2024 All-State Orff Ensemble

2024 ALL-STATE ORFF ENSEMBLE CLINICIANS

Kaitlin Beck is in her seventh year teaching K-5 general music at DC West Elementary School in Valley, Nebraska. Outside of the school day, she sponsors the 3rd-5th grade ukulele club and is the Children's Music Director at Urban Abbey. Prior to teaching at DC West, Kaitlin served as the Associate Director of Choirs for the Omaha Children’s Choir and Music Director for the Alleluia, Amen! Children’s Choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2016, earning her Bachelor of Music in Education with an emphasis in K-12 vocal music. Kaitlin has completed her Orff Schulwerk and World Music Drumming certification levels and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Music Education with an Orff Schulwerk Concentration from the University of St. Thomas. She presents at the local and national level and is often inspired by the connections between movement, literature, and the visual arts. Kaitlin lives in Omaha and can be found enjoying a cup of coffee with friends and family, reading a good book, and snuggling with her cats Opal and Otis.

Cody Talarico is a musician and supporter of arts education. Cody taught music in the Bellevue (NE) Public Schools and is currently serving Nebraska as the Fine Arts Education Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education where he leads and supports visual arts, media arts, dance, music and theatre education. He holds pedagogical certification in Orff Schulwerk from UNL (Levels I and II), and George Mason University (Level III), in Fairfax, VA. Cody participated in the first ever Master's Level at George Mason and has also studied Orff Schulwerk Curriculum Development at St. Thomas University in St. Paul, MN. Cody also serves arts education nationally, as a member-at-large on the Executive Team for SEADAE (State Education Agencies Directors of Arts Education). He is a professional musician and an all-around fine arts fanatic who resides in the Omaha, NE, area with his family. One of his greatest joys is seeing how the arts and arts education connects us.

Rachel Stevens is the Music Team Leader for the elementary music teachers in Papillion LaVista Community Schools in Papillion, Nebraska. She has spent the last 18 years teaching K-6 music and has taken level courses in both Kodaly and Orff Schulwerk. She has also served on numerous committees including the music leadership team, district curriculum team, a nonprofit children's choir, and the Great Plains Orff Chapter board. Rachel earned her Bachelor's in Music Education through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and will earn her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Doane in May.

Throughout her 42 years as a music educator, Dr. Tena Whiston has shared the joy of teaching music with countless elementary students, numerous student teachers, music educators, and practicum students.  She has been an instructor at The University of Nebraska and a long-time valued teacher for Lincoln Public Schools. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Westminster Choir College and a Masters and Phd from The Ohio State University. Dr. Whiston has presented at many local, National and International conferences. As a retired music educator she now mentors new teachers and continues to have a presence in the Great Plains Orff Chapter of which she is a founding member.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALL-STATE ORFF ENSEMBLE

What is the Orff Ensemble?

Students in fourth and fifth grades (whose teachers are NMEA members) are offered a chance to work with acclaimed conductors during even years of the Nebraska Music Education Association Conference/Clinic. This is a one-day event with the final performance at the Graduate Hotel in downtown, Lincoln. The 2024 All-State Orff Ensemble will take place on Wednesday, November 20. 

Who can attend?

• Students attending must be registered and attending the school or home school listed on the registration.
• Students must be under the direction of an NMEA member. If you need to become a member or renew your membership, visit www.nafme.org/membership/join/.
• Students must be in the fourth or fifth grade during the 2024-2025 school year.
• The director MUST be registered and attend the conference/clinic with their student(s).

How are students selected?

Students in this group will sing, speak, move, and play instruments. Teachers are encouraged to nominate students who experience joy in making music, are comfortable in group settings, and have the ability to collaborate with others. Prior experience playing on Orff instruments is not required!  Nomination submission and selection will be handled similarly to the All-State Children's Choir. 

How do I register my student(s)?

• The registration application link will be posted on this website about mid-August 2024.
• Teachers may nominate one student for every 50 students they teach in grades four and give. For example, If you teach 70 fourth graders and 80 fifth graders, you can only submit 3 names. If you teach a total of 100 students or less, you may submit two students. We will do our best to include both of them in the event.
• Our goal is 80 musicians from around the state of Nebraska. 
• Complete the online registration form by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on September 20, 2024.

2024 ALL-STATE ORFF ENSEMBLE REGISTRATION DATES

There will be a registration fee of $60 per student which covers lunch, snacks, and t-shirts provided by NMEA. Please note: NMEA policy states that no refunds will be given for students unable to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Roemmich at [email protected].

The All-State Orff Ensemble Registration Form is Now Open!

Orff Ensemble Registration Form

Click the link above to nominate your students for the 2024 All-State Orff Ensemble. For each student nomination you will need:

1. Student's name
2. Name(s) of the student's parent(s) or guardian(s)
3. Student's grade
4. Student's height in inches
5. Student's T-shirt size (please pay close attention to youth sizes vs. adult sizes)
6. Student's dietary restrictions, if applicable
7. Rating of your student's comfortability in the areas of speaking in rhythm, singing accurately, barred instrument playing, drumming, playing recorder, and moving creatively.