February/March 2012 Ala Breve

ala breve

President Steve McLendon Dothan High School 1236 S. Oates St. Dothan, AL 36301

dhstigerband@aol.com

(334) 794-0146 School

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

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

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

President-Elect

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

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

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

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

hickokkaren@bellsouth.net

President, AVA

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

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

brdavis2@crimson.ua.edu

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

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

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

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

dbromley@forum.montevallo.edu

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

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.

As an abused child, who grew up in a poor family, music literally turned my life around. It later gave me a profession and helped me find my place in this old world. I am thankful to have been successful and fortunate enough to be able to reciprocate to a lot of students. If a youngster hasa burning desire to play a musical instrument and the parents can't afford it, or their credit is notworth a rip, the student still gets a musical instrument from my store, Capitol Music. After being in business for more than 56 years, well over a million dollars worth of instruments have gone out through special arrangements to worthy and deserving students whose parents could not outright pay for them.

All the way back to Socrates and the ancient Greek scholars, man has never devised a better learning tool than music. Music should be looked upon as a primary tool that makes kids smarter and enriches their lives. Through music we find happiness, improving our lives. The reward of learning music goes with us throughout life, even into old age, much more so than any other single subject in school.

Music is great therapy and many times it may be the best and closest friend you have. Through music we develop selfdiscipline, coordination of mind, nerves and muscles, teamwork, leadership, self confidence, self worth, mechanical skills, patience, self expression, creativity, and the ability to analyze and solve problems. All of this enhances brain activity and superior memory. Music is spelled "F-U-N" and much more so than any other single subject in school, it highly motivates students to stay in school. Once the student can hear the music in their head and then execute it on their instrument, developing their own style (not copying someone else), that is the type of imaginative and creative person you like to hire. You don't have to tell them everything to do . . . They are smarter!

The University of California at Irvine, along with some other major universities, has done a number of studies that have demonstrated that students who can't pass math, science, etc., can improve through music studies. Once they get the music experience under their belt, their minds develop making them smarter, giving them the ability to handle subjects that they could not previously pass.

With the looming school budget cuts and other restraints, we must not lose sight of what we should consider a most valuable part of our educational system. Band directors, orchestra directors, choral and other music teachers should be the last ones on the chopping block, not the first! These invaluable educators develop a very close rapport with their students and are sometimes the only positive guiding force they have in their lives. In all of life, we have to have balance. If you take music out of the schools, you will be taking a whole lot more than music. You will be taking a whole lot of students.

We must, at all costs, save this vital part of a well-rounded education - MUSIC.

- Jim Darby is owner of Capitol Music in Montgomery and a long time supporter of music education.

2012 AUDITION DATES

www.auburn.edu/music

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES

• Symphonic Band

• Orchestra

• Concert Band

• Campus Band

• Marching Band

• Percussion Ensemble

• Jazz Band

• Trumpet Ensemble

• Low Brass Ensemble

CHORAL/VOCAL ENSEMBLES

• Chamber Choir

• Concert Choir

• Gospel Choir

• Men’s Choir

• Conductor’s Choir

• Women’s Choir

• Opera Workshop

• AU Singers

DEGREES

• Bachelor of Arts in Music

• Bachelor of Music Education

• Master of Education in Music Education

• Specialist in Education in Music Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education

Steve McLendon AMEA President

To all Alabama Music Educators: Thank you for a magnificent conference. I’ve been attending our In-Service for over 35 years and I am still inspired by each one. I must thank the division presidents, FAME Coordinator Pat Stegall, and Executive Director Garry Taylor for a flawless and hassle-free experience. Members of the AMEA Executive Board worked tirelessly to make the conference successful. Each year, their efforts ensure that we can come together in a constructive atmosphere and leave with renewed strength and enthusiasm.

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser gave us an eloquent keynote address, but more importantly, he reminded us that we make a difference. Chances are that some of your students are succeeding in school because of you. I would venture to say that some would not even attend school

if it were not for that one music class each day that is an encouraging experience for them. We give students the chance to flourish and prosper. Remember that most of them will never say “Thank you” or “You made a difference,” but be confident in the truth that you are a positive force in many of their lives.

This is my farewell letter to you. It has been a true pleasure to serve as your president. The office has given me the opportunity to meet many wonderfully talented people across our state. It has renewed my faith in the future of music education because I see so many of you who are completely dedicated to the profession. Since this is my last article, it seems like I should say something that will count in a special way. Here’s my advice to you as music educators: Don’t limit yourself to just teaching music. Teach your students everything you know. Teach them why history is important, what it means to be a good citizen, how to lead others, what service is, how we can celebrate our differences, the value of education, how to make a point without making an enemy, what

respect is, why it’s our duty to vote, how to take care of others, the joy of giving, why hard work is rewarding, how learning is a lifelong endeavor, the importance of sharing, what culture is, how different international culture is, how art is expression, how a piece of music can speak so personally, how making music can be magical…My point is this: be yourself and be willing to share yourself with your students. Teach them what’s important to you and why.

Thank you for entrusting me with this office. I hope my service over the past two years has been effective and productive. Although my title in AMEA is changing, my passion and advocacy for music education is not. I leave you in good hands. Sara Womack is more than capable of successfully leading our organization. She is a hard-worker with a creative energy that motivates everyone around her. Once again, thank you for your trust and friendship. I leave with fond memories and a steadfast confidence in the future of music education in Alabama.

You are invited to come play with The

Champions!

Voice Track in 2012

To include OPERA SHOW CHOIR

2012

Crimson Music Camps

Jazz Camp: June 7-10, 2012

Piano Camp: June 10-13, 2012

Concert Band & Voice Camps: June 10-15, 2012

Be a part of one of the most respected summer music camps in the nation. The 2012 Crimson Music Camps provides instruction in the areas of Concert Band, Piano, and Jazz. Come and spend a few days on the campus of the University of Alabama with the outstanding faculty of the University of Alabama School of Music. Great friends, great teachers, and great music...an unbeatable summer experience for students in grades 7-12.

What: Crimson Music Camps

When: Jazz Camp: June 7-10. 2012

Piano Camp: June 10-13, 2012

Concert Band & Voice Camps: June 10-15, 2012

Where: University of Alabama School of Music

DETAILS:

www.bands.ua.edu/programs/crimson-camp

Alabama Vocal Association

Jane Powell, President

and bright eyed students during this weekend and they each were an encouragement to me to renew my own commitments.

On behalf of the Alabama Vocal Association I would like to thank the many directors, students, clinicians, board members and parent volunteers who came together to produce a very successful AMEA conference. The conference was well attended by our choral directors. Thank you for your positive and encouraging support of the clinicians that came to us to present some great sessions. Our new teachers were inspired by Paul Gulsvig’s intuitive approach to creating memories for our students as well as his “Ours Is A Calling” session that left us begging for more. Greg Gilpin and Rollo Dilworth were such positive, encouraging, interactive clinicians for teachers of all levels. We were truly visited by some of the best for this conference. The AllState Show Choir students had a fabulous experience with Paul Gulsvig and Santana Shelton from start to finish. They once again, worked very hard for 2 full days to produce a great show and gave the very best they had. Dr. Rosephanye Powell charmed and inspired and challenged the Honor Choir students and gave them an experience they will long remember. We just can’t thank these clinicians enough for what they brought to our students.

I spoke in my last article about the difference between commitment and involvement and I am once again drawn to that topic. When I watched these clinicians work and spoke with them it was clear that they were each committed to helping us improve our classrooms and helping the students reach new heights. I saw so many happy teachers

To our performing groups from UAB, UAH & Bottenfield Middle School I offer a low bow in your direction. Thank you to Brian Kittredge, Erin Colwitz, and Sherrell Huggins for your commitment to offering your students such an opportunity to excel. To our accompanists, Terry Moore, Karen Cantrell, Lana Cornutt and Cathy Shelton, thank you so much for the extra miles you went in preparing for such a responsibility.

I am blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love their students and their classrooms and that display a commitment to them and it inspires me daily. I am inspired by Lis Donaldson who once again stepped up with her choral boosters and provided food and sound equipment and anything else we needed behind the scenes. Never looking for or expecting any praise but just out of a committed desire to make all of the logistical aspects easier. To the AVA Governing Board and the AMEA Board for working together for a common purpose. I appreciate so much the servitude that this demonstrates.

As we move away from AMEA and look forward to the All-State Choir Festival we have many people committed to making this event the best it can be. We are indebted to the Samford University staff and faculty that are working to make our festival run smoothly for us. We are looking forward to meeting and working with our wonderful clinicians, Simon Carrington, Yale Emeritus, cofounder of the King’s Singers and now travels the globe conducting clinics and

All-State choirs; Sandra Snow & Jonathan Reed from Michigan State; Keith Hampton, church and community choir director from Chicago, IL; Joy Hirokawa, Bel Canto Children’s Chorus, Philadelphia, PA.

Many AVA choral directors are also preparing students for the State Choral Performance Assessment and Solo & Ensemble Assessment. So much commitment is involved in these preparations. Guiding these students to this level of performance is no small task and I admire each and every one who places their choirs on stage for this assessment process. This will be our inaugural flight with the new assessment forms and we are all anxious to see how this affects the adjudication process. By this publication several districts will have this experience behind them and we will have begun to analyze the effectiveness of the forms. I once again thank Carl Davis, Ginny White & Marvin Latimer for working to complete the process that was begun more than 18 months ago.

We remain committed to our advocacy campaign and bringing as much awareness as possible to the importance of music in the total education of those students who desire the opportunity. We are pleased to support the newly formed AMEA advocacy committee and are committed to working together to keep this campaign alive for the future of all programs.

Once again, thank you for your commitment to excellence in your individual programs and for your support of AVA events. I always look forward to seeing you and working with you for the good of choral music education in Alabama.

2012 AVA All-State Rehearsal Schedule

Wednesday March 7, 2012

12:00 noon AVA Board Meeting Wright Basement

OCS / OA Competition

Brock Foyer/Recital Hall

2:15 OA Registration

2:30 Male OCS Registration

3:00 Male OCS Competition

4:15 Female OCS Registration

4:30 OCS—Picture

4:45 Female OCS Competition

Thursday March 8, 2012

8:00-11:00 a.m. ASSC Rehearsal Wright Concert Hall

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Registration Wright Basement

11:00 a.m. Luncheon Meeting Wright Mezzanine (President, President-elect Clinicians & Coordinators)

12:00-12:30 p.m. ASSC Dress Rehearsal Wright Concert Hall

1:00 – 1:45 p.m. General Assembly Wright Concert Hall Directors & Students ASSC Performance

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 Band Hall

5:30 – 7:30

7:30 – 9:30

Dinner Break

All-State Rehearsals

Same sites as first rehearsal

11:00 p.m. Curfew

Friday---March 9, 2012

8:30 – 11:30 All-State Rehearsals

HS SATB Reid Chapel

HS SSA Brock Recital Hall

HS TTBB Bolding Studio

MS Mixed Wright Concert Hall

MS Treble Cassesse Band Hall

9:00 – 10:15 AVA General Meeting Flag Colannade Room 11:30

AVA Board/ Clinicians/Accompanists

1:30 – 4:30 p.m

All-State Rehearsals

HS SATB Reid Chapel

HS SSA Brock Recital Hall

HS TTBB Bolding Studio

MS Mixed Cassesse Band Hall

MS Treble Wright Concert Hall

4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner Break

6:30 p.m. Call Time-MS Concert (performers seated)

7:00 p.m. Middle School Concert

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Rehearsals in Wright Concert Hall

seated)

OCS/OA/ME District Winners in assigned seats in front of auditorium

OCS/OA/ME State Winners photo 1:00 p.m. High School Concert

2012 AVA All-State Clinicians

Simon Carrington has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in music, performing as singer, double bass player and conductor, first in the UK where he was born, and more recently in the USA. From 2003 to 2009 he was professor of choral conducting at Yale University and director of the Yale Schola Cantorum, a 24-voice chamber choir which he brought to national and now international prominence, attracting the interest of his successor, Masaaki Suzuki, director of the Bach Collegium Japan. During his Yale tenure he led the introduction of a new graduate voice degree for singers specializing in oratorio, early music and chamber ensemble, and, with his faculty colleagues, he guided two Yale graduate students to their first prize wins in consecutive conducting competitions at American Choral Directors Association National Conventions. From 2001 until his Yale appointment, he was director of choral activities at the New England Conservatory, Boston, where he was selected by the students for the Krasner Teaching Excellence Award, and from 1994 to 2001 he held a similar position at the University of Kansas.

Now a Yale professor emeritus, he maintains an active schedule as a freelance conductor and choral clinician, leading workshops and master classes round the world including two recorded on commercial DVD - at Westminster Choir College in the US (GIA) and at the Three Choirs Festival in the UK (Masterclass Media Foundation). He has

conducted the Monteverdi Vespers in Barcelona, the Fauré Requiem in Chicago and New York, Handel's Messiah in Dublin, Rachmaninov Vespers in Victoria, Canada, and Prokofiev's Alexander Nevski in Poland. He is a regular guest conductor at the Monteverdi Choir Festival in Budapest and the Tokyo Cantat in Japan and leads annual conducting courses at the Chamber Choir Festival in Sarteano (Italy), and the Yale Summer Festival in Norfolk, Connecticut. This season he has conducting engagements in England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Japan, South America and New Zealand as well as his customary round of performances in the US, and he gathers together his own ensemble, the Simon Carrington Chamber Singers for concerts and recordings.

as an adjudicator and clinician, conducting festivals and all-state choruses throughout the United States. In the coming year, he will conduct All-State and Honor Choruses in Texas, Indiana, Missouri and for the Northwest Division of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). As the National ACDA Repertoire and Standards Chair for Male Chorus and a board member of the Intercollegiate Male Choruses Inc., Reed is recognized across America for his leadership in men's choral music. Under his direction, the MSU Men's Glee Club has completed three European tours, and been an invited participant in the Midwest Music Conference in Ann Arbor, the 1998 Central Division Convention of ACDA in Detroit, and ACDA National Conventions in Chicago (1999) and San Antonio (2001). Most recently, the Men's Glee Club was invited to participate in America Cantat IV, one of only two American choirs invited to participate in America Cantat IV in Mexico City.

Jonathan Reed is professor of music and associate director of choral programs at the Michigan State University College of Music.

He also conducts the State Singers, the Men's Glee Club, and teaches Ensemble Conducting and Secondary Choral Methods. During the summer, Reed teaches graduate courses in Choral Conducting and Choral Methods. In addition, he supervises the directed teaching experiences of undergraduate choral education majors. In 1999, the Associated Students of MSU presented him with the “Outstanding Faculty Award.”

Reed enjoys an active professional status

As conductor, teacher, and scholar, Sandra Snow's work spans a wide variety of ages, abilities, and musics. She holds appointments in conducting and music education at the MSU College of Music, where she interacts with undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of conducting, choral pedagogy, and choral singing. She is a past recipient of the MSU Teacher-Scholar Award.

Snow conducts the Michigan State University Women's Chamber Ensemble,

High School SSA Chorus

Jonathan Reed

Simon Carrington

Sandra Snow

High School SATB Chorus

High School TTBB Chorus

a group that has appeared at consecutive conferences of the American Choral Directors Association (National Conference 2009; Central Division 2008).

She has held a principal residency with the Pacific International Children's Choir Festival and made guest conducting appearances with the 2009 Texas All-State Mixed Choir, the 2010 Southern Division Honor Children's Choir, and the New Jersey All-State Women's Choir. Snow has appeared as a headline clinician at various ACDA conferences, most recently Washington, Alabama, and Kansas. Upcoming guest conducting appearances include the Missouri and Montana AllState Mixed Choirs, the Minnesota All-State Women's Choir, and interest sessions at the 2011 national conference of the American Choral Directors Association.

Snow is author of the DVD " ConductingTeaching: Real World Strategies for Success" published by GIA (2009), a resource for conductor-teachers at all levels of teaching. She edits the choral music series In High Voice published by Boosey & Hawkes and is a member of the Choral Music Experience Choral Teacher Certification Board.

Mixed Chorus

Dr. Keith Hampton (affectionately known as "Doc") is a conductor, composer, educator, church musician, organ performer, adjudicator, and workshop clinician. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Chicago Community Chorus (CCC). In addition, he is the Director of Music of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Country Club Hills, Illinois and

president of Dr. KT Productions, Inc., Chicago, Illinois.

Classically trained as an organist and as a conductor, Dr. Hampton has taught students from nursery through college levels, served as Director of Music at churches of various denominations and is often sought after as a guest conductor and workshop clinician throughout the US, Germany, Trinidad, and Africa. In October of 2010, the North Central American Choral Directors Association selected Dr. Hampton as one of the top 25 Contemporary Composers "whose composition, Praise His Holy Name, should be standard repertoire for choirs today and for the next 25 years."

Keith Hampton has guest-conducted the Virginia All State Honors' Choir, the Georgia All State Collegiate Chorus, Rhode Island All-State Chorus, ACDA's Eastern Division High School Honor's Choir, Baltimore All-County High School Chorus, and the Pennsylvania Region I & VI High School Choirs.

Dr. Hampton earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey; a Master of Arts Degree from Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania; and a Doctor of Music Degree in Church Music from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. He was twice chosen as one of 14conductors to participate in the Oregon Bach Festival Conducting Master classes. The festival is held at the University of Oregon under the direction of Helmuth Rilling and Thomas Somerville. He also was chosen to conduct in an a cappella music workshop sponsored by Chorus America.

At Dr. K.T. Productions, Inc., he provides music transcriptions of Black Gospel Music with the use of Finale by Coda Music, he has produced the CD, Celebrate (2009), and has published the book, Praise His Holy Name … And Other Songs in the Gospel Style, for release in the spring of 2011. As a published composer, Dr. Hampton’s arrangements of spirituals and gospel songs can be found at Augsburg Fortress Press, Choristers Guild,

earthsongs Publications, Hinshaw Music and Dr. K.T. Productions.

Middle School

Treble Chorus

Joy Ondra Hirokawa is the founder and Artistic Director of The Bel Canto Children’s Chorus. She earned a Bachelors degree with honors in Music Education from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA and a Masters degree in Choral Conducting, also from Temple University. She has completed postgraduate work in children’s choral conducting and is currently a DMA student in Music Education at Boston University, nearing completion of her studies. She was a Conducting Fellow at the first Chorus America Orchestral Conducting Workshop for Children’s Choir Directors in 2004, and was a conducting Associate at the 2006 Chorus America Choral-Orchestral Conducting Masterclass. Mrs. Hirokawa is a frequent guest conductor and clinician, presenting regularly at NAfME and PMEA conferences and conducting numerous honors choirs, including the ACDA-PA All State Middle School Honors Choir in 2007 and the ACDA-PA All State Women’s Honor Choir in 2008. Under her direction, The Bel Canto Children’s Chorus has performed locally, nationally and internationally, and has appeared at ACDA, NAfME, and PMEA conferences. Mrs. Hirokawa is also a published arranger, specializing in authentic jazz arrangements for treble voices. Mrs. Hirokawa is currently Visiting Professor of Music Education at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, following 20 years of public school teaching.

KeithHampton

Joy Ondra Hirokowa

Middle School

How To: Tips That Click

Keep Instrumental Students Growing and Progressing

A unique challenge for band directors is keeping students motivated and moving forward in musical growth. A happy band student is one that is demonstrating regular progress and feels challenged. Most band students have the same director for multiple years and under the wrong conditions, this might surely lead to stagnation or worse. What techniques and ideas do experienced directors employ to keep individuals moving at an appropriate level to boost the results of their performing ensembles?

James Thompson is now retired, but served as a director in this state for over 30 years. He taught at schools of all sizes and economic levels, but spent the most time in developing a very successful program at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and found an individualized curriculum idea there during his student days that has been widely used by instrumental programs in this state for many years. “I used challenges from technique books for chair placement and a Yale Ellis style course of study with chair placement being determined by the student who had completed the largest number of requirements in the highest level of requirements. Mr. Ellis was the Assistant Director to Colonel Butler at the University of Alabama. He was in charge of the Music Education curriculum for band directors, and having been a public school educator for many years, gave us ideas that we could employ immediately in a wide array of settings”. The Ellis “pass-off” system takes a student through

multiple levels or “classes” of musicianship, with each level requiring the student to perform proficiently on exercises specified in a logical progression of method books. Assessments and seating order can be determined in this manner, with good natured competition helping keep band members accountable.

Dr. Frank Blanton has taught as a high school director for over 30 years, and presently teaches at Mountain Brook High school. He provided a very helpful response to the problem of student motivation: “We do find that getting our students to consistently practice is challenging and often frustrating. One of the strongest motivators seems to be that of a focused purpose for practicing. This may include preparation for honor band or All-State auditions, a method book passoff system, or excerpt pass-offs from music being prepared for MPA. Another thing that especially seems to work well with younger students is after-school or before-school open practice, pass-off, and assistance sessions. This creates an atmosphere sort of like a "practice party" and has the effect of, "well if all of these other students are staying after school to practice then I should do it too".”

Technology innovations such as SmartMusic and iPads have certainly provided us with tools that put a fun aspect into practice, but there is really no substitute for teacher-driven feedback. One of my favorite stories involves Barry Lumpkin (creator of Audition Manager software). In the 80’s and 90’s Barry was the band director at Harding Academy in

Memphis, TN. He had an outstanding program that competed at the highest levels, but always had less than 40 students, grades 7-12. I travelled up there one day to see how he was accomplishing this and was astounded at his routine. EVERY day EACH student was responsible for playing one line out of a pass-off method book and turning in the cassette in a numbered slot in a rack outside the director’s office. At lunch, Barry would take the rack, listen to each tape in the rack, stop at the end and record several prescriptive comments to each child telling them to proceed or redo the exercise. He would put the rack back outside his office, and the students would pick up their tape each day. He had a special player that he could control with a foot pedal that would allow him to stop or play the tape at a higher speed. Barry had figured out that with his situation, he really could have no child in the band that was not making regular progress, and so he found a way to give feedback without stopping the entire class. One line a day does not sound like much, but wouldn’t any of us be pleased if our average student was performing and getting individualized feedback on 180 lines a school year?

Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster Fraternity is committed to improving quality instruction and advancement of bands in this state. Please email pemin@mac.com with any comments on this column or suggestions for future columns.

The AMEA Outstanding Administrator Award is presented to Dr. Jim Jeffers, Superintendent of Tallassee City Schools. Dr. Jeffers was nominated by Jerry Cunningham, Tallassee High School Choral Director. Jerry says of Dr. Jeffers, “He is an active and ardent booster of the music programs. He not only supports the programs financially but he also attends EVERY music activity at all the schools throughout the year”. Michal Bird, Band Director at Tallassee offers this insight into Dr. Jeffers. “He began his teaching career in 1962, fifty years ago this year. His father was a Baptist minister, and music was very important to the Jeffers family through the years. Jim learned to sing, as well as play piano and guitar. Later on, he taught others in churches and schools how to love and appreciate music”.

AMEA Awards

teacher and Arts in Education Supervisor since 2002. Mrs. Dorothy Richardson, Superintendent of Tuscaloosa City Schools says of Regina, “There are many proficient and dedicated leaders in education. There are also leaders who, because of their commitment to education and students, must be considered outstanding.” Highlights of Regina’s distinguished career include being named the recipient of the 2000 Druid Arts Award for Outstanding Music Educator, awarded by the Tuscaloosa Council on the Arts and Humanities, and selection as a 2011 Yale Distinguished Music Educator. Regina was nominated for the AMEA award by Dr. Anne Witt, music education and strings instructor at the University of Alabama. Anne calls Regina “a woman with unquestioned integrity and a heart for service to children. She truly gives all of us inspiration and direction.”

when he decides to turn in the keys to the old beaten up repair van”. Mike Stough, long time band director at Opelika High School, says of Joe, “To say that Joe is more than just an instrument salesman and a repairman is an understatement. Joe not only does an excellent job in these areas but he takes a personal interest in each student and students all love and respect him.

The 2012 AMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award is presented to Regina Noland. Regina taught elementary music in the Tuscaloosa City Schools since 1973 and served as both elementary music

The Barbara Odom Distinguished Service Award is presented to Mr. Joe Hull. This award is presented to a person who has clearly given a very special service to AMEA, and the service represents a long range commitment that, in every way, can be considered extraordinary and distinguished. Joe was nominated by Andy Pettus, Band Director at Hillcrest High School. Andy speaks of Joe, “He is a humble and selfless giver to the cause of music education in the state of Alabama. He will be sorely missed

Billy (Rip) Reagan is inducted into the AMEA Hall of Fame. Rip Reagan was the band director at Albertville High School from 1953 to 1954, Emma Sansom High School from 1954 to 1975 and Gadsden State Community College from 1988 to present. Mr. Reagan was nominated for this award by Ron Pence, Director of Bands at Homewood High School. Ron writes, “He has truly been a roll model for countless numbers of young musicians since he began teaching in 1953. His high school groups were always very entertaining and had success on the national stage at many competitions”. Larry Hicks, a former student, says, “I know that his most impressive accomplishment is the positive influence on the lives of the hundreds of students who were fortunate enough to come under his tutelage.”

Jim Jeffers

Joe Hull

Billy “Rip” Reagan

Regina Noland

AMEA MEMBERSHIP HONOR ROLL 2011-2012

The Alabama Music Educators Association is proud to present the names of those who have been members of AMEA and NAfME for 25 or more continuous years. The AMEA Governing Board, on behalf of the membership, initiated this program at the Conference 2000 with each honoree attaining 25 or more years receiving an award. This year, each person reaching the 25-year number plus those reaching increments of five years beyond that will be honored.

The strength of any organization can be demonstrated by the dedication and leadership displayed by its members. The greatest learning opportunities come to those members who become involved with the organization and offer to participate in leadership responsibilities.

Numbers following the names below represent the number of years of continuing membership - not the number of years of teaching. Many have now retired from active teaching, but continue to make contributions to music education and to AMEA in other ways. We congratulate this group of leaders and thank them sincerely for their efforts on behalf of music education in Alabama.

John M. Long - 65 years

Orland Thomas - 55 years

Merilyn Jones - 55 years

Darry Pilkington - 55 years

Thomas Smith - 45 years

John Papastefan - 45 years

Carmelita Gandy - 45 years

Ronald Lett - 45 years

Stewart Hampton - 45 years

Milton Welch - 40 years

James Merriweather - 35 years

James Rogers - 35 years

Rebecca Rockhill - 35 years

Virginia Matherly - 35 years

Grailor Price - 35 years

Young

Cheryl Clarke - 35 years

Rita Salzberg - 35 years

Frank Blanton - 35 years

Jerry Toole - 35 years

Diane Turner - 35 years

Jon Bubbett - 30 years

Russell Haag - 30 years

Rudolfo Barraca - 30 years

Jeffrey Hudson - 30 years

Tony Pike - 30 years

Virginia Carlisle - 30 years

Harold Powell - 25 years

Kathy Hughes - 25 years

Gene Swanner - 25 years

Pictured left to right: Joey Crittenden, Homewood High School. Tyler Entelisano, Hillcrest High School. and Gavin King, Opelika High School. Not pictured are Matthew Kundler, Vestavia High School, Nicholas Murphy, University of North Alabama and Alden Michaels, Hoover High School

Composers Competition Finalists

AMEA President-Elect Sara Womack

Advocacy in Action

Author and advocate Peter McWilliams wrote, “If you’re not actively involved in getting what you want, you don’t really want it.” AMEA is truly committed to furthering the state of music education in Alabama and has reenergized our efforts with the formation of a committee to develop a strategic plan for advocacy. We really want music education to make a difference in the lives of Alabama’s children and youth.

The advocacy committee has been working diligently to develop a survey under the leadership of Dr. Carl Hancock. The data received from the survey will help determine our “asks” when promoting music education to local and state officials by providing a more accurate picture of the state of music education in Alabama. Some information

that we will receive includes how many music educators are employed across the state and how many students are not serviced by certified music educators. This knowledge will empower our leadership to identify areas in need of improvement and will lead to a strategic plan for our advocacy efforts. When this survey is distributed in electronic format later this spring, please participate by completing the survey in a timely manner and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

The advocacy committee has also focused their efforts on the creation of an advocacy video with the help of ProCAT A/V. The video, which is available on the AMEA website and YouTube, showcases music programs and music education students from across the state, along with statistics and quotes regarding the benefits of music education. We encourage you to show this video at your performances, utilize the video as a recruiting tool, and email the link to your administration and local school boards. Our first venture into video advocacy was

a success and I know our future efforts will have a significant impact, as well.

The members of the advocacy committee represent each division of our organization: ABA – Tim Hammond, AOA – Clay McKinney, AVA – Kathy Hughes, Collegiate – Dr. Moya Nordlund, Elementary/General – Dr. Sara Womack, and Higher Education – Brian Vilunas. Please contact your representative if you have any ideas or comments regarding our strategic plan for advocacy or if you would like to help with future video projects for music education advocacy. Do you really want Alabama students to benefit from music education? Then, help us do something about it. What can you do to help further AMEA’s purpose and improve music education in our state? Let your representative know if you have an idea to share. Remember the words of Jimi Hendrix, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.”

Greetings future educators! I hope that you are all doing very well in all that you do. I can honestly say that the AMEA Conference this past January was a huge step in the right direction for NAfME Collegiate here in Alabama. Ten different universities from across the state were represented, and I sincerely hope that even more get involved with this great organization in the future. Speaking of the future, it looks very bright for this organization. I am very about the entirely new slate of officers that will be running things this next year, and I truly look

forward to seeing what great things they can do for NAfME Collegiate. I know it is pretty early in the spring to be thinking about summer, but I am sure all you have (I know I have been!). I want to encourage all of you to find some way to further yourselves this summer as future educators. Almost all of our great universities have summer music camps, and there are countless summer music camps across the country that we can all take part in. One of the things I look forward to most every year is being a counselor at the University of Montevallo’s Young Musicians’ Camp. It is such a rewarding experience, and one that I hope that all of you can take advantage of, if you have not done so already. The more we work with kids

before we get thrown to the fire in our internships, the less likely we are to be burned!

I would like to thank all of you for a great year as your president, and it has truly been an honor to serve you. I would also like to thank Skylar King and Heather Haynes for being great partners on the executive board and Dr. Moya Nordlund for keeping me on my toes this past year. There is also a huge thank you in order for the entire AMEA Executive Board. Thank you for being so supportive of our division, and I eagerly await to see what the future has in store for this organization! Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you all this year, and best of luck in all you do in the future!

NAfME Collegiate Dakota Bromley, President

JSU b&w Ad

“I have a dream…” Dr. King’s words and sentiments echo throughout our country in the hearts and minds of many people. The AMEA governing board is dreaming of a state filled with musically literate people who participate in music and support music in their communities. Just as Dr. King took action to make his dream come true, so is your AMEA governing board working to make its dream come true.

For example, advocacy has become an important focus of the board. Dr. Sara Womack and the advocacy committee, with the assistance of ProCat recording, created an advocacy video. Free copies of the dvd were distributed at the recent conference. Please use these copies of the video to promote music education in your area of the state. You can email Dr. Womack at sara@music.org for more information about the video. Another aspect of the board’s dream is an invigorating and informative state

Elementary/General Division

Beth Davis, President

conference. We continue to dream, think, plan, and seek to improve future conferences. Next year’s conference will feature the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in addition to outstanding clinicians and presenters to inform and inspire us to do a better job as music educators. The board continues to strive to have quality exhibitors at the conference. We need your help. Please contact your favorite vendors and invite them to participate in our state conference next year. There is strength in numbers, so we are encouraging all of you to contact vendors and encourage their participation.

Sometimes, despite our best intentions and efforts, we lose sight of our dreams. Disappointments and distractions can interrupt our pursuit of those worthy dreams, goals, and plans. A great opportunity awaits you. A workshop is coming soon, which will offer you the opportunity to recharge and refocus on

your dreams for yourself as a music educator and your dreams for your music students. Please make plans to join your colleagues on Saturday, February 25 for the AOSA workshop entitled Under Construction. The workshop will be held at Gwin Elementary in Hoover from 9:00 – 3:00. The presenters for this workshop are Randy Delelles and Jeff Kriske. These music educators will inspire you. It is an opportunity that you do NOT want to miss. You can email the president, Karla Hodges, at alabamaaosa@gmail.com for more information. See you there.

Until we meet again for networking, inspiration, and information, keep dreaming. Our students deserve our best efforts.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Wright Center at Samford University with Clinician Dr. Rollo Dilworth

Dr. Rollo Dilworth is Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at Temple University’s Boyer School of Music in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education, he serves as conductor for the University Chorale. Prior to his appointment at Temple, Dilworth served as Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at North Park University in Chicago, IL for 13 years. Dr. Dilworth holds degrees from Case Western Reserve University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Northwestern University. Dilworth has written and/or arranged over 150 choral works that are currently in print. He frequently serves as a guest conductor and/or clinician for honors, festival and all-state choirs throughout the United States and abroad. Dilworth is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and Chorus America. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and currently serves on the Pennsylvania ACDA State board as Director of Student and Youth Activities.

The cost of the Festival is $20 per student. Each school may bring up to 10 students, who should be elected by their music teacher based on the following criteria:

1. Students must be in fourth or fifth grade.

2. Students should demonstrate a high level of interest and participation in the local music program.

3. Students must be able to sing on pitch and follow a conductor.

4. Students must be willing to practice and memorize music before the Festival.

5. Students must exhibit self-discipline.

The performance pieces will be announced later in February or early March. There will also be a teacher workshop with Dr. Rollo Dilworth the following day on Saturday, September 29th. It will be held at a local Birmingham elementary school. There will be more information about the workshop to come in the following months.

Further information can be found on the Elementary/General Division website at www.alabamamea.org. You can also contact Festival Co-Directors, Cliff Huckabee, at cliffhuckabee@gmail.com; or Carlee Green, at carleemeans@mac.com; or Dr. Sara Womack, at sara@

Please fill out the commitment form and return it by Friday, April 13, 2012.

AMEA Elementary Music Festival

COMMITMENT FORM

Due by Friday, April 13, 2012

School:

System:

School Address:

School Phone: School Fax:

Music Teacher:

Home Address:

Home Phone: Home Fax:

E-mail Address: MENC Member Number:

How many students are you planning to bring to the festival?

Are you Orff-certified? (circle one) Yes No If yes, level completed:

Would you be willing to teach dance or instrument parts to your students in addition to the music? Schools that are assigned instrument parts will be responsible for bringing their own instruments.

Dance: Yes No

Instrument Parts: Yes No

Return by mail, fax or e-mail to:

The Montgomery Academy Lower School

Cliff Huckabee, Music Specialist

1550 Perry Hill Road

Montgomery, AL 36106-2691

Phone: (334) 462-3790 (cell/text message)

Fax: (334) 270-1462

E-Mail: cliffhuckabee@gmail.com

Meet the Candidates

Carl B. Hancock is Associate Professor of Music Education and Program Director for the Campus Band at the University of Alabama. Dr. Hancock works with graduate and undergraduate students in classes focused on music education, band methods, music psychology, and graduate research. Before coming to Alabama, he was Assistant Professor of Music Education and Director of the University Outreach Band at the University of Arizona. He holds a BME, MME, and PhD in Music Education with a Certificate in College Teaching from Florida State University. Dr. Hancock’s career as a public school teacher began in 1992 when he directed the band and choir programs at Santa Fe High School (FL). Later he became the first Director of the Sebastian River High School Band Program (FL) where he was honored by the Florida Bandmasters Association as a model of Young Director Success. As a lecturer and clinician Dr. Hancock frequently presents at state, national, and international conferences with recent engagements at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL; the MENC National Convention in Anaheim, CA; and the International Symposium for Research in Music Behavior in Barcelona, Spain. Upcoming presentations include the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) National Convention in St. Louis, MO. As a researcher Dr. Hancock works with the support from the National Center for Educational Statistics in the examination of present and past trends in the national supply and demand of music and arts teachers. Closer to home, he maintains ongoing investigations focused on conducting pedagogy, aesthetic responses to music, and the training of preservice music educators. His efforts to give back to the music education community includes ongoing service on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Research in Music Education, sitting on the Southern Board of the College Music Society, and guiding research efforts for the Alabama Music Educators Association as State Research Chair. Previous leadership roles include service as national chair of both the Learning and Development and the Affective Response Special Research Interest Groups for the Society for Research in Music Education and time spent on the AMEA Governing Board as State Advisor of the Alabama Collegiate Music Educators Association. Dr. Hancock is affiliated with several organizations that support education and advocate for music such as The National Association for Music Education, the Society for Research in Music Education, the College Music Society, the International Society for Music Education, and the American Education Research Association. He is a member of the national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda, and an honorary member of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

for AMEA President-elect...

Ken McGuire is an Associate Professor of Music Education in the School of Music at The University of Alabama where he teaches courses in music education methodology, assessment, philosophy, and history. He earned degrees from Syracuse University (Ph.D. Teaching, Curriculum, and Leadership), and the State Universities of New York at Binghamton (M.M. Conducting) and Fredonia (B.M. Music Education). Prior to his appointment at Alabama in 1998, Dr. McGuire enjoyed teaching vocal and general music in New York State public schools for ten years. Notable accomplishments during that time included an Excellence in Teaching with Telecommunications award from the public broadcasting television station in Binghamton, N.Y. (for utilizing the medium of public television to enhance music learning) and school appointments as Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Programs and Special Area Leader of Individual Assessment & Evaluation Reporting Systems. The two appointments provided significant opportunities to hone leadership skills across a wide spectrum of administrators, non-music and other arts teachers, parents, and community members. His interests outside the music classroom provided opportunities to work with and reach people with diverse backgrounds as well by coaching junior varsity soccer and varsity tennis. Dr. McGuire has presented original research and ideas at numerous state, regional, national, and international workshops and conferences. His articles have been published in Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Therapy, International Journal for Mathematics Teaching and Learning, Southeastern Journal of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, and Ala Breve including some that were highlighted in follow-up advertisements and discussions in Teaching Music and Music Educators Journal. He served the Alabama State Department of Education as a member of the Alabama Research Committee on Arts Education representing music education. With the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, he served on the planning committees and made presentations at Alabama Arts Education Summits 2009 and 2010. With AMEA, he served five years as Vice President of the Higher Education Division, four years as Chair of the Research Division, and two years as Chair of the BMI John Lennon Scholarship Committee. In Tuscaloosa, he served as Vice President of Tuscaloosa Arts Partners (TAP), a community service organization responsible for advocating full inclusion of arts courses into all Tuscaloosa city and county schools. He served nine years as Music Education Coordinator for the Northport Fine Arts Initiative, which involved teaching classes and supervising music education for the children in Northport’s five elementary schools. Dr. McGuire is a member of several music and education organizations including Pi Kappa Lambda.

Carl Hancock and Ken McGuire

Lea Hoppe is the elementary music specialist at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama where she has taught since 1995. At Randolph she is the director of the Randolph Young Voices, a choir for third and fourth grade students who performed at the 2008 AMEA State Conference. In 2011 the Young Voices Choir received praise and recognition from composer David Maslanka during the regional premier of his piece "Liberation". Hoppe's choir performed alongside the University of Alabama in Huntsville's Wind Ensemble for this audience acclaimed masterwork. Hoppe is also the conductor of the Huntsville Community Chorus Children’s Chorale and directs children’s choirs at First Baptist, Huntsville. She was the guest conductor for the 2011 Decatur All-City Elementary Choir. Hoppe is currently the treasurer for the Elementary/General Division of AMEA. Hoppe is a graduate of Samford University and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Alabama. In 2010 Lea Hoppe was presented the Harold J. Wilson Music Educator of the Year award by the Huntsville Youth Orchestra. She and her husband, David, are the parents of two daughters, Katie and Emily, both of whom are music educators.

for AMEA Recording Secretary...

Carla Gallahan and Lea Hoppe

The AMEA election ballot will be available on-line on March 1. The deadline for voting is April 1. Visit www.alabamamea.org. The link to the ballot will also be included in the next AMEA E-Newsletter.

Carla Gallahan is an Associate Professor of Music Education at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. She received the Bachelor of Music Education Degree, Master of Education in Music, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from Auburn University. As a member of the faculty at Troy University, her responsibilities include teaching music education courses, instructing the horn studio, and serving as Coordinator for Undergraduate Music Education Internship. Dr. Gallahan is the Executive Director for the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic and Honor Bands held at Troy University. Her teaching background includes eighteen years experience in the Alabama public schools. Dr. Gallahan is the Recording Secretary for the Alabama Music Educators Association and former chairman of District VI of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. She 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. Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Educators, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, College Music Society, and Phi Beta Mu.

for AMEA Treasurer/Registrar...Karen

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 200809 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 as well as the current treasurer of AMEA. 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 Hickoks are music educators.

Chris Walker – A native of Dothan, AL in his twenty-first year of teaching, Dr. Walker received his Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Science in Education from Troy State University. He attained his Ph.D. in Music Education from Auburn University while working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the band, music, and music education departments. Dr. Walker achieved National Board Certification on his first attempt in 2008. He was named as one of the top five secondary teachers in the Jefferson County School System in 2010. He has given clinics at the AMEA Convention, ABA Summer Convention, and the Jefferson County School System for incoming teachers, as well as many universities in the state of Alabama on program management, recruiting, classroom discipline, and middle school band literature. While at Troy, he served as Drum Major, Concert Master, and Clarinet Section Leader. He is much sought after as an honor band clinician, having conducted honor bands in many of the Districts, major universities, and counties in Alabama. Dr. Walker taught middle and high school instrumental music in Bainbridge, Georgia and Dothan, Alabama. After graduating from Auburn University, Dr. Walker worked at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida in various roles including Temporary Guest Service Manager, Booking Coordinator for the Candlelight Processional, and Guest Talent Coordinator. He is in his sixth year as Director of Bands at Clay-Chalkville Middle School in Clay, Alabama where he resides with his lovely wife, Jennifer and their five year old daughter, Veronica.

Hickok and Chris Walker

Higher Education Division Timothy

Phillips, President

Greetings fellow collegiate educators of Alabama!

I would like to begin this HED update by thanking those who worked so hard to make January’s AMEA Conference a success. Steve McLendon and Garry Taylor did a superb job organizing the various aspects of this multilayered event. From the HED area, special thanks goes to Dr. Lori Ardovino, secretary/treasurer, for organizing the HED recital. As usual, this recital showcased excellent performances by some of the finest applied music professors in the state of Alabama. Also, special thanks to the many educators who presented lectures sponsored by HED, and the many faculty

members who presided over these sessions. Your important contributions are very appreciated. And thank you to those of you who participated in and/or spearheaded our lobby performances. This is a relatively new addition to our conference and something that I hope to see continue for years to come.

The HED mixer was held at Dreamland Barbeque, just near the Convention Center on Friday, January 20 closely after the recital was finished. This meeting was a great opportunity for us to discuss some HED matters as well as enjoy some good food. This is always one of my favorite parts of our conference.

In the coming months, I would like to encourage applied music professors from our state to consider submitting an article for publication in Ala Breve. The “Call for Submissions” at the end of this update is really directed toward any of you who

would be interested in publishing in a peer reviewed format. Simply put, this just means that your article will be selected by a review committee prior to publication. It is an excellent opportunity for you to share your vast knowledge of your particular area of expertise with our readers.

In the brief business meeting at the beginning of the HED recital at this year’s conference, we had an opportunity to elect new officers to represent HED on the AMEA board. Congratulations to Dr. Lori Ardovino from the University of Montevallo for being elected President and Dr. James Zingara from the University of Alabama-Birmingham for being elected secretary/treasurer! I have no doubt that these officers will represent HED well and move us in a positive direction with their work. I thank them both for their willingness to serve.

This concludes my final update as President of the HED area of AMEA. The past two years have been an excellent experience for me and I have really enjoyed meeting and working with everyone on the board and with so many other HED folks throughout the state. I look forward to the coming years, where I hope to continue to participate in AMEA through publications, presentations, and performances. As always, I encourage each of you to continue your involvement in AMEA and to persuade your colleagues, especially new faculty members, to be active members.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Ala Breve is seeking submissions of research articles for the Summer 2012 “Special Research” Edition to be published during the summer, 2012. Submissions may consist of quantitative, qualitative, descriptive, historical, philosophical, or any other kind of accepted research conducted by university

faculty and/or active practitioners. The deadline for the submission is May 1, 2012. Submission Guidelines (adapted from the Submission Guidelines of Update: Applications of Research in Music Education) 1. Manuscripts must be research-based. 2. Manuscripts may present a single research study or a review of the literature. 3. Articles should be unique and not published elsewhere. In accordance with the Code of Ethics, submitting a manuscript indicates that it has not been published previously and is not currently submitted for publication elsewhere, either in its entirety or in part. 4. Authors should comply with APA ethical standards (www.apa.org/ethics/ code2002.html) and institutional and federal regulations in the treatment of human subjects. 5. Quantitative manuscripts must conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed., 2001). Nonquantitative and historical studies may conform to APA style or to The Chicago

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

2013 National Scout Jamboree Band Seeks Members

Held every four years, The Boy Scouts of America will convene their 18th National Jamboree July 14 - 24, 2013 at The Summit near Beckley, West Virginia. There 45,000 Scouts from all across the United States will gather for ten days of scouting and fun.

The sixty-member Jamboree Band will perform at ceremonies, events, concerts, and arena shows. The band will entertain the many thousands of Scouts and visitors to the Jamboree. Repertoire will include popular and patriotic music, marches, and pep band tunes up to grade 3.5. Scouts or Venture Scouts, male or female, ages 1625 are eligible. Adults (ages 26 and up) may apply. However initial preference will go to youth staff. There is no application deadline, however, positions will be filled beginning mid-May 2012 until all positions are filled so don't delay.

There will also be a Jazz Band within the Jamboree Band. Scouts who can double on set, guitar, bass, and keyboard are needed for the Jazz Band. Please pass this information on to any of

your students who may be Scouts. There is a flyer that you can download and post available at the Jamboree Band website. To learn more, visit the Jamboree Band website at jamboband.org or contact the

Director of the Jamboree Band, George Pinchock at (610) 519-6050 or George.Pinchock@villanova.edu.

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

Campus Connections

News and

Auburn University

from Alabama’s Colleges and Universities

Auburn University Department of Music is proud of the performance of Dr. Rick Good and the AU Symphonic Winds at the AMEA 2012 In-Service Conference in January. With guest euphonium soloist, Jason Ham and guest conductors, Dr. Corey Spurlin, Dr. Doug Rosener, and Mr. Jim Duren, Dr. Good and the ensemble presented a program of difficult, innovative, and interesting repertoire. Their exciting performance exhibited musicality and technical precision. We are honored by their invitation to perform for the 2012 AMEA Conference. We are also proud of the contributions of Dr. Rosephanye Dunn-Powell as she conducted the Alabama Honor Choir that presented a wonderful concert at the conference.

In February, the Band area hosted the Third Annual Auburn University Symphonic Honor Band Festival for Junior High and Middle School students and the 21st Annual Auburn University Symphonic Honor Band Festival for

students in grades 9-12. Featured guest composer and conductor Matt Conaway, as well as guest conductors, Connie Hammond, Audrey Murphy, and Chris Walker worked with the junior high and middle school students. The senior high students studied and rehearsed with guest composer and clinician David Gillingham, featured guest conductor, Frank Wickes, and guest conductors Jeff Bianchi and John Casagrande. Guest concerts were presented by the Pizitz Middle School Band conducted by Kim Bain and the Lovinggood Middle School Band conducted by AU Alum Joseph Heiberger. This year’s festival involved students from over 125 high schools and represented eleven different states. The AU Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, and Jazz Band also performed for the students who experienced a wonderful weekend of music learning.

In February we are delighted to host Dr. Julianne Baird, world renowned soprano, recording artist, and distinguished professor of Music at Rutgers University.

Hailed by the New York Times as “a national artistic treasure,” Julianne Baird will visit Auburn’s main campus February 20 and 21 to present a lecture and concert centered on her latest research project, the Jane Austen Songbook, which “weaves pertinent literary passages around a series of arias and late 18thcentury songs selected from Jane Austen’s own musical collection.

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. We are fortunate to be able to bring in frequent guest artists for concerts and master classes. 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. War Eagle!

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

Music study at Montevallo

Alabama Bandmasters Association John Cooper, President

What a tremendous Alabama Music Educators Association Conference we had!

I had the opportunity to hear at least part of every performance and all but one clinic and I felt it was one of our best years! That is due to you, our Alabama Bandmasters Association members, and the fine work that you do with your bands and in your effort to improve yourself professionally.

I am again reminded that our greatest asset as an organization is our individual members. Our District Chairmen work so hard this time of year in organizing AllState tryouts and organizing Music Performance Assessment; and they do this in addition to all their “regular” responsibilities as a band director. Each of you, after careful consideration of your individual band member’s strengths and weaknesses, have programmed and begun rehearsing music for Assessment. You are elevating your students musically, evaluating the progress of the previous day, and planning for the day to come.

I have always felt that this time of year was the most important time for each band’s future success. Hopefully, we each have the opportunity for sustained effort on quality music followed by assessment designed to improve our students as well as our own instruction.

If you are a new teacher you have probably settled into a routine. Take the opportunity to go outside your routine and have some experienced directors listen to your band –and don’t be afraid to have them do it before you are “ready.”

Two proposals have been submitted to the board, received a second, and will be discussed and voted on at our All-State meetings. The full texts of these proposals are below (page 30 & 31) in this edition of the Ala Breve and I would encourage you to read them carefully.

Proposal 2012-1 is a long proposal that comes to us from the committee to consider making changes in the All-State Percussion tryout procedures. It makes at least three significant changes in current procedure. First, it defines and equalizes each area of the audition (mallet, snare drum, and timpani). Second, it prescribes the use of

Proposal 2012-1 - All-State Percussion Revisions

Article XV, Section 2, Paragraph B:

Change the following sentence:

A student auditioning for the High School Bands must correctly play a minimum of seven (7) major scales with their related arpeggios, and a student auditioning for the Junior High Band must correctly play five (5) major scales with their related arpeggios to advance to the Prepared Studies and Sight Reading portions of the All-State Band audition.

To read as follows:

A student auditioning on a wind instrument or string bass for the High School Bands must correctly play a minimum of seven (7) major scales with their related arpeggios, and a student auditioning on a wind instrument or string bass for the Middle School Band must correctly play five (5) major scales with their related arpeggios to advance to the Prepared Studies and Sight Reading portions of the All-State Band audition.

Remove the sentence: “Snare drummers must successfully complete all of the rudiments to advance to the prepared Studies and Sight Reading portions of the All-State Band audition.”

Article XV, Section 2:

Add the following paragraph:

Membership in the Alabama All-State Bands for percussion students will be determined by district auditions in three areas: mallets, snare drum, and timpani. The audition will be broken down as follows:

Mallet scales: 20%, Mallet prepared etude: 40%, Mallet sightreading: 40% Snare rudiments: 20%, Snare prepared etude: 40%, Snare sightreading: 40% Timpani tuning: 20%, Timpani prepared etude: 40%, Timpani sightreading: 40%

time limits in the area of scales/rudiments during the audition. Third, it eliminates the scales and rudiment barrier during the audition. Proposal 2012-2 eliminates the Third Year Provision in our current AllState legislation. It will only affect ninth grade students who are enrolled in a middle school/junior high in which band instruction begins in the seventh grade.

At our AMEA Board Meeting, the board approved the use of audition music composed specifically for our All-State auditions. Students will no longer be using three excerpts from method books, but rather be using two exercises composed for our auditions. These exercises, with the exception of the percussion exercises, are now online. The percussion exercises are now being reviewed and will hopefully be online by April. Please continue to watch the AMEA/ABA website in the coming months. Changes will be made to make the rules and requirements clearer to students and more convenient to the band directors.

Enjoy this time of year as you see the weekly improvement of your students! Good luck at Music Performance Assessment!

Each instrument will be one third of the student’s total score.

Mallet scales:

Senior high students will play 12 major scales and arpeggios two octaves, as well as the A melodic minor and C harmonic minor scales two octaves within the time limit prescribed by the music selection committee. Middle school students will play 12 major scales and arpeggios one octave, as well as the A melodic minor and C harmonic minor scales one octave within the time limit prescribed by the music selection committee. Students will be awarded points for every scale and arpeggio they successfully complete within the allotted time limit. No percussion student will be eliminated from the All-State audition for failing to perform a minimum number of scales.

Snare drum rudiments:

Single stroke roll

Long roll (double stroke roll)

Each snare drum rudiment should be performed open-closed-open (slow-fastslow) with a smooth transition. Students should take no longer than 1 minute to perform each rudiment.

Timpani tuning:

Students will be allotted 1 minute to tune the timpani for the prepared etude. Students may use any pitch source they wish as many times as they wish within the allotted time limit. For evaluation purposed, the tuning process must be audible to the judges. Once students have begun performing the prepared etude, they are not allowed to use any outside pitch source. The tuning procedure will be repeated for the sightreading etude.

Submitted by the All‐State Percussion Revision Committee Clay Sloan, Chair, Austin High School

2012 ABA All-State Schedule

ALABAMA ALL-STATE SOLO FESTIVAL, APRIL 11, 2012

Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 12:00 PM – Auditions - Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center

Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 7:30 PM, Finals Concert - Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center

ALABAMA ALL-STATE BAND FESTIVAL, APRIL 12-14, 2012

Hotel - Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel, Mobile

Thursday & Friday Rehearsals – Mobile Convention Center

Saturday morning rehearsals – Mobile Civic Center

Saturday afternoon Concert – Mobile Civic Center

All-State 2012 ScheduleMobile, ALApril 12-14, 2012

Thursday, April 12, 20121:00 pm – 6:00 pmExhibits open

Friday, April 13, 20128:30 am –

April 14,

Saturday, April 14, 20121:00 pmConcert (All bands, Civic Center)

Proposal 2012-2 Third Year Provision

Article XV, All-State Festival and Auditions

Section 2, Paragraph C:

Delete sub paragraph (1) which reads:

1) 3rd year provision – Any ninth grade student enrolled in a band program in which band begins in grade 7 will be eligible to try out for the Middle School Band. All other ninth graders must try out for Red, White and Blue Bands. This takes effect in the 2008-9school year.

Rationale: The 3rd year provision has created an uneven playing field for middle school students. Additionally, some directors have misinterpreted the legislation as it is written which has created problems for students at the District All-State audition. It is my belief that students throughout the state will be better served by deleting this provision from our bylaws.

Submitted by Terry Ownby, Muscle Shoals Middle School

2012 ABA All-State Clinicians

and Director of Bands at The University of Tennessee-Martin. He has guest conducted in Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ireland, Singapore, and throughout the eastern United States. Dr. Gausline is published in the journals for the National Band Association and World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, School Band and Orchestra Magazine, Keynotes Magazine, and several publications offered by GIA publications, Inc. Commissioning projects include works by Michael Torke, Joel Puckett, James Syler, Daniel Bukvich, and Rob Smith. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Miami in Coral Gables and taught in the public schools of Florida.

chamber music, and was from 2003 to 2008 Associate Director of the UT Butler School of Music. As Music Director of the UT Chamber Winds, Dr. Hanna has led performances of that ensemble at the 2002 and 2004 College Band Directors National Association Southwestern Division Conferences. Dr. Hanna is also the director of The University of Texas Longhorn Music Camps, serves as faculty sponsor for the Alpha Tau chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, and serves as Editor of the College Band Directors National Association Report. He is arranger and editor of numerous works for winds, and regularly authors program notes for a wide variety of performances, including an upcoming CD release by the Cavell Trio.

Dr. Gregg Gausline is Associate Director of Bands at The University of Georgia where he is the conductor of the UGA Wind Symphony, teaches courses in advanced conducting, and is chair of the conducting area. Prior positions include Director of Instrumental Studies at Indiana/Purdue University-Fort Wayne

Scott S. Hanna serves as Assistant Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin, Music Director and Conductor of the Symphony Band and Associate Director of the Longhorn Band. He teaches courses in conducting and

Dr. C. David Ragsdale is the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama. In addition to his university teaching responsibilities in the areas of music education and conducting, Dr. Ragsdale conducts the Huntsville Youth Orchestra, the Huntsville Chamber Winds, and is an avid conductor and clinician throughout the Southeast. Additionally, Dr. Ragsdale is a contributing author for McGraw Hill’s “Experience Music” textbook and GIA Publication’s popular “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band” textbook series and is a producer of two compact discs in national circulation on the Naxos Classical Music label.

Prior to UA Huntsville, Dr. Ragsdale served as the Associate Director of Bands for the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami where he directed the internationally-acclaimed "Band of the Hour" Marching Band for the Miami Hurricanes. In 2004, Dr. Ragsdale was

Red Band

White Band

Blue Band

inducted into the Iron Arrow Society, the highest honor attainable at the University of Miami by any student, faculty member, or alumnus.

Dr. Ragsdale is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, the Alabama Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia – Professional Music Fraternity for Men, Pi Kappa Lambda – National Honorary Music Fraternity, Kappa Delta Pi – National Honorary Education Fraternity, and holds honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma – National Band Fraternity.

Dr. Ragsdale holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Appalachian State University (NC), a Master of Music degree from Winthrop University (SC), and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami (FL). He and his wife Jennifer, Middle School Band Director at Randolph School, currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama along with their daughters, Ella and Anna.

were one of the first recipients of the “Sudler Cup”, a national award presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, recognizing Junior High Band programs of special merit in the United States and Canada.

During her 30 year career Pat served the music profession in many state and regional offices and was recognized nationally for her accomplishments. She was the first woman elected President of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, was Chairman of the North American Band Directors Coordinating Council and served as President of Women Band Directors International. Pat received the “Citation of Merit”, “Scroll of Excellence” and “Silver Baton” awards from Women Band Directors International, Tau Beta Sigma’s “Outstanding Service to Music” award, was a two time recipient of the “Citation of Excellence” from the National Band Association and the “Award of Excellence” from the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. She also received the “Legion of Honor” from Bandworld Magazine and the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Pat has conducted District and All State Bands in North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, Indiana and Oregon. She has also served as an adjudicator, clinician and lecturer

throughout the United States and Canada.

In 1979, Pat became the Founding Director and Conductor of the Asheville Community Band. Upon her retirement from this organization in 1996, the band members appointed her Director Emeritus and created the Patricia L. Garren Music Education Scholarship to be given annually to a student pursuing a degree in Instrumental Music.

In appreciation for her achievements and contributions to music education, Pat was given an Honorary Life Membership in the North Carolina Music Educators Association, was presented the “Distinguished Alumni Award” from the School of Music at East Carolina University, inducted into the North Carolina Bandmasters Hall of Fame, received Women Band Directors

International highest award, The Golden Rose and is the sixth woman conductor to be inducted into their Hall of Fame.

She is married to William (Bill) R. Garren, a retired nurseryman. In their leisure time they enjoy traveling and have visited all seven continents. Pat is an avid golf and tennis player as well as a certified USTA umpire. She received the SC Tennis Association’s “Tennis Umpire of the Year” award for 2005.

Patricia Garren is a graduate of East Carolina University with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Instrumental Music Education. Her teaching career began in Asheville, North Carolina where she directed the Junior High Concert and Symphonic Bands. Her Symphonic Bands premiered three commissioned works for band by Robert Jager, John O’Reilly and Anne McGinty. They performed for numerous band associations and conventions including the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and

Middle School Band

AMEA Meeting Minutes

January 18-20, 2012

Montgomery Renaissance Hotel, Montgomery, Alabama

AMEA Governing Board Meeting Minutes

January 18, 2012

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel

The AMEA Governing Board met at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama on January 18, 2012. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by AMEA President Steve McLendon. Present at the meeting: Steve McLendon, Sara Womack, Carla Gallahan, Garry Taylor, Pat Stegall, Benny Ferguson, Karen Hickok, Clay McKinney, Beth Davis, Jane Powell, John Cooper, Tim Phillips, Dakota Bromley, and Moya Nordlund. The minutes of the August 27, 2011 meeting of the AMEA Governing Board were read by Recording Secretary, Carla Gallahan. The minutes were amended and approved.

The financial report was presented by Garry Taylor. The report was discussed and approved as submitted. President McLendon welcomed the Board and introduced Benny Ferguson, the Southern Division President of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Officer, Representative, and Division Reports were presented and may be viewed online by visiting our website, www.alabamamea.org

Old Business

Conference Registration – Pre-registration will be separate from on-site registration in an effort to make the registration process more efficient. A credit card reader is available for Paypal. Pre-registration packets for Board members are available for pick-up at the conclusion of the meeting.

Advocacy – Each Division has a representative on the Advocacy Committee. They are working to develop a clear picture of music education in the state. Dr. Carl Hancock is working with the committee to develop, distribute, and review a survey on music education issues, teachers, and AMEA services. The survey will be piloted in the lobby at the 2012 AMEA In-Service Conference. Dr. Womack presented the Advocacy DVD that has been created. The DVD will be available at the Conference and will be played at multiple events throughout the Conference. It is also available on YouTube and Facebook. President McLendon acknowledged ProCat for their work on the Advocacy DVD. The Governing Board was encouraged to thank ProCat for their outstanding effort and contribution.

Future Alabama Music Educators (FAME) – The Governing Board will be introduced to the FAME Participants at 9:15 a.m. on January 19, 2012. The participants will attend the Keynote address, meet with Mr. Benny Ferguson, and participate in a session with Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser.

Division Checking Accounts – Each division is encouraged to address this issue and work toward achieving 501c3 status.

AMEA Awards – The awards will be presented Friday evening, January 20, 2012.

Future AMEA Conferences – AMEA will hold the InService Conference at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Montgomery, Alabama for the next three years. The 2013 Conference will take place one week earlier than the usual date. 2013 AMEA

Conference dates: January 10-12, 2013.

New Business

2013 AMEA Conference – A discussion occurred on the selection of the Keynote Speaker. The topic was tabled and will be discussed in detail at the Saturday, January 21, 2012 meeting of the AMEA Governing Board. Nomination Committee – The committee announced officer nominations for the upcoming AMEA officer election. The nominations will be announced at the AMEA business meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

2012 Music Education Week – This event will take place in Baltimore, MD.

Garry Taylor asked the Governing Board to contact him with concerns or needs throughout the 2012 Conference.

The next meeting of the AMEA Governing Board will be Saturday, January 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m., at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel.

President McLendon adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m. (Cooper, Phillips).

Respectfully Submitted, Dr. Carla Gallahan, AMEA Recording Secretary

AMEA Business Meeting Minutes

January 19, 2012

Montgomery Performing Arts Center

President McLendon welcomed the organization to the 2012 AMEA In-Service Conference.

A motion was made to dispense with the reading of the minutes and the financial report from the January 18, 2012 AMEA Governing Board meeting (Randall Key, Chris Walker). Passed.

Chuck Eady, Chair of the Nomination Committee, announced the nominations for the upcoming AMEA officer elections. A motion was made to close the nominations (Harry McAfee, Chris Walker). Passed. President McLendon adjourned the Business meeting and introduced the 2012 AMEA In-Service Conference Keynote Speaker, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser.

Respectfully submitted, Dr. Carla Gallahan, AMEA Recording Secretary

AMEA Governing Board Meeting Minutes

January 21, 2012

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel

The AMEA Governing Board met at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama on January 21, 2012. The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by AMEA President Steve McLendon. Present at the meeting: Steve McLendon, Sara Womack, Carla Gallahan, Garry Taylor, Pat Stegall, Karen Hickok, Clay McKinney, Beth Davis, Jane Powell, John Cooper, Tim Phillips, Dakota Bromley, Jody Powell, and Moya Nordlund.

A motion was made to dispense with the reading of the minutes and financial report from the January 19, 2012 AMEA General Business meeting (Cooper, Phillips). Passed.

President McLendon thanked the Board for the outstanding AMEA In-Service Conference. All

outgoing Governing Board members were recognized for their service.

Conference Discussion

Karen Hickok requested a list of all members who preregistered approximately two weeks before the upcoming 2013 AMEA Conference. She identified a few issues with pre-registration that are being addressed. Approximately 500 conference attendees pre-registered and approximately 216 attendees registered on-site.

Garry Taylor asked the Board to share issues/concerns about the conference that need to be addressed for next year. A discussion occurred on the possible implementation of a Treasurer/Registrar Elect position on the AMEA Governing Board.

Pat Stegall talked to each exhibitor during the conference. A discussion on the exhibit layout occurred.

John Cooper suggested reserving a larger room for the performance of percussion ensembles in the future, possibly on stage. A discussion occurred on possible changes in the Jazz Band Rhythm Section audition. Jane Powell addressed concerns with recording issues for the clarification of procedures.

Jody Powell suggested displaying the AMEA logo and other announcements on a screen in the Concert Hall before performances.

A recommendation was made to have the piano in the Concert Hall tuned during the Conference since moving the piano for the different performance ensembles impacts the tuning.

Tim Phillips suggested moving the Higher Education Division events back to Thursday and Friday for the 2013 Conference. He also suggested moving the Recital to the Concert Hall.

A suggestion was made to eliminate the division from the event listing in the conference program. All members may attend any of the sessions.

A discussion occurred on the Advocacy DVD. The Elementary/General Music Division requested their room be set up differently for some of the sessions. A request was made to include longer sessions in the future and Mr. Taylor encouraged the division presidents to be creative with scheduling to accommodate the needs of their division.

New Business

The upcoming AMEA Elections will be held online from March 1-April 1, 2012 (Cooper, Davis). Passed. The next meeting of the AMEA Governing Board will be held on June 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel.

A motion was made to bring the Alabama Symphony Orchestra to the 2013 AMEA Conference (McKinney, Bromley). Passed.

Garry Taylor thanked the Board for their service, requested conference photos be sent to him, and reminded everyone of the upcoming Ala Breve publishing deadline.

President McLendon adjourned the meeting at 2:52 p.m. (Phillips, Nordlund).

Respectfully Submitted, Dr. Carla Gallahan, AMEA Recording Secretary

The Advantages of Arranging/Composing for Music Educators

By Timothy Beattie

Since I started arranging and composing music I have seen noticeable gains in my efficacy as a music educator. After reflecting on this fact, I believe I have discerned the reasons this occurred. The primary reason for this improvement was the better understanding of musical elements. The main elements of music that became clearer to me (and therefore my students) were form, priority of instrumental voices, and the technical concerns of specific instruments. It is because of these that I would like to encourage music educators to arrange or compose for their ensembles.

One of the first skills that can be honed by writing music is the ability to “chunk” the musical material. I have realized that there usually are not more than three or four musical ideas at once, and knowing this I can diagnose problems more quickly. This faster diagnosis helps keep the pace

of the rehearsal up which most music educators will agree is crucial to being efficient.

Once the separate musical ideas are seen more clearly, then you are able to prioritize (balance) the voices. Balancing the voices is also achieved through familiarity with timbre. Oftentimes I will tell students to write the name of the instrument, in their music, that they need to allow to dominate at that point in the music. Most of the time this works better than just telling them to balance repeatedly. I believe this is because the idea of balance can be a little too abstract for some students .

One of the last benefits of writing for your groups is gaining a better understanding of technical concerns. Testing my pieces out with my students has enlightened me to the fact of difficult fingerings, range

issues, and nonidiomatic patterns. Some of these concerns caused me to rewrite; while other parts I kept helped me to anticipate these technical concerns.

I understand that not everyone is a composer or has the time to arrange music, but I would highly encourage an occasional foray into this world. If you’re like me, you will come back to other music with “new ears”, and will also gain a better ability to create the ensemble sound you desire.

- Timothy Beattie is the Assistant Band Director at Davidson High School in Mobile.

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Russellville’s Alex Richey

Selected for All-American Marching Band

Noteworthy...

On Saturday, Stanley made the Alabama All-State Red Band for the third year in a row, which is a tremendous acomplishment. Only two students from our district are chosen for the top two spots, which is impressive enough.

But consider this: last weekend, Stanley was also featured in the Alabama All-State Gold Jazz Band, where he was among the top jazz trombone players in the state. Earlier this year, he made Alabama AllState Honor Choir.And next week, he will be one of two trombone players chosen to perform in the Alabama AllState Orchestra.

Stanley Lacey in its music department. Now that he has met the goals of being in all four All-State ensembles, what’s next for Stanley? Perhaps not surprisingly, he is hoping to pursue a career in music performance and education.

Russellville High School percussionist

Alex Richey was selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. The All-American Bowl is the premier high school football game in the nation. Produced by All American Games, this Bowl features the nation's top high school senior football players and marching musicians. Student selected as one of the 125 All-American Marching Band members received an all-expensespaid trip to San Antonio, TX to march in the halftime performance of the AllAmerican Bowl at the Alamodome.

Tallassee Student

Selected to All Four All-State Ensembles

Stanley Lacey of Tallassee just accomplished something no THS student has ever done – and, to our knowledge, few in the state of Alabama have, either.

Stanley has spent his high school career learning any – and every – instrument he could find, and for the past two years has arranged the music the Pride of Tallassee performed in their halftime shows.He plays trombone in the Montgomery Youth Orchestra, piano in a local rock band called The Soul Survivors, guitar and mandolin in the FFA String Band, euphonium in the THS Wind Ensemble, and sings tenor and baritone in the THS Choir.Last year, he played Sousaphone in the marching band and bass trombone in the jazz band, as well.He is also a substitute piano accompanist at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Tallassee.

The music department in Tallassee consists of Jerry Cunningham, Chairman and Choral Director; Adam Moxley, Assistant Choral Director; Robby Glasscock, High School Band Director; and Michael Bird, Middle School Band Director.Superintendent Dr. Jim Jeffers was named the Alabama Music Educators Association “Administrator of the Year” for 2011-2012.

Stanley has also participated in honor bands through the years at Troy University, University of Alabama, and Auburn University.After several years of lessons with his middle school band director, he studied privately with Dr. Doug Bristol at Alabama State University and Dr. Matthew Wood at Auburn University.

Tallassee has been fortunate to have

School Band & Orchestra’s 14th annual “50 Director’s Who Make a Difference” included AMEA’s own Steve McLendon, Band Director at Dothan High School.

Responding to questions about teaching philosophy, making a difference in students’ lives, and the most important lesson they’ve learned in their careers as educators, the directors, instructors, and teachers who make up the 2011 “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” present an uplifting mosaic of school music programs nationwide. McLendon’s responses are below:

Teaching philosophy:

I love music. My goal as a music educator is to share that passion and love for music. Through music I hope to help each student I teach be a better musician, appreciate music more, improve their self discipline, and build on their self esteem.

Making A Difference In Students’ Lives: I hope I’ve instilled a level of discipline

Steve McLendon Featured in “50 Directors Who Make a Difference

Stanley Lacey

Steve McLendon

Left to right: Russellville HS Band Director Gary McNutt, Alex Richey, and Scott Stephenson, Russellville HS Percussion Coordinator

with the band that helps them make better decisions and be better people throughout their lives. I hope I can lead them to be better friends, better spouses, and great citizens.

Most Important Lesson Learned: Never say Never! You have to take one day at a time, be prepared, and make the most of the moment.

2012 U.S.

Mr. Bobby Patrick was chosen as the 2012 National Band Director of the Year by the National Association for Music Education and the US Army on January 5th in an award ceremony held in San Antonio’s Alamodome in conjunction with the US Army All American Bowl.

community of Phil Campbell, Alabama, killing 26 residents. The high school was hit, with the band room taking a direct hit, losing its entire music library, the entire band facility and approximately 90% of instruments and equipment were destroyed. Through the donations of hundreds of individuals and many corporations through the Facebook page “One Brick at a Time” and grants from Warner Music and the Glee Give a Note Competition, the band has received approximately $225,000 in monetary donations, which has brought the band program back from the brink of extinction to a functional entity once again.

“The Army has a long, proud history of producing great leaders and outstanding musicians,” said John Myers, Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. “Mr. Patrick exemplifies both of these traditions, providing great leadership to young student-musicians. We congratulate him on being recognized as Band Director of the Year and thank him for all he does to make young Americans stronger, as musicians and as people.” The award was added to the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band program as part of its efforts to acknowledge the contribution of music education to the development of America’s youth.

Three Nordlunds Selected for Lutheran Music Summer Music Academy Faculty

For more than 30 years, the Lutheran Music Program in Minneapolis, Minn. has been proud to employ many talented string players as faculty for our annual Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival (LSM) in Decorah, Iowa. This summer, we here at the Lutheran Music Program are very proud to have hired not one, not two, but three Tuscaloosa, Alabama area musicians for our string faculty. As it turns out, they are all related! Samuel, Sarah and Caroline Nordlund constitute three-quarters of the string faculty for LSM 2012, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. With community as a core pillar of our mission at LSM, we are excited to make this summer a family affair.

Mr. Patrick is in his 16th year as a band director and his 11th year as director of bands at Phil Campbell High School and Elementary School in Phil Campbell, Alabama. During his tenure the band program has tripled in size. The program has consistently received Superior ratings at the Alabama State and District Concert Festival and has received numerous Best in Class and Best Overall Marching Awards. The band program has grown to add a jazz program and a winter guard and percussion program. The Phil Campbell Band Program has produced many All Area, All District and All State band members through the years, including producing two band directors.

On April 27th, 2011, a massive EF-5 tornado tore through the small

Mr. Patrick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of North Alabama, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He is a member of NAfME, the Alabama Music Education Association, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, the Northwest Alabama All Area Band Association (where he served as treasurer for 5 years) and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He lives with his wife Jodie and his daughter Kaitlyn (who aged out in 2011 as a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard) in Tuscumbia, Alabama. They are members of Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church where Bobby and Jodie teach 7th and 8th grade Sunday school classes.

Sarah Nordlund

Samuel Nordlund

Caroline Nordlund

Army AllAmerican National Band Director of the Year

NAfME President-Elect Nancy Ditmer, National Band Director of the Year Bobby Patrick, and General Freakley, U.S. Army

Phil Campbell High and Elementary Schools Are Big Winners in “Glee Give a Note Contest”

Phil Campbell High School and Elementary School Band Programs were announced as two of the winners in the “Glee Give a Note Contest” presented by Twentieth Century Fox Television, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and its new Give a Note Foundation. The “Glee Give a Note” campaign, started over 3 months ago, will distribute $1 million to 73 schools nationwide in grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to help save struggling music programs. Phil Campbell High School Band will eceive $50,000 and Phil Campbell Elementary School Band will receive $25,000.

“After the April 27th tornado destruction of our band room and practically every instrument, piece of equipment and piece of music was destroyed, all of our band students were at a loss. Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of people and band programs throughout our area, state and nation, we were able to make marching season a success. As we’re approaching concert season, the destruction of many of the instruments, music and equipment becomes painfully obvious. These grants will allow us to continue putting this band program back on its feet,” said Phil Campbell Band Director Bobby Patrick. Students at Phil Campbell High School and Phil Campbell Elementary School were among thousands across the country who created submissions in video form during an open call for entries in September. In October, the eligible entries were posted on www.GleeGiveaNote.com and put up for public vote for one month. During this time, students conducted massive grass roots efforts to win votes for their schools, reaching out to families, friends and communities to get the vote out. “Through the leadership of Jimmy Johnson,

a student at the University of Alabama and a member of the Million Dollar Band, Phil Campbell’s Facebook presence went from local to worldwide, spreading the word of this opportunity to thousands of voters. The entry for Phil Campbell High School received 69,368 votes, the most of any other entry. We can’t thank the thousands who voted, whether once or every day for the month of October,” said Patrick. Over one million votes were cast to help choose the finalists. A panel of NAfME members conducted a final round of judging and, together with the public vote, determined the winning programs.

“Our high school video entry was put in the capable hands of Chris Burns, a band parent and pastor of the Phil Campbell Church of God.” said Patrick. “We discussed the criteria and our vision and Chris took it and made a great video. We needed to show need and also show an emotional plea for help. Chris made magic for us.”

“Music education plays such a critical role in the development of our children, yet its place in our schools is not assured due to dire budget situations across the nation,” said Michael A. Butera, executive director of the National Association for Music Education. “Bold and generous acts, like FOX’s Glee Give a Note campaign, validate its importance and bring a sense of hope to thousands of educators and students. We are deeply grateful for the funding and the awareness this campaign has created.”

AMEA Presidents Past to Present

1946Yale H. Ellis

1948Walter A. Mason

1950Vernon Skoog

1952John J. Hoover

1954Lamar Triplett

1956Carleton K. Butler

1958Mort Glosser

1960Wilbur Hinton

1962Lacey Powell, Jr.

1964G. Truman Welch

1966Jerry Countryman

1968Floyd C. McClure

1970Jerry Bobo

1972Frances P. Moss

1974George Hammett

1975Frances P. Moss

1976S. J. Allen

1978W. Frank McArthur, Jr.

1980Paul Hall

1982Lacey Powell, Jr.

1984Johnny Jacobs

1986Merilyn Jones

1988Ronald D. Hooten

1990Ken Williams

1992Dianne Johnson

1994James K. Simpson

1996Johnnie Vinson

1998Michael Meeks

2000John McAphee, Jr.

2002Tony Pike

2004Becky Rodgers

2006John Baker

2008Pat Stegall

2010Steve McLendon

Hello from AOA. I hope your year is going well and that your spring performance plans are coming along smoothly. This is a time when we pull together to accomplish much and the expectations of our students are high. So high are the expectations of our students and their commitment to those expectations that we are bold enough to predict the future. At the time of this writing we are having the All State Orchestra festival. Usually as your president I would tell you that All State was wonderful and talk about how well it went, because by the time you read this it will have happened and be over. The question I take pause to answer is, “How is it that I am able to write such a thing?” ,“Why am I comfortable doing that?” I am okay with that because I know it will be great and I know that it will be great because we have great people in this state to lead it and we have great students who are up to the task with their talent and their energy. I feel lucky and honored to be surrounded by so many flexible and giving musicians.

in our program there are certain things that we believe should be and certain things that should not be. What those things are, are as individual as each of us. I challenge each of us though to think about this when it comes to our students, their playing, and their artistic achievement. What things should be and what things should not be, when it comes to their music making? Or, do we just accept what is, and move on. Like any well-designed, well-oiled machine, that is our greatest strength, our greatest asset while at the same time being

Cultural Arts Center in Dothan Alabama. The orchestra is open to all orchestra students living in the Southeast district of AOA. It is a bold new move like many things we have done these past twenty years. I hope that we continue to be mindful of what we are moving towards, that it will be of a quality and an expectation that meets or exceeds that of the rest of our artistic life and community arts involvement. I think we will. I think

The challenge I would like to give to all of us in the AOA to reflect on is this “Are the expectations of my students, high as they are, as high as those of my colleagues and community leaders?” When we think about community or outside involvement

our biggest stumbling block. There is a fine line between giving in, throwing in the towel, accepting mediocrity and moving forward to the next challenge with a fresh face because you know something better lies ahead. As a group we walk that line very well because we understand that moving forward and accepting mediocrity are not mutually exclusive. We are human so at times we fall too far to one side or the other but we always get back to the middle somehow. This is why we have grown, are still growing, have success and have wonderful students.

We have new string faculty in the state, we have new youth orchestras and we have new events. The Southeast district will be having the first of what we hope will be many district honor orchestra festivals in the state. This is new uncharted territory for our state or at least it is territory we have not explored in quite some time and that is very exciting. The Southeast district honor orchestra festival will take place April 27-29 with a final concert on Sunday April 29 at 2:30 p.m. in the

we will continue to walk that fine line between mediocre apathy and quiet resolve, with patients and ease as we always have. If the past is any indication, what lies ahead will be spectacular and we will continue to accurately predict a bright future.

All-State was excellent. It was the best ever. To everyone that helped you were fabulous. You know who you are and you know you are fabulous because you know we will be calling on you again and again. Students you were great, really great, you blew me away.

Alabama Orchestra Association Clay McKinney, President

Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra

AOA Clinician Sandra Dackow

Booker T. Washington Arts HS String Quartet

AMEA 2011 - 2012 Division Events

Alabama Bandmasters Association

AMEA In-Service Conference/All-State Jazz Band

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

All-State Solo Festival

April 11, 2012 - Mobile

District I

All-State Band Auditions

District Honor Band State MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District II

All-State Band Auditions State MPA

District Honor Band

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District III

District IV

All-State Band Auditions

District Honor Band State MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

All-State Band Auditions

District Honor Band State High School MPA State Middle School MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District V

All-State Band Auditions State MPA

District Honor Band

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District VI

All-State Band Auditions

District Honor Band State MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District VII

All-State Band Auditions State MPA

Solo & Ensemble Festival

District VIII

All-State Band Auditions State MPA

District Honor Band

Solo & Ensemble Festival

All-State Band Festival

April 12-14, 2012 - Mobile

Summer In-Service Conference

June 27-28, Hilton Garden Inn, Orange Beach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 17-18.................................Cullman High School

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

May 5 Muscle Shoals Middle School

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alabama Orchestra Association

Alabama Vocal Association

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

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

September 30-October 1 - Huntingdon College, Montgomery

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

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

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

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

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

VII

Elementary/General Division

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

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

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

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