Best Instruction Practices Using the Yamaha Harmony Director

Glen Schneider is an innovator in music education and has enjoyed a comprehensive career spanning 23 years in K-12 and collegiate level instrumental music. Since 2014, he has served at VanderCook College of Music as a course creator, instructor, and advisor for the MECA program. He is also the founder of Seven Innovations, which provides consulting services for teachers and organizations seeking professional development, continuing education, student leadership, clinics, keynote presentations, marketing strategy, business operations, and business leadership. After two decades of leadership in music education, his skills as a visionary and integrator have led him into the business world where, as General Manager of Kendall Partners, he is responsible for tremendous operational and financial growth for Chicago’s #1 Home Buyer.

Still active and extremely passionate about helping in-service teachers succeed and develop their passion for music education, he is appreciative of the opportunities to have taught at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music as the Director of the Symphonic Band (2019-2022), Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestra (2018-2022), Metea Valley High School in Aurora, IL (2009-2022), where the Music Department received the Grammy Signature Gold Award, The American Prize, and was featured at numerous performances from the University of Illinois Superstate Band Festival to the Illinois Music Education Conference to the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic. Other teaching appointments include Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, IL (2009-2010), Oswego Community School District 308 in Oswego, IL (2002-2009), and Fox Chapel Area School District in Pittsburgh, PA (2001-2002).

He received his education from Duquesne University (Bachelor of Science in Music Education), VanderCook College of Music (Master of Music Education), and Concordia University Chicago (Master of Arts in Educational Technology). He has served as a guest clinician/conductor for the Western Sun Conference Honor Band, District 230 High School Honor Band, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Middle Level Honor Band, and has presented clinic sessions at the Illinois Music Education Conference and the Illinois Percussive Arts Society. He has authored review articles for the Music Educators Journal and Teaching Music, “MAC Corner” in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine, and Yamaha Education. He has served in positions for the Fox Valley Music Festival, IMEA District IX, VanderCook College Alumni Association Board, ARTSpeaks 204, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation For Hope, and NAMM Foundation’s Music Achievement Council. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu and the Vic Firth Education Team. He has received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence Award, the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award, TeachHUB’s Making A Difference Award, and the Metea Valley Tireless Teacher Award. Most importantly, he is supported by his wife Ashlee and their five children.