Schedule
2025 Habits Summer Institute Schedule
We’re dedicated to providing world-class sessions and clinicians aimed to help music teachers around the world develop skills, resources, and methods to bring back to their schools and students at this year’s Habits Summer Institute.
Check out the list below to find out just some of the useful sessions we’ll be offering this year!
Official dates and a full schedule of every session will be available shortly. Check back for more information!
Click below to explore any Habits Institute Track Schedule
BAND
sessions offered at the 2025 Habits Summer Institute
Sunday, June 29
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Registration / Meet and Greet Reception Whitfield Center
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Keynote Address: Habits of a Significant Director Scott Rush Whitfield 102/103
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Dinner in the CSU Dining Hall Join us for a free dinner in the CSU Dining Hall
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Creating Habits of Success and the Three Buckets Scott Rush & Jeff Scott Whitfield 102/103
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Social Event Eric Wilkinson Join us in Whitfield 102/103 for culture-building games as we connect with fellow attendees
Monday, June 30
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Percussion Techniques for the Modern Band Director Kevin Boyle CSU Bandroom
9:15 - 10:15 AM Concurent Session
(MS) More Habits of Success in the Young Band Marguerite Wilder & Jeff Scott Whitfield 102/103
9:15 - 10:15 AM Concurent Session
(HS) Fundamentals for HS – Part 1 Scott Rush Whitfield 110
10:15 - 11:15 AM
The “A-Material” Mallory Thompson Whitfield 102/103
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Lunch Break Lunch will be provided to conference attendees in the CSU Dining Hall. Be sure to stop by the GIA booth to explore new resources and materials in the HABITS series
12:15 - 1:30 PM
Lab Band: Upper-Level MS and HS Habits Method Books Habits Team CSU Bandroom
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Lab Band: Making Music with Mallory Mallory Thompson CSU Bandroom
2:30 - 3:30 PM
The Beginning Band HABITS - The First 6 Weeks Tara Melvin Whitfield 102/103
3:45 - 4:45 PM
General Session:
Creating a Culture of Excellence
Tim Lautzenheiser
Whitfield 102/103
Tuesday, July 1
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Shepherding Tomorrow’s Leaders Tim Lautzenheiser Whitfield 102/103
9:15 - 10:15 AM Concurent Session
(MS) Supplemental Resources and Beginner Media Jeff Scott, Marguerite Wilder, Kevin Boyle, & Mary Land Whitfield 102/103
9:15 - 10:15 AM Concurent Session
(HS) Fundamentals for High School - Part Two (The Blue Book) Scott Rush CSU Bandroom
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Some Really Cool Teaching Strategies That Work Jeff Scott Whitfield 102/103
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch Break Lunch will be provided to conference attendees in the CSU Dining Hall. Be sure to stop by the GIA booth to explore new resources and materials in the HABITS series
1:00 - 2:15 PM
Lab Band: Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician Scott Rush CSU Bandroom
2:30 – 3:30 PM Concurent Session
(MS) Making a HABIT of Using Customizable Rubrics Christine Wolf Whitfield 102/103
2:30 – 3:30 PM Concurent Session
(HS)Teacher Burnout and Strategies for Work/Life Balance Mary Land Whitfield 110
3:45 – 4:45 PM Concurent Session
General Session:
Creating Life-Changing Experiences for Students
Jeffrey Grogan
Whitfield 102/103
5:30 - 10:00 PM
Charleston Harbor Dinner Cruise Join the HABITS team and colleagues for an unforgettable night on the Charleston Harbor!
Wednesday, July 2
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Taking your Clarinets Over the Break Christine Wolf Whitfield 102/103
9:15 - 10:15 AM
General Session:
Edge of Your Seat Rehearsals: Engage All Students Always
Matthew Arau
Whitfield 102/103
10:20 AM
Group Picture and Final GIA Booth Time
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
General Session:
The Habits Summer Institute Q&A Session
Presented by the HABITS team
Whitfield 110
12:00 PM
Conclusion of the 2025 Habits Universal Summer Institute
Orchestra
sessions offered at the 2025 Habits Summer Institute
Sunday, June 29
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Registration / Meet and Greet Reception Whitfield Center
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Keynote Address: Habits of a Significant Director Scott Rush Whitfield 102/103
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Dinner in the CSU Dining Hall Join us for a free dinner in the CSU Dining Hall
6:00 - 7:15 PM
The Practice of Teaching String Students Christopher Selby Whittington 107
7:15 - 8:30 PM
Social Event Eric Wilkinson Join us in Whitfield 102/103 for culture-building games as we connect with fellow attendees
Monday, June 30
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Habits of a Successful YOUNG String Musician Margaret Selby & Sarah Ball Whittington 107
9:15 - 10:15 AM
Rethinking our Daily and Long Range Plan Christopher Selby Whittington 107
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Quantity AND Quality: Successfully Setting Up Violin/Viola in Large Groups Sarah Ball Whittington 107
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Lunch Break Lunch will be provided to conference attendees in the CSU Dining Hall. Be sure to stop by the GIA booth to explore new resources and materials in the HABITS series
12:45- 2:15 PM
Teaching Left Hand Skills and Intonation to Older Orchestras Habits Orchestra Team Whittington 107
2:30 - 3:30 PM
Teaching Cello In the Classroom Like a Cellist Margaret Selby Whittington 107
3:45 - 4:45 PM
General Session:
Creating a Culture of Excellence
Tim Lautzenheiser
Whitfield 102/103
Tuesday, July 1
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Making Book 2 Your Best Book Margaret Selby & Sarah Ball Whittington 107
9:15 - 10:15 AM
Bass Technique for Beginning to Advanced Jonathan Todd Whittington 107
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Selections Offering Success The Habits Orchestra Team Whittington 107
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch Break Lunch will be provided to conference attendees in the CSU Dining Hall. Be sure to stop by the GIA booth to explore new resources and materials in the HABITS series
1:00 - 2:15 PM
Teaching Right Hand, Articulation and Ensemble to Older Orchestras Christopher Selby Whittington 107
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Sustainability and Happiness Margaret Selby Whittington 107
3:45 – 4:45 PM Concurent Session
General Session:
Creating Life-Changing Experiences for Students
Jeffrey Grogan
Whitfield 102/103
5:30 - 10:00 PM
Charleston Harbor Dinner Cruise Join the HABITS team and colleagues for an unforgettable night on the Charleston Harbor!
Wednesday, July 2
8:00 - 9:00 AM
String Session with Jeffrey Grogan Jeffrey Grogan Whittington 107
9:15 - 10:15 AM
General Session:
Edge of Your Seat Rehearsals: Engage All Students Always
Matthew Arau
Whitfield 102/103
10:20 AM
Group Picture and Final GIA Booth Time
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
General Session:
The Habits Summer Institute Q&A Session
Presented by the HABITS team
Whitfield 110
12:00 PM
Conclusion of the 2025 Habits Universal Summer Institute
Choral
sessions offered at the 2025 Habits Summer Institute
Sunday, June 29
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Registration / Meet and Greet Reception Whitfield Center
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Keynote Address: Habits of a Significant Director Scott Rush Whitfield 102/103
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Dinner in the CSU Dining Hall Join us for a free dinner in the CSU Dining Hall
6:00 - 7:15 PM
Connection Time and Vocal Warm-ups Eric Wilkinson Whittington 107
7:15 - 8:30 PM
Social Event Eric Wilkinson Join us in Whitfield 102/103 for culture-building games as we connect with fellow attendees
Monday, June 30
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Teaching Strategies to Improve Rhythm Performance Skills Eric Wilkinson Whittington 109
9:15 - 10:15 AM
Solfege Fluency and Sight-Reading Excellence Eric Wilkinson Whittington 109
10:15 - 11:15 AM
The “A-Material” Mallory Thompson Whitfield 102/103
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Lunch Break Lunch will be provided to conference attendees in the CSU Dining Hall. Be sure to stop by the GIA booth to explore new resources and materials in the HABITS series
12:15 - 1:30 PM
Innovative Teaching Strategies for Inspired Music-Making Eric Wilkinson Whittington 109
1:30 - 2:30 PM
LAB Choir:
Habits of a Successful Choral Musician Method Book
Eric Wilkinson
Whittington 109
2:45 - 3:45 PM
LAB Choir:
Elevating Success Through Quality Repertoire Selection
Eric Wilkinson
Whittington 109
3:45 - 4:45 PM
General Session:
Creating a Culture of Excellence
Tim Lautzenheiser
Whitfield 102/103
Tuesday, July 1
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Shepherding Tomorrow’s Leaders Tim Lautzenheiser Whitfield 102/103
9:15 - 10:15 AM
Vocal Warm-Ups and Diction Strategies for Expressive Singing Eric Wilkinson Whittington 109
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Effective Assessment Strategies for Choir Rehearsals: Part 1 Eric Wilkinson Whittington 109
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch Break Lunch will be provided to conference attendees in the CSU Dining Hall. Be sure to stop by the GIA booth to explore new resources and materials in the HABITS series
1:00 - 2:15 PM
Effective Assessment Strategies for Choir Rehearsals: Part 2 Eric Wilkinson Whittington 109
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Teacher Burnout and Strategies for Work/Life Balance Mary Land Whitfield 110
3:45 – 4:45 PM Concurent Session
General Session:
Creating Life-Changing Experiences for Students
Jeffrey Grogan
Whitfield 102/103
5:30 - 10:00 PM
Charleston Harbor Dinner Cruise Join the HABITS team and colleagues for an unforgettable night on the Charleston Harbor!
Wednesday, July 2
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Cultivating a Culture of Success, Significance and Fun! Eric Wilkinson Whittington 109
9:15 - 10:15 AM
General Session:
Edge of Your Seat Rehearsals: Engage All Students Always
Eric Wilkinson
Whitfield 102/103
10:20 AM
Group Picture and Final GIA Booth Time
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
General Session:
The Habits Summer Institute Q&A Session
Presented by the HABITS team
Whitfield 110
12:00 PM
Conclusion of the 2025 Habits Universal Summer Institute