August/September 2011 Ala Breve

Back to School issue

President Steve McLendon Dothan High School 1236 S. Oates St. Dothan, AL 36301 dhstigerband@aol.com

(334) 794-0146 School

President, ABA John AustinCooper High School 1625 Danville Road SW Decatur, AL 35601 (256)john.cooper@dcs.edu 355-3829 School

(256)pstegall@mscs.k12.al.us35661 389-2682 School

Past President Pat MuscleStegallShoals High School 1900 Avalon Avenue Muscle Shoals, AL

President-Elect

Sara Womack Greystone Elementary School 300 Village Street Birmingham, AL 35242-6447 (205) 439-3200 sara@music.org

President, AOA Clay McKinney Booker T. Washington Magnet School 632 S. Union Street, Montgomery AL 36104 Clay.McKinney@mps.k12.al

Executive Director Editor, Ala Breve Garry Taylor 1600 Manor Dr. NE Cullman, AL 35055 (256) 636-2754 amea@bellsouth.net

Treasurer Karen NorthsideHickokIntermediate School 601 North 5th Street Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 745-9731

hickokkaren@bellsouth.net

Recording Secretary Carla Gallahan 212 Smith Hall, Troy University Troy, AL 36082 (334) 670-3502 School cgallahan@troy.edu

President, CMENC Dakota Bromley 639 County Road 40 West Prattville, AL 36067 (334) 303-0275

President, AVA Jane Powell Florence Middle School 648 N. Cherry Street Florence, AL 35633 (256) 768-2460 Office (256) 768-3105 Fax jane@alavocal.org

President, Elem/Gen Beth Davis Somerville Road Elementary 910 Somerville Road SE Decatur, AL 256-559-020735601

brdavis@crismson.ua.edu

Garry Taylor, Editor & Advertising Manager 1600 Manor Dr. NE Cullman, AL 35055 (256) 636-2754 amea@bellsouth.net

President, Higher Education Timothy Phillips Troy University 227 Smith Hall Troy, AL 36082 (334) 670-3190 tphillips16791@troy.edu

dbromley@forum.montevallo.edu

Collegiate MENC Advisor Moya SamfordNordlundUniversity School of the Arts/ Division of Music 800 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, AL 35229 (205) 726-2651 minordlu@samford.edu

ADVERTISING & COPY DEADLINES Fall (Back to School) issue: July 15 Winter (Conference) issue: September 15 Spring (All-State) issue: January 15 Summer (Digital Only) issue: April 15

Unless otherwise indicated, permission is granted to MENC members to reprint articles for educational purposes. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of AMEA or the Editor. All announcements & submissions are subject to editorial judgement/revision.The Alabama Music Educators Association is a state unit of MENC: The National Association for Music Education, a voluntary, nonprofit organization representing all phases of music education in schools, colleges, universities, and teacher-education institutions. Active MENC/AMEA membership is open to all persons engaged in music teaching or other music education work.

Steve McLendon

AMEA President

with the confidence that our state’s elected officials are indeed supporters of music education. They understand that music is, and should remain, a vital part of the core curriculum.

I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know that both AMEA and MENC have been tireless in their music education advocacy efforts lately. In June, I joined other AMEA representatives and met with Senate officials in Washington, D.C. We asked for their support on the following four issues:

1) That Congress maintain the arts as a core subject under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (ESEA)

2) That Congress specify that the Department of Education collect necessary data on education in music and the other arts.

3) That Congress ensure that all federal funding under Title I and Title II applies to music education programs.

4) That Congress include in ESEA accountability provisions a measurement of music success.

We came away from these meetings

1946Yale H. Ellis

1948Walter A. Mason

1950Vernon Skoog

1952John J. Hoover

1954Lamar Triplett

1956Carleton K. Butler

1958Mort Glosser

1960Wilbur Hinton

1962Lacey Powell, Jr.

1964G. Truman Welch

1966Jerry Countryman

1968Floyd C. McClure

I hope this issue of the “Ala Breve” finds you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for another school year. As educators, we find ourselves in the unique position of starting over each year. I suppose that we have to decide if that is going to be a positive or negative force in our lives. I submit to you that each new school year can be an opportunity for change and improvement. In his book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey writes about being a proactive agent of change. Proactive people make choices based on principles and values rather than moods or conditions. Take a moment to evaluate whether you are a proactive or reactive teacher. Your language is a good indicator of this. The proactive person uses proactive language like, “I can” or “I will.” A reactive person uses reactive

1970Jerry Bobo

1972Frances P. Moss

1974George Hammett

1975Frances P. Moss

1976S. J. Allen

1978W. Frank McArthur, Jr.

1980Paul Hall

1982Lacey Powell, Jr.

1984Johnny Jacobs

1986Merilyn Jones

1988Ronald D. Hooten

1990Ken Williams

language like “I can’t because…” or “If it weren’t for so and so…” Which person are you? Have the confidence to be an agent of change if it’s needed. Go boldly into those places where you know success will be found. Someone once said, “If you use a crutch, you can’t run the race.” Try running without the crutch and without carrying the excess baggage of past failures or resentments. I promise that you’ll make better time and have much more fun.

1992Dianne Johnson

1994James K. Simpson

1996Johnnie Vinson

1998Michael Meeks

2000John McAphee, Jr.

2002Tony Pike

2004Becky Rodgers

2006John Baker

2008Pat Stegall

2010Steve McLendon

AMEA President Steve McLendon and Executive Director Garry Taylor visit Capitol Hill during MENC Music Education Week.

AMEA Presidents - Past to Present

Quality IS Affordable.

As the leading musical instrument manufacturer in the world, Yamaha recognizes today’s challenging economic atmosphere and has answered the call of music educators who require the finest band instruments without sacrificing budget and quality. Starting now, Yamaha is offering its most popular tuba and euphoniums at fresh, new price points, giving educators an opportunity to obtain superior instruments for their students. Contact your local Yamaha dealer today for more information. At Yamaha quality IS affordable.

2012 AMEA In-Service Conference 2012 AMEA In-Service Conference

Quick Facts Quick Facts

(The October issue of Ala Breve will provide complete details of the conference, including schedule, performing groups, clinicians, etc. This quick guide is provided in advance for your convenience)

Dates: January 19-21, 2012

Location: Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

Pre-Registration form is on page 31 of this issue of Ala Breve

Pre-register on-line (www.alabamamea.org)

Reserve a room at the conference rate - Toll Free: 800-266-9432

Visit www.alabamamea.org and use the direct reservation link

Check back often for conference updates at www.alabamamea.org/conference

ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2011-2012 EDUCATION CONCERTS

Advance reservations are now available for the 2011-2012 ASO Education Concert season. With programs designed to engage and delight students of ALL ages, don’t miss your chance to hear the Alabama Symphony Orchestra LIVE!

Grades Pre K-2

EXPLORER CONCERTS

Fawzi Haimor, Conductor

Get ready for a musical adventure as the ASO presents a special program for our youngest audience members. Casual, interactive and lots of fun, Explorer Concerts are a perfect introduction to the instruments of the orchestra and great classical music. Eight performances in four different locations, so you can choose the one nearest you.

Wed., October 5, 2011 | 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, Birmingham

Thurs., October 6, 2011 | 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

North Park Baptist Church, Trussville

Fri., October 7, 2011 | 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, Birmingham

Tues., October 11, 2011 | 10:00 & 11:30 a.m.

Riverchase United Methodist Church, Hoover

Tickets: $4 per person, one free adult for every 10 students

Grades 3-6

The Eliza C. and C.S. Young Memorial YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS

Sing, clap, listen and learn with the ASO in our most popular student concert series. This year’s programs include an orchestral exploration of physics and a special collaboration with Alabama’s favorite musical storyteller, Bobby Horton.

MUSICAL MOMENTUM

Christopher Confessore, Conductor

Thurs., October 20 & Fri., October 21, 2011 | 10:00 a.m.

Alabama Theatre

ALABAMA: HERE WE STAY

Featuring Special Guest Bobby Horton, Made possible by the Alabama State Council on the Arts Fawzi Haimor, Conductor

Wed. April 18, 2012 | 10:00 a.m.

University of Montevallo’s Palmer Hall

Sponsored by the Shelby County Commission

Thurs., April 19 & Fri., April 20, 2012 | 10:00 a.m.

Samford University’s Wright Center

Single tickets: $5 per person, one free adult for every 10 students Season tickets: (Oct. & Apr. concerts): $9 per person

Grades 7-12

ASO Coffee Concert IMAGES OF ITALY

Fawzi Haimor, Conductor

Join the world-class musicians of the ASO in the beautiful Alys Stephens Center for this informative journey through the history and culture of Italy, featuring music by Respighi and Mendelssohn.

Fri., October 14, 2011 | 11:00 a.m.

UAB’s Alys Stephens Center

Tickets: $6 per person

Hand in Hand: National and Local Advocacy for Music Education

MENC has a strong vision for advocacy by soliciting widespread support for quality music education. In fact, MENC has budgeted $786,725 for advocacy this fiscal year, which is nearly 11% of the total MENC expenses. Advocacy is the first of seven strategic directions to fulfill MENC’s mission of advancing music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all. The direction includes creating advocacybased programs and professional development opportunities, such as Music in Our Schools Month and Music Education Week, as well as compiling facts, quotes, research, and statistics on music education. As part of the strategic plan for advocacy, MENC has also developed legislative “asks,” which outline points that we would like our elected officials to support in upcoming legislation. The requests are:

We ask: Congress to maintain the status of the arts as a core subject academic subject under ESEA, Title IX, Part A, Sec. 9101 (11), also known as “No Child Left Behind.”

We ask: Congress to stipulate that the

Department of Education collect the necessary federal data on education in music and the other arts.

We ask: Congress to ensure that all federal funding under Title I and Title II is made applicable to music education programs, and that Congress increase arts in education funding in order to make certain that all students are provided with a complete education including music.

We ask: Congress to include in ESEA accountability provisions, which include a measurement of music success.

The AMEA Governing Board has envisioned similar advocacy efforts across the state to align national progress with local goals. Therefore, an Advocacy Committee has been appointed to develop a strategic plan for how to best enact state advocacy efforts. The following representatives from each division will serve on the committee:

Sara Womack, Elementary/General, Chair Tim Hammond, ABA Clay McKinney, AOA

Kathy Hughes, AVA

Moya Nordlund, CMENC

Billy Viliunas, HED

The Advocacy Committee has begun work on developing a list of “asks,” which will be presented to our elected officials in Montgomery. We will also cultivate a strategic plan for how to best present our “asks” to further our vision, as well as how to overcome possible barriers. In our long-range plan, the AMEA Governing Board hopes to partner with other arts education organizations in Alabama to advocate for a broad-based education in the arts for all students. Please contact your Advocacy Committee representative if you have any ideas or questions regarding our efforts to bring music education to all students in Alabama.

Sara Womack

AMEA President-Elect

On September 1, MENC officially assumes a new name: “National Association for Music Education, or NAfME. According to Executive Director Michael Butera, “National Association for Music Education” says exactly what we are and what we want: an organization for music education for everyone in our nation, an association that supports music teachers and the profession of music education, a group that isn’t inward-looking and static but outward-reaching and forward-thinking.

Welcome to another great year in orchestral education in the state of Alabama and another great year for our Alabama orchestra association. I want to thank all of you for your dedication and hard work toward giving the students of our state this education. We have enjoyed immense growth and success and nothing shows that more than our All state Orchestra festival. In 1990 a group of dedicated teachers got together and decided it was time to get serious about All State again. I say again because thankfully there were those among them that remembered what all state could be and had faith in our students that they could return All state to it's former splendor. As an organization we are indebted to those teachers. So, in 1991 the word was out, all your teacher had to do was recommend you, and all state was held with nearly 120 students coming to play in the festival orchestra. The large orchestra and large sections, like the 27 or so cellos and 14 basses, were perfect for Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain. They were not so perfect for the Mozart piece. I don’t remember the title because I didn’t get to play it. I was relegated to the basement to practice all those nasty scales and things of the Mussorgsky while the others rehearsed Mozart. Yes I was there 20 years ago, an 8th grade All-State-Rookie-cellist in the back of the section. It was an amazing experience. The next year the festival required that people audition and it has been that way since. We have enjoyed 20 years of sustained growth and next year will mark the 21st consecutive year of

auditioning for entrance into the festival orchestra. It will be the 4th year that the entire festival is by audition only with nearly 400 auditions coming in every year. In these 20 years we have grown from just a single symphonic orchestra to include two String Orchestras, the Sinfonietta and the Consort, and also sponsor a composition competition that gains national attention. We have come so far and I am so proud to be here with you doing this work. It is a great honor to serve as your president and I look forward to us ushering in the next 20 years of growth and success.

A few things to update you on what’s been happening and what will be happening. If you have not been to the website lately please do atwww.alabamaorchestraassociation. org. There you will find bios for our fabulous 2012 conductors, Steven Byess, Fawzi Haimor, and James Bates. Also, as you may have already seen if you have been there, is our new online Registration process for registering for All State Auditions. We are very excited as this and would like to hear from you about it. Please don’t hesitate to write me if you have problems or questions about registration.

As for the All State performance itself the pieces that have been chosen are wonderful. Band Directors and Strings teachers, this will be a wonderful concert with wonderful opportunities for everyone involved so please mark the dates now, February 9-12 in the Moody Music Building on the Campus of the University of Alabama. As always we will be sponsoring the composition contest.

Alabama Orchestra Association Clay McKinney, President

This is an incredible educational opportunity that we offer and a great opportunity for a composer. Details about the competition are on the website. In addition to the great opportunities being provided for everyone in the Festival Orchestra, the Sinfonietta orchestra will be performing Bloch’s Concerto Grosso No 1 for strings and piano obbligato. This piece has an exquisite and challenging piano part and will be a great opportunity for one of our outstanding young pianist in the state. If you have a student or know of a student that is up to the task please encourage them to audition. The festival will culminate in a spectacular performance in the concert hall on Sunday, February 12 at 1 p.m. For interested exhibitors there are four potential exhibit locations in the Moody Music Building during the Festival. Exhibitors may set up any time after 4:00 on Thursday, February 9 and remain until the concert is over on Sunday

blair school of music at vanderbilt university

afternoon, February 12. This time window is the available time, but exhibitors are not required to be present at all times and may choose to use any periods within this time frame. There will be no reduction in fee for reduced usage. The AOA President, Clay McKinney, must receive all requests for exhibitor spaceviaemailat clay.mckinney@mps.k12.al.us beforeJanuary 31, 2012. Two prime locations are available in the lobby. Fees are $500 for each spot and use of space includes up to three 6’ tables. A $100 deposit is required to reserve a lobby spot. Two other locations in the building, closer to rehearsal rooms but with less space, will be made available at $100 each to the first two requestors. Use of these spaces includes one 6’ table each. For more information, please visit our website and click on the 2012 festival link.

The 2012 AMEA in-service conference is quickly approaching,

and I hope to see many AOA members in attendance. The conference will be in Montgomery again this year at the Renaissance Hotel. The new location was a hit last year and has allowed for a very successful experience. We are especially excited this year, Sandra Dackow, nationally recognized string educator, conductor and arranger, will lead us in several workshops. You will not want to miss these so please make plans to attend. AMEA in-service is a great time to inspire your teaching and reconnect with fellow educators from around the state. You can find out more at the AOA website www.alabamaorchestraassociation.o rg or at the AMEA website www.alabamamea.org.

Again, it is a great honor and a great pleasure to serve you in this capacity. Thank you for all you do and I look forward to seeing you and making great music together.

• Intensive professional training with a superb liberal arts education–in a city of historic Southern charm

• Internationally recognized faculty and uniquely personal student/teacher ratio–a hallmark of the Blair community

• New, state-of-the-art classrooms, studios, and performance halls–a new dimension in the learning experience

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

For more information:

Dwayne Sagen

Assistant Dean of Admissions

Blair School of Music

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN 37212-3499

PHONE: (615) 322-6181

WEB: blair.vanderbilt.edu

E-MAIL: Dwayne.P.Sagen@vanderbilt.edu

AUDITION DATES 2011/12

• Degree programs offered in instrumental and vocal performance, composition/theory, and musical arts–and a five-year Bachelor of Music/Master of Education program

• Ranked as one of the nation’s top twenty universities

Is it really time to go into the classroom again? Can it be that another summer has flown by and I watched it as though it were a parade? I do recall in May making those same comments about the school year. How did it go by so fast? There is always a certain amount of excitement in the air as that first day of school approaches though. As teachers, we are given yet another opportunity to help a child bloom and grow, making teaching the most wonderful profession of which to be a part!!

Having made that assumption, how do we stay fresh and up to date and knowledgeable enough to challenge these students year after year? It is by taking advantage of every opportunity for growth within ourselves. AVA offers many opportunities for growth and hopefully all directors are putting the dates of each event on their calendars.

The first opportunity is the annual Fall Workshop. The 2011 dates are September 9th & 10th at Moody Music Hall on the University of Alabama

campus in Tuscaloosa. The workshop will give attendees the opportunity to use the new State Choral Performance Assessment adjudication forms. We will also expand our knowledge of advocacy and be given much needed advice on how to protect the valuable choral programs of our state. A highlight of the workshop will be tremendous clinic sessions with Dr. Steve Zegree. This is a great opportunity for learning, sharing and re-charging early in the school year!

The AMEA In-service conference is scheduled for January 19 – 21 in Montgomery at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. Please make your plans to attend this great conference! Having Paul Gulsvig & Rollo Dilworth as session presenters makes this a conference that will offer inspiring, motivating, encouraging clinics. Dr. Rosephanye Powell will be conducting the Honor Choir, which allows another opportunity to observe and learn from a highly respected clinician and composer. The All-State Show Choir Festival is an exciting time for our students @ AMEA and will give

teachers a chance to observe Paul Gulsvig and Santana Shelton working with this very energetic group.

The All-State Choral Festival, March 8 – 10, also affords teachers the opportunity to watch and learn from internationally recognized clinicians. At each of these venues this year the board will focus attention on our new teachers in an effort to help them feel more comfortable within the AVA organization.

This will be another exciting year for choir students and teachers and I look forward to each and every opportunity to come to a town near you and meet and encourage you and your students. I wish you all the best as you begin this school year and challenge you to enjoy each and every day that you have the opportunity to walk into the chorus classroom and make a difference in the lives of your students.

Jane Powell, President Alabama Vocal Association

Please do not miss even one opportunity to learn, grow and help others this year!

David L. Walters Department of Music

Senior High Choir

Grades 10 - 12

Dr. Patricia Corbin

Director of Choral Activities

Jacksonville State University

HONOR CHOIR

Junior High Choir

Grades 7 - 9

Dr. Gary Packwood

Director of Choral Activities

Mississippi State University

Honor Choir Registration fee is $35. This includes registration, lunch and souvenir tee shirt (cost of music is not included). Registration deadline is Friday, September 16, 2011.

HONOR CHOIR BOOT CAMP

Saturday mornings, September 10, 17 & 24, 2011 at Mason Hall. Honor Choir Boot Camp is a series of intense rehearsals of the Honor Choir music for talented singers who wish to participate in Honor Choir but do not have a music teacher to prepare them. Cost per student is $50, which includes the music, Honor Choir registration, lunch and souvenir tee shirt. Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 5, 2011.

Children’s Choir

Grade 4 - 6

Paige Fumbanks Mathis

Director of Music

Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde

NEW! ALABAMA ALL STATE CHORUS AUDITION PREP CLASS

Saturday morning, October 8, 2011 at Mason Hall. Registration deadline is Wednesday, October 5, 2011. Cost per student is $5.

All registration forms and further information may be found on the JSU Music Department website, www.jsu.edu/music or by contacting Dr. Corbin by phone (256) 782-5544 or by email at pcorbin@jsu.edu.

As we face the new school year, many of us are facing a more challenging situation. With the number of teaching positions lost from last year, you may have fewer fine arts colleagues or you may have more duties outside your band responsibilities. Most of us have less money to spend, or will have to spend more time on fundraising and fee collection. Our school environments in general are more stressed, more stretched, and more strenuous.

And yet, we have the same responsibility to deliver the high quality musical experience to each of our students. If we don’t, who will? Who will recapture the musical spark of the students we see this year, if that spark is allowed to burn out?

Professions and professionals have setbacks all the time. As professionals we must do what professionals do — regroup, rethink, and reorganize.

I hope you have had time to rest and relax this summer. Life is full of changes, but this school year may have more than most. A negative attitude toward change will only drag you and those around you down. Let us all look for the silver lining and focus on the positive. Certain aspects of our jobs may be more challenging this year, but we are fortunate to be working in the profession we are.

If you haven’t already you might need to rethink your priorities, especially if your situation has changed significantly. What is at the core of your program? What are the most important experiences for your students? What are your most important priorities? I would suggest that achieving as many “musical mountain-top” moments as possible should be among your most important objectives. What are your most important avenues to meet your

Alabama Bandmasters Association John Cooper, President

priorities? Are you actively communicating these goals to your administrators, your colleagues, the parents, and even the students? If not, start now! Remember, just because we did something last year does not mean that we have to do the same thing this year; nor does it mean that we have to do it the same way!

Finally, we must reorganize and begin implementing our plans. Just as no battle plan actually survives the battle, very few plans for the school year survive the school year! Remain focused on your objectives and continue to communicate to those around you. Sometimes challenges help us discover more effective teaching methods.

Please become involved in your district meetings and district decisions. Let us all be quick to ask for help from our colleagues, and even quicker to give help when asked. Begin making plans now for your students to participate in All-State Band tryouts, Music Performance Assessment, and the other ABA events which can benefit your

students. Plan on attending the AMEA In-Service Conference in Montgomery.

I want to thank all of our clinicians at our Summer Convention: Elva Kaye Lance, Terry Ownby, Leslie Welker, John Bradley, Deborah Basinger, Michael Holmes, Ken Ozzello, Clay Sloan, and Tommy Brannon. If you missed any of their presentations you missed an opportunity to learn! I also want to thank those that provided our Wednesday evening dinner: Craig Henson at M & P Travel/Cline Tours, Frank Godfrey and Jeff Thurber at DeMoulin Uniforms, Ron Mallory at Art’s Music, and Wayne Broom at AWB Apparel. If you didn’t attend our Summer Convention, make plans to attend next summer!

Make it a great year!

From Alabama Jazz Chair Randall Key...

All-State Jazz Band requirements are listed on the AMEA website at http://www.alabamamea.org. Click on the Alabama Bandmasters Association link located at the top of the page, then click on 2012 All-State Jazz Band requirements. The postmark deadline for All-State audition material is November 10, 2011. A special thank you is extended to Sid Dedeaux for the implementation of additional all state jazz groups. Last year’s jazz ensembles were a huge success and we certainly encourage high school and jr. high students to submit an audition recording.

As we all prepare to return to the grind of classes, rehearsals, and all the other shenanigans that accompany the role that we fill as college students, it gives me great joy to write to all of you as the president of Alabama CMENC. I would like to thank each and every CMENC member that trusted me to lead this amazing organization for this year, and I certainly hope that I do not let you down. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank last year’s president, Taylor Sparks, for all the hard work he has done for CMENC, and I wish him the best of luck as he begins what I am sure will be a long and very successful career in music education.

There are many reasons to be excited about Alabama CMENC this year, and

they start with the awesome individuals that round out our executive board. A new face, Skylar King of the University of Montevallo, will occupy the role of vice president. Heather Haynes of the University of Alabama returns as our secretary, and Dr. Moya Nordlund of Samford University is back as our state advisor. We will seek to expand this organization, and we have already set out a tentative recruiting plan to accomplish our goal. The AMEA Executive Board has given us their full support as we undertake what I hope will be a very fruitful statewide recruitment process for CMENC.

The annual Fall Summit (which will be held at the University of Montevallo in October) is in the planning stages. If there are topics that you would like to see covered, please do not hesitate to contact me to let me know what they

are. Be on the lookout for updates related to the Summit through the Alabama CMENC Twitter page and email. We are also planning to launch a musical outreach competition between the chapters of CMENC. The details of this will be revealed at the Summit in October.

Although it seems like a long time until January, I am already excited about the AMEA In-Service Conference, which will be January 19-21, 2012, in Montgomery. CMENC received some wonderful session proposals, and I know that it is going to be yet another wonderful opportunity for all of us to grow professionally. I look forward to seeing you all at the Summit in October, the AMEA Conference in January, and many places in between!

ABDA 2012 Concert Festival

March

CMENC Dakota Bromley, President

are pleased to announce

THE THIRD ANNUAL MIDDLE SCHOOL SYMPHONIC HONOR BAND FESTIVAL

SCHOOLSYMPHONIC FESTIV , 201 4 2

February 2-4, 2012

Special guest composer and conductor: Matt Conaway Deadline for nomination forms: October 31, 2011 and

S guest pecial Sp com nom for fo Deadline TWENTY

THE TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC HONOR BAND FESTIVAL

February 10-12, 2012

conducto and poser O forms: fo mination r o: Matt 3 ctober O1 201 1, y 1 FESTIV 201 , 2012 AL Sp

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Deadline for nomination forms: November 30, 2011

Special guest composer and conductor: David Gillingham

Information and nomination forms for the Festivals will be mailed to all

:a Gillingh David 2011 ovember forms Alabama band directors in

Information and nomination forms for the Festivals will be mailed to all Alabama band directors in August. Please place these events on your calendar now!

For more information regarding either Festival please visit our website: www.band.auburn.edu

m information www. www.d band.auburn.edu

conductor and ser No forms: fo mination on

Elementary/General Division

Beth Davis, President

Have you ever tried to cut something with a dull blade? If so, frustration ensued quickly. A great deal of energy was spent with little result. Oftentimes, people attempt a similar task when they try to live without taking proper care of themselves. In the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey posits the idea that people need to “sharpen the saw.” To paraphrase his explanation of Habit 7, people would be more effective and successful if they would take care of themselves physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.

I have spent the last year “sharpening my saw” as a full time student at the University of Alabama. I had the rare opportunity of being on study leave from my teaching position to attend class full time. I took classes, heard lectures, read, conducted research,

participated in stimulating conversations, and completed the residency requirement for my degree. I sharpened my saw. I look forward to returning to my classroom this fall as an inspired and invigorated teacher ready to make music with my students and to lead them in learning.

You do not have to do something as drastic as taking a leave from your job and being on campus full time to sharpen your saw. AMEA’s elementary/general division has opportunities for you to sharpen your saw this year. The Elementary Music Festival will be held October 7, 2011 with Dena Byers as the conductor. We are grateful to Samford and Dr. Moya Nordlund for allowing us the use of the Wright Center for the festival. Dr. Sara Womack serves as the director of the festival. Contact Sara (sara@music.org) with any questions concerning the festival. The following day is the fall workshop, jointly hosted with the Alabama Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association

(AOSA). The workshop will be 9:00 –3:00 also at Samford. Dena Byers is the clinician. The state in-service conference will be held January 19 –21, 2012. After a successful first year in the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Conference Center, the conference will be at this facility again this year. Clinicians at the conference include Greg Gilpin, Rollo Dilworth, Joey and Andrea Coleman, Jim Tinker, and Tiffany English. Sessions will address interests such as teaching recorder, Orff lessons, technology, and choral music. I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to sharpen your saw. Please do not attempt to teach your children without enriching your own life and mind.

I express my appreciation to Sharon August for leading our division as president these last two years. She has been an excellent leader for our division and an outstanding example for me to follow. Congratulations to Sharon on the birth of her first grand daughter, Cora Delphine, born in June. Karla Hodges will serve as president elect for the next term, and Lea Hoppe continues to serve as treasurer. Thank you to all of these music educators who are willing to serve and lead our division.

Best wishes for the new school year. Sharpen your saw and enjoy making music with your students.

Sincerely,

Beth A. Davis President, Elementary/General Division

2011-2012 Events

Crimson Cavalcade of Bands

September 27, 2011

Tuscaloosa County HS Stadium

Alabama Honor Band Festival

February 2-5, 2012

Crimson Music Camp

June 7-15, 2012

2011-2012

Alabama

September 29, 2011

November 8, 2011

February

March 20, 2012

April 19, 2012

Alabama

October 19, 2011

November 30, 2011

February 2, 2012

March 7, 2012

April 11, 2012

Alabama

March 7, 2012

April 11, 2012

The 21st Century Music Educator

“How is music significant?” “How does music impact life?” and “Do stake holders recognize the complexities and demands of being musicians?” are just a few of the questions explored in the 2011 MENC Music Education Week Supervisor’s Academy. While the focus of the two-day meetings has been on designing 21st century curriculum and the assessment thereof, the recurrent question has been, “How do we advocate for music and inform students, parents, administrators, and the general public of what music educators do?” As one of a handful of college-level music educators (among the numerous music supervisors) attending those meetings, I came away with a mandate – that we in Music Teacher Education must “front load” our pre-service teachers with the 21st century skills. They need to recognize that they are already using 21st century skills - Creativity and Innovation,Collaboration, Communication,and Critical Thinking/Problem Solving – on a regular basis; they just have to articulate these skills in their

curricula. Ever since the 2011 AMEA Winter Inservice, I have been inspired by Scott Schuler, president of MENC, to study up on 21st century skills (www.p12.org). Today’s schools must prepare students for jobs that don’t even exist. According to Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow –Today (ACOT2), 21st century learning is at the confluence of three major influences: globalization, technology, and research on how people learn. The music classroom is exactly the kind of learning environment that encapsulates this model through the use of world music, iPods, and differentiated instruction, just to name a few. ALCOT2 suggests that new curricula must, besides focusing on 21st century skills and outcomes, be contextual problembased and project-based learning. I cannot think of anything more authentic and relevant than curricula associated with the arts, especially music.

Exactly how can we turn the general music class, band, or choral rehearsals

into dynamic learning environments? Ken Robinson (2006 TED conference) talked about a “loose-tight” model for education: tight in curricular goals, but loose in instructor autonomy. In the context of music education, such a model would allow individual instructors the freedom to choose quality repertoire that are most relevant and appropriate for specific settings. It will allow the musician-educator to become an “architect of human potential” and cultivate ownership in their students. To ensure that pre-service teachers are ready and able to design diverse and valid learning experiences, they are encouraged to visit or revisit the New Bloom’s Taxonomy that comprises both the six levels of cognitive processes and the four dimensions of knowledge.

The job market for music teachers is grim. Instead of seeing it as a hopeless situation, we must forge ahead and take on our professional crisis as a glorious opportunity with endless possibilities. According to the 21st Century Workforce Commission National Alliance of Business, the current and future health of America’s 21st Century Economy depends directly on how broadly and deeply Americans reach a new level of literacy. Fellow musician-educators, let us rise up and lead the way.

Moya Nordlund, EdD, Samford University, serves as faculty advisor to Alabama CMENC

Alabama is a state renowned for its history, football, and research. Our discoveries in agriculture, especially through the work of George Washington Carver, and advances made to the aerospace industry, such as the development of the Saturn V rocket are wellknown. However, our other efforts are often overlooked. For example, in 1931 Fred Allison discovered the 89th element, Alabamine now called Astatine. Seale Harris’ diagnosed hyperinsulinemia (prediabetes) in 1924 two years after he opened the Seale Harris Clinic in Birmingham. Edward O. Wilson spent his childhood living in and out of Alabama, eventually earned two degrees from the University of Alabama, became the world's foremost scientist on ant behavior, and then established the field of sociobiology. These accomplishments are but a small sample of the research milestones placed by Alabamians on the road to understanding the world we live in.

Music education research also has a firm foothold in our state. Take a look at these bits of trivia.

The University of Alabama was the editorial home of the Journal of Research in Music

Education, the flagship research journal of the music teaching profession and the National Association for Music Education (MENC), from 1994 to 2001 when Harry Price, former department head for music education at Alabama, served as editor. Today, Carl Hancock serves on the editorial board of the JRME

For over 30 years, Troy University housed the Journal of Band Research, the “premiere scholarly publication in the world devoted to band music, band history, and band methodology.” Today, Mark Walker, Larry Blocher, and Johnny Long continue to provide editorial and other assistance to the JBR.

Auburn University served as the first editorial home of the Journal of Technology in Music Learning. The JTML is “dedicated to the publication of scholarly articles in the field of music learning which investigate applications of instructional technology.”

Kimberly Walls, Program Coordinator for Music Education, and Nancy Barry, Head of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, served as the first and second editors respectively. Today, Kim Walls serves on the

Research Chair

Carl Hancock

editorial review board of the JTML.

In 1987, The University of Alabama Press published Applications of Research in Music Behavior under the co-editorship of Carol Prickett, current Chair of Music Education at UA and Clifford Madsen from Florida State University. The book was considered “an ambitious collection of recent research studies in music education and music therapy” and became an essential textbook for music education and music therapy research classes across the country.

The Alabama Music Educators Association itself is an ardent supporter of music education research. At the last AMEA InService Conference, 21 university faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates from Auburn University, Cumberland University, Florida State University, Samford University, and the University of Alabama shared research posters with the music teachers of Alabama. What follows is a list of studies and presenters from the 2011 poster session.

continued next page

1. Six Beginning Music Teachers' Music Teacher Role-Identities by Michele Paynter Paise.

2. The Operatic Tenor Fächer and Listener's Preference by Moya Norlund and Thomas Alan Taylor.

3. An Analysis of Thumb Position Vibrato Among University Double Bass Students by James Mick.

4. Teaching Disadvantaged Students, Part I: Undergraduate Perceptions by Jane Kuehne.

5. Children’s Sight-reading Skills and Community Youth Orchestra Participation by Kimberly Walls and Katherine L. King.

6. Teaching Music Listening Skills to Secondary Music Students in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia: Teacher’s Beliefs and Practice by Robert Lyda.

7. An Analysis of Thumb Position Vibrato of University Cello Student by David Pope.

8. Reliability of Traditional Non-Rubric State Festival Choir Adjudication Form by Marvin Latimer and Carl Hancock.

9. The Effect of Head Joint Material and Manufacturer on the Intensity of Flute Harmonics Created in a Musical Context by Corinth Young.

10. Alabama Band Directors' Use of Warmup Time Preceding State Concert Band Assessments by Justin Ward.

11. The Effect of Pre-Assessment Music Listening Tempo on Undergraduate Elementary Education Majors' Associational Word Fluency by Beth Davis.

12. The Effect of Teacher Intensity and Vocal Model Pitch on Elementary Education Majors' Evaluations of Teacher Effectiveness by Natassia Perrine.

13. The Effect of Gender, Degree of Gaming, and Music Participation on Middle School Students' Music Preference by Joshua Walker.

14. The Age and Music-Genre Preferences of Participants in a University Campus Band: A Descriptive Study by Clay Ritenbaugh.

15. The Effect of Left-Handed Versus RightHanded Conducting on Musicians' Evaluations of Conductor Effectiveness by Leigh Thomas.

16. The Effect of Spatial-Temporal Reasoning Ability on Pitch Retention and Recall by Kyle Wheatley.

17. The Influence of Wind Band Literature Grade Level and Publication Year on the Performance Time of Band Recordings Found in the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band Series by Adam Dalton.

18. A Comparison of Performance Times of Major Wind Repertoire by Nathan Tucker.

From all accounts, music education researchers will continue to have supportive friends in Alabama. I encourage you to read the Call for Research Abstracts and submit a study to the 2012 Research Poster Session. We promise to provide an excellent and supportive venue for you to share your results with interested music teachers and scholars from throughout the Southeast!

CALL FOR RESEARCH ABSTRACTS

On January 20, 2012 the Alabama Music Educators Association will host a research poster session as part of the 2012 AMEA Conference in Montgomery, Alabama. The Association invites submissions from university faculty, music teachers, graduate students, and undergraduate scholars. Submissions may include completed and inprogress research studies involving any aspect of music education, therapy, history, psychology, and performance. Research based on issues facing music educators and students in the Southeastern United States are especially welcome. All submissions should meet the Code of Ethics found in the Journal of Research in Music Education. Research presented at other conferences will be considered, however, previously published work will not be accepted.

Interested researchers must submit a detailed abstract of the research project (650-750 words) as a word or pdf document through our online submission website http://www.musiceducation.ua.edu/posters/

Abstracts will be peer-reviewed. Submissions must be received by 11:59 pm CST on Friday, November 18, 2011 for full consideration. Authors will be notified of acceptance by Friday, December 4, 2011.

When accepted, at least one of the authors must attend the AMEA Conference to present the poster. Posters should be professional in appearance and have dimensions approaching 36” X 48”. Presenters are expected to bring 50 copies of the abstract to the session. Information about the 2012 Alabama Music Educators Conference can be found at: http://www.alabamamea.org.

1. Visit the MENC website, www.MENC.org

If you desire a university that prepares you to make a difference in today’s culture, UMobile is for you!

center for performing arts

The course of study is music - the four-year journey is the real education! To schedule an appointment to audition: cpaauditions@umobile.edu or call

2. Sign in with your email address and MENC membership #

3. Click “Member Services”

AMEA uses contact info from the MENCdatabase to send the Ala Breve and E-Newsletters. Don’t miss out!

Whether you sing in the choir, dance in a musical theater production, play an instrument in a band, have a passion for opera, or lead worship for your church, the University of Mobile Center for Performing Arts has the program for

you!

Opera theatre | September 1-4

Band Day | September 17

HONOR CHOIR | October 1

BANDs OF AMERICA (BOA) REGIONAL | October 8

“Contest of champions” | October 15

New Music Ensemble | October 18

“Tuba-ween” | October 28

Holiday extravaganza Concert | December 4

Scholarship auditions 2012

February 24-25

March 2-3

To view entire season listings, visit our website at music.jsu.edu

Higher Education

Timothy Phillips, President

Greetings fellow collegiate educators of Alabama,

Is it hot enough for ya?! As someone who is not originally from Alabama or the South, every summer I’m blown away by the heat and humidity here. But, let’s forget about that. You know what’s really hot? The Higher Ed Division of AMEA!

In the coming months, I would like to encourage applied music professors from our state to consider submitting an article for publication in Ala Breve. The “Call for Submissions” at the end of this update is really directed toward any of you who would be interested in publishing in a peer reviewed format. Simply put, this just means that your article will be selected by a review committee prior to publication. It is an excellent opportunity for you to share your vast knowledge of your particular area of expertise with our readers.

In the closing meeting of the AMEA Board of Directors at this year’s conference, we discussed some ideas for unifying the HED schedule within next year’s conference. We are still in the “idea” stages of this slight restructuring; but, the hope is that we can organize our events so that our members can easily attend everything from the HED business meeting, to the presentations, to the recitals, to the mixer. Also, there was a mention of incorporating student and faculty chamber groups into next year’s AMEA Conference. As this idea evolves, I will share details with you.

If you are interested in nominating a fellow music educator for an award through AMEA, please submit

application forms by July 15, 2011. You’ll find these forms in the last issue of Ala Breve. Also, I would like to remind you that AMEA’s membership year runs from July 1 through June 30. Please consider renewing your membership early as we embark on this new year.

Fun fact. As of right now, the Higher Education Division of AMEA has $1501.42 in our budget.

As always, if you have any suggestions as to how we can improve the HED area of AMEA, please don’t hesitate to contact me. The AMEA Board will meet periodically to discuss next year’s activities and I am happy to bring any issues to the table for you. I appreciate your continued support.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Ala Breve is seeking submissions of research articles for the Summer 2012 “Special Research” Edition to be published during the summer, 2012. Submissions may consist of quantitative, qualitative, descriptive, historical, philosophical, or any other kind of accepted research conducted by university faculty and/or active practitioners. The deadline for the submission is May 1, 2012. Submission Guidelines (adapted from the Submission Guidelines of Update: Applications of Research in Music Education) 1. Manuscripts must be research-based. 2. Manuscripts may present a single research study or a review of the literature. 3. Articles should be unique and not published elsewhere. In accordance with the Code of Ethics, submitting a manuscript indicates that it has not been published previously and is not currently submitted for publication elsewhere, either in its entirety or in part. 4. Authors should comply with APA ethical standards (www.apa.org/ethics/ code2002.html) and institutional and

federal regulations in the treatment of human subjects. 5. Quantitative manuscripts must conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed., 2001). Nonquantitative and historical studies may conform to APA style or to The Chicago Manual of Style (15th ed., 2003). Authors may not mix styles within a manuscript. 8. Authors should submit four copies of typed, doublespaced manuscripts, which normally should not exceed 20 pages, along with an abstract of approximately 150 words. Authors should also submit 4 to 6 keywords relating to their article’s content. Type size should be no smaller than 12 points (double-spacing should include 28 points total for a line of text and the following line). Figures and drawings should be camera-ready. 9. To preserve the author’s anonymity in the review process, the manuscript should not reveal the author’s identity or institutional affiliation. The author’s name, address (including e-mail, if available), and institutional affiliation should appear only on a separate cover sheet. Manuscripts not conforming to this stipulation will be returned. 10. Manuscripts should be addressed to: Dr. Carl Hancock, University of Alabama School of Music, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.

Hardwick & Son Printing Ad

This installment is the second and concluding part of an article begun in the last edition of Ala Breve. We had many contributors and felt that we needed to give proper focus to this crucial topic. I hope you will find a new idea or two to help you start your year off successfully.

Our first contributor, John Bradley, is President of Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, and while he is currently retired from a distinguished career as a band director and administrator, you will still find him most days helping music students and teachers. He gives us two insights from his many years as a band director at Monroeville High School. “ I always gave a traditional type of recruiting concert, but made sure that I had opportunities for the students to interact with me and the band members. I think one of the best things I used to do was have a student for the audience come up and “conduct” the band on a short piece. This really got everyone excited and had them buzzing. As for retention in the program, nothing helped the program at Monroeville more than my daily involvement with the feeder program. As the high school director, it was challenging trying to break away from the paperwork and responsibilities of that end of the program, but having the students in the middle school feel comfortable with my teaching style and the type of program they were moving to when they transitioned to high school really paid dividends. There are always a few kids that are “on the fence” and this seemed to help them feel confident in their decision to remain in band.”

Tips That Click

“You can’t teach an empty chair”

Chuck Eady is Past-President of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and has been a band director for over 30 years, currently teaching at Pleasant Grove High School in Jefferson County. He advocates using a recruiting concert, but with a few different “twists”. He takes the high school group and does two concerts – one for the entire elementary school and a shorter concert targeted specifically for the rising sixth grade class. “For the second concert, we play more songs that feature the beginning instruments, but I make sure that I allow enough time for the potential band members to ask questions of the CURRENT members.”. Eady adds:” I have found that while the elementary students will be polite and listen to me, the high school students definitely have more credibility with them and their answers inspire confidence that “taking band” will be the way to go!” As for retention, Chuck states: “ I have found that communication is the key. When I find that a student is considering leaving the program, I always investigate and try to find the reason behind this. If it is a financial problem, then we try to find a way to help the student arrange this so that they can remain in band. If there is a conflict with athletics, I try to work with the coaching staff to find out if the

student has the talent to be a contributor. I always make sure that the student knows that the door is open to return if the team does not work out”.

The members of Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster Fraternity hope that this information is helpful and that you have your best year ever! Please email pemin@mac.com with any comments on this column or suggestions for future columns.

AMEA 2011 - 2012 Division Events

Alabama Bandmasters Association

AMEA In-Service Conference/All-State Jazz Band

January 19-21, 2012 - Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center

All-State Solo Festival

April 11, 2012 - Mobile

District I

All-State Band Auditions

District Honor Band State MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District II

All-State Band Auditions State MPA

District Honor Band

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District III

All-State Band Auditions

District Honor Band State MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District IV

All-State Band Auditions

District Honor Band State High School MPA

State Middle School MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District V

All-State Band Auditions State MPA

District Honor Band

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District VI

All-State Band Auditions

District Honor Band State MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District VII

All-State Band Auditions State MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District VIII

All-State Band Auditions State MPA

District Honor Band

Solo & Ensemble Festival

All-State Band Festival

April 12-14, 2012 - Mobile

Summer In-Service Conference

June 27-28, Hilton Garden Inn, Orange Beach

January 28...........................................Brewer High School

February 17-18...............................Bob Jones High School

February 23-24............................................................TBA

March 15-16......................................................Decatur HS

March 31.........................................Liberty Middle School

April 21............................................Hartselle High School

January 14..................................Jacksonville High School

February 29-March 2................Gadsden City High School

March 9-10.........................Gadsden State Comm. College

April 30...............................................Oxford High School

May 1......................................................Arab High School

January 28...............................Muscle Shoals High School

February 18-19............................................................TBA

March 6-8................................Muscle Shoals High School

May 5 Muscle Shoals High School

January 14...........................................Hoover High School

March 30-31.................................Homewood High School

February 28-March 1...................Homewood High School

March 6-8.....................................................................TBA

April 24....................................Homewood Middle School

May 5.........................................Thompson Middle School

January 28..........................................................Tuscaloosa

February 22-23..................................................Tuscaloosa

February 24-25...................................................Livingston

March 15...............................................................Prattville

April 24..............................................................Tuscaloosa

January 28..........................................Opelika High School

February 24-25...................................Auburn High School

March 6-8...........................................Auburn High School

March 3..............................Smiths Station Jr. High School

April 21............................................Montgomery Catholic

January 14.......................................Davidson High School

March 7-8.........................................Saraland High School

April 28.........................................Semmes Middle School

May 5......................................Spanish Fort Middle School

January 28.................................................Troy Elementary

March 7-9.......................................Enterprise High School

March 16-17..............................Eufaula, Lakepoint Resort

April 21...........................................Rehobeth High School

Alabama Orchestra Association

AMEA Conference

January 19-21, 2012

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center

All-State Orchestra Festival

University of AlabamaFebruary 9-12, 2012

Alabama Vocal Association

Fall Workshop - September 9-10 - UA Moody Music Building, Tuscaloosa

All-State Show Choir Auditions - September 29-30 - Wallace State, Hanceville

September 30-October 1 - Huntingdon College, Montgomery

All-State Show Choir Festival at AMEA Conference - January 19-21- Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center

Honor Choir Festival at AMEA Conference - January 19-21- Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center

FAME - January 19- Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center

All-State - March 7-10, 2011 - Samford University, Birmingham

OCS/OA at All-State - March 7-10 - Samford University

District VII

Elementary/General Division

October 7-AMEA Elementary Music Festival with Dena Byers at the Wright Center, Samford University.

October 8-AMEA/AOSA Joint Workshop with Dena Byers at Samford University.

November 9-12-AOSA 2011 Professional Development Conference in Pittsburg, PA.

January 19-21 - AMEA In-Service Conference, Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM

AMEA In-Service Conference

January 19-21, 2012

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center, Montgomery, Alabama

LAST NAME

FIRST NAME______________________(for badge) MENC ID#

Please enclose a copy of your card.

Home Address: __________________________________ ____________________ ______ _______

Home Phone: ______________________________ Email: __________________________________ School Name: ______________________________________________________________________ School Address: _________________________________ ____________________ ______ _______

School Phone: ______________________________ Cell:

Primary Division Affiliation: (check only one)

Other Division/s Affiliation: (check all that apply, or none if only one division affiliation)

Please tell us if you are: _____Clinician _____Conductor of a performing group at the conference

Current Members, Clinicians, Conductors

Pre-Registration $80.00 (On-Site Registration $90.00)

Retired Members Registration Complimentary

First Year Teachers

Pre-registration $65.00 (On-Site Registration $75.00)

Spouse* or Guest* of AMEA Member Registration $15.00 *may not be a music teacher

CMENC Members

Pre-Registration $30.00 (On-Site Registration $35.00)

Non-Member Alabama Music Teacher

Pre-Registration $185.00 (On-Site Registration $195.00)

TOTAL AMOUNT PAID $____________ MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO AMEA

A fee of $35 will be charged for returned checks No Purchase Orders Accepted. Check or Credit Card Only

To pre-register with a credit card go to www.alabamamea.org through January 10, 2012

************************* Mail form and check by Jan. 10, 2012 to: *********************** AMEA, 1612 Second Avenue SW, #181, Cullman, AL 35055

Important: Forms and payment received after Jan. 10 will be held at the registration desk for onsite registration. Do not send forms or payment to the above address after Jan. 10, 2012!

THANK YOU! Your conference packet will be ready at the registration desk in the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel. Your receipt will be in your packet at the conference.

********************************************************************************************************************************************

Please do not fill in the information below. This is for AMEA bookkeeping ONLY

Personal Check # _________________________School Check # ______________________

Membership verified and payment receipted by: ________________________________ Date: ____________________

Noteworthy...

The Latest on Music Education Policy from Capitol Hill

MENC, July 15, 2011

On June 28 more than 90 MENC division and state leaders spread out over Capitol Hill, summarizing for elected officials the 2011 Federal Legislative Requests of the National Association for Music Education. The Requests or “Asks” are:

•That Congress maintain the arts as a core subject under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

•That Congress specify that the Department of Education collect necessary data on education in music and the other arts

•That Congress ensure that all federal funding under Title I and Title II applies to music education programs

•That Congress include in ESEA accountability provisions that include a measurement of music success

The leaders carried with them folders of detailed information on the Association’s legislative goals: that all students have access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, high-quality music education program.

The folder materials were left with legislators and their staff members so they have detailed music education advocacy information when education issues arise in Congress at a later date.

As important as that information is to making music education’s case, the leaders shared something equally important— personal stories of their work with students. In a final briefing before the Association

leaders headed to their meetings, Christopher Woodside, assistant executive director for the Association’s Center for Advocacy & Public Affairs, and Nancy Townes, director of government relations and advocacy communications, said meetings with legislators or their staff members, while often short, are very important.

Townes said that while it is important to “get to the point,” personal stories also help legislators and their staff members remember the message music educators bring to them.

She said, “Personal stories can be effective. If you think about it, every year at the State of the Union address the president always includes the stories of ordinary people, and that is what many people remember.”

Woodside said, “Talk to them about how music matters to you, to your students, to their parents, emphasize how music can change kids’ lives.” He said that kind of communication works on the state and local level, too. It also helps to do some homework. Find out if elected members themselves or members of their families are involved in school music programs.

Here are a few of the experiences the Association’s leaders shared with legislators in June:

Personal Stories

Denese Odegaard, president of the Association’s North Central Division, and the North Dakota Music Education Association executive director, told the story about a string competition that coincided with rising floodwaters in North Dakota a while back.

Students, she said, were sandbagging their houses for several hours straight, but they took time to shower and dress for the competition, perform and go back to sandbagging in an effort to save their homes.

“We didn’t know who would show up, but the competition was important enough to them that they came,” Odegaard said.

North Dakota visits included the offices of North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad, and Congressman Rick Berg. Odegaard said the meetings went well, and that the information they presented was well received. She also said each of the congressional aides they met with “was the product of a great music program.”

Connecticut Music Education Association leaders, including John Kuhner (Eastern Division Past President), Kim Yannon (CMEA Immediate Past President), Dale Griffa (CMEA President), and Barbara Skrebutenas (CMEA Past President) visited seven legislators. Yannnon said they discussed in detail the Association’s 2011 Federal Legislative Requests in each office. Association President Scott C. Shuler joined the group for the visit to Senator Richard Blumenthal's office.

“The Connecticut contingent also visited Senator Joseph Lieberman's offices, as well as Congressmen Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, and Christopher S. Murphy. We met with staffers in all five offices. An interesting discovery was that four out of the five staff members we met with were very involved in their schools' music programs,” she said.

Leaders of the Alabama Music Educators Association met with legislative staffers of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions and U.S. Senator Richard C. Shelby, sessions that “went very well” and the folders of information they left behind stirred interest.

Alabama MEA President Steve McLendon noted that Sessions is a former elementary teacher. “His and Senator Shelby's office were very supportive of our asks. I will be sure to follow up [with them].”

AMEA President Steve McLendon (L) and Executive Director Garry Taylor (R) meet with U.S. Senator Richard C. Shelby’s Legislative Assistant Andrew Newton.

AMEA President Steve McLendon, U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions’ Legislative Assistant Hunter Walton, and AMEA Executive Director Garry Taylor

Join Us!

(Share this application with non-MENC member colleagues and tell them the benefits of joining MENC.)

For today’s students to succeed tomorrow, they need a comprehensive education that includes music taught by exemplary music educators. When your colleagues join MENC: The National Association for Music Education, they automatically become a member of Alabama Music Educators Association. From local activities to national issues, MENC and AMEA offer the combination of ser vices and benefits music educators need!

Advocacy—MENC informs legislators of the importance of an education that includes music, supports National Standards for Music Education, and sponsors programs such as Music In Our Schools Month® and Advocacy Groundswell

Music Educators Journal—Articles on teaching approaches, current issues, classroom techniques, and products and services. Teaching Music—Practical teaching ideas for all specialty areas.

Discounts on Resources—25% off all MENC publications, videos, and specialty items. In-Service Conferences and Meetings

Opportunities to exchange ideas with colleagues; member discounts on registration fees. Leadership Opportunities—Participation on MENC task forces and committees; sponsorship of collegiate and Tri-M Music Honor Society chapters. Automatic State Association

Membership—All the benefits offered at the state level, including the state journal and access to local meetings, festivals, and more!

General Music Today—Dealing specifically with the concerns of the general music educator.

Journal of Music Teacher Education—Focusing on issues of importance to the music teacher educator.

UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education Practical applications for music education research findings.

Journal of Research in Music Education—The latest findings in music education research.

Additional Features —MENC credit card, professional liability insurance, medical protection program, and more.

There’s More! Take the MENC Membership Tour at www.menc.org/about/view/tour-of-menc-membership

Yes, I want to join MENC and Alabama MEA. I understand that membership extends for one year from the date dues are received. Credit card holders may join by calling MENC Member Services 1-800-828-0229, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time Please contact MENC Member Services for spousal or retired dues. Rates expire 5-31-2012.

New or Renewal

I understand the membership year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

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Active membership dues (national and state) $ ____

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Tax deductible contribution to the Fund for the Advancement of Music Education to support (select one): $ ____

Music in Our Schools Month

Advocacy

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Student Programs

Wherever it’s most needed!

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $ ____

Payment: Check enclosed, payable to MENC

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Professional Areas

Teaching Level Teaching Area

Preschool Choral/Voice Teacher Education

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Junior/Middle School Orchestra Technology/ Senior High School Show Choir Theory/ College/University Guitar Composition/ Administrator/ General Music History Supervisor Special Learners Marching Band Private/Studio Research Mariachi

Alabama Music Educators Association

Young Composers Competition

The AMEA Young Composers Competition has been created to encourage Alabama's developing student composers by providing professional level review and consideration. By recognizing outstanding student compositions, this process will support Alabama music teachers by recognizing their efforts to incorporate the MENC standards. It is also hoped that this kind of professional recognition will provide a showcase for the composition talents of these young Alabama musicians.

Competition Guidelines and Regulations

Eligibility: Open to students grades K-College

Requirements:Compose a solo, song, string quartet, concerto, or any medium of choice in one of the categories.

Score Format: TWO copies of an original score must be sent with the entry form. Hand-written and computergenerated formats are accepted. Measures MUST be numbered on each score submitted. Tape, CD or computer-generated recordings are encouraged but not mandatory.

Contest Rules and Procedures:

1.Sponsoring teacher must be AMEA member.

2. Entries must be original unpublished compositions. No transcriptions or arrangements will be eligible.

3. The purpose of the competition is to encourage student composers. Therefore, the compositions must be conceived and constructed by the composer.

4. Entries shall be between 1-8 minutes in length.

5. Adjudication comments will be available after all entries have been reviewed.

6. Compositions must be submitted with a full score. Recordings are welcome but not mandatory. Please do not send parts with you score.

7.The composer's name must appear on the score and recording (if available). The date of the composition must appear on the title page.

8.All entries must be postmarked by OCTOBER 29. 2011. Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.

9.Finalists will be selected from each Division and Category, the judges will determine how many finalists will be selected.

10.All rights, including copyrighting, remain with the composer.

11.Submitted materials will not be returned.

12.Compositions submitted must not be published and must not have won any other competitions.

13.The panel of judges may include qualified university composition faculty, members of the music industry, composers and other music educators. Their decision will be final, with the right to withhold awards in the event that no entry is judged worthy.

14.Each composer may submit one entry.

15.Finalist(s) will be recognized at the annual AMEA conference.

Judging: Entries will be accepted in the following divisions and categories:

Division 1 - Elementary (K-5)

Division 2 - Middle (6-8)

Division 3 - High (9-12)

Division 4 - College

Composers may enter a piece from any of the FIVE categories below:

Category A: Solo composition (including song with accompaniment; orchestral instrument with accompaniment, e.g. violin sonata).

Category B: Chamber piece for duo, trio, quintet, etc. (other than string quartet).

Category C: Orchestral/Band/Choral. (large ensemble work)

Category D: String Quartet.

Category E: Jazz - a piece for jazz ensemble.(combo or large ensemble)

Points (100):30 points - structure, musical creativity, and development.

30 points - compositional technique; use of instrument(s).

30 points - melodic, rhythmic and harmonic consideration.

10 points - presentation (to include correct musical notation).

Judging: All entrants will receive a written critique from the judging panel. The decision of the judging panel is final.

Prizes & Awards: Composition finalists will be recognized at the AMEA conference.

Entry fee: $20.00 Checks should be made payable to Homewood Middle School.

Deadline: Postmarked on or before October 29, 2011

Entry: Send composition and completed entry form to: AMEA Young Composers Competition

c/o Chris Cooper

Homewood Middle School

395 Mecca Ave. Homewood, AL 35209

2011-2012 APPLICATION FORM

SIGNATURE

SIGNATURE OF TEACHER

Campus Connections

News and Happenings from Alabama’s Colleges and Universities

The John M. Long School of Music – Troy University

As this new school year begins, we are once again grateful to AMEA for providing this opportunity to share information with our music colleagues and music students across the state.

New Faculty

Dr. Mark Walker - Director of Bands

Following 25 years of service to Troy University, 10 of them as Director of Bands, Professor Ralph Ford retired from Troy University at the end of the spring semester 2011. Dr. Mark Walker, Associate Professor of Music at Troy University, was appointed Director of Bands in the John M. Long School of Music in June. As Director of Bands, Dr. Walker will conduct the Troy University Symphony Band, serve as primary director for the “Sound of the South” Marching Band, and coordinate all aspects of the university band program. Dr. Walker earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Tennessee Technological University, and his Master’s and Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Auburn University Music Department

The Music Department at Auburn University offers exciting opportunities for performance and music education majors, as well as for students majoring in other fields who wish to participate in classes and ensembles. We have recently secured university funding to purchase new wind, brass, and percussion instruments and new pianos for student practice and some faculty studios. The department strives to achieve and sustain excellent standards of performance, creativity, pedagogy, research and scholarship in music. Many of our talented faculty members have achieved national recognition for their accomplishments. We appreciate the opportunity offered here by AMEA to share information with you.

I am delighted to welcome one new faculty member this academic year. Dr. Josh Pifer, Lecturer in Piano joins our faculty having taught recently at Florida State University and with a doctoral degree from the University of Southern California. He will perform in piano recitals and as accompanist, teach class piano, and music skills.

Dr.

Michael Huff – Assistant Professor of Music, Trumpet/Band

Dr. Michael Huff has been appointed Assistant Professor of Music focusing in the areas of trumpet and band. Dr. Huff comes to Troy University from Mississippi State University where he served as Assistant Professor of Trumpet. Dr. Huff is a former member of the United States Air Force Band in Washington DC where he performed with the Ceremonial Brass, the Concert Band, and the Airmen of Note Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Huff earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Massachusetts, his Master of Performance in Trumpet Performance and Literature degree from the Eastman School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from the Catholic University of America.

Dr. Robert Gibson – Lecturer, Guitar

Dr. Robert Gibson has been appointed Lecturer of Music with focus in Guitar. Dr. Gibson has studied guitar with Matthew Dunne, Adam Holzman, Pepe Romero, David Russell, Eliot Fisk, Sharin Isbin, Aaron Shearer, Leo Brouwer, Ricardo Cobo, and Bruce Holzman. He completed a year of study with the legendary guitarist Oscar Ghiglia at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena Italy. Dr. Gibson earned a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

Festival events, scholarship information, audition times, and additional concert dates are listed on our website. We invite you to “visit” us at music.troy.edu or in person soon.

In the Auburn Department of Music, we are proud to offer an intimate and nurturing atmosphere that provides opportunities for individual attention and regular performance for students. Our department is growing and the quality of students continues to improve. Encourage your students who are interested in Music or Music Education degrees to schedule an audition through our website at: www.auburn.edu/music. Audition dates are: Feb. 9, 11, and 25, 2012. Contact the Department of Music at 334-8444165 if you have questions about our degree programs or offerings.

War Eagle!

Have you renewed your MENC/AMEA membership?

The membership year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

While this issue of Ala Breve is mailed to all MENC members, including one-year lapsed members, subsequent issues, including the ever-popular October conference issue, will only be mailed to current members.

Don’t miss out! Renew today!

Colleges and universities are encouraged to submit newsworthy material and announcements for publication in Ala Breve

Future Alabama Music Educators

Open to High School Juniors and Seniors

Thursday, January 19, 2012 9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center

Application and $20 registration fee are due postmarked no later than January 7, 2012

Student_____________________________________________________________ Grade ____________________

Nominating Teacher _____________________________________________ MENC # _________________________

School Name ____________________________________________________________________________________

School Address __________________________________________________________________________________

Teacher Phone ________________________________ Teacher Email ______________________________________

Publicity Waiver

I give AMEA permission to take photos of FAME attendees and use the photos for publicity purposes. By this authorization, I understand and agree that no participant shall receive remuneration and that all rights, title and interest to the photos and use of them belongs to AMEA.

This student participates in (circle all that apply): Band Chorus Orchestra

Signature of Student

Signature of Parent if Student is under 18

Enclose $20 Registration Fee Make checks payable to AMEA

The FAME program includes many important topics for students considering a career as a music educator. A highlight of the 2012 program will be a session by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

Lunch will be provided by AMEA

Mail this application, along with the $20 registration fee, to:

Pat Stegall, AMEA Past President

Muscle Shoals High School

1900 Avalon Avenue

Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35661

Postmark Deadline: January 7, 2012

Dothan Marching Contest Ad