As a frequent presenter at music education conferences and collegiate classrooms, I bring over twenty five years of experience and a passion for teaching young students how to perform at a high level to my sessions. Sample outlines and handouts can be found at http://www.mccrackenband.com
From the Ivory Tower to the Trenches: Score Study and Rehearsal Preparation
- National Band Association & Illinois Grade School Music Association Band Director Workshop • Skokie, Illinois • November 2018
“Speaking” of Band: Using Student Vocalizations to Improve Ensemble Performance
- National Band Association & Illinois Grade School Music Association Band Director Workshop • Skokie, Illinois • November 2015
Creating a Culture of Excellence
- Colorado Bandmasters Association Summer Convention • Lakewood, CO • July 2020
- Elmhurst College Varsity Band • Elmhurst, IL • September 2019
- New England Band Director Institute • Plymouth State University • July 2016
- Illinois Music Education Conference • Peoria, Illinois • January 2016
- Vandercook College of Music • MECA Middle School Symposium • Chicago, Illinois • July 2015
- DuPage County Music Clinic • Addison, Illinois • February 2014
- Arkansas Tech University • Band Director Workshop • Russellville, Arkansas • June 2013
- Illinois State University • Band Director Symposium • Normal, Illinois • July 2012
- Nebraska Music Educators Association Inservice Conference • Lincoln, Nebraska • November 2011
- Vandercook College of Music • Teaching Developing Band • Chicago, Illinois • July 14, 2011
Beyond Their Years: Priorities and the Young Band
- National Band Association & Illinois Grade School Music Association Band Director Workshop • Skokie, Illinois • November 2020
Beyond Their Years: Tone, Intonation and the Young Band
- National Band Association & Illinois Grade School Music Association Band Director Workshop • Skokie, Illinois • November 2014
- Arkansas Tech University • Band Director Workshop • Russellville, Arkansas • June 2013
- Illinois State University • Band Directors Symposium • Normal, Illinois • July 2012
- Nebraska Music Educators Association Inservice Conference • Lincoln, Nebraska • November 2011
- Vandercook College of Music • Teaching Developing Band • Chicago, Illinois • July 2011
- Iowa Bandmasters Conference • Des Moines, Iowa • May 2010
- Midwest Clinic • Chicago, Illinois • December 2008
- Vandercook College of Music • Middle School Band Teaching • Chicago, Illinois • June 2008
- Illinois Music Educators All-State Conference • Peoria, Illinois • February 2008
- DuPage County Music Clinic • Downers Grove, Illinois • February 2009
Beyond Their Years: Student Motivation and Development
- Colorado Bandmasters Association Summer Convention • Lakewood, CO • July 2020
- Illinois State University Band Director Workshop • Bloomington, Illinois • Summer 2019
- New England Band Director Institute • Plymouth State University • July 2016
Beyond Their Years: Musical and Technical Excellence in Young Bands
- Vandercook College of Music • MECA Middle School Symposium • Chicago, Illinois • July 2015
- DuPage County Music Clinic • Addison, Illinois • February 2014
- Vandercook College of Music • Teaching Developing Band • Chicago, Illinois • July 2011
- Vandercook College of Music • Middle School Band Teaching • Chicago, Illinois • June 2008
- Illinois Music Educators All-State Conference • Peoria, Illinois • January 2005
Taming the Beginner Band: Strategies for Teaching Our Youngest Students
- DuPage County Music Clinic • Downers Grove, Illinois • February 2009
- Vandercook College of Music • Middle School Band Teaching • Chicago, Illinois • June 2008
- Illinois Music Educators All-State Conference • Peoria, Illinois • January 2003
Best Practices in the Performance Classroom
- DePaul University • MED 300 Instrumental Methods • Chicago, Illinois • February 2010
- Northwestern University • Instrumental Methods • Evanston, Illinois • May 2009
- Vandercook College of Music • Middle School Band Teaching • Chicago, Illinois • June 2008
- Rowan University • Student MENC Chapter • online lecture • November 2007
Motivation and the Middle School Band Director
- Park Ridge School District 64 Music In-Service • Park Ridge, Illinois • November 2002
- DePaul University • Instrumental Music Methods • October 2002
- DePaul University • Student MENC Chapter • Chicago, Illinois • February 2002
Literature for the Young Band
- Arkansas Tech University • Band Director Workshop • Russellville, Arkansas • June 2013
- Vandercook College of Music • Teaching Developing Band • Chicago, Illinois • July 2011
- DePaul University • Wind Literature • Chicago, Illinois • June 2001
Applying for Conferences
- Vandercook College of Music • Middle School Band Teaching • Chicago, Illinois • June 2008
Zoom Panel
- Arkansas Tech University Bands • Virtual Directors Academy • July 2020
- UCLA Bands • Conducting Conversations • May 2020
- Band Directors Virtual Book Club • May 2020
- University of Illinois Bands • Directors’ Toolbox: Rehearsal Techniques • April 2020
Question and Answer Session
- Ball State University (online) • Lab Band • January 2021
- Illinois State University (online) • Instrumental Methods • October 2020
- Oklahoma State University (online) • Trombone Studio • September 2020
- Illinois State University (online) • Instrumental Methods • April 2020
- Northwestern University Instrumental Methods • May 2007 – present
- Calvin College Instrumental Methods (online) • April 2016
- Calvin College Instrumental Methods (online) • April 2014
- Illinois State University • Band Director Symposium • Normal, Illinois • July 2012
- Rowan University (online) • January 2012
- Rowan University (online) • April 2011
- Calvin College Instrumental Methods (online) • April 2010
- Rowan University (online) • March 2010
- National High School Music Institute, Northwestern University • July 2004
- Northwestern University Student Teacher Seminar • 1997