Teacher Meetings & Programs
We regularly meet at the First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake on the second Wednesday of each month during the school year. Our business meetings begin at 9:00 AM, and our professional development programs start at approximately 10:00 AM.
(Note: We also hold a special luncheon in May and a planning meeting in June.)
DATE
Program Info
Wed, Sept 10, 2025
9:00 AM Business Meeting
~10:00 AM Program
First Cong Church, Crystal Lake
Reports from nckp 2025
FHMTA members who attended the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in July will share what they learned with the group.
Wed, Oct 8, 2025
9:00 AM Business Meeting
~10:00 AM Program
First Cong Church, Crystal Lake
Judging panel workshop
Come learn how to adjudicate and even practice judging real student performances. Whether your students are participating in AIM or not, we can all use ideas for helping students achieve excellence while also honoring what they’ve already accomplished.
Wed, nov 12, 2024
9:00 AM Business Meeting
~10:00 AM Program
First Cong Church, Crystal Lake
rhythm experiences
Renae will lead us in some fun exercises we can do with students to improve their sense of rhythm. If you have a large exercise ball and rhythm sticks, feel free to bring. If you don’t, no worries! We’ll have some on hand.
WED, JAN 14, 2026
9:00 AM Business Meeting
~10:00 AM Program
First Cong Church, Crystal Lake
freezer meals workshop
Music teachers schedules don’t often allow for cooking means from scratch. However, there are other options besides eating out! In this program, we’ll prepare a few freezer meals we can use on those nights we only have 15 minutes to cook.
WED, Feb 11, 2026
9:00 AM Business Meeting
~10:00 AM Program
First Cong Church, Crystal Lake
book club: Music and mind by renee fleming
Don’t let the large size of this book scare you! This resource, edited by Renee Fleming, is a compilation of many different experts in the field of music and neuroscience. We’ve got a copy you can borrow in our Fox Hills MTA library. We’ll enjoy sharing what we have learned about music and the mind. And if you aren’t able to read any part before this meeting, still come!
WED, MAR 11, 2026
9:00 AM Business Meeting
~10:00 AM Program
First Cong Church, Crystal Lake
round table discussion: Technology in the 2026 studio
Let’s discuss how using technology looks different in our studios this year vs 5-10 years ago. What apps are we using the most? What are students benefiting from? And what questions and concerns do we have about using technology in our studios?
Wed, apr 8, 2026
9:00 AM Business Meeting
~10:00 AM Program
First Cong Church, Crystal Lake
business meeting & BRUNCH
Since this month’s program is attending the Elgin Symphony Orchestra on another day, this month’s business meeting will not have a separate program. But we do invite you to join us for brunch at a local restaurant afterwards!
sat, apr 11, 2026
7:00 PM Arrive
7:30 PM Concert begins
Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin
Elgin symphony orchestra field trip
This year, we’re again planning to attend an ESO concert together. Stay tuned for details about tickets for your students if they want to come with us.
Conductor: Chad Goodman, Featured performer: Oliver Herbert, cello
Program information:
- QUINN MASON | A Joyous Trilogy
- R. SCHUMANN | Cello Concerto
- BEETHOVEN | Symphony No. 5
Wed, May 13, 2026
11:00 AM Business Meeting
12:00 PM Luncheon
TBA
annual luncheon, installation of officers
At our final meeting of the school year, we’ll discuss how things went, what’s coming up, and install any new officers set to begin their terms for the next academic year.