eastern Division Representative on the National Council
of Band Education. In 2020, Ms. Ramsey was named the MMEA Music Educator of the Year. Ms. Ramsey holds undergraduate degrees
in horn performance and music education from Miami University and a Masters of Music from Kent State University. She serves as the
coordinator of the D1 7/8 and 6th Grade Honors Festivals. Mrs. Ramsey is a member of MMEA, the National Band Association, and the
American School Band Directors Association. She lives in Portland with her husband Tim, the band director at Scarborough HS.

Missy Shabo has worked as a middle school band director in Maine for the past 15 years and joined the Cape Elizabeth Middle School
band program as Co-Director of Bands in 2022. She earned her Bachelors in Music Education in 2008, Masters in Music Education in
2016, and CAS in Educational Leadership, all from the University of Southern Maine. Since 2015, Ms. Shabo has been the camp
director of the Southern Maine Junior Music Academy, Youth Band Day Camp, and Southern Maine Music Academy at USM. She is
also the co-founder and coordinator of the Funtown Music Festival. She has served as the MMEA District I Chair and she currently
serves as the band manager for the District I 7/8 Honors Festival. Ms. Shabo is a member of MMEA and the National Band Association.