CONFERENCE SESSION PROPOSALS

AOSA Professional Development Conference Proposals

The Conference Committee is accepting proposals for the 2024 Professional Development Conference in Des Moines, IA. Sessions are 75 minutes in length. All presentations are ticketed to avoid overcrowding. Many sessions are repeated to provide access to as many attendees as possible. Proposal applications are accepted until October 1, 2023.

Proposals are reviewed by a panel of practitioners using a scoring rubric. Scores are averaged and proposals are ranked in each focus strand. The National Conference Chairs select the highest ranked proposals and review all focus groups to create a balanced program. Applicants will be notified by February 1, 2024.

Submissions are evaluated by a team of reviewers including members of the National Conference Committee, the President-Elect, the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access, and two National Board trustees using the following criteria:

  • Objective is clearly stated and matches focus and description. (5 points)
  • Outline is clear and complete. (5 points) Please upload in PDF format.
  • Outline lists sequential learning process. (5 points)
  • Outline includes media transfer if applicable: sing, say, dance, play. (5 points)
  • Outline provides detailed material for a successful 75-minute session; too much, or too little detracts from your score. (3 points)
  • Material and scores are of high quality. (3 points)
  • Material matches selected age level. (3 points)

Proposal Questions

Be prepared to provide the following information on the Proposal Form:

Presenter Details

  • Name(s) AOSA does not accept panels
  • Brief Bio (50 words or fewer)
  • Headshot
  • Presenting Experience
  • 2 References per presenter

Session Details

  • Title - 6 words or fewer, no colons please
  • Session Description and Learning Objectives - 20 words or fewer.
    • Please use meaningful action verbs such as “Explore, Experience, Learn, or Create.”
    • Please avoid future tense such as “Participants will…” or “Sing, say, dance, play.”
    • Participants select sessions based on what your description says will happen, so please be as specific as possible.
    • AOSA reserves the right to edit for clarity and brevity.
  • Session Focus - Choose one focus topic carefully. Your proposal will be ranked among other proposals with the same focus. The review panel assumes that all proposals include a form of process teaching as demonstrated in your outline.
    • Active Listening
    • AOSA Hosted Session
    • Body Percussion
    • Composition/Improvisation
    • Curriculum/Planning
    • Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Access
    • Drumming/Unpitched Percussion
    • Interdisciplinary/Arts Integration
    • Movement/Dance
    • Multicultural
    • Recorder - BYOR
    • Social Emotional Learning
    • Technology - AOSA cannot provide equipment or wireless internet.
    • Vocal/Choral - AOSA cannot provide octavos.
  • Primary Age Group - This is the student group for which your material is most targeted. If your session is designed to serve more than two age groups, choose All Ages.
    • All ages (do not select any other age groups)
    • Early Childhood
    • Primary
    • Intermediate
    • Middle School
    • High School/Adult
    • College/Higher Education
    • Advanced/Post Level III
    • Senior Learners
  • Specific Outline - Begin with an objective that matches your session focus.
    • Please include possible materials, teaching process, and scores, or references if material is copyrighted.
    • Clear details that you have presented and tested this material area expected.
    • Only one file (PDF) can be uploaded. This document should not be your session notes. Maximum file size is 10 megabytes.
  • Instrument and Equipment Requests

Session Room and Equipment Information

  • Each session room includes:
    • LCD projector with screen and HDMI cables - dongles not provided
    • 1/8” mini-cable for sound
    • one black music stand
  • Internet service is not provided in any session room. You may use your own hot-spot or purchase your own access from the convention center. We cannot provide Laptops or iPads.
  • One instrument set is provided for sessions based on room size.
    • We are unable to provide for every participant.
    • AOSA cannot provide chromatic instruments.
    • The designated drum room includes un-pitched percussion, congas, djembes, and tubanos. Special drums are not available.
  • Floor drums, hand drums, timpani, F# and Bb accidentals, and contra-bass bars are provided by special request only if essential for your session.
  • Please do not request a keyboard unless it is essential for your session.
  • Headset microphones are provided.

A basic instrument set includes:

Barred Instruments                                      Un-pitched Percussion

3 Soprano Glockenspiels                   1 Suspended cymbal      1 Temple blocks

3 Alto Glockenspiels                          1 Triangle                        1 Woodblock

1 Soprano Metallophone                   1 pr. Finger cymbals        1 pr. Claves

1 Alto Metallophone                           1 Cowbell                        1 pr. Maracas

1 Bass Metallophone                         1 Mini Afuche Cabasa                           

2-4 Soprano Xylophones                   1 Guiro/scraper                       

2-4 Alto Xylophones                           1 Sleigh bell cluster   

1-2 Bass Xylophone                           1 Tambourine