T he only choice — Yamaha. Why? We have world-class designers, state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques and are committed to producing the industry’s most consistent, superior-sounding instruments available. These are just three of the many reasons that educators depend on Yamaha. Learn about these instruments and more at yamaha.com/band
Garry Taylor, Editor 1600 Manor Dr NE Cullman, AL 35055 (256) 636-2754
amea@bellsouth net
ADVERTISING & COPY DEADLINES
August issue: July 1
October issue: September 1 February issue: January 1
Send Ad Materials to: Garry Taylor, Advertising Manager 1600 Manor Dr NE Cullman, AL 35055 (256) 636-2754
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
Ala Breve is published three times a year (August, October, and February) by the Alabama Music Educators Association
Subscription for members is $4 00 per year as part of annual MENC/AMEA dues
Subscriptions for non-members is $15 00 per year Bulk rate postage paid at Dothan, AL
Send address changes to:
org
President Pat Stegall
Muscle Shoals High School
1900 Avalon Avenue
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
pstegall@mscs k12 al us
(256) 389-2682 School
(256) 389-2689 Fax
(256) 627-4661 Cell
President-Elect
Steve McLendon
Dothan High School
1236 S Oates St Dothan, AL 36301
dhstigerband@aol.com
(334) 794-0146 School
Recording Secretary
Carla Gallahan
212 Smith Hall, Troy University
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3502 School
cgallahan@troy edu
Interim Treasurer
Mary Jo Lakin
1612 2nd Avenue SW #181
Cullman, AL 35055
(256) 590-2276 Cell
mlakin@alabamamea org
President, ABA
Chuck Eady Pleasant Grove High School
805 7th Ave
Pleasant Grove, AL 35127
(205) 379-5273 School
(205) 807-4311 Cell
chuckeady@aol.com
President, AOA
Marcy Wilson
P.O. Box 11121
Chattanooga, TN 37401
(423) 637-6500 Cell mwilson@kenyonwilson.com
Past President
John Baker Enterprise High School
500 Watts Avenue Enterprise, AL 36330
jbaker@enterpriseschools.net
(334) 347-2640 School
(334) 347-3144 Fax
Executive Director
Editor, Ala Breve
Garry Taylor
1600 Manor Dr. NE
Cullman, AL 35055
(256) 636-2754
amea@bellsouth.net
President, CMENC
Lindsey Folsom
(256) 347-0891
lfolsom@gmail com
lfolsom@forum montevallo edu
President, Elem/Gen
Sharon McCann August
Liberty Park Elementary School
17051 Liberty Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 402-5400 School
Collegiate MENC Advisor
Carl Hancock
University of Alabama
School of Music
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
(205) 348-6335
chancock@bama ua edu
(205) 987-5867 Home
(205) 936-3620 Cell
sharonaug @gmail com
President, AVA
Damion Womack
The Montgomery Academy
3240 Vaughn Rd
Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 272-8210 ext. 261 School
Womack D@montgomery academy org
President, Higher Education
Dr Mark Walker
Troy University
Long Hall
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3281
mjwalker@troy.edu
What a great AMEA conference!
Thanks for attending and thanks to all of the members who made the conference such a grand success. Congratulations to the performing groups and presenters on a job well done Also thanks to The University of Alabama Music Department for the use of their facilities and their help with the conference, not just for this year ’s conference, but for all the previous years as well Our conference attendance was up this year in spite of the economy. 761 people were registered for the conference which is 50 more than last year!
As you are aware, the AMEA Conference will be in Montgomery next year. The Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center is wonderful Everything is under one
roof and spacious so we should be able to make some needed adjustments in scheduling concerts and clinics We should all look forward to this change of venue.
The AMEA Governing Board is planning to meet in Montgomery on June 10 to begin planning the conference and to hold our first leadership training session. One of my goals as AMEA President was to put into place a way to transition officers and a way to be more consistent in each division Hopefully, this session will be the start of something we have needed for a long time.
In late June, some of us will be attending the MENC Music Education Week in Washington D.C. where we will meet with senators and congressmen and
discuss the importance of keeping music in the curriculum in the Elementary Secondary Education Act that is in the works to replace “No Child Left Behind”. This critical bill will determine the direction for all of us for the foreseeable future You may want to write your congressman and senators and ask them to make sure that music and the arts remain a vital part of the curriculum.
Several members of the AMEA Governing Board are finishing their terms this summer and I wanted to offer my thanks to them and the rest of the board for their work as your leaders Those completing their terms: for AVA-Damion Womack; Higher ED-Mark Walker; CMENC Advisor-Carl Hancock; and CMENC-Lindsey Folsom. Also, Recording Secretary Carla Gallahan and Treasurer Mary Jo Lakin end their terms but are both nominees for re-election. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve with this great group of educators.
Good luck to you all as you prepare for spring concerts, competitions, programs and other musical events. As always, I am here to serve you so feel free to contact me with your ideas, questions and input
time to thank your division presidents and board members for a job well done.
“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.”
Sergei Rachmaninov was passionate about music his entire life. I hope that our annual conference helps rekindle some of that passion for our chosen profession. The daily grind of music education can easily take its toll. That’s just one of many reasons to be involved with your professional association. Thanks to the leadership of Pat Stegall, Garry Taylor, and your division presidents, the annual in-service conference offers abundant opportunities to network, learn, and inspire each other. I hope you take the
Have you ever received an extraordinary gift? You probably could not wait to tell someone about it. For me, and I hope for you, music is a gift that I love to share with my students and others. Don’t get me wrong; I still have days when it doesn’t pay to get out of bed, but I always find peace in knowing that I’ve found my calling. After all, music education is a personal calling. The best music teachers are not in the profession for personal recognition or prestige They, instead, revel in the success of their students.
I have had the privilege of observing many of you in your classrooms. Our
Auburn
Marching
June 13 - 16, 2010
June 13 - 16, 2010
state is blessed with many, many music teachers who love what they do and empower their students through music. I would encourage you to remain committed to our professional organization. This is a commitment that will benefit you for years to come Just interacting with your colleagues who often face the same challenges that you do can be revitalizing I encourage you to remain active and take advantage of the opportunities that a new venue for next year ’s conference will provide We’ve been blessed with dedicated, hard-working leaders who have made this happen My hat is off to them and to those of you who selflessly share the gift of music every day.
June 13 - 16, 2010
High School Music (Symphonic & Concert Bands)
June 16 – 19, 2010
High School Music (Symphonic & Concert Bands)
Junior High/Middle School June 20 – 23, 2010
For more information, please contact Taylor Keeton, Camp Director, at tek0004@auburn.edu.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The AMEA Governing Board met at the University of Alabama, Conference Center on January 20, 2010 The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p m by AMEA President, Pat Stegall Present at the meeting: Pat Stegall, Garry Taylor, Carla Gallahan, Steve McLendon, Damion Womack, Chuck Eady, Marcy Wilson, Mary Jo Lakin, Carl Hancock, John Baker, Sharon August, and Lindsey Folsom
The minutes of the August 15, 2009 meeting of the AMEA Governing Board were read by Recording Secretary, Carla Gallahan John Baker (Marcy Wilson) moved to accept the minutes as read Passed.
The AMEA financial report was presented and discussed by Mary Jo Lakin and Garry Taylor Steve McLendon (Carl Hancock) moved to accept the financial report as presented Passed
Officer, Representatives, and Division Reports were presented and may be viewed online by visiting our website, www.alabamamea.org
Old Business
John Baker reported that approximately 50 students were scheduled to attend FAME This year we will have students from each division (band, orchestra, and choir) in atendance
AMEA was represented by several Board members at the MENC Southern Division Leadership Board Meeting Pat Stegall, Garry Taylor, Steve McLendon, and Lindsey Folsom were in attendance
Discussion continued regarding orientation sessions for new Division and AMEA Officers There will be a continued focus in this area to improve the efficiency and consistency of office transitions.
Discussion continued on the feasibility of conducting an Intercollegiate Band and Choir at future AMEA conferences Preliminary interest and ideas will be presented at the Saturday, January 23, 2010 meeting of the AMEA Governing Board
New business
The MENC National Meeting will be held in Anaheim, CA AMEA will be represented
The slate of officers for the upcoming AMEA Officer Elections was presented to the Board and will be presented to the membership at the Friday, January 22 meeting
Music Education Week will be held in Washington
D C June 25-29, 2010 President Stegall is encouraging AMEA members to attend this week of activities in support of music education in the schools
Carla Gallahan, as a member of the board of directors for the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, will attend individual division meetings and sessions at the 2010 AMEA Conference to discuss the mission of the organization and the opportunities the organization provides for the music educators and students of Alabama
Gary Taylor discussed the move of the AMEA Conference in 2011 He encouraged the Governing Board to discuss the move within each division
The next meeting of the AMEA Governing Board will be January 23, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Pat Stegall (John Baker) adjourned the meeting at 7:58 pm
Respectfully submitted, Carla Gallahan, Recording Secretary
January 23, 2010
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The AMEA Governing Board met at the University of Alabama, Conference Center on January 23, 2010 The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p m by AMEA President, Pat Stegall Present at the meeting: Pat Stegall, Garry Taylor, Carla Gallahan, Steve McLendon, Jane Powell, Chuck Eady, Marcy Wilson, Mary Jo Lakin, Carl Hancock, Sharon August, Taylor Sparks, Mark Walker, and Lindsey Folsom
The minutes of the January 20, 2010 meeting of the AMEA Governing Board were read by Recording Secretary, Carla Gallahan Mark Walker (Carl Hancock) moved to accept the minutes as read Passed.
The AMEA financial report will be updated and distributed electronically to the Governing Board for review to allow details of the 2010 AMEA Conference to be included 761 people attended the 2010 AMEA Conference
Officer, Representative and Division Reports and comments on the 2010 Conference: Executive Director - Garry Taylor reported a very smooth conference He commended the work of Carl Hancock with the stage crew and the Division Presidents for the session and performance selections
President - Pat Stegall was very impressed with the conference overall including the clinics, keynote speaker, and performances He recognized the Board for the recommendation of the keynote speaker 50 students attended FAME and all sessions went well Reported that the All-State Jazz Band was incredible
Ala Breve – Garry Taylor reminded the Board that the deadline for submissions is January 27, 2010 He encouraged more article submissions and reminded the AVA and ABA Presidents of the need for the AllState schedules for inclusion in the Ala Breve
Alabama Orchestra Association – Marcy Wilson was very positive about all aspects of the orchestra events at the conference She commented that a scheduling conflict with performance groups from the same town caused some concern and should be addressed in the future
Elementary/General – Sharon August reported great sessions for the division. She spoke very highly of the keynote speaker and the dance Comments from
members of this division reflected the desire for additional exhibitors
Alabama Vocal Association – Jane Powell commented that some of the members expressed interest in scheduling the Honor Choir performance earlier
Alabama Bandmasters Association – Chuck Eady reported super clinics at the conference Concerns included the need for additional space in some of the clinics Due to the move next year, this will not be a concern On behalf of the ABA, Mr Eady commended the performance of the Alabama Honor Choir
Higher Education – Mark Walker reported that the conference went very well Higher Education attendance at events was down slightly and attendance was encouraged New officers for this division include: President - Tim Phillips, Vice President – Gary Packwood, Research Chair – Carl Hancock, Treasurer – Lori Ardovino
CMENC – Lindsey Folsom reported wonderful attendance (representation from across the state) and well prepared sessions for the CMENC events New officers include: Taylor Sparks, Heather Haynes, and Dakota Bromley Ty: Parker won the Interview Competition and will be participating in the Music Education Week activities in Washington, D C this summer He interviewed Theo Vernon Moya Norland is the new CMENC Advisor. Members of CMENC went to Capstone Village to perform as a community service project This activity was very well received CMENC members expressed an interest in being involved in AMEA and the move next year to Montgomery Lindsey thanked the Board for their support and encouragement
CMENC Advisor Carl Hancock suggested that a professional photographer be hired to better document the AMEA events Surveys will be sent out to identify how the Board can better serve the membership at the conference
Old Business
In discussion on the AMEA Conference registration, it was noted that no one had registered as a nonMENC member.
Dates for the Summer Planning Meeting of the AMEA Governing Bard were discussed The meeting will take place in Montgomery at the Renaissance Hotel on June 10, 2010
Pat Stegall distributed information regarding the Officer Training Proposal
Purpose:
To train incoming officers in their roles as leaders in their respective divisions and offices
To develop a more consistent way of conducting the business of each division
To continue developing manuals and guidelines for the leadership of all aspects of AMEA
To find the best practices of each division and adapt them where possible to meet the needs of the other divisions
To create a smoother transition from one officer to the next
The Board discussed possible ideas for implementing the program and providing time for
Continued 0n page 122
The 2010 AMEA In-Service Conference was an amazing success, thanks to the leadership of our Executive Director, Garry Taylor, excellent presenters, enthusiastic participants, and outstanding performances! John Feierabend’s brilliant and informative sessions, as well as his Keynote speech, were especially enlightening. Peter and Alice Amidon led us in singing and dancing, and Vestavia Hills Elementary Central and Jacksonville Opera Theatre performed for full audiences. Thank you to all who attended and helped to make this a conference to remember
I am especially appreciative of those who filled out the conference evaluation forms I have read all of your comments, and will use your suggestions to improve next year ’s conference There were several common threads. One was the request for more exhibitors. The move to Montgomery will allow more space for exhibitors, and this should make a difference next year. Other suggestions for scheduling and presenters will be most helpful as the planning begins for 2011
Minutes (continued)
each division to collaborate Division Presidents spoke individually regarding the transition process currently in use and the need for an improved transition process within administrations Garry Taylor commented regarding board dynamics, participation, and length of term feeling that an improved transition would improve the overall effectiveness of the Board. President Stegall is seeking suggestions for ways to continue the development of this proposal Chuck Eady (Marcy Wilson) motioned to have each Division President and the President Elect for their division as well as the CMENC past and present Advisor and the past and current President attend the training program at the Summer Meeting with AMEA paying travel expenses
The process to have Peer Reviewed article submission for the Ala Breve was discussed The Higher Education Division is working on developing an Editorial Board to implement this.
Garry Taylor will contact the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery to tentatively schedule the AMEA Conferences for 2013 and 2014 The final decision will not be made until after the 2011 Conference.
The Alabama Orchestra Association requested that AMEA provide financial assistance for a representative of that organization to attend the
Sharon August, President, Elementary/General DivisionOn the AMEA website, please note the announcement and commitment form for the 2010 AMEA Elementary Music Festival, which will take place on Friday, October 1, at Samford University Wright Center with clinician Cristy Cari Miller
The AMEA Elementary Division has commissioned a composition by Ms. Miller to be premiered at the Festival. Please consider bringing students to the festival This is a great opportunity that allows your students to make beautiful music with quality literature in an outstanding facility with a nationally recognized clinician
The day after the festival, Saturday, October 2, the Alabama Chapter of AOSA and the Elementary Division of AMEA will jointly offer a workshop featuring Cristy Cari Miller Samford University has generously offered to host the workshop. You won’t want to miss this workshop, so mark your calendars!
Please do not hesitate to e-mail me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns – sharonaug@gmail com
Music Education Week in Washington, D C The cost of this trip was discussed and it was decided that financial assistance for this meeting would have to be funded through the divisions if funds were available Chuck Eady encouraged the Board to contact their individual school boards as possible methods of financial assistance
Carla Gallahan reported that some initial interest and contacts have been made in regards to the Intercollegiate Honor Band and Honor Choir. An email will be sent to all collegiate directors regarding this topic to determine interest and establish an organizational meeting if necessary There will be a meeting at the 2010 Alabama AllState Band Clinic regarding the Intercollegiate Band
The Governing Board discussed exhibitor badges and the policy regarding conference event attendance
The AOA requested two performance slots for future conferences
A “Call for Sessions” form is available on our website. Clinicians should complete this form and return it by the established deadline to be considered for the 2011 AMEA Conference
Sharon August commented on recognizing the
1 AOSA Workshop with Laurie Zentz at Green Valley Elementary School –February 20, 9:00-3:00.
2 ACDA Young Voices – May 7-8, 2010 – Auburn University
3 LEVEL I-Orff Schulwerk-June 7-18 –Samford University
4. AL AOSA Music Camp June 21-25 –Trinity United Methodist Church.
5 AMEA Elementary Music Festival with Cristy Cary Miller at the Wright Center, Samford University – Oct 1.
6 AMEA/AOSA Joint Workshop with Cristy Cary Miller - Oct 2
7. AOSA 2010 Professional Development Conference in Spokane, WA-November 3-6
Nationally Certified Teachers in the AMEA Program and proposed recognizing them personally. A suggestion was made to have a clinic on the preparation of this certification and recognize those already certified at that time
New Business President Stegall asked the Board to continue to encourage new members to join our organization President Stegall asked the Board to be mindful of music jobs being cut and let him know if any jobs are lost
The following AMEA Governing Board members have completed their terms: Damion Womack, Mark Walker, Lindsey Folsom, Carl Hancock, Mary Jo Lakin, and Carla Gallahan President Stegall expressed his gratitude for their service to our organization.
The next meting of the AMEA Governing Board will be held on June 10, 2010 at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery
Chuck Eady (Marcy Wilson) motioned to adjourn the meeting The meeting was adjourned at 2:52 p.m. by President Stegall.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Gallahan Recording Secretary
You’ll need experience. That’s why, at the University of North Alabama, we don’t stop with our majors in commercial music, music education, and instrumental and vocal performance. How about writing and recording your own music? Or performing with one of our many groups: bands, choirs, ensembles large and small, even a symphony orchestra? The opportunities are endless. So stretch your vocal cords, buzz your lips or wet your reed.
T e Orchestra Festival scheduled for February 11-14, 2010 at the University Of Alabama School Of Music, is just two short weeks away and is looking to be an exciting weekend This event would not be possible without the tremendous support and help from the AOA board and members Thank you to all who have volunteered your time and efforts to make this year ’s All-State festival a success. Registration for the festival will begin at noon for the members of the Festival Orchestra I strongly encourage all students, especially violins, to register by 1 pm, so seating auditions can run smoothly and conclude on time Registration for Sinfonietta Strings and the Consort Strings will begin at 2:30 We will have three tables during registration labeled by
instrument Please find the appropriate table and sign in to receive your seating audition time and location. Students will receive a packet of information, including a finalized schedule, a certificate of attendance and other important information Please carefully read all the information in the packet
The AOA composition contest winner this year is Daniel Simpson’s Tuscaloosa Tango Mr Simpson will be the composer in residence during the entire festival. He will be speaking at the “Meet the Composer” lecture on Friday evening at 6pm. We will have our annual pizza party, hosted by the University of Alabama School of Music at 5pm, so please plan on staying on campus for dinner Friday evening On Saturday, AOA members are invited to a meeting in room 258 at 1:30 I hope to see all AOA members at this meeting
During the AMEA conference in January, AOA members and board were able to
r o m t h e A V A
to mold young lives For me, this is not work, this is what I love to do everyday I am sure you feel the same as I do I look forward to hearing your choirs at State
meet and many last minute details were finalized AOA also welcomed our new Vice-President/President Elect, Clay McKinney. Clay is the strings magnet director at Booker T. Washington Arts High School in Montgomery, and is a strong advocate for string education in Alabama
I am confident that this All-State festival will be a great educational experience for all in attendance Also during the AMEA conference, we hosted great sessions presented by Anne Witt and Dan Hornstein. On Thursday afternoon, the Florence High School String Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Jamieson, presented a fantastic concert in the Moody Concert Hall The students performed beautifully and should be very proud of their accomplishment Congratulations!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the 2010 All-State Orchestra Festival in a few weeks!
I enjoyed visiting with so many of you at AMEA. I hope you had an enjoyable experience and found new and exciting ways to teach your students. Our clinicians had a wonderful experience working with our students. As you know All-State will be here before you know it, I looking forward to another great weekend of choral music
As I look back on my two years serving as your President, I have had an enjoyable experience. I have had the opportunity to work with talented students in our State. I have been able to grow as a person, educator, and leader. I have most enjoyed getting to know many of you. We have the best job in the world, an opportunity
Assessment, March 24-26, 2010 at Canterbury United Methodist church in Birmingham, and at All-State April 15-17, 2010 at Samford University
Wednesday
12:00 p.m. Board Meeting Wright Lobby
3:30-5:00 p.m. OCS Competition – Male Brock Recital Hall
3:30-4:30 p.m. OAAuditions
Bolding Studio (BBS311)
5:00 p.m. OCS Group Photo Foyer
5:30-7:00 p.m. OCS Competition – Female Brock Recital Hall
Thursday
10:30 a m Breakfast Meeting Drury Inn (President, President-elect, Clinicians & Coordinators)
1:00 p.m. General Assembly (Director and Students) Wright Concert Hall
2:00-5:30 p.m. All-State Rehearsals
HS SATB Wright Concert Hall
HS SSA Brock Recital Hall
HS TTBB Bolding Studio
MS Mixed Reid Chapel
MS Treble Cassesse Rehearsal Hall
5:30-7:30 p m Dinner Break
7:30-9:30 p.m. All-State Rehearsals
HS SATB Wright Concert Hall
HS SSA Brock Recital Hall
HS TTBB Bolding Studio
MS Mixed Reid Chapel
MS Treble Cassesse Rehearsal Hall
p m Curfew Friday 8:30-11:30 a.m. High SchoolAll-StateRehearsals
HS SATB Reid Chapel
HS SSA Brock Recital Hall
Friday (Con’t) 8:30-11:00
SchoolAll-StateRehearsals
9:00-10:15 a.m. AVA General Meeting Harrison Theatre 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Lunch Break: Middle School 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch Break: High School 11:30 a m -1:00 p m AVA Board Luncheon Wright Mezzanine 1:00-4:00 p m Middle School All-State
MS
Mixed Cassesse Rehearsal Hall
Treble Wright Concert Hall
SATB Reid Chapel
SSA Brock Recital Hall
TTBB Bolding Studio
Andre J. Thomas, the Owen F Sellers Professor of Music, is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Choral Music Education at Florida State University A previous faculty member at the University of Texas, Austin, Dr Thomas received his degrees from Friends University (B.A.), Northwestern University (M M ), and the University of Illinois (D M A) He is in demand as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and director of Honor/All-State Choirs throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. Dr. Thomas has conducted choirs at the state, division, and national conventions of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) His international conducting credits are extensive. They include conductor/clinician for the International Federation of Choral Musicians, summer residency of the World Youth Choir in the Republic of China and the Philippines, winter residency of the World Youth Choir in Europe, and a premier performance by an American choir (Florida State University Singers) in Vietnam He has been the guest conductor of such distinguished orchestras and choirs as the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in England, guest Conductor for the Berlin Radio Choir in Germany, the Netherlands Radio Choir, the Charlotte Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony, and the China’s People’s Liberation Orchestra Since 1988 he has also served as Artistic Director of the Tallahassee Community Chorus Thomas has also distinguished himself as a composer/arranger. Hinshaw Music Company, Mark Foster Music Company, Fitzsimmon Music Company, Lawson Gould, Earthsongs, and Heritage Music Company publish his compositions and arrangements Dr Thomas has produced two instructional videos "What They See Is What You Get" on choral conducting, with Rodney Eichenberger, and "Body, Mind, Spirit, Voice" on adolescent voices, with Anton Armstrong His recent book
Way Over in Beulah Lan'.. Understanding and Performing he Negro Spiritual" has quickly ecome a major source in this rea of study He is a past resident of the Florida ACDA, nd the past president of the outhern Division of ACDA
Dr. Eugene Rogers is the Director of Choral Activities at Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota, where he conducts the Macalester Concert Choir, the Singing Scotsmen of Macalester, the Hildegard Singers (Women’s Ensemble) and Festival Chorale
Dr Rogers received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and his Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Rogers is a passionate conductor and teacher whose spirited performances frequently include a wide variety of musical styles and genres He has extensive experience working with choirs of all ages and levels of ability Some of his past appointments include the Boys Choir of Harlem, the University of Michigan, Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois, and Anima Young Singers of Greater Chicago (formerly the Glen Ellyn Children’s Choir) As a result of his teaching and groundbreaking achievements as founder and director of Waubonsie Valley High School’s first multicultural ensemble, the Unity Chorus, Dr. Rogers was named “Most Influen 2000 and 2001. Professor Rogers has appeared as guest conductor, adjudicator and lecturer in over ten states as well as Singapore, Portugal and Italy Recently, he was one of three featured conductors and lecturers for Singapore’s Ministry Branch of Education Inaugural World Youth Choir Festival for Secondary and Junior College
students and directors. His guest conducting appearances include, the Westminster Chamber Choir, Florence, Italy; Southfield Madrigal Chorale, Southfield, Michigan; the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asia High Schools Biennial Music Festival, Singapore; the Oklahoma State University Choral Festival, Stillwater, Oklahoma; the Salem, Oregon All-City Honor Choir; the Virginia Music Educators Association District X SATB High School Festival Chorus; the Illinois ACDA Summer Conference; and the American Choral irectors Association North entral Division Middle School onor Choir As a singer, ogers has performed with the World Youth Choir, the Portland ymphonic Choir, the Saint Paul hamber Orchestra Chorale and e May Festival Chorus in incinnati, Ohio In addition to s duties as a conductor and acher, Dr Rogers serves on the oard of the American Composers Forum, and is the Artistic Director for the Tempest MusicWinter Choral Festival at Disneyland, Hong Kong
Dr. Lori Hetzel is the Associate Director of Choral Activities and professor of Choral Music Education at the University of Kentucky where she onducts the Women’s Choir and the a appella group “Paws and Listen ” She lso teaches graduate and undergraduate econdary methods courses and ndergraduate conducting In onjunction with the undergraduate horal methods courses, she has ioneered a unique partnership program with a local high school As a result of his program the choral music education tudents at the University of Kentucky are receiving “hands on” experience and immediate feedback early in their curriculum Among her many accomplishments, she was the recipient of the University of Kentucky award “Great Teacher of the Year” in 2000 and has published articles in College Music Symposium and Southeastern Music
Education Journal The UK Women’s Choir has been invited to perform at both MENC and ACDA Southern Division Conventions and in 2003 were featured at the ACDA National Convention in New York City Additionally the choir has toured internationally including performances at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris and St Stephens Cathedral, Vienna In 2008 the choir was featured at both the ACDA Southern Division Convention, Louisville and the MENC National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin In June 2009 the choir took their second international tour with performances at St Peters Basilica, Rome and St Marks Cathedral, Venice. A native of Wisconsin, Dr Hetzel received her B A degree in Music Education, Summa cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. She received her M M degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory, where she studied conducting with Eph Ehly Her D M A degree is in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University with Charles K Smith An active clinician and guest conductor, Dr.Hetzel has most recently conducted All-State and Honor choirs in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee and South Carolina
Charles Robinson is Professor of Choral Music Education at the University of Missouri Kansas City where his teaching opportunities include the Conservatory Concert Choir, choral pedagogy and methods, graduate courses in music education and graduate research supervision Robinson has served as Chair of the Faculty for the Conservatory of Music and Dance, and currently serves on the Conservatory executive advisory committee. Robinson earned bachelor's and doctoral degrees in choral music education from Florida State University and the master's degree from California State University, Long Beach He taught choral and general music in middle schools and high schools in Florida, and has worked with singers of all ages from children through senior citizens. Dr. Robinson is an active conductor/clinician
for elementary, junior high and high school honor choruses throughout the United States, and is often invited to provide workshops for music educators Most recently, he has conducted all-state choruses in Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana, Maine, and Florida and presented workshops at the Indiana Choral Directors Association and the Alabama Music Educators Association An active member of the American Choral Directors Association, he has served as Southwestern Division chair for Ethnic & Multicultural Perspectives, College/University Choruses, Research Chair, and has served as President of the Missouri Choral Directors Association. Robinson's music research has focused on choral performance evaluation, music preference, and choral conducting He has presented and published research at the state, regional and national levels of the Music Educators National Conference and the American Music Therapy Association Robinson is a past editor of the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education and currently serves on its ditorial review board Dr obinson is a member of Pi Kappa ambda National Music Honor ociety, and has twice been the cipient of the prestigious Muriel cBrien Kauffman Excellence in eaching Award (1991 & 1999) and eritorious Service Award (2006) r the UMKC Conservatory of usic and Dance The Missouri horal Directors Association esented Robinson with the 2000 Luther T Spayde Award of Excellence for significant contributions to choral music in Missouri
Connie Drosakis, a product of the Palm Beach County Schools, received the Bachelor and Master of Music Education/Choral Conducting degrees from Florida State University At FSU, Connie was the recipient of the Irvin Cooper Memorial Scholarship in Choral Music Education Ms Drosakis taught for fourteen year at Christa McAuliffe Middle School and is now in her ninth year as choral director at Bak Middle School of the Arts. Since 2002, Ms. Drosakis has served as Assistant Conductor for Young Singers
of the Palm Beaches, a community based youth choir with 230 members in 5 choirs ranging in ages from 10 to 18 Choirs under her direction are regularly invited to perform at ACDA State, Division and National Conventions including the 2002 and 2004 Southern Division Conventions and 2003 and 2007 National Conventions. Ms Drosakis served the Florida ACDA Chapter for six years as Membership Chair and assisted for many years as the CoCoordinator of the Boys Honor Choir at the State Conference In November of 2008, Ms Drosakis received the Wayne Hugoboom Distinguished Service Award om the Florida Chapter of the merican Choral Director ’s ssociation for dedicated rvice, leadership and constant xamples of excellence in horal Music in Florida Ms rosakis is an active adjudicator nd clinician for district and ate evaluation festivals and ounty honor choirs throughout orida, Georgia and Alabama Most recently, Ms Drosakis conducted the North Carolina All-State Middle School Girls Chorus Connie has served as the Middle School Chair and Treasurer for District 14 of the Florida Vocal Association and as the FVA State Middle School Chair, assuming primary responsibility for the organization of many All-State Choirs. In September, Ms Drosakis was voted President-elect of the Florida Chapter of the American Choral Director ’s Association and will assume the Presidency in July of 2011 Choirs under her leadership have been invited to perform with the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of James Judd, and in festival choruses under the direction of Doreen Rao and Henry Leck Under her directorship, all four Choral Groups have received straight superior ratings for nine consecutive years at the Florida Vocal Association’s Music Performance Assessments. In addition, Chorale has received high praise and several awards at middle and high school festivals and competitions both nationally and internationally Choruses under her direction have also performed at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City
Charles Robinson High School TTBB
Colleges and universities are encouraged to submit newsworthy material and announcements for publication in Ala Breve
The Music Department at Auburn University is proud to recognize Dr William Powell and the Auburn University Chamber Choir for their selection to perform at the 2010 AMEA Conference The choral area offers a wide variety of opportunities for students at Auburn, including, the Chamber choir, Concert Choir, Men’s and Women’s Choruses, Gospel Choir, Opera Workshop, Conductor ’s Chorus and AU Singers
Additionally, in the instrumental area we offer Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Campus Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, and many chamber music opportunities for interested musicians Students from all majors across campus are welcome in any of the ensembles by audition Auditions for each ensemble are usually held at the beginning of each semester and during the Camp War Eagle orientation sessions during the summer.
Auburn University offers the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree and with the College of Education, the Bachelor of Music Education degree in vocal and instrumental areas, as well as master ’s and doctoral degrees in music education. Please note our upcoming audition dates on February 6 and March 6 for all instruments and voice. An additional date of Feb. 11 is provided for participants in the Auburn University Symphonic Honor Band Festival February 11-14, 2010. 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. I invite you to read about our distinguished faculty, major performing ensembles, programs of study, and available scholarships, and assistantships on our website at: www auburn edu/music Contact the Department of Music at 334-844-4165 if you have questions about our degree programs or offerings
We appreciate the opportunity offered here by AMEA to share information with you War Eagle!
We are grateful to AMEA for providing this opportunity to share information about our School of Music with colleagues across our state.
The John M Long School of Music is “home” to more than 250 undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors Thirty-three music faculty members are part of a diverse community of educators, composers, conductors, performers, and researchers committed to the personal and professional growth of all students
New Facilities
The School of Music completed the first phase of a multimillion dollar renovation in the summer 2009 New choir, expanded band, and new library facilities are scheduled for construction beginning in the summer of 2010
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available in vocal/choral music education, music industry, and with the university bands. Stipends range from $7000-$8000 plus in- or out-of-state tuition waivers covering full time tuition each semester
Spring Artist in Residence Series
Tom Brown, Director of Bands – Jefferson Davis High School (GA)Robert Buckley, arranger, composer, producerVancouver
Bob Bullock, music producer and engineer - Nashville
David Etheridge, Professor of Clarinet – University of Oklahoma
Daniel Kelly, Professor of Trumpet – University of Southern Mississippi
Doug MaCaulay, composer, conductor - Vancouver
Michael Nakasone, conductor – Hawaii
John Parks, Professor of Percussion – Florida State University
Proha Clarinet Quartet – University of Illinois
Gene Ramsbottom, Professor of Clarinet – University of British Columbia
Charles Robinson, Professor of Choral Music EducationUniversity of Missouri-Kansas City.
The Rose Ensemble
The Dallas Brass
National Band Association Hall of Fame Induction
Ray Cramer
William Moody
Frank Wickes
Music Study Abroad Program
July 2010 with Dr Margaret Jackson and Dr Michael Hix Dresden, Germany
We invite you to visit us at music troy edu or in person soon
Sara Womack is the music specialist t Greystone Elementary School in Hoover and has taught music in Mountain Brook, Jefferson County, nd Talladega She graduated magna um laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she lso received her master ’s degree She will graduate from the University of Georgia in May 2008 with her doctorate in music education In 2007, Sara was certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in the area of music in early and middle childhood. She completed Level I OrffSchulwerk Teacher Training at the Eastman School of Music and Level II Training at the University of Memphis. Sara serves as President of the Elementary/General Music Division of AMEA and Secretary of the Alabama Chapter of the American-Orff Schulwerk Association. As President of the Elementary/General Division, she instituted the annual Elementary Music Festival and led an overhaul of the Division’s bylaws. She is a member of MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the American OrffSchulwerk Association, and the College Music Society. Sara has presented sessions and research for the College Music Society, Georgia Music Educators Association, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and American Educational Research Association and has works published in The Orff Echo and Music Education Research She has received grants from the Hoover City Schools Foundation, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Jefferson County Schools Foundation, and Pi Lambda Theta Sara enjoys relaxing with her family at the lake and reading crime novels She and her husband, Sean, co-founder of DoubleStop Percussion, an educational percussion company, have one son, Will, who is almost four-years old.
Damion Womack currently serves as Director of Choral Music at The Montgomery Academy in Montgomery, Alabama. Prior to this position he served as Choral Director at Minor Jr. High School of The Jefferson County School System Mr Womack also is Director of Music Ministries at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Montgomery Choirs under Mr. Womack’s direction have been invited to perform at Educator ’s Association Convention in 2005 and 2006 and The Orff- Schulwerk Association National Convention in 2006 His choir has toured nationally in South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, New York, California and Florida In 2009 his choir attended the Heritage National Choral Invitational of Gold in New York, scoring 4th among 20 choirs across the country. His choir has also been invited to be the featured guest honor choir at The University of Alabama (2008), and at The University of Southern Mississippi Southern Invitational Choral Conference ( 2009) His choirs consistently receive “Superior Ratings” at District, State, and National Performance Evaluations Mr Womack is the recipient of the 2005 Award for Excellence in Teaching at The Montgomery Academy. As a choral clinician and adjudicator, Mr Womack has adjudicated and conducted honor choirs in Alabama, Chicago, and Mississippi He is currently listed in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers 2004-2008 . ” Mr. Womack is a member of The Voice Care Network. He currently holds the position as President of The Alabama Vocal Association and also serves as R&S Chair for Children’s Choir for The Alabama Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Mr. Womack holds a B.S in Music Education from Alabama A&M University and a M M E D in Music Education from Alabama State University Mr Womack is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC pursuing a DMA in Choral Conducting.
Mary Jo Peinhardt Lakin graduated from Hanceville High School and received her B S and Master ’s Degrees in Music Education from Auburn University. She served as a middle school and high school band director in Duluth, Georgia and a middle school band director/music teacher in Haleyville, Alabama She has taught elementary music at Hanceville Elementary School in Cullman County for he past 9 years. For several years, she helped at the registration desk at the annual AMEA In-service Conference and served as registrar at this year ’s conference. Mary Jo is currently serving as Interim Treasurer of AMEA
Cherith Parrish is the choral director at Homewood Middle School where her teaching esponsibilities include general music, music technology, concert hoir, show choir and musical heater. She has spent the last ten years teaching in the Homewood and efferson County School systems as middle and high school choral director and drama teacher. Her choirs have earned superior ratings at district evaluations and have participated in many local and national choral festivals. Mrs. Parrish’s choirs have a strong commitment to using their talents in community service, in spring 2007 earning the Share the Hope award, recognition for outstanding student volunteer service. Mrs. Parrish is the children’s musical theater director at South City Theatre in Alabaster, AL where she directs the children’s musical and teaches summer music camp. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Montevallo and is an active member of the Alabama Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association. She lives in Birmingham with her husband Andy and their six year old son Matthew
Carla Gallahan is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. She received the Bachelor of Music Education Degree and the Master of Education in Music at Auburn University and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education As a member of the faculty at Troy University, her responsibilities include teaching music education courses, instructing the horn studio, supervising student interns, and serving as an Associate Conductor with the university bands Her teaching background includes eighteen years experience in the Alabama public schools. From 1989-2005, Ms. Gallahan served as band director in the Auburn City Schools in Auburn, Alabama Under her direction, the bands at Auburn Junior High School and J.F. Drake Middle School consistently received superior ratings at contests and festivals The band also performed as the clinic band for composer Frank Erickson, performed at the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic, and performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association In-service Conference. Ms. Gallahan was selected to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Outstanding Young Women of America, has been chosen as Auburn Junior High School Teacher of the Year, Auburn City Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year, and has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the Southeast She currently serves as Executive Director for the High School Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic and Honor Bands. Her professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Phi Delta Kappa, and Phi Beta Mu
Karen Hickok is an elementary music teacher in Opelika, Alabama. She has taught at Northside Intermediate School since 1997 where she has developed a vibrant and integrated music program Her music program includes keyboard classes, guitar instruction, recorder instruction, an Orff Ensemble, a chorus of 100+ students and an exploratory violin unit in which all 3rd grade students participate for nine weeks She was the 2000-01 and 2008-09 Northside Teacher of the Year and the 2008-09 Opelika City Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year She sponsors the yearbook, spelling bee and student council at her school. Mrs. Hickok is a private piano teacher and is active as a member of MTNA. She has been the past president and is the current treasurer of the local MTNA chapter She is also the organist and bell choir director for First Presbyterian Church in Auburn Mrs Hickok has a Masters of Music Education degree from Auburn University. She is married (30 years) to Dr. Stephen Hickok and they have two children Melissa and William All of the Hickok’s are (or are training to be!) music educators
I hope that this article finds all of my Higher Education Division colleagues off to a great year I write this article only a couple of days after the conclusion of yet another highly successful AMEA Conference Once again, the Conference was terrific, and we in the Higher Ed Division had the opportunity to socialize, share research, enjoy fine performances by our applied colleagues from throughout the state, and reap the benefits of a profession populated by consummate educators and wonderful people.
This is my last article as HED President. At our recent business meeting at the AMEA Conference, the division members present elected the following new officers: Dr Tim Phillips (Troy University) – President; Dr Gary
The Ala Breve is seeking submissions of research articles for the Summer 2011 “Special Research” Edition to be published during the summer, 2011 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 November 1, 2010
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
Packwood (University of Montevallo) – Vice President; Dr. Lori Ardovino (University of Montevallo) –Secretary/Treasurer; Dr Carl Hancock (University of Alabama) – Research Chair. I know that each of these individuals will provide excellent leadership and visionary direction for the division. I would like to thank Dr. Jeannette Fresne (University of South Alabama) who served as Secretary/Treasurer and Dr. Kim Walls (Auburn University) who proceeded me as president, both of whom have been terrific and have provided much needed advice and direction
Looking forward, I think everyone, to a person, is excited about AMEA’s move to Montgomery and the Marriott Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center While the University of Alabama has provided excellent facilities and service for years, this move is a positive step in the
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, double-spaced manuscripts, which normally should not exceed 20 pages, along with an abstract of approximately
furtherance of AMEA throughout the state.
I invite each of you to encourage your colleagues at your institution, particularly applied and performance colleagues, to find out more about AMEA, what it has to offer, and to participate more fully in our professional activities and conferences There is no downside to increased participation, and the ultimate beneficiaries of our efforts – our students – will find fruit in their successes.
I hope that my efforts as president of the Higher Education Division have produced some positive results I sincerely thank everyone who has assisted me, and the division, and I wish all my colleagues every future success.
150 words Authors should also submit 4 to 6 keywords relating to their article's content Ty:pe 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 reserve 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 Diane Orlofsky
John M Long School of Music
Troy University Troy, AL 36082
Please fill out all information completely and legibly You may nominate yourself or someone else All practicing Alabama music educators, K-University, who are members in good standing of AMEA are eligible to serve on this board. The term of service is two years. The deadline for the nomination form is March 1, 2010.
Nominee Name
Work Address
Home Address
Phone number email
Employer
Position
Highest earned degree
Check area(s) of specialty:
K – 6
High School
General Music
Instrumental (strings)
Qualitative research
Middle School
College/University
Instrumental (band)
Vocal/choral
Quantitative research
Music Education Methods (list )
Please explain why this person should be included on the AMEA Editorial Board
Submit this form by March 1, 2010 to:
Dr Diane Orlofsky
John M Long School of Music
Troy University
Troy, AL 36082
Last summer, 70+ band and choir students from high schools and universities all over Alabama experienced seven European countries over the course of sixteen days Led by Alabama music educators experienced in international touring, these students comprised the Alabama Ambassadors of Music, and the opportunity they enjoyed was the trip of a lifetime Dr Peter Wood, associate professor of music at the University of South Alabama, served as tour coordinator The AAM band was conducted by Dr. Greg Gruner, director of bands and music department chair at USA, with the assistance
England. During the three-day stay in London, the Alabama Ambassadors saw a West End musical and toured virtually all of London, including such memorable stops as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Royal Albert Hall, to name a few. On the second day, the choir sang its first concert in Wesley’s Chapel (where John Wesley founded Methodism); and the band performed a rousing concert at the Victoria Embankment Gardens on the River Thames for a very enthusiastic and appreciative lunchtime audience.
In the morning on day four, the group bade farewell to London and boarded
countryside into the sublimely beautiful Alps of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria There they stayed in 5-star ski lodges in small villages, where the students and staff had a great deal of freedom and were able to interact with the locals. They also enjoyed a more relaxed pace, a welcome change from the necessarily structured schedules of London and Paris
The ensembles played joint band/choir concerts in the town centers, where locals and vacationers alike showed up waving American and Swiss flags and cheering wildly, especially for the band’s rendition of Stars and Stripes Forever The Swiss people threw a traditional fondue party in honor of the Alabama Ambassadors The students and staff then took an action-packed day trip to Venice, Italy, where they explored the city on foot, seeing the home church of Antonio Vivaldi and witnessing firsthand the origins of Giovanni Gabrieli’s antiphonal music in St Mark’s Cathedral
The final stop on the journey was Germany, where the musicians had a sobering tour of the Dachau concentration camp and spent two days exploring Rothenburg, the famous Medieval walled city, with its twelfth-century castle still standing The band played its final performance of the trip to an enthusiastic crowd in the town square; and the choir performed in the Holy Ghost Church. The next morning, they awoke early for the predawn trip to Frankfurt and the long flight back to the United States
of Harry McAfee, director of bands at Hoover High School Dr Laura Moore, USA director of choral activities, directed the choir, assisted by Laura Doss from the Alabama School of Fine Arts and Sarah Walley from Rockwell Elementary School in Spanish Fort Among the other instructional staff who participated were Rusty Logan from Auburn High School, Amy McAfee from Hoover, Gene Anne Gifford from Florence, and Amy Spears from Mary G Montgomery High School In all, there were 23 high schools and universities represented on the trip
After an intensive three-day rehearsal camp on the University of South Alabama campus in Mobile, the AAM European tour began with a flight from Atlanta to London Immediately after landing, the group went to Windsor Castle, where most were able to see the Queen of
chartered coaches for Paris, arriving about four hours later, via ferry over the English Channel that provided a magnificent view of the White Cliffs of Dover. Paris was a fantastically busy city! Over the next three days, the participants took a cruise on the River Seine and toured the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre museum, the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur, the Arc de Triomph, the Eiffel Tower, and many other historic places. The choir enjoyed singing in the magnificent acoustics of the ancient Church of SaintSéverin; and the band played an afternoon concert in the extraordinarily beautiful Luxembourg Gardens Both concerts had full audiences who were sincerely enthusiastic about the Alabama performances.
After three full days in bustling Paris, the Alabama Ambassadors of Music traveled through the southern French
This 16-day, seven-country musical and historical journey was an experience of a lifetime, one that was enjoyed by all and one that will certainly be remembered for a very long time The band and choir each performed five very successful concerts, about every third day, allowing much time for recreation, sightseeing, and learning The students were wonderful ambassadors, not only for Alabama, but also for the United States of America This staff member is extremely proud to have been associated with this fine group and anxiously awaits the next edition of the Alabama Ambassadors of Music in June of 2011. Nominations of top Alabama music students for that tour will be sought this spring (2010), and it is hoped that all Alabama music educators will nominate their best and brightest to help represent our great state
for Red Band Please read their bios and note the clinic schedule in this issue of the Ala Breve.
Certification class at this conference More details will be given at the All-State meeting.
What a great AMEA Conference!
Thanks to everyone who attended If you did not attend, I hope you will try to be in Montgomery for the 2011 conference
This year, there were many outstanding clinics and concerts I would like to thank the performing ensembles for their hard work and impressive performances
Please consider applying for your group to perform at the 2011 conference. The application can be found online. All requested material must be turned in to Garry Taylor by June 1 I would also like to thank those ABA members who presented sessions at this year ’s conference I am impressed by the wealth of knowledge we have among our membership As always, if you have a suggestion for a future session, let one of the ABA Board members know.
This year, our Music Performance Assessment will be by district The ABA Board of Directors has made every effort to ensure that the event runs smoothly and will be a great musical experience for all participating bands
Registration for All-State will be online this year. Please FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS given at the AMEA conference and found online If you have questions contact Doug Farrris
The 2010 All-State Clinic will be held April 15-17 at Auburn University. Our conductors are Sean O’Loughlin for Middle School; Dr, Greg Grunner for Blue Band; Dr. David Holsinger for White Band; and Dr Thomas Fraschillo
The All-State Solo Festival will be held on Wednesday, April 14 with the finals event planned for 7:30 pm If you can, I would encourage you to come early and try to attend this event as it showcases some of the finest high school musicians in our state As many of you are aware, this is our final All-State Clinic at Auburn University Please take the time to thank Dr. Vinson, Dr. Good, Dr. Spurlin, and their staff for all they have done for the ABA through the years.
The ABA Summer Conference will be held June 23-24, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Orange Beach The Board and music selection committee will meet on June 22 Reservations must be made by June 1 to receive the conference rate Contact the Hilton Garden Inn at 877-782-9444 Our group code is ABA. We will offer several clinics as well as our inaugural Music
I am excited to inform you that we have contracted with the city of Mobile to host the All-State Clinic April 14-16, 2011, and April 12-14, 2012 We will be using the Renaissance Riverside Hotel, The Mobile Convention Center, and The Mobile Civic Center Mark your calendars for this exciting event
Finally, congratulations to Andy Pettus and the Hillcrest High School Wind Ensemble for an awesome performance at the 2009 MidWest clinic Thanks also to the many directors from our state that attended and supported this fine group
As always, if I can be of assistance, please let me know May you and your students be musically blessed as we finish the school year.
8:00 a m
7:30 p m
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
All-State Solo Festival - Goodwin Music Building, Recital Hall and Choir Room
All-State Solo Festival Finals Concert
Goodwin Music Building, Recital Hall (Open to the Public)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
12:30 p m Meeting of ALL Band Directors
Goodwin Music Building, Recital Hall
ABA Vice-President John Cooper, presiding
Friday, April 16 continued
12:00-1:15 p m Phi Beta Mu Luncheon Conference Center, Governors Room 1:30-5:00 p m Exhibits Open - Ballroom A 1:30-5:00
1:30-5:00 p
1:00 p m
Auditions for all band students according to schedule mailed to directors by ABA
1:00-4:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
Auburn University Conference Center Ballroom A
5:30 p m
Audition results posted at rehearsal sites
Unassigned personnel posted at all four sites
6:00-7:30 p.m. Exhibits Open -Conference Center, BallroomA
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Red Band Rehearsal
Conductor - Tom Fraschillo
Student Activities Bldg (closed rehearsal)
6:30-9:30 p m
White Band Rehearsal
Conductor - David Holsinger
Goodwin Band Hall (closed rehearsal)
12:00 midnight Curfew for all participants Directors are responsible for their students
6:30-9:30 p m
Blue Band Rehearsal
Conductor - Greg Gruner
Auxiliary Gym (closed rehearsal)
6:30-9:30 p.m. Jr. High Band Rehearsal
Conductor - Sean O’Loughlin Conference Center, Ballroom B(closed rehearsal)
7:00-9:00 p m ABA Board Meeting Conference Center, Meeting Room A
12:00 midnight Curfew for all participants. Directors are responsible for their students.
Friday, April 16, 2010
8:30-12:00 noon Exhibits Open - BallroomA
8:30-11:30 a m Red Band Rehearsal - Student Activities Bldg
8:30-11:30 a m White Band Rehearsal - Band Hall
8:30-11:30 a m Blue Band Rehearsal - Location TBA
8:30-11:30 a.m. Jr. High Band Rehearsal - Ballroom B
9:00-10:00 a.m. ABA General Business Meeting Conference Center, Auditorium
10:15-11:00 a m ABA Clinic Session Conference Center Auditorium
Thomas V. Fraschillo has served as catalyst and mentor for the teaching profession for 43 years. His high standards of performance have had a sustained influence on ensembles at every level, and his performances serve as models in both the professional or academic arena. Through his recordings, The Music of Luigi Zaninelli and The University of Southern Mississippi Wind Ensemble LIVE IN ITALY (recorded in Italy with the USM Wind Ensemble), and his publishing, conducting, and lecturing in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia, he is considered an international musician/scholar His publications, a translation from the original Italian of Alessandro Vessella’s Studi di strumentazione (Instrumentation Studies) published by BMG Ricordi, Milan, and La Tecnica dell’orchestra contemporanea (The Technique of Contemporary Orchestration), by Alessandro Casella and Vittorio Mortari, published by BMG Ricordi have put his name in music libraries of the entire English speaking world The translation of the Casella/Mortari makes available an English version of the most significant music publication on writing for instruments after the Second World War Dr Fraschillo serves as a frequent conductor and lecturer in Italy as an American scholar His most recent appearances in Italy have been with La Banda dell’esercito/The Italian Army Band in Rome. One of his most significant engagements with them occurred in the summer of 2002 and signaled a very important milestone for the Italian Army in that Dr Fraschillo was the first American born conductor to have been invited to appear in a public performance by what is considered Italy’s most prestigious military concert band The concert with Dr Fraschillo conducting was the opening concert of the International Festival in Spoleto, “The Festival of Two Worlds, Festival dei due mondi. ” His appearance was enormously significant for conductors of bands in that the opening performance
eatured such international artists as Gian Carlo Menotti, the renowned composer who organized and began the event, the Orchestra and Giuseppe Verdi Chorus of Milan with Ricardo Chailly onducting, and the famous Italian ctress, Claudia Cardinale whose work was being displayed in a lm retrospective Finally, in Italy
Dr Fraschillo often serves as a member of the giuria (judging anel) for many international festivals, most notably the Concorso Internazionale di Composizione “R. Marenco” di Novi Ligure, and the Concorso Internazionale di Composizione Originale per Banda di Corciano
Aside from Dr. Fraschillo’s work in Italy, he is often engaged throughout the continents of Asia and Australia The Melbourne, Australia, Summer Youth Music Program has invited Dr Fraschillo to be guest conductor for their week long summer session for four years In addition the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) has invited him to lecture and to adjudicate at their large ensemble festivals Dr Fraschillo’s other work in the Pacific Rim includes having recently served as clinician and guest conductor of the Central Armed Forces Band in Singapore and conductor of the Singapore All-College Band sponsored by the Wind Band Association of Singapore Prior to his Singapore engagement, Dr Fraschillo served as Artistic Director for the weeklong Winter Band Festival at Disney, Hong Kong.
Dr Fraschillo has devoted a significant amount of his career to the education of young people in Mississippi For example his ten-year tenure at Meridian High School was highlighted by an invitation to perform at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious music event for wind and string educators The invitation was only the second to have been given to a band from Mississippi
Dr. Fraschillo has attained a significant level in international leadership in that he serves as a past president of the prestigious
American Bandmasters Association and of the world’s largest organization for band directors, the National Band Association
1999, award winning omposer and conductor avid R. Holsinger joined e faculty of Lee University, leveland, Tennessee He is e inaugural conductor of the ee Wind Ensemble and aches composition, orchestration, and conducting He holds degrees from Central Methodist University, University of Central Missouri, and the University of Kansas.
Dr Holsinger ’s compositions have won four national competitions, including a two time ABA Ostwald Award. His works have also been finalists in the NBA and Sudler composition competitions In the summer of 1998, Holsinger was featured as the HERITAGE VI composer during the Texas Bandmasters Association convention in San Antonio. This prestigious series celebrating American wind composers was founded in 1992 and had previously honored Morton Gould, Ron Nelson, Robert Jager, W Francis McBeth, and Roger Nixon An elected member of the American Bandmasters Association, Holsinger ’s recent honors include the Distinguished Music Alumni Award from Central Missouri State University, CIDA’S 1999 Director of the Year Citation, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s Orpheus Award, the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award from Central Methodist College, and the 2003 Excellence in Scholarship Citation from Lee University. Surrounding the premiere of the composer ’s EASTER SYMPHONY, Holsinger was honored by Gustavus Adolphus College with the awarding of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for lifetime achievement in composition and presented the Gustavus Fine Arts Medallion, the division’s highest award
Holsinger was one of eleven composers contributing a chapter in the GIA project entitled COMPOSERS ON COMPOSING
White Band
David Holsinger
Thomas Fraschillo
FOR BAND This projected 4 volume book venture is edited by Mark Camphouse and Volume I, which includes chapters from such notable composers as David Gillingham, Karel Husa, and W Francis McBeth, among others, was released in December, 2002. A chapter concerning the music of David Holsinger is included in A COMPOSER’S INSIGHT: THOUGHTS, ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY ON CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECES FOR WIND BAND, VOL III, edited by Timothy Saltzman and published by Meredith Publications in 2006. In addition, Holsinger was the subject of a special article in the German music magazine, “Musik zum Lesen” in celebration of his 60th birthday in December, 2005 He has previously been featured in “Bl’sermusik” magazine, also a German publication. Biographical and commentary on Holsinger ’s works can be found in both ‘The Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music’, Vol I and III, and in Norman Smith’s ‘Program Notes for Band’
In the past twelve years, Holsinger has served as Visiting Distinguished Composer in Residence at eleven American colleges or universities, including the Acuff Chair of Excellence in the Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee
In addition to his university duties, Holsinger spends much of his energies as a guest composer and conductor with All State organizations, professional bands, and university ensembles throughout the United States When not composing or conducting, he models HO scale trains.
Bands at Ball State University where he directed the 365 member “Pride of MidAmerica” marching band, the Symphony Band, and taught instrumental conducting and music education courses. His junior high, high school, and collegiate ensembles have been recognized consistently for their excellence in performance at the regional and national levels.
Currently, Dr. Gruner conducts the University of South Alabama Wind Ensemble, teaches instrumental conducting, applied low brass, and has served as the Chair of the Department of Music since 2002 The Department of Music has experienced tremendous growth in all its undergraduate programs, the most recent being the addition of a marching band program, during his administrative tenure
Dr Gruner is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, and formerly the International Association of Jazz Educators. He is a member of the Phi Beta Mu National Bandmaster Fraternity, the Golden Key National Honor Society, the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and is an honorary member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda music fraternities
ean O’Loughlin (b 1972) is a esh voice and a rising name in e music world His music is haracterized by vibrant rhythms, assionate melodies, and colorful oring. Commissions from the oston Pops Orchestra, the Los ngeles Philharmonic and the ollywood Bowl Orchestra highlight and showcase his diverse musical abilities As a conductor, he has led performances with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the Houston Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony amongst others He was the assistant conductor and arranger for a production of Sgt. Pepper Live at the Las Vegas Hilton featuring the band Cheap Trick.
Dr. Greg Gruner, Professor of Music, serves as the Director of Bands and Chair of the Department of Music at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL He received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from New Mexico State University, a Master of Music Education degree from the Indiana University School of Music, and a Doctor of Arts in Music degree from the Ball State University School of Music.
Prior to his appointment at USA in 1993, Dr. Gruner taught in the public schools of Missouri and Kentucky for nine years In 1990, he was appointed Assistant Director of
Dr Gruner is a Past-President of the Mobile Jazz Festival and currently serves as the Conductor and Artistic Director of the Mobile Pops, a semi-professional band that performs ten concert series annually hroughout the Gulf Coast region In ddition, he served as an advisor to the Mayor ’s Task Force for the Culture nd Arts in Mobile and works closely with a number of arts organizations in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
Dr Gruner has studied conducting with Marianna Gabbi, Phillip Posey, rederick Ebbs, Joseph Scagnoli, Douglas Ammon, Leonard Atherton, Stanley DeRusha, and Ray Cramer; and trombone/euphonium with Ronald Thielman, Dee Stewart, and Lewis van Haney
Dr Gruner remains a popular guest conductor, trombonist, adjudicator, clinician, consultant, and composer/arranger for concert, marching, and jazz ensembles throughout the United States.
As an arranger and orchestrator, he has worked with such artists as Natalie Merchant, Chris Isaak, Feist, Blue Man Group, Pink Martini, Brandi Carlile, Belle and Sebastian, The Decemberists, Josh Ritter, Gloria Gaynor and others The Los Angeles Times calls his orchestrations “...colorful” while adding “ even more dimension ” to the compositions. Daily Variety heralds Sean’s writing as “most impressive ” with a “wide range of coloring in the orchestra ” that “ adds heft and rolling energy.”
Through his growing number of commissions and published works, Sean is excited to continue contributing to the rich history of orchestral and wind band literature An annual ASCAP Special Awards winner, Sean was a composition fellow at the Henry Mancini Institute in Los Angeles, and holds composition degrees from New England Conservatory and Syracuse University. He is represented by IMG Artists and his music is published by Carl Fischer and Hal Leonard Sean, his wife Dena and daughter Kate reside in Los Angeles
Middle School Band Blue Band Sean O’loughlinAddress City State Zip
Phone ( ) Email
Proposed Session Title
Session Description
Division (please check all that apply):
Alabama Vocal Association
Collegiate (CMENC)
Alabama Bandmasters Association
Alabama Orchestra Association
Higher Education
Elementary/General
• Session proposals must be submitted by the individual who will be presenting the session as the primary clinician
• All Alabama clinicians who are music educators must be members of MENC and must register for the conference in order to present a session
• AMEA does not pay honoraria or expenses to its members.
• Individual requests for particular times cannot be granted. Submission of a proposal assumes acceptance of the scheduled times
• If the session is accepted, the primary clinician will be responsible for informing all other participants of all the specifics relating to the session.
Please attach a black and white photograph and clinician biography (100 words or less)
Submit to:
Garry Taylor, Executive Director 1600 Manor Drive, Cullman, AL 35055
NO LATER THAN JUNE 1, 2010
Name of Ensemble
Current # of Members
Age Level of Ensemble
School Director
Address City Zip
Phone: School ( ) Home ( )
Division (please check all that apply):
Alabama Vocal Association
Collegiate (CMENC)
Alabama Bandmasters Association
Alabama Orchestra Association
Higher Education
Elementary/General
• Submission must include completed performance application, high quality recording of the ensemble (no more than two years old), programs from recent concerts, biography of the conductor and performing group, picture of the performing group and two letters of recommendation. (A current photograph of the group and conductor will be requested should the ensemble be selected to perform.)
• Recordings must include two varied selections of high-quality literature.
• Consideration will be given to level of musical quality, variety, as well as overall conference schedule and planning.
• Directors will be notified of selection by July 30, 2010.
Please attach a black and white photograph of the performing group, biography of the group and conductor (100 words or less each), recent concert programs, and two letters of recommendation.
Submit to:
Garry Taylor, Executive Director
1600 Manor Drive, Cullman, AL 35055
NO LATER THAN JUNE 1, 2010
Awarded to a person “who has clearly given very special service to AMEA or to the goals and purposes of AMEA ” The recipient is “clearly recognizable statewide, and the service for which the award is given, represents a long range commitment that, in every way, can be considered extraordinary and distinguished.” The person has given tirelessly and selflessly to the cause of music education in Alabama and this person’s service would be greatly missed. Forms must be received by July 15. The presentation of the award is scheduled for the AMEA Conference in January 2011 Please remove or copy the form below, and mail completed form and papers to:
Garry Taylor, AMEA Executive Director, 1600 Manor Drive NE, Cullman, Alabama 35055
NOMINEE FOR THE BARBARA M. ODOM DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Qualifications:
1 Nominee must have served the cause of music education in Alabama
2. Nomination must be made by a current member of AMEA.
This nomination should be accompanied by the following:
1 A list of specific actions which have initiated, supported and/or enhanced music education in Alabama
2 Four (4) letters of recommendation from school personnel, community leaders and/or parents
DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2010
Barbara M. Odom Distinguished Service Award
Name of Nominee
Address
Present Position
Nominated by
Address
Present Position
AMEA honors its members and administrators who have shown special interest and dedication to music education in Alabama. Various individuals have been honored with AMEA’s “Outstanding Music Educator” and “Outstanding Administrator” awards because members have taken the time and interest to nominate them These awards provide our organization the opportunity to honor those who have set high standards for our profession, and who give all of us inspiration and direction It is likely that every member knows of colleagues or former teachers who have influenced him or her greatly, and who should be honored with our recognition Forms must be received by July 15 The presentation of the awards is scheduled for the AMEA In-Service Conference in January 2011. Please remove or copy the forms below, complete them, and mail your nominations to Garry Taylor before July 15, 2010.
NOMINEE FOR OUTSTANDING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
Mail completed form and supporting papers to: Garry Taylor, AMEA Executive Director, 1600 Manor Drive NE, Cullman, Alabama 35055
Name of Nominee
Address
Present Position
School System
Number of cumulative years served as an administrator
Qualifications:
Nominated by
1. Administrator must have served a minimum of ten (10) cumulative years in any school system(s) and/or collegiate institution(s) in Alabama.
2 Nomination must be made by a current member of AMEA
This nomination should be accompanied by the following:
1. A list of specific actions which have initiated, supported and/or enhanced music programs in the system which the nominee administers.
2 Four (4) letters of recommendation from school personnel, community leaders and/or parents
DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2010
NOMINEE FOR OUTSTANDING MUSIC EDUCATOR
Mail completed form and supporting papers to: Garry Taylor, AMEA Executive Director, 1600 Manor Drive NE, Cullman, Alabama 35055
Name of Nominee
Address
Present Position
School System
Number of cumulative years served as a music educator
Qualifications:
Nominated by
1. Educator must have served a minimum of ten (10) cumulative years as a music educator in any school system(s) and/or collegiate institution(s) in Alabama
2 Nomination must be made by an AMEA member or by a school administrator AMEA Board members are ineligible for nomination during their terms of office.
This nomination should be accompanied by the following:
1 A list of specific actions which have initiated or enhanced music education at the local level and/or at state, regional or national levels
2 Four (4) letters of recommendation: one from a fellow music teacher and three others from any appropriate source (May include one from a former student, if available )
DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2010
Name of Nominee
Teaching Field
Name of School(s)
Current Status Active
Number of years spent in teaching, administrating or supporting music education in the state of Alabama Dates
Nominee's Address City State Zip Telephone Email
In your letter of recommendation please address the following qualifications:
1. Member of AMEA/MENC and/or supporter of music education and/or professional musician.
2. Excellence in teaching or administration
3. Contributions and improvements made in music education.
4 Betterment of our profession through exemplary service or acts
5 Professional offices, publications, awards, performances
6. Professional ideals and academic integrity.
7. Age 55 or older.
Please provide three letters of recommendation from any of the following: students, administrators, fellow teachers, community, state or national leaders.
Nominator City State Zip Telephone Email
Send this form along with your letters of recommendation by July 15, 2010 to:
Garry Taylor, Executive Director
Alabama Music Educators Association 1600 Manor Drive NE Cullman, Alabama 35055
The AMEA In-Service Conference in 2011 and 2012 will be held at the new Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center, which is owned by the Teachers Retirement System The AMEA Governing Board, after careful consideration, decided to make the move based on the factors below
Hotel rooms - The Hotel Capstone in Tuscaloosa has 150 rooms and about 1/3 of those are not available to us because, since our conference takes place during recruiting season, they are reserved for UA athletics The Renaissance in Montgomery has 342 rooms and suites and should be able to accommodate almost all of our attendees, as well as exhibitors As you can see in the table below, the room rates are about the same in 2011 and better for us in Montgomery in 2012.
2011 2012
Tuscaloosa
$118 $132
Montgomery $119 $119
Exhibit space - We consistently sell out of exhibit space in Tuscaloosa As of this printing, we could have sold 9 more booths (income of $2700) this year if we’d had them The Sellers exhibit hall in Tuscaloosa is 10,044 square feet The Montgomery Convention Center has a 72,520 square foot exhibit hall Of course, we won’t use all of that space!
arking - Since so many of our attendees, exhibitors, and performers stay off site in Tuscaloosa, nding a parking space is sometimes difficult. The Montgomery property includes a parking deck hat can accommodate virtually everyone at the conference. There is a charge for parking but they ave agreed to give us a 50% discount which makes it $5.00 per day. The Renaissance is located n the newly revitalized river section of Montgomery, where there are restaurants, shops and ightlife within walking distance of the hotel It may be possible to park your car Wednesday ight and not crank it up again until Saturday!
Meeting Space - The Montgomery Renaissance and Convention Center provides an abundance f meeting space all under one roof The hotel is connected to the Convention Center which will llow attendees the freedom to move throughout the hotel and meeting areas with ease Meeting pace expenses, even considering using the Moody Music Building for free, are about the same n Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.
erformance Venue - AMEA’s contract in Montgomery includes the use, for all three days of the conference, the beautiful Montgomery Performing Arts Center, a state of the art 1800 seat auditorium Also included in the contract are the services of the stage technician and sound technician. The Moody Music Building Concert Hall in Tuscaloosa is an outstanding performance venue and it was important to the Board to continue to have a great place for our groups to perform as we move to Montgomery
The University of Alabama Music Department has been a true friend to AMEA for years. Dr. Snead, Dr. Ozzello and so many others there have gone above and beyond in their efforts to accommodate us. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone at Bama who have helped host our conference through the years
Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center
Montgomery Performing Arts Center
Numerous performance opportunities
Variety of large and small ensemble groups
Highly active teaching and performing faculty
Excellent academic program
Scholarships available in all areas
Lovely mountainside campus setting
Ted Allen Galloway, born December 12, 1936, passed away December 20, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Welch Galloway; daughter, Denise Galloway Nolen (David L Nolen); grandchildren, Andy Nolen and Daniel Nolen; nieces and nephews, Bob Butler, Debbie Butler Williams, Dana
high ratings and awards at band contests around the state and nation Due to his influence as a high school band director, jazz educator, and member of numerous professional music educator organizations, Dr Galloway received many honors throughout his career. Among them were induction into the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of ame, named "Outstanding Music Educator" by the Alabama Music Educators Association, induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, amed "Outstanding Jazz ducator" and received a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association.
Michael was an accomplished pianist and obtained both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from the University of North Alabama. In appreciation of Mr. Nix's career and impact on music education, he was recently recognized by the Alabama Music Educators Association with the Outstanding Music Educator Award (2009-10). Mr. Nix shared his musical and educational talents outside the classroom as well He was an active member of Lexington Church of Christ, where he led singing and taught Sunday school classes. He also was a volunteer coach for the Lexington High School tennis team.
Galloway and Donnie Galloway; and sister-in-law, Jeri Edmonds Galloway. He was preceded in death by parents, Lee Roy and Ruby Galloway; sister, Linda Galloway; sister, Janett Galloway Butler; and brother, Don Galloway
Ted was an avid Bama fan, earning his BS, MA, AA certification, and Ed D in Music Education from The University of Alabama While at UA, he was a member of the Million Dollar Band (1955-1959) and the University's Jazz Band, The Cavaliers While in school, he formed his own dance band, playing for private functions as well as a weekly radio broadcast. During his professional career as a high school band director at McAdory High School (1959-1962), Berry High School (1962-1970), and Vestavia Hills High School (1970-1990), he influenced many who became professional musicians Bands under his direction consistently received
During the 1960's, 70's, and 80's, The Ted Galloway Orchestra was prominent in the Birmingham area, playing for private functions and with visiting celebrity performers, the Miss Alabama Pageants, and the yearly Cerebral Palsy Telethon Ted was a member of the Vestavia Hills Lions Club and Christ Church United Methodist.
Michael T. Nix, 57, died battling cancer at his home in Lexington, Alabama, on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.
"Mr Nix," as he was known to many, spent 32 years as an elementary school music teacher in the Lauderdale County school system. Mr Nix was appreciated by his students, parents and colleagues alike for his fun-loving nature and his unique approach in sharing his love of music and laughter with thousands of students throughout his teaching career
Michael is the son of the late Raleigh Nix Jr., of Lexington, and is survived by his mother, Mary Wylodean Nix; brother, Philip Nix and his wife,
Barbara; sister, Gayla Nix Holley and her husband, Joe; nieces and nephews, Cavan Holley, Carleigh Holley, Daniel Nix and wife, Amber, Scott Nix and wife, Kristi: greatnieces and nephews, Brandon, Ryan, Sarah, Jordan and John Paul Nix; special friend, Dale Bailey; as well as other friends and loved ones.
The Alabama Music Educators Association inducted the 2010 class of its Hall of Fame on Friday, January 22, 2010 at the AMEA Conference Joe Riemer joins the ranks of these outstanding music educators, who, in one way or another, have all left an indelible mark on music education in Alabama
oe Riemer, a native of New Orleans , Louisiana, received his Bachelor and Masters egrees in music education at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. He began his teaching career
n 1962 serving as band irector at Shaw High School
nd Davidson High School in Mobile Subsequently he has een the band director at aulkner State Community College, Bay Minette Middle chool, and Baldwin County High School
Mr. Riemer was on the Board of the Mobile Jazz Festival and was the conductor of its High School Allstar Jazz Band, with numerous performances on the Mobile Jazz Festival concert programs He also holds membership in MENC, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, and the music fraternities Phi Mu Alpha and Phi Beta Mu. He continues to serve as adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor.
Joe is one of the founders of the Mobile Pops and served as one of its co-directors for 10 years. He is also one of the founders of the Baldwin Pops, a community band in Baldwin County, and has served as its music director since its inception in 1997.
Named in 2001 by the Mobile Bay Monthly as one of 25 most influential “Masters of the Arts” for Mobile and Baldwin County, he was also presented, in 2007, with the Fairhope First “Quality of Life” award for his contribution to the enhancement of the quality of life in the Fairhope area That same year he received the “Arts Volunteer of the Year” award presented by the Mobile Arts Council. In 2008 he was inducted into the Mobile County Band Director ’s Hall of Fame.
He and his wife Mary Lou are both retired educators and reside in Fairhope They have two children and four grandchildren.
Joseph C. Riemer, Jr. - Class of 2010
Roland Lister - Class of 2009
Pat Morrow - Class of 2009
David Walters - Class of 2009
Gerald Welker - Class of 2009
Gene Black - Inaugural Class of 2008
Colonel Carleton Butler - Inaugural Class of 2008
Ed Cleino - Inaugural Class of 2008
William Dawson - Inaugural Class of 2008
William Denison - Inaugural Class of 2008
Gene Gooch - Inaugural Class of 2008
Wilbur (Bodie) Hinton - Inaugural Class of 2008
Johnny Jacobs - Inaugural Class of 2008
Dianne Johnson - Inaugural Class of 2008
John M. Long - Inaugural Class of 2008
Floyd McClure - Inaugural Class of 2008
Frances Moss - Inaugural Class of 2008
Eleanor Nation - Inaugural Class of 2008
Lacey Powell - Inaugural Class of 2008
James Simpson - Inaugural Class of 2008
Thomas Smith - Inaugural Class of 2008
Hugh Thomas - Inaugural Class of 2008
Orland Thomas - Inaugural Class of 2008
Johnnie Vinson - Inaugural Class of 2008
Truman Welch - Inaugural Class of 2008
OutstandingMusicEducator MichaelT.Nix
BarbaraOdomDistinguished ServiceAward TonyPike
OutstandingAdministrator MichaelReed
AMEAHonorRoll
reetings, fellow usic educators! I ope you’re having productive start the New Year. et me start off by ying how proud I as to be a part of MENC at this year ’s AMEA conference! We had over 100 students register for the conference and 90 attend both Thursday and Friday’s luncheons, something that hasn’t happened in quite some time Your attendance and participation have shown that even as college students, you take your future profession seriously
Thank you to AMEA President Pat Stegall for spending time with CMENC at the Thursday luncheon and imparting his wisdom to us, as well as for reminding us the importance of storytelling!
From the Past” essay contest was Ty:
Parker from the University of Alabama, whose winning interview will be published in this issue of the Alabreve Ty: will receive free airfare and hotel accommodations to attend MENC’s Music Education Week in Washington this summer CMENC would like to thank Ty: for his contribution to our organization and wish him the best of luck at this summer ’s conference! A big thanks to all who participated in the first annual CMENC Community Service Project at Capstone Village on Saturday, January 23! This event was a good reminder that while MENC’s aim is to promote music advocacy, it is also to share our musical gifts with people in our communities state-, nation-, and worldwide.
At Friday’s luncheon, CMENC elected a brand new state board, which I’m very excited about! Our new president will be Taylor Sparks of Samford; our vicepresident will be Dakota Bromley of University of Montevallo; and our secretary will be Heather Haynes of
University of Alabama Thank you to these new officers for all they’ve contributed already and for their commitment to make CMENC more present statewide!
I had a wonderful time meeting so many CMENC students from different chapters across the state, including those from campuses we didn’t realize had a chapter! Thank you for your hard work, time, and energy to this organization. The state board and I are thankful for the continuing efforts of CMENC members across Alabama because without your dedication, the success of AMEA would not be possible every year
Lastly, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as president for the past year I have learned so much not only about this professional organization, but also about myself as a student, as a teacher, and as a human being affected by music. I have learned how truly blessed I am to be a future music educator surrounded by amazing professionals throughout the state who have influenced me to be the person I am today Thank you to every music teacher I’ve ever had from elementary school to now, because without your commitment and devotion to music education, I could’ve been tossed to the wayside, ignored in the back of a classroom somewhere And thank you, CMENC, for inspiring me to be the best music educator I can be
Text from interview with Theo Vernon, Associate Director of Bands at Grissom High School
January 21, 2010
Ty: This is Ty Parker and I’m a senior majoring in music education at the University of Alabama and I’m here with Theo Vernon, the associate band director at Grissom High School Mr Vernon, I want to first and foremost thank you for your time this afternoon I’ve always had the utmost respect for your program at Grissom High School and I really look forward to learning more about you and your life as a music educator For this interview I will be following a list of 25 assigned questions and 10 questions of my own The first question happens to be everyone’s favorite, Mr Vernon! How old are you?
Theo: Great! I am 47 years old Just turned 47 in October
Ty: And when did you begin teaching?
Theo: I started teaching here at Grissom in the fall of 1985
Ty: So, not that long ago!
Theo: No, not at all!
Ty: How did you find out about the opening at Grissom High School?
Theo: I actually student taught here during the spring of 1985 and the assistant position came open that summer I interviewed, applied, and got the position!
I’ve been here ever since
Ty: I understand you have your master’s degree What is your master ’s degree in?
Theo: My master ’s degree is in Music Education and I received it from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago
Ty: Well, tell me Mr Vernon, why did you pursue a music education degree?
Theo: Well, I knew in high school that I wanted to do something in music I really wasn’t totally sure that I wanted to do music education I started the University as a music performance major and actually have a degree a bachelor ’s in performance and music education and after performing in college at Disney and seeing a lot of the top notch musicians in the country, I figured I’m not going to be able to compete with all of these guys and so I went back to school and said “I’m pretty much close to an Ed degree anyway,” so I just went ahead and finished and got my music ed degree
Ty: That sounds really cool! How well did this degree apply to your work in the classroom?
Theo: Actually, there were a lot of things The Masters degree really applied a lot more than my bachelor ’s degree The classes I took were very close to what I was doing everyday I could apply things I learned during the classes at VanderCook to my everyday practice that I’m doing um so, in the Music ed degree, I learned a lot about education and how to teach different types of students but the practicality I really learned in my master ’s degree Ty: You answered this question a little earlier Why did you choose to teach in this field? Is it because the stuff you mentioned about Disney or is there another reason you decided to teach in the field of music?
Theo: Um…you know, I knew music was a passion for me and I loved it and I wanted to do something with it and my first few years teaching , and I’m sure this is like any new teacher, you kind of doubt yourself…um…and I doubted myself, thinking “what am I doing?” But then I realized that I can hopefully instill some love for music to some younger students and they will continue whether they play or go out to teach…but having an appreciation for it and that’s what has kept me in the field of education
Ty: This is a question that I really can’t wait to hear the answer to…
Theo: Uh oh!
Ty: because my first year of teaching is soon approaching What was your first year of teaching like?
Theo: Well, it was very interesting because coming to a program like this that already had a big tradition um and they just lost one of their directors the year before…um…that had been here for many years I would say the biggest challenge was just finding my own style of teaching and because this was really the first time I had had an ensemble in front of me to teach and learn from them too…um… and then learning from the other director that was here and things I had seen in college and you know, directors there so I kind of had to develop my own style and that took more than just one year. I was very close to the high school seniors I was 22, I guess when I started um and they were 18 It was kind of hard because I had student taught here and a lot of those kids already knew me and they thought of me as a student teacher instead of a teacher That was a little difficult to deal with um I tried not to be their friend and tried to be their teacher but then again, you have to be both. I am now. I’m there friend too! The first year was challenging in that sense but I did learn a lot!
Ty: You actually conveniently answered the next question which was what did you find the most challenging your first year teaching? and like you said, it would be separating yourself from the students and that you are their teacher and not a fellow student and I know that’s probably harder for most first year teachers in anything
Theo: Sure
Ty: Did you feel that your years in college prepared you enough to do everything in the classroom?
Theo: No! Not at all! (laughing) I mean you know, I would like to say yes and I felt like a lot of things that I got um at the University of Alabama were terrific. Some of the things that were offered then are not offered now For instance, we had to take a whole semester of flute and we had to take a whole semester of double reeds and since I played saxophone and clarinet, I just took private lessons on those. I took a whole semester of trumpet took a whole semester of trombone took a whole semester of French horn took three semesters of percussion and so in that aspect, I feel like I was a little more prepared with the different instruments whereas now, I think ya’ll have a class brass, class percussion
Ty: Correct, two semesters of percussion
Theo: Right, so I feel like in that aspect I was prepared you know, as far as that goes but as far as pedagogically if that’s a word
Ty: Sure!
Theo: You know, kind of like I said before, I had to develop my style and kind of learn the hardest thing, and you’ll find when you’re student teaching, is if you have a piece of music you are working on or whatever you have to do that day and it is very difficult to, you know, be conducting something and you hear something that’s going wrong and you want to stop and immediately fix that you can but the time you use to fix that you kind of have to make these decisions how much am I going to spend on this? Is the rest of the class going to sit there and not do anything? so the amount of time you spend on certain aspects during an “any-given-day” rehearsal is really where is kind of a short coming for new teachers you know, we will discuss that in the spring and I’m sure you’ll feel those pressures
Ty: What did you feel that you were the least prepared for your first year?
Theo: I would say classroom management!
Ty: Oh, the big issue.
Theo: Yeah! I had never been in charge of 65-70 kids in one class and I had to know what was going on all the time and that, you know, comes with time It’s one of those things that’s second nature now. You kind of get to where you can focus on what’s going on and I’m a person that a rehearsal has to be there’s no talking Kids have to be on task as much as possible…but just getting that classroom management and it was very different here because it was a change of directors I was brand new and I think that would be the same for any new teacher That would be the biggest thing.
Ty: I think you mentioned, earlier, the next question What do you feel that you were most prepared for? The lengthy methods classes you had for each instrument?
Theo: I felt comfortable with being able to know fingering know pitch tendencies know how to produce sounds on the instruments and, you know…so from that aspect I was prepared.
Ty: What one thing has changed the most since you’ve been here at this school?
Theo: The generation of students and you know, there are so many distractions for kids now. With the cell phones and the computers I feel like sometimes some of the kids, and not all of them, are waiting for that next vibration in their pocket…(laughing)…to know “oh, somebody’s texting me from their English class and they’re not supposed to be doing that!” So there are a lot of distractions so many different things for kids to do nowadays… with computers and cell phones and everything is in the palm of their hands It’s really hard to get them motivated self motivation is obviously the only type of motivation to get them motivated to practice a little more…and so, we do our after school rehearsals kind of practicing for them A lot of them just don’t practice as much as they used to there’s not as many kids taking private lessons…um…and that is partly because they are interested in more fun things video games They would rather play video games than go take a half hour private lesson So, those are some things The generation of kids has changed since I started.
Ty: And, to me that really is a scary issue when you’re faced with students who don’t want to practice who want to be involved with the “electronic scene”
Theo: Right
Ty: And too, that’s an issue of concern that I fear before I even get in the field is that motivation and the lack of for my students
Theo: And part of that is going to be if you are offering them good music and they enjoy being in the class and they enjoy good music and have a good time then, your standards can be as high as you want As long as you’re giving them something good and challenging Kids still want a challenge, especially band kids because they don’t have to be here Some of there parents made them their freshman year but 90% or more of the kids want to be in the band program
Ty: And that actually leads right into our next question
Theo: Were doing good!
Ty: Which is: how do you approach choosing musical repertoire?
Theo: I have probably repeated a piece maybe 3 or 4 times in my career with my group and I’m always wanting to find something that’s going help me learn as well as be something to be a good teaching tool for the students I also want to find something that um that’s going to involve a lot of percussion to keep them busy I think that’s
important I always try to do something that’s very lyrical and very beautiful…and try to find something different also I look at the kids after we do our auditions and see where some of the strengths and weaknesses are and that plays a little into it The other thing is what I think will be enjoyable for them and something new for me
Ty: That’s really cool! What kind of grading system do you use and how does that work?
Theo: Our grading system is pretty simple. The kids come to class and they’re prepared Of course band is a participation class We have the after school rehearsals that’s part of their grade That’s in the Huntsville City School’s curriculum and in the handbook If they’re not at rehearsals their grade is lowered for that If they miss a rehearsal that’s unexcused if they’re sick or if there is a death in their family, that’s obviously excused…but if they miss a rehearsal because they forget or for work, then they’re not allowed to make it up If they miss a rehearsal because they are sick then they can make it up…they can come after school and make up the time and work that out with us Being prepared in class: having their instrument, having their music, having everything that they need um being there on time…that’s pretty much our grading system. We don’t really do we do audition twice a year and that’s part of their final exam grade for each semester We listen to each kid individually
Ty: And I know that using a grading system that’s in the “black and white” it’s either you did it or you didn’t Right or wrong I know that’s usually convenient for you, I’m sure um not having to waste your time explaining to the students why they got their grade They really understand their grade based on their performance
Theo: Sure!
Ty: Speaking of grading during auditions…what kind of teaching methods do you use like methods books for class?
Theo: Um there’s a couple of books that I use…chorale studies, Chidester ’s Bach Chorales and its’ actually out of print um I use that, not everyday but just about every other day to work on tone quality, intonation, balance, and blend and all of that Then, we will do something different everyday as far as different warm ups We do a lot of ear training where we will play something on a key board and they will play it back to us Different articulations on scale passages I’ve also used the tips book for band some of the rhythm studies in there which are really good um but we really don’t have a method book that we use We kind of make up stuff on our own so that it’s a variety for the kids so that it’s not like “o k let’s play this warm up” or “o k let’s do this ” so it’s something that’s new for them which is good
Ty: How is your relationship moving from the student side of the classroom now we’re going to talk about some of the administration How is your current relationship with your administration?
Theo: It’s good It’s very good They are very supportive They leave us alone pretty much which, we don’t cause them any problems and they don’t cause us any problems but they are supportive We do audition twice a semester and we have kids that will change there schedules (as a result of auditions) and they (the administration) understand that it’s for the betterment of the program so it’s a good relationship
Ty: And with you being here for the amount of time that you’ve been here um I’m sure you’ve seen some administration changes and that’s actually the next question! How has your relationship with the administration changed in any way since you began
teaching?
Theo: Um…it’s been pretty much the same um I’ve only had two principals since I’ve been teaching There have been some assistant principals that have kind of moved here and there but like I said, we’re doing our thing and we don’t cause them any problems Everything is fine So there hasn’t really been that big of a change in the administration which is great!
Ty: That’s a very good situation, especially with just two principals
Theo: Yes!
Ty: With a program this large, I’m sure you have some specific ways you recruit and I would love to hear how you go about recruiting for your program!
Theo: We will a big thing with technology and email and all that we will start in January In fact, we have…um… we will have access to all of the middle school parent’s email addresses through the middle school programs We will start sending them a news letter and we will include stuff in January about that…about all of the different things coming up in the spring and their auditions in the summer schedule So we try to get that out to them as early as possible and we do, as best we can, try to get over to the middle school to see the kids and so that they can see us um so they have an idea of what we look like and maybe, the first time they see us isn’t scary We do listen to every middle school kid, every eighth grader that’s feeding into Grissom. We listen to each one of those kids, individually in an audition, so that we can place them in the proper class for the fall and a lot of times, even though we don’t get a chance to sit down with them individually other than that time, there will be some kids that will be “riding the fence” on whether they want to be in band or not, and after we do that audition and talk to them a little bit…they will come along and do it. And then there’s some that absolutely won’t but we do stay in constant contact with the directors in the middle schools We’re all good friends and we’ve known each other for a while and we will go and go out to eat or something every once in a while and just emailing and saying “hey, how are things going? Is there anything we can do for you? so we always stay in constant contact with them which I think is very important
Ty: Why do you guys choose to recruit in this manner? Have you always recruited like this or have you kind of refined the process a little?
Theo: Um when I first came here, the only time the eighth graders ever saw the directors from here was in an audition here at the high school The kids would come to the high school and do the audition The way we do ours is we go to the middle schools during their band classes in the spring and do an audition um and so, and the guys in the middle school are talking about when you get to Grissom when you get to the Grissom band, this is what you do when you get up there, this is the set up instead of if you are going to be in the band at Grissom or something like that so they help us out in that sense in fact, two of our feeder schools are our former students and so they know what we’re all about and they encourage them too!
Ty: That seems like a really good um laid back way of recruiting not really laid back, but as far as the students coming here I’m sure they were scared to death to come to the high school and have an audition where like you said, you go out into the school system!
Theo: Exactly! Make it convenient for them
Ty: Wow! The next question is very big! What is your daily schedule like?
Theo: Daily schedule as far as each period of the
day and what I do on a daily basis?
Ty: What you do on a daily basis.
Theo: O k our first period is color guard class and so after marching season it’s very laid back and so if we have some stuff for them to help us do in the library or copying stuff, they’re great helping with that That’s a nice way to start the morning kind of get all of our brains together um and then I have homeroom which I think is the biggest waste of time in the day…it’s 17 minutes out of the day. Well, 5 minutes to get there, 5 minutes to leave, and 7 minutes in homeroom and all you do is take role it’s ridiculous but don’t get me started on that! Um…and then 2nd period is symphonic band 2, which is the big ensemble that I rehearse on a daily basis and perform with 3rd period is symphonic band 1 which is a group that Bill rehearses with um and that’s 3rd period. 4th period is our lunch and then I have the second jazz band the B jazz band 5th period is an instrumental ensemble class um and I’m supposed to have a duty in the front office…sometimes I go and sometimes I don’t um but that’s a class where there’s about 20 kids and they practice individually and if they need some help on something, we’re here to work on that individually. 6th period is concert band, which Bill does and 7th period is the A jazz band Then, during concert season, we will have after school rehearsals um Monday through Thursday afternoons…3:30 until 5:30 and that’s with different groups Monday is Sym 2, Tuesday is Sym 1, Wednesday is Concert Band, and Thursday is Sym 1 and then Thursday night I have an evening rehearsal with sym 2. So the top two bands get two after school rehearsals a week um and that goes from 6:30 to 8:30 on Thursdays So that’s pretty much the daily schedule
Ty: Very interesting...um…who do you consider to be a role model for your teaching style?
Theo: Hmmm that’s hard to say You know, I think I’ve taken a lot of things from a lot of different people…um…people from the University of Alabama Kathryn Scott, and um Jim Ferguson I learned some from them I also learned from my first year here from Ron Rich who was actually the band director at Hanceville High School…um…back when he first started
Ty: Not far from where I’m from Theo: Yeah and so I learned a lot of teaching techniques from him um I don’t know if there’s one person that really stands out Bill you know Bill, I’ve learned a lot from him When he got here, he had 9-10 years experience on me so, um and then going to Mid-west, especially during my younger years and going to a lot of those conducting clinics um learning from them and I’m still learning We do a symphonic band camp and we bring in guest conductors to work with our kids so we get to sit back and listen to what’s going on and listen to some of their teaching techniques So, I’m still learning
Ty: Why should, which I don’t have any children, but why should my child be involved in music?
Theo: There are all of the studies about being involved in music kids make better grades and all that but I see all of these “sports” people that play pro-football and pro-basketball they can’t do that until they are 95 but I’ve seen musicians and conductors in their 80’s and 90’s It’s something that I think you can have the rest of your life and enjoy whether it’s playing in a professional ensemble or playing in an orchestra at church or a community band I think it’s a very special, personal thing that people can have with them if they have music with them A lot of people, and as you and I
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know it’s easy for us to say that it’s important but it does help. It does help the kids manage their time better they have to do so many things when they are playing in an ensemble with their brains So many things have to happen Naturally it’s going to make them a little more intelligent.
Ty: In your opinion, where is the world of music education going in the next 10 years?
Theo: Hmmm that’s a difficult one! It was very interesting when I was at the UT vs. Alabama game and I was talking to the University of Tennessee’s director, Dr Sousa, and this was inside the stadium inside Tuscaloosa and it had all of the videos and music going really loud. We had to talk pretty loud to each other and he said “you know, before long in 5 to 10 years, colleges aren’t going to need marching bands and it’s because of all of this sound production.” I don’t necessarily believe that … I mean, music has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years and without music education you think “what is a commercial going to be like without music?...what is a movie soundtrack going to be like without music?" I feel like there’s always going to be a need for music to make a big impact on movie scores or at a football game or a basketball game or concerts or big events like the 4th of July. So I think music education will always be needed and I hope we have people that make the laws and understand that Ty: And hopefully, too, with the marching band situation you mentioned…hopefully the fact that the atmosphere the band adds so much to the atmosphere hopefully that will help keep marching bands involved with college football I know the cheerleaders…I mean really, can you hear them? But they add so much to the atmosphere the college football cheerleaders So hopefully and for other reasons you mentioned too I hope music education is safe for several years to come!
Ty: If you could give one piece of advice to future music educators, like me, what would it be?
Theo: At most universities you don’t get an opportunity to be in front of an ensemble and I would say try to go and observe as many good music educator ’s as you can See what they are doing in a daily rehearsal Take from that and try to incorporate the good and the bad That would be my biggest advice Try to see as many people and get as many people to talk to you and help you when you have questions! A lot of people don’t do that and I think it’s very important! That’s the only way you can learn and get better!
Ty: I agree! I understand that you were the first band director in the state of Alabama to receive National Board Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards What exactly did you do to achieve this honorable recognition?
Theo: Spent lots of time with my lap-top computer in front of me! It was the most time consuming thing I’ve ever done in my life It was difficult in that everything I was writing was about me! Making yourself look good is hard it’s hard for me it may not be hard for some people! It was very time consuming In fact, when we were on the road to state contest, I had my lap-top computer When we took the band to the Bands of America Concert festival in Indianapolis that year, I took my lap-top computer When they were off doing activities, I was in my room working on my National Boards! So, it was extremely time consuming More for me because I’m not the best writer in the world I would re-write and get people to read it and make suggestions Did it make me become a better teacher? Probably not (laugh)! The big incentive was the pay raise I looked at getting a PHD and how much money it would cost to do that as opposed to doing the National
Boards which is one year and you do your own time frame…um… I opted to do that for sure.
Ty: And you were the first!
Theo: Yes, I was!
Ty: You wouldn’t have been the first to get a PHD but you were the first to receive National Board Certification!
Ty: Moving back to your college days! While you were in college you were hired by Walt Disney World to perform with the All American College Marching Band This had to have been an unbelievable experience and I’m wondering what was it like working for Disney?
Theo: If I was not teaching, I would probably be working for Disney somehow! It made that big of an impact on my life! The way I even knew about the program there to audition for it they opened the Epcot Center my first or second year in college. They came to all of the college bands in the country and wanted to get three to four representatives to come down there and help with the grand opening There were 450 college band members that did this big “Grand Opening” ceremony in October for the Epcot Center During part of that they talked about their college program and so that next spring I went and auditioned for the college band and got a position which I was very shocked and very excited and spent the summer at Disney playing with some of the finest college musicians in the country! In fact, Beth Gottlieb and I played in the same group together which is awesome! They treated us like royalty It was very professional We were paid pretty well and they “put us up” in Snow White’s village…a trailer park type thing (laughs).
Ty: Snow White’s Village?
Theo: Snow White’s Village, yes!
Ty: Peaceful times, right?
Theo: Oh yes! Very peaceful and very quiet!
Theo: So it was a tremendous experience that I wouldn’t take anything for! The next summer, at the Epcot Center, they were starting an All-American College Orchestra. They needed a teaching assistant and I applied for that position and got it That was very eye-opening because I was dealing with string players and I had not dealt with string players before…besides playing in an orchestra.
Ty: Did you have a strings methods class?
Theo: NO!
Ty: Wow! In our strings class we played Mary Had a Little Lamb with Dr Witt! She would play the piano and say “Mary lost her sheep!” Then we would play Mary Had a Little Lamb in a minor key!
Theo: So, yes, dealing with college pre-Madonna string players was very interesting! It was very cool because they would bring in guests In the college band, the summer before, they would bring guest performers every week and so we got a chance to work with the top “folks” in the jazz business, orchestra people, conductors, and studio musicians form New York The experience and making connections with folks was just incredible!
Ty: I would love to try that out and work for Disney I know Beth talks a lot about it and how much fun she had! She’s actually playing at Epcot right now! I think it’s really cool!
Ty: At the age of 23, you co-conducted Grissom’s Symphonic Band 1 at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic! I know, for me too, this is a dream for every high school band director! What was it like to conduct there?
Theo: That was my first year at Grissom and I’m still learning It was very frightening because I was 23 and you’re sitting there and you’re conducting in front of people who understand what’s going on peers and music educators from all over the place and from
all over the world! It was very nerve racking but it was a tremendous experience. The band played very well! I think I conducted a Grundman piece and I met him in Chicago the year before, which was very cool! I conducted two pieces but I can’t remember what the other one was. The process of doing that was pretty mind boggling because that was my first year teaching and we were cramming this music to the kids during marching season! It was amazing!
Ty: You also have conducting experience with the pit orchestra for Grissom’s annual music productions! Some band directors aren’t given the responsibility of conducting a pit orchestra! What is it like to conduct in this environment?...doing the background music for a play!
Theo: It’s very cool! I’m a woodwind “doubler” so I play a lot of shows that come through town! I did that for 12 years, I’m not doing that anymore because it got to be another thing I had to do on Sunday afternoons in the spring The choir director here took over as the conductor and she wanted to do that It’s very cool because the kids get that experience…I didn’t have that experience in high school I didn’t play in an orchestra until college and so it’s an experience it’s going to make them better musicians because they are playing in so many different keys than they would normally have too! It’s a lot of fun for the kids! For me, and I don’t want to say that it was more of a burden than fun but it was taking up a lot of time. The kids enjoyed it but I wasn’t enjoying it as much and I didn’t want that to feed off onto them! They’re still doing it here and having a great time!
Ty: I understand that you are also a member of the newly formed Huntsville Jazz Orchestra What is some of the History behind this ensemble? I take it that you play saxophone in this group!
Theo: Yes! We actually haven’t played much this year but it’s a group of about 9 musicians 3 saxophones, 3 brass, and 3 rhythm section players In the jazz world, if you get a gig it’s probably going to be a “Big Band” job where you “read” for some party or something We wanted to form a group that would challenge us instead of going to play easy stuff for two hours And so, Don Bowyer (Jazz Director at UAH) formed the group and he’s written a lot of arrangements for that instrumentation and we found some really cool arrangements from some other composers and stuff! We really wanted a challenge for us! and so we would rehearse once a week and we played a few concerts and did some fundraising We were hoping to make it a big deal try to bring in a guest and do a scholarship thing for UAH and that just never happened If there’s a group that wants us to come and play we will play for them
Ty: That’s neat!
Ty: And too, speaking of Jazz band I understand that, under your direction, the Jazz bands here at Grissom have received an outstanding number of honors and awards not to mention National recognition! What awards were the most memorable for you?
Theo: Probably when we were accepted to the Ellington Jazz Festival in New York! In 1999 that was an amazing experience for the kids and for me Wynton Marsalis is the big dude at the Jazz Lincoln Center and they do a festival every year They send free music and you send in a recording They’ll have anywhere from 100 to 150 bands that send in music and they select 15 So we were very fortunate to be selected that year! We also were selected to play at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Hague, Holland We played there in the summer of 2002 It was right after September 11 and we weren’t even sure if we would get to go after all of that So yes, we went and that was an incredible experience to play over there and to
hear amazing jazz musicians that you just hear on CD’s. You get to hear them LIVE and to perform over seas was really an incredible experience!
Ty: For a complete change of topic, fundraising is usually the love or hate relationship for band directors. It seems as if some band directors have a gift when it comes to raising money! I’m wondering, what kind of fundraising do you do here?
Theo: Our biggest fundraising activity is our fruit sales. A lot of people have 1 fruit sale every year whereas we have 6! (laughing) We do the week before Thanksgiving and two weekends in December! We also do one in January, February, and March. The truck comes here and then we have a sale all day on Friday and Saturday Parents and kids can work the fruit sale and we have a set-up time so they get a certain percentage They get about 5 dollars if they go and work. That’s a HUGE fundraiser for us!
Ty: So you sell from the truck?
Theo: We do sell from the truck We also have another location. They also do a satellite sale on the school grounds on Saturday People can pre-order online and they can just go and pick their fruit up or they can just pick it up on the day of the fruit sale So that’s our biggest fundraiser. We also work at some of the Havocs games the Hockey Team We do concessions and things like that As far as selling things door to door we don’t do that And the reason we don’t is the kids aren’t going to do it! It’s always going to end up at the parent’s work place and “hopefully” someone will buy it and all of the middle school bands do door to door stuff By the time they get to high school they’re done!
Ty: And too, door to door is scary! I mean, you’re dealing with crazy people that might kill you trying to sell fruit!
Theo: I mean “Yeah!” (Mr. Vernon imitating a crazy person and band student) “Who is that?” “I’m trying to sell this candy bar!” “Get out of my face, kid!” We just don’t ask the kids to do that We do have fees that come out of our pockets because we get ZERO funding from the school system and the state! So there are fees coming out of the kid’s pocket They can work at these different events (the Havocs or the fruit sale) to work off these fees
Ty: Did you say ZERO funding?
Theo: ZERO funding!! We get NOTHING from the school system Not one penny!
Ty: That is incredible! I know some people and of course no offense to the Grissom program it’s an unbelievable program but people are like “Oh, well it’s their funding they have a lot of resources because they are in Huntsville!” I find that so amazing!
Theo: We get nothing The only thing the school system gives to Grissom is the salary of the two directors and the band room All of the music stands, chairs, music, percussion equipment, Tubas, Uniforms everything is bought by band parents!
Ty: Wow! That is incredible
Theo: It comes out of pockets or they’re doing fundraising
Ty: So see, anyone can fundraise and have an incredible program like you guys!
Theo: Well, sure!
Ty: That’s really cool!
Ty: Competition in band can be viewed as good or bad The level of musicianship in this program is, I’m sure, top notch! How do you deal with the issue of competition in the classroom?
Theo: We do the auditions twice a year and that’s to evaluate each student to see how they are doing There is a little competition! We’ll have some kids that will move from the third band up to the top band
in one semester Or we’ll have some kids move from the top band to the third band. We use it as a life learning experience for them It’s kind of like a job
Ty: Exactly!
Theo: You go into an audition and you get that one shot. If you’re prepared, you don’t need to worry about it If you’re unprepared, then you aren’t going to get the job It’s just like going to a job interview We also will have some kids do a “challenge” This next semester we will have students choose to challenge each other trying to move up in their section They can’t, however, move to another band after the initial audition but they can challenge to move up. We haven’t had a lot of that lately…over the past 5 years I have a feeling that we’ll have a few challenges this next semester! We try to make that a friendly atmosphere! I mean back 10-15 years ago, we had some flute players that were in here every week challenging and it got to be a little “ugly” so we had to say “O K ya’ll aren’t challenging anymore!” (laughing)
Ty: Oh, flute players!
Theo: Yeah, you know how they are but as far as our views on competition with individual students we don’t really say and our philosophy is not win win win! We never say “We’re going to go out and win!” It’s to go out and prepare to be the best we can and to be satisfied and happy with what you did!
Ty: Sounds like you guys have a hand on the competition issue for sure! Personal question, somewhat There’s usually one instrument that gives band directors a head ache during methods class in college! If any, what is your least favorite instrument and why? I’m sure you love all of the instruments but I’m talking about during methods class!
Theo: Snare drum because I’m not ambidextrous at all! To me, and this is nothing against percussionist, but a lot of kids just want to play snare and that’s just playing rhythms I’ve heard snare players play with some good musicality to do some nice things but for the most part it’s just plain rhythms. You’ve got to have good time! That was not really enjoyable French horn was difficult because trying to hear the pitches can be difficult It’s different from the trumpet…all of the overtones and when you get higher anything can come out! I had a whole semester on all of them!
Ty: That is really neat! I had some difficulties with clarinet and French horn for the reasons you said I think I told you earlier but I played the French horn some in the Tuscaloosa Winds just trying to get a better feel for the brass instruments!
Ty: And our last question is I know it can be difficult to decide on a career during college and we’ve discussed why you chose band directing While in college, did you have to think between this “mystery career” I’m asking you about or band directing? Did you have one of those or not (mystery career option)?
Theo: I wanted to be a studio musician I wanted to play for movie scores and that’s what I thought going in as a performance major I knew it was going to be something in music In high school, at one time I thought I wanted to be an Orthodontist looking at sail boats that I might buy I thought “I’ll be rich and famous if I’m an orthodontist!” but then I decided that I didn’t want to stick my hands in people’s mouths! I think music is something that is a part of you you just know that you are going to do something in music Whether it’s performing, conducting, or whatever There really wasn’t anything else I dreamed about doing!
Ty: Well Mr Vernon, I want to thank you very much for your time and this interview! I really have enjoyed
learning about your different conducting experiences! I’m just amazed at the conducting opportunities you’ve had during your music education career and those are definitely goals to set for me and I’m sure for younger music educators as well Once again, thank you so much for your time!
Theo: No problem, thank you!
Ty Parker is a senior pursuing a BS degree in music education at the University of Alabama While attending the University of Alabama Ty has held several leadership positions On the field, he served the Million Dollar Band as Alto Saxophone section leader during his sophomore year and as Drum Major during j years Ty was also selected to represent the Million Dollar Band and the University Band department at University Student Government meetings and at functions such as the Alabama All State Band Festival, the Bands of America Regional Championship competition in Atlanta, and the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic in Chicago
Among his peers, Ty served as President of the University of Alabama’s CMENC chapter during his junior and senior years. On the stage, Ty was pianist for the Alabama Symphonic band and played several secondary instruments in the Tuscaloosa Winds community ensemble He also conducted the Tuscaloosa Winds during his junior year as winner of the undergraduate conducting competition
heo Vernon attended The niversity of Alabama 1980985, receiving a BM degree saxophone performance nd a BS degree in music ducation. He received his Masters of Music Education egree in 1991 from anderCook College of Music Chicago, Illinois. In 2003, e became the first Band Alabama to receive National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Mr Vernon was appointed Associate Director of Bands at Grissom High School in August 1985 Presently, Vernon works with the marching band, conducts the Symphonic Band II and directs the two Jazz Bands Under his direction the Symphonic Band II has never received less than an overall superior rating in any adjudication Under Vernon’s direction, the Jazz Bands have gained notoriety throughout the southeastern United States as well as abroad The Jazz Bands represented the state of Alabama for a twoweek Austrian tour celebrating Austria's millennium in June 1996 In 1999, the “A” Jazz Band was selected as one of 20 bands to compete in the prestigious "Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Festival and Competition" held at Lincoln Center in New York In 2002 the “A” Jazz Band was selected as one of four U S high school jazz bands to perform at The International North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, Holland Mr Vernon is a member of many state and national organizations including: ABA, MENC, NEA, NBA, Phi Mu Alpha, and the Alabama chapter of Phi Beta Mu; the national band directors’ fraternity Vernon has served as a District Chairman and IAJE president for the state of Alabama
AMEA Conference
University of Alabama
January 21-23, 2010
AMEA In-Service Conference/All-State Jazz Band
January 21-23, 2010 - University of Alabama
All-State Solo Festival
April 14, 2010 - Auburn University
District I
All-State Band Auditions District Honor Band State MPA
Solo & Ensemble Festival
District II
All-State Band Auditions District Honor Band State MPA
Solo & Ensemble Festival
District III
All-State Band Auditions District Honor Band State MPA
Solo & Ensemble Festival
All-State Orchestra Festival
University of Alabama
February 11-14, 2010
All-State Band Festival
April 15-17, 2010 - Auburn University
Summer In-Service Conference
June 23-24, Hilton Garden Inn, Orange Beach
January 29-30 Brewer High School
February 19-20...............................Bob Jones High School
February 24-26 Huntsville HS
March 24-26 Decatur HS
April 10 Liberty Middle School
April 24 Hartselle High School
January 16 Jacksonville High School
March 26-27
February 24-26
April 3 TBA
May 8..........................................Jacksonville High School
January 30...............................Muscle Shoals High School
February 19-20 Cullman High School
March 9-10 Cullman High School
February 11-12
Fall Workshop - September 11-12, 2009 - Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Birmingham
All-State Show Choir Auditions - October 1-3, 2009 - Birmingham
Honor Choir Screening - November 2-13, 2009
AMEA/Honor Choir/Show Choir - January 21-23, 2010 - UA Tuscaloosa
All-State Auditions - January 29- February 5, 2010
State Performance Assessment -March 22-24, 2010 - Birmingham
All-State - April 15-17, 2010 - Samford University, Birmingham
District VI
District VII
October 3
October 2 – AMEA Elementary Music Festival, Wright Center at Samford University
AMEA/AL AOSA Fall Workshop with Sue Meuller, Greystone Elementary 9:00 A M - 3:00 P M
November 12-15 – AOSA National Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 21-23 – AMEA In-Service Conference, Tuscaloosa
February 20 - AOSA Spring Workshop with Laurie Zentz 9:00
- 3:00
