Full Program - Missouri Music Educators Association

Mat Thornton is a senior percussion major at UCM with a strong interest in
percussion maintenance and tuning. He has traveled to several area high schools this
fall to assist directors with percussion instrument repairs and tuning. Mat serves as
President of the UCM student chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, and plans to
pursue a career in music ministry following his graduation in the fall of 2012.
“Percussion Maintenance & Tuning for the Non-Percussionist” (p. 41)
The clinic will cover percussion instrument maintenance routines and tuning, for the most common
public school percussion instruments. With the target audience being the Middle School/High School
non-percussionist, emphasis will be placed on quality resources readily available to the Missouri music
educator.
Maureen Travis has been teaching music in the Lebanon R3 School District since
the 2004 school year. For 26 years prior to that, she taught in the Richland RIV School
District in Pulaski County. Teaching duties have included Pre-K to High School Vocal
Music and Special Needs classes
“Music for Special Learners” (p. 34)
The approach to special learners in the music room - activities used in teaching, ideas for planning and
implementing successful lessons. Participants will learn dances and songs taught with special learners in
mind. A representative from VSA Missouri, the State organization on Arts and Disability, will share
information regarding VSA activities.
Robert Waggoner has been involved in the music education field since 1964, at
all levels, including elementary through university. Formerly, the Director of bands at
Parkway West H.S. and the Monday Night Jazz Club at Meramec-St. Louis Community
College, Mr. Waggoner is currently the director of Genesis Jazz Project Big Band. He
also teaches Jazz Education for Webster University and the Jazz Lab Ensemble at the
Community Music School.
A professional bassist, Robert has performed in jazz trios to symphonic orchestras,
including playing at Six Flags/St. Louis where he also served as conductor of the
Palace Show for 4 years. He has also been involved as a staff member of the Jim
Widner Jazz Camps and the SLUH Middle School Jazz Camps. Through out the
Midwest, Robert maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, adjudicator and conductor
in the Jazz Education area.
He has received the following awards: St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Certificate
of Merit (1990-91), St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Hall of Fame(1995-96), NBA
Outstanding Jazz Educator Award(2003), and the MOIAJE Jess Cole Award(2004) for
Outstanding Contributions to Jazz Education.
Mr. Waggoner attended the University of North Texas, graduated from St. Louis
Institute of Music and continued with graduate work at Sothern Illinios University at
Edwardsville. He is also the President/Owner of St. Ann Music LLC, a business that
he operates with his wife, Ann.
“A Rhythmic Approach to Beginning Improvisataion” (p. 36)
The purpose of this clinic is to develop the student’s rhythmic improvisational concept. A more focused
groove solo will result because of the rhythmic flow that has been developed. Now we add pitches to the
rhythms studied to develop a melodic solo. Next the improvisational solos are done to standard chord
progressions. Therefore, the students are applying the solo development to tunes not exercises. The chord
progression used for this clinic will be the blues.
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