“It is critical that every student across the U.S. receive an inclusive and well-rounded education, including in music and the arts,” stated Senator Cory Booker (NJ). “The role of music is crucial in providing students with a well-rounded education and should not be forgotten,” added Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07). Help get the 2023 Federal Music In Our Schools Month Resolution (S.Res. 54, H.Res. 119) passed.
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The theme of MIOSM 2023 is Music Is All Of Us. Join music educators from around the country this March 28 for a virtual celebration to see how state music education associations are making a difference for music education for all students. Register now.
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On February 10, NAfME joined 139 other organizations and groups in a joint letter to Congressional leadership calling for a clean bill to raise the debt ceiling with no funding cuts.
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NAfME COUNCIL OF MUSIC PROGRAM LEADERS
The topic of recruitment and retention of music educators is a complex issue that requires all of us to solve as school divisions are unable to find qualified educators for music positions. This age-old challenge has only intensified in recent years as teachers leave the profession for other opportunities. Join music program leaders from across the country for the quarterly NAfME Music Program Leaders Colloquium as we share strategies of what states and divisions are doing to ‘get’ teachers and ‘keep’ teachers. Participants will also be invited to share what is working in their own communities.
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On February 10, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) announced the 2023–2025 Presidents-Elect for the Eastern, Northwest, and Southwestern Divisions, elected by NAfME members. Learn more about NAfME Eastern Division President-Elect David M. Brown; NAfME Northwest Division President-Elect Joe Dyvig; and NAfME Southwestern Division President-Elect Christopher M. Baumgartner.
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TRI-M® MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY
Register now for the March 8, 7:30 PM ET Tri-M® Rally! Join the national Tri-M staff and other chapters from across the country to network and engage in conversation about Tri-M. Advisors can take away new ideas for service projects, learn more about Tri-M programs, and get valuable advice on improving chapter meetings and events. Students are inspired to collaborate with other chapters and share how Tri-M has a positive impact on themselves and the community. Share your questions and topics you would like addressed during the event.
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LEARNING FIRST ALLIANCE
In 2023, Public Schools Week is part of a larger campaign—#HerefortheKids. The #HerefortheKids campaign brings together families, educators, and community members to shine a light on local public schools and tell the stories of the amazingly positive things happening in classrooms and school buildings nationwide.
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NAfME CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT
Register for free access to on-demand digital concerts and activities for every grade level.
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Last November, mid-term elections were held across the country to determine the makeup of the 118th Congress. Republicans flipped the U.S. House of Representatives, giving them majority control of House committees. On the Senate side, Democrats maintained control of the chamber with a 51-49 majority, holding control of Senate committees.
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In this fourth episode of the NAfME Music Education Advocate Podcast, Amy Hairston, Choral/General Music and Theatre teacher at Springbrook High School in Maryland, shares how she incorporates alumni, parents, administration, current students and more into her advocacy work for music education. Listen as we discuss how we are all advocates; we just have to figure out how we all can engage in the process.
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NAfME COLLEGIATE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Chapter of Excellence Recognition was developed to encourage chapters to plan and execute successful Advocacy Projects, Music Programs, Professional Development Projects, Recruitment Strategies, and Service Projects. The purpose of the Professional Achievement Award is to recognize individual Collegiate members for their commitment and dedication to NAfME and music education. Learn more about the criteria and submit your nominations by March 24.
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NAfME COLLEGIATE ADVISORY COUNCIL
NAfME Collegiate members: Join Susan Smith, Chair of the Collegiate Advisory Council, and Morgan Soja, for the March NAfME Collegiate Chat on Monday, March 20 at 8:00PM ET: “Navigating EdTPA.”
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TRI-M® MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY
Tri-M Chapter Advisors, do you have a student or students who have gone above and beyond in your chapter that you want to recognize? Fill out the “Recognition of Excellence” form by April 9, 2023, and receive a certificate for each student recognizing their extraordinary work ethic!
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NEW HAMPSHIRE MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
NAfME President Scott R. Sheehan continues his visits to state music education association conferences with the New Hampshire Music Educators Association spring conference on March 31. He will deliver the keynote address at 9:00 AM, “Building Bigger Tables,” and a band session at 10–11 AM, “Culture Counts: Building an Inclusive Bandroom.”
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SPONSORED CONTENT
Read this on the Yamaha Educator Suite
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Thank you to the NAfME 2022 National Conference sponsors! Check out special offers from sponsors providing fresh ideas for the new semester—available through February 28.
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NAfME PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WEBINARS
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Join members of the NAfME Council for General Music Education and other general music educators from throughout the country on February 28, 7:00–8:00 PM ET, as we discuss topics relevant to general music teachers in 2023. Bring your questions, ideas, and issues you want to discuss! Please note that to provide participants with an opportunity to have the best possible open discussion this event will not be recorded.
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Some sources claim teachers make more than 1,500 decisions each day, many instantly. Our biases, conscious or not, cause us to unwittingly commit a multitude of microaggressions toward students who are members of marginalized communities. The focus of this session is on issues of race/ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, and disability. Participants can expect to learn how to define and identify biases and will be introduced to a framework and resources to help rewrite those biases to better ensure a more equitable and just environment for their students.
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Submit your idea for a webinar topic to the NAfME Professional Learning and Partnerships Committee (PLPC). Webinar proposals are reviewed by the PLPC.
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Photo: Lisa Helfert
ASHLEY CUTHBERTSON
For many music educators around the U.S., February is a time to pull out lessons on Black musicians and composers, jazz & blues, spirituals, and hip hop. And while I love all of those things, today I want to challenge you to challenge your own notions about what you teach in February and beyond.
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RUTH LEMAY
3 Strings methodology is a new adaptive music literacy model that brings neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals together to create music. It provides equal access to music education for groups who are simultaneously overlooked, misunderstood, oppressed, and frequently dismissed, while fostering authentic relationships that build community across racial, socio-economic, and neurodiverse populations.
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JARED L. CASSEDY, SPONSORED BY CMA FOUNDATION
We, as members of this exceptional profession, work tirelessly each day using the most beautiful vehicle of music to help our students to develop skills that transcend that of just singing, moving, and playing an instrument as a means of accessing so many facets of their lives educationally, vocationally, and personally. This was the core of what being named a Country Music Association Foundation National Music Teacher of Excellence was for me.
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PATRICIA SHEHAN CAMPBELL
Students who hear and perform music from various cultures can become more broad-minded people. Music educators direct their efforts to students in their development of multiple musical skills and understandings, even as they are also keen to recognize the bridge that music creates for knowing a wide range of peoples and cultures.
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JOURNAL OF GENERAL MUSIC EDUCATION, JANUARY 2023
There are many barriers to collaborative planning between music educators and special education paraprofessionals (SEPs). While allocated collaborative planning time would be best, the reality for many music educators and SEPs is that they are not given this time. Rachel Grimsby provides three alternatives to collaborative planning that were suggested by music educators and SEPs who participated in an informal learning community. Suggestions for advocacy as well as an advocacy sidebar are provided. (Member login required.)
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SPONSORED CONTENT
Register with code NAFME50 and save $50 on your Conn Selmer Institute registration. Join us June 11–14 for a one-of-a-kind conference featuring a world-class faculty, customized tracks for directors, college students and music administrators, evening concerts, and so much more!
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MUSIC EDUCATORS JOURNAL, DECEMBER 2022
Music educators often look for ways to deepen students’ understanding and artistic interpretations of repertoire. One way to engage students in discovery and dialogue about the music they perform is through connecting to the historical, cultural, and societal implications of primary sources. Susan A. Davis delves into resources from the Library of Congress that enable us to tell richer stories about the people and circumstances behind familiar orchestral repertoire, including works by Chaminade, Copland, and Miranda. (Member login required.)
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For the 2023 Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), NAfME is partnering with the Young Voices Education in Music Foundation and American Young Voices, which hosts the biggest school concerts in the world, to put more music in your students’ hands! Download a free lesson plan, lyrics, vocal tracks, and more.
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Encourage your state governor to pass a proclamation and your local officials to pass resolutions declaring this March as Music In Our Schools Month®.
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Four lesson plans for Kindergarten and grades 2 and 4 are currently available for four songs. You can also access lesson plans from past years for kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth grade. All can be adapted for other grades as well.
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Encourage parents and other family members, and community members to join in advocating for music education in your school and district and nationally as well. These program inserts include links to resources for music education advocates. (Portrait orientation also available.)
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Use these conversation starters to put a spotlight on your music programs this March! Download these daily prompts, and share these discussion prompts on music education on your social media channels.
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