August 24, 2009 Dear Colleagues: Welcome, members – active, retired, collegiate, corporate, student –to another musical year. I am honored to have been a part of the executive board for the past two years that worked diligently to increase communication among us, and am humbled to serve as your President for the next two years. This past summer Kim Drusedum and I attended National Music Education Week and the National Assembly in Washington DC sponsored by MENC: The Center for Music Education. The main emphasis of this year’s Assembly was to educate us how to proactively advocate for music education nationally, state-wide, and locally. MENC advocates for “equal access to music education for ALL students,” and that was the message we brought to our senators and representatives on the Hill. There are also four key issues MENC would like addressed in the revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act: As teachers of a “core” subject, music teachers must be highly qualified Request the DOE to carry out more complete research on the Nation’s Report Card in the arts and in other data-gathering Keep the definition for the arts as a “core academic subject” Include some significant but locally-chosen measure of the strength of the music program in local schools In addition we were given some suggestions that members can implement locally to proactively advocate in their own districts: Schedule a concert at a community venue. Next, send out press releases to the local media (newspaper, radio, TV stations) advertising the event to the local voting public. Then, invite an elected official from your zone (state senator/assembly person, school board member, superintendent) to either “emcee” your concert or possibly conduct a piece at the concert. Involve your principal in your concerts. Invite him/her to either conduct a piece or perform at one or more concerts. Visit the Department of Education website weekly – ed.gov. Visit SupportMusic.com to obtain a database of facts, figures, and resources that help make the case for more music in schools (“Make Your Case”) Other announcements were made that would involve students in your programs: MENC National Honor Ensembles will perform during National Music Education Week June 24-29, 2010. Visit menc.org for audition information. MENC and NAMM will co-sponsor SchoolJam, a national teen musicians’ showcase-schooljamusa.com Band directors can now nominate their students for the 2011 US Army All-American Marching Band at menc.org/s/band and is an all-expenses paid program. The 2010 band will be announced later this fall. The board has worked this summer to implement the suggestions you offered during our 2009 All State Conference and through your emails to your zone representatives. The Board is devising: A members vote this fall on an updated constitution. The information will appear on our website, nmeamusic.org Rubrics for the judging of NMEA Solo and Ensemble Festivals as well as guidelines for judges to follow and score sheets for Command Performance Solo and Ensemble Festival An application form published on the website for members to request funding for a sub day in order to shadow a master teacher in their zone Letters to superintendents and principals explaining the above mentioned program and our professional development included in our annual conference A plan to locate the 2011 annual conference in Reno, coinciding with the state legislative session, making it convenient to meet with our representatives as they prepare the ensuing budget In addition, this year’s All State Conference’s professional development will feature our Western Division President, Martha O’Neill, as well as our performing groups. We hope that you will attend and will encourage your non-member colleagues to join our organization and attend as well. Please contact your zone representatives if you have any ideas or suggestions; I am inspired by their dedication to serving you as well as their dedication to preserving the art of music education. You may also contact me at stephad@interact.ccsd.net. I look forward to seeing you at the Conference in April. Until then, I will leave you with a quote from Banks McDowell’s book, Ethical Conduct and the Professional’s Dilemma in which he describes that the character of a professional “has two components: (1) to master and practice the expertise of the profession to the highest level of competence the individual can manage, and (2) to use these high levels of competence to serve others.” Sincerely, Anne D. Stephen President, Nevada Music Educators Association
