2026 MMEA Fall In-Service Conference

Music classrooms and ensembles can become powerful spaces for connection, belonging, and community when participation is intentionally designed. This interactive session explores how participatory music structures such as layered rhythm, echoing, collaborative creation, and low-risk entry points can help foster engagement, shared leadership, and meaningful connection among students and school communities.Drawing from classroom practice and a graduate capstone project focused on participatory music-making and belonging, the session will combine brief participatory experiences, reflection, discussion, and practical facilitation strategies that educators can adapt to a variety of musical settings. While examples will draw from collaborative drumming and participatory ensemble experiences, the structures and concepts presented can be applied across elementary general music, choral, instrumental, and community contexts.Participants will leave with practical ideas for creating more connected, inclusive, and participatory musical experiences in their own classrooms and ensembles.