Rising Music Educator Program

CHOIR FESTIVAL | Friday, April 17, 2026
BAND FESTIVAL | Fri & Sat, May 22 & 23, 2026

“This experience provided me with the spark I need as I launch into my career!”

Rising Band Teacher Registration (5/22 & 5/23)
Rising Choir Teacher Registration (4/17)
Veteran Band Teacher Reg (Building a Better Band) (5/23)

FACT: 39.4% of new teachers in Wisconsin leave the profession or the state within six years. 

OUR CONCEPT

Recognizing the challenges faced by today’s young music educators, the Beyond The Notes Music Festival has expanded its mission to include the Rising Music Educators Program—an immersive learning experience designed to inspire and support new music educators. 

At the inaugural event in May 2025, collegiate and early-career educators (within the first five years) were invited to observe middle school bands as they warmed up, performed, and work directly with world-class clinicians, gaining invaluable insight into effective teaching and rehearsal strategies. Participants engaged in discussions with veteran music educators and attended special presentations from national leaders in music education, including Col. Jason Fettig, former Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. 

After the overwhelming success of the first year, Beyond The Notes will offer an expanded version of the Rising Music Educators Program in 2026!

 

2025

Program Begins

56

Participants

5

States Represented

RISING MUSIC EDUCATOR

Choir Festival

Register

WHEN
Friday, April 17

WHERE
Great Wolf Lodge, Wisconsin Dells

WHO
All music education majors with choir emphasis and early-career educators (within first five years)

WHAT
Participants will spend the day observing performances and clinics of twelve middle school choirs from across Wisconsin. Participants will get dedicated time to work with three award winning clinicians

COST
$25 per participant (includes lunch).

OPTIONAL
Discounted resort accommodations at $165 (up to quad occupancy). Festival t-shirt at $15.

  • 7:45 AM - Registration Opens

    8:00 AM - Opening Full Group Session

    8:20 AM - Opportunities to watch performances, clinics and/or dedicated clinician Q & A time

    11:40 AM - Lunch with Clinicians

    1:00 PM - Opportunities to watch performances, clinics and/or dedicated clinician Q & A time

    5:20 PM- Full Group Closing

    5:40 PM - Departure

“This experience provided me with amazing opportunities to learn from veteran teachers, network with peers, and observe learning in real time. Above all, it was inspiring and helped to validate my love for this profession. I can't wait to come back next year!”

Julie, 2025 RMEP Participant

RISING MUSIC EDUCATOR

Band Festival

DAY 1 - Rising Music Educator Exclusive Day

WHEN
Friday, May 22, 2026

WHERE
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells

WHO
All music education majors with band emphasis and early-career educators (within first five years)

WHAT
Participants will spend the day observing performances and clinics of thirty-five middle school bands from across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. Participants will get dedicated time to work with nine award winning clinicians:

Register

Arris Golden
Michigan State University

Dr. Emily Thrienen
University of Minnesota: Twin Cities

Peter Haberman
Concordia College, Moorhead, MN

Phil Ostrander
UW-Eau Claire

Elizabeth Jackson-Kirchhoff
Eden Prairie HS, retired

The day will also include opportunities to observe percussion workshops by these leading percussion experts:

Cindy Terhune
Madison Freelance Educator & Performer

Tammy Fisher
UW-LaCrosse

Jeffrey Crowell
UW-Eau Claire

Patrick Coughlin
Carroll University

COST
$25 per participant (includes lunch).

OPTIONAL
Discounted resort accommodations at $165 (up to quad occupancy). Festival t-shirt at $15.

  • 7:45 AM - Registration Opens

    8:00 AM - Opening Full Group Session

    8:20 AM - Opportunities to watch performances, clinics and/or dedicated clinician Q & A time

    11:40 AM - Lunch with Clinicians

    1:00 PM - Opportunities to watch performances, clinics and/or dedicated clinician Q & A time

    5:20 PM- Full Group Closing

    5:40 PM - Departure

DAY 2 - Building Better Bands Day

WHEN
Saturday, May 23, 2026

WHERE
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells

WHO
ALL Band Teachers (regardless of years of experience are welcome!)

WHAT
Day 2 will focus on how to teach beginning instrumental techniques in an effort to set up fundamentals that will last. These sessions will be provided by some of the countries leading experts. The day also includes a session recently offered at the Midwest Clinic called “Developing the Young Band Sound” by Dr. Rachel Maxwell as well, as a session on encouraging musical decisions from an early age by the legendary Professor Craig Kirchhoff. Unlike other typical sessions, participants will be required to bring multiple instruments with them so they can participate in all of the sessions throughout the day! 

COST
Rising Music Educator Cost: $25 per participant (includes lunch)
Veteran Music Educator Cost: $75 per participant (includes lunch)

OPTIONAL
Discounted resort accommodations (includes waterpark passes for you and your family) at $200 (up to quad occupancy). Festival t-shirt at $15.

Register

  • 8:00 am- Registration

    8:30 am - Opening Full Group Session

    9:00 am - Instrument Fundamentals Sessions (choose one of three)

    Flute, Clarinet, Euphonium/Tuba, Trumpet

    9:45 am - Instrument Fundamentals Sessions (choose one of three)

    Flute, Clarinet, Euphonium/Tuba, Trumpet

    10:30 am - Instrument Fundamentals Sessions (choose one of three)

    Flute, Clarinet, Euphonium/Tuba, Trumpet

    11:15 am - Lunch & Networking (provided w/ paid registration)

    12:15 pm -  Instrument Fundamentals Sessions (choose one of three)

    Horn, Trombone, Saxophone, Percussion

    1:00 pm-  Instrument Fundamentals Sessions (choose one of three)

    Horn, Trombone, Saxophone, Percussion

    1:45 pm -Instrument Fundamentals Sessions (choose one of three)

    Horn, Trombone, Saxophone, Percussion

    2:00 pm - Break

    2:30 pm - “Developing The Young Band Sound” - Dr. Rachel Maxwell

    3:45 pm - “Making Musical Decisions” - Prof. Craig Kirchhoff

    5:15 pm - Done

    • Erin Cole Steele - flute

    • Shawn Maxwell - clarinet, saxophone

    • Jon Schipper - trumpet

    • Rachel Maxwell - horn, full band session

    • Adam Bever - trombone

    • Ian Melrose - euphonium/tuba

    • Cindy Terhune - percussion

    • Craig Kirchhoff - full band session

Deadlines

Application Window is October 30, 2025 - March 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified if they have been selected to participate by March 15, 2026. Veteran music educators are accepted upon pre-registration payment.

Selected Applicants Must:  

  • Be in good standing with their school district, college or university.

  • Have or will have a music education degree and licensure with an emphasis in band or choral instruction.

  • Be curious and excited to learn more!

How to Apply

Rising Choir Teacher Registration (April 17, 2026)
Rising Band Teacher Registration (May 22 & 23, 2026)
Veteran Band Teacher Reg (Building a Better Band) (Sat 5/23/26)

Financial Support

Logo of Wisconsin Arts Board with a stylized eye and the text 'Wisconsin Arts Board' and the tagline 'Creativity. Culture. Community. Commerce.'

The Rising Music Educator program is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

STUFF EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW

FAQs

  • All music education majors and early career music teachers can apply for the Rising Music Educators Program for Choir (Great Wolf Lodge, April 17) or for Band (Kalahari, May 22-23). Veteran band teachers are welcome to register for the Saturday, May 23 event only.

  • Applications are currently open and will close for each event approximately one month prior to the event or until we reach capacity.

  • The application indicates your interest in the RMEP program but not acceptance. BTN will do background checks to verify participation prior to making a formal invitation.

  • Formal invitations will be sent out monthly on a rolling basis until the application period closes. 

  • Payment will be due no later than one month prior to the event. Refunds will not be possible after this deadline. 

  • Yes! All room reservations include up to four waterpark passes.

    Choir RMEP @ Great Wolf, Thursday, April 16 = Price $160 per room - up to quad occupancy - 2 double beds

    Choir RMEP @ Great Wolf, Friday, April 17 = Price $160 per room - up to quad occupancy - 2 double beds

    Band RMEP @ Kalahari, Thursday, May 21 = Price $160 per room - up to quad occupancy - 2 double beds

    Band RMEP @ Kalahari, Friday, May 22 = Price $200 per room - up to quad occupancy - 2 double beds

  • There is no application or acceptance process for veteran band teachers interested in attending on Saturday. Participants need only fill out the registration document and pay the fee to secure a spot.

  • It will be up to participants to secure the necessary instruments for the Saturday event. While it is possible to attend the sessions without an instrument, it is HIGHLY encouraged that teachers secure instruments prior to attending.

  • The application/registration form will allow folks to share any food allergies or restrictions.

    No pass is necessary to enter Tom Foolery’s Indoor Theme Park.

    Chaperones, bus drivers and educators can also purchase the pizza lunch/dinner for the same cost as the students.

    Parents, friends, etc cannot purchase pizza or theme park tickets through this festival if they are not directly involved as a chaperone.