The Official Publication of the Alabama Music Educators Association
Ala Breve is published four times a year (August, October, February & May) by the Alabama Music Educators Association.
ADVERTISING & COPY DEADLINES
August/September
(Back to School issue): July 15
October/November (Conference issue): September 15
February.March (All-State issue:)
January 15
May/June (Summer issue:) April 15
Unless otherwise indicated, permission is granted to NAfME 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 NAfME:
The National Association for Music Education is a voluntary, nonprofit organization representing all phases of music education in schools, colleges, universities, and teacher-education institutions. Active NAfME/ AMEA membership is open to all persons engaged in music teaching or other music education work.
Editor & Advertising Manager: Garry Taylor 1600 Manor Dr. NE Cullman, AL 35055 (256) 636-2754 editor@myamea.org
AMEA Governing Board 2024-2025
Dr. Phil Wilson President Ogletree Elementary School 737 Ogletree Road Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 538-9679 president@myamea.org
Lori Hart President, Alabama Bandmasters Association Guntersville High School 14227 US 431 Guntersville, AL 35976 (334) 797-1778 aba_president@myamea.org
Alicia Luttrell President, ELEM/GEN Old Shell Road School 3160 Heather St. Mobile, AL 36607 (251) 221-1557 aluttrell@mcpss.com
Joey Harbison Industry Representative Gadsden Music Company 607 Broad Street PO Box 132 Gadsden, AL 35901 205-910-2622 jmharbison@aol.com
Dr. Travis Bender President-Elect
Oak Mountain High School 5476 Caldwell Mill Road Birmingham, AL 35242 (205) 682-5267 president_elect@myamea.org
Amanda Slay President, Alabama Vocal Association Hoover High School 1000 Buccaneer Drive Hoover, AL 35244 (205) 439-1227 amanda.slay.ava@gmail.com
Stephen Foster President, HED Division Faulkner University 5345 Atlanta Hwy Montgomery, AL. 36104 (334) 386-7656 sfoster@faulkner.edu
Andy Meadows Alabama Department of Education Arts Education Specialist 50 North Ripley Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 (334) 694-4768 ameadows@ALSDE.edu
Dr. Russell (Rusty) Logan Executive Director 2020 Janabrooke Lane Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 663-1702 executive_director@myamea.org
David Raney Assistant Executive Director 25162 Hudson Bend Athens, AL 35613 (256) 651-8223
Dr. Rob Lyda
Immediate Past President Cary Woods Elementary School 715 Sanders Street Auburn, AL 36830 334-663-0898 past_president@myamea.org
Heather Holmes Recording Secretary Oak Mountain Middle School 5650 Cahaba Valley Rd Birmingham, AL 35242 205-682-5210 recording_secretary@myamea.org
Jordan Ford President, Alabama Orchestra Association Thompson Middle School (205) 685-8100 jkirchner.1223@gmail.com
Dr. Meghan Merciers Alabama cNAfME Advisor University of North Alabama UNA Box 5040 142 Music Building Florence, AL 35632-0001 (256) 765-4518 mmerciers@una.edu
Pat Stegall Treasurer-Registrar AMEA Registration PO Box 3385 Muscle Shoals, AL 35662 (256) 627-4661 treasurer_registrar@myamea.org
Garry Taylor Editor, Ala Breve 1600 Manor Dr. NE Cullman, AL 35055 (256) 636-2754 editor@myamea.org
The University of North Alabama Department of Music offers scholarships to qualified music majors and minors in all instrumental, vocal, and piano programs through auditions
Degrees Degrees Degrees
Ensembles may be eligible for a rdless of their academic major.
‣ Generous Scholarships Available for Music Majors and Minors
‣ All members of the Jaguar Marching Band receive a scholarship
‣ Music and Jaguar Marching Band scholarships are stackable with other USA Academic Awards
Audition Dates
February 8, 2025
February 20, 2025
March 15, 2025
April 5, 2025
USA
November 2, 2024
Jaguar Marching Honor Band
February 20-22, 2025
USA Concert Honor Band
April 19, 2025
Jag Drumline Auditions
April 26, 2025
USA Colorguard Auditions
Degree Programs
BM in Music Education
BM in Performance
BM with Elective Studies in Music Business
BM with Elective Studies in Specific Outside Fields
MM in Music Education
MM in Performance
MM in Collaborative Keyboard
Music Minor
Pat Stegall AMEA REGISTRAR
Joined? Renewed? Registered?
Are you one of those folks that likes to be ahead of the crowd? Would you like to breeze through the AMEA Professional Development Conference check in? If that’s a description of you, then it’s time to check out a couple of things that will make the process very easy. Everything you need is in one convenient location! Go to www.myamea.org and select the conference tab. Then, click Join or Renew your NAfME membership, fill out the conference registration form and make your payment
by PayPal or check, then go ahead and secure your hotel accommodations. One stop shopping! When you show up to the conference in Birmingham in January, you can check in, pick up your badge, and enjoy the clinics, concerts, and fellowship without the hassle of having to register on-site! It’s very easy and just takes a couple of minutes. Why are you still reading this? Get it done, now! See you in January!!! PS
SDr. Phil Wilson, AMEA PRESIDENT
Never Miss an Opportunity
everal years ago, I received a rather suspicious envelope in my school mailbox. While it was properly addressed to me, the return address was from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (they were still together at the time). What in the world would this group want with me? Skeptical that this was just another piece of junk mail that every teacher at my school received, I dismissed it as such. I even went so far as to drop the unopened envelope on my desk and left for the day. The next morning, I arrived at school and went through my typical morning routine prepping for classes when I noticed the envelope again. Expecting nothing, I opened the envelope to discover an invitation to attend an allexpenses paid conference in the state of Washington for educators across the country. Overjoyed by the invitation, but saddened that I almost missed the opportunity, I began making plans to attend. While chatting with some of my teacher friends across the state of Alabama, I learned that several of them had also received invites and were excited about the opportunity as well.
The Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching (ECET2) conference convened and brought me face-to-face with some of the best teachers in the country, sharing ideas about education and demonstrations of new and timely strategies to try. While not purely musical, I was able to transfer the knowledge to my classroom. While there, we were encouraged to stop by a photo both with white boards and dry erase markers and answer the question “Why I Teach?” Our pictures and answers littered the walls of the conference space as participants read them and became inspired to encapsulate the energy and bring it back to their schools. Prior to this meeting, I had not really thought about the question, but since then, the question continues to challenge me. For some,
the answer of why I teach continues to be the same year after year. For me in my continued quest to be a better teacher, my answer evolves.
As president of AMEA, these phrases “Why I teach?”, “elevating and celebrating effective teachers and teaching “(ECET2), and “best teachers in the country” remind me of the membership of AMEA. Your governing board uses the annual professional development conference to honor, celebrate, uplift, answer your why, and fill your toolbox with new and timely strategies to elevate your learning and your students’ learning. While we cannot always meet the needs of every individual teacher’s situation, we try our
best to address what we can. Imagine the opportunities you might miss if you missed our upcoming AMEA professional development conference? Don’t do as I did and wait to secure your spot. Do so today!
Southern Division Meeting
In early September, President-elect Travis Bender, Past President Rob Lyda, Executive Director Rusty Logan, and I attended the Southern Division annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Delegations from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, and Virginia and West Virginia were in attendance. One tradition at this
meeting has been joining colleagues from the Southern Division for dinner the night before the meeting. Initially, I planned to skip the dinner meeting and just drive to Atlanta on Sunday, attend the meeting, and then drive home, but what opportunities for comradery was I missing by not attending the dinner? Never wanting to miss an opportunity to learn from others, I attended the Saturday afternoon dinner and made great connections with our Southern music education association friends. Hearing some of the celebrations and issues they are having, which are like our own, let me know that AMEA is doing great things.
During the meeting on Sunday, we were challenged by NAfME’s President Deb Confredo, and others, to continue to reach out to our membership and beyond and encourage those who may not be associated with AMEA to learn more about our organization. She also shared NAfME’s efforts to create a mentorship model for states to adapt specifically for their own state and follow. More on this later. Are there music teachers in your district who are not members of AMEA? Are there fresh-out-of-college music teachers or those new to the music teaching profession who are not members? What can we as an association do to elevate, celebrate, honor, and assist these teachers further? What can you to do assist in this effort? Seriously and humbly, let us know. Never miss an opportunity to tap someone on the shoulder to celebrate them and make our profession and association stronger.
Professional Development Conference
In August, the AMEA governing board met to finalize the 2025 Professional Development Conference schedule. Delegations from each division evaluated and selected a varied array of sessions and concerts designed to encourage, inspire, honor, and educate. Our exhibit space will be filled with vendors so be sure to make plans to visit and shop. The halls of the BJCC will be filled with music as our lobby performers perform. Susan Smith, former AMEA President and current Southern Division President will be speaking at the Leadership Breakfast,
while Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser will serve as our keynote speaker at the general assembly and will fill other roles during the conference. Most importantly, opportunities for you to connect or reconnect with other music teachers from across the state will be available. Have you renewed your membership to NAfME and AMEA? Have you preregistered for the conference? Have you secured your hotel for the conference? All of this can be completed on our website https:// myamea.org/professional-developmentconference/. Never miss an opportunity to grow and learn with a community of music educators.
Capital Tunes
The Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Music Educators Association, and the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts encourage you to apply for your small ensemble to perform in the Rotunda of the Alabama State Capital Building during the 2025 Legislative
sessions in February or March. This opportunity is for public schools in the state to travel to Montgomery to showcase your small ensembles (no more than 20-25 students). Please see the AMEA website for more details and to apply. https://myamea.org/capitoltunes-celebration/.
During my tenure as president, one of my many goals is to never miss an opportunity to celebrate, honor, and try to uplift you and the great things your programs are doing. With a full-time job, and limited resources, it is sometimes hard for me to get to where you are and witness these things personally and report back to the general membership, but I still want to try. I encourage you to email me pictures and explanations of happenings in our area with your programs. Use the hashtag #ala4musiced when posting on your social media. We hope to see you in January at the conference and remember…never miss an opportunity!
Members of NAfME Southern Division
Alicia Luttrell
Elementary/General
Music Education and Lifelong Learning
Are you a lifelong learner? I have been thinking about this lately as I began the new adventure of violin lessons this past summer. As an organist, pianist, and choir director, I can tell you it has been a humbling experience. I can now play “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “Go Tell Aunt Rhody.” Yikes! As tempting as it is, I refuse to give up. If I expect
my students to welcome new learning, I must be willing to challenge myself as well. Have you considered what you can do to continue to be a lifelong learner?
I think we can all agree we are not teaching elementary music to create the next generation of professional musicians. We simply want our students to grow up to become educat-
ed consumers and creators of music throughout their lives. We want them to be lifelong learners.
I believe that for our students to receive a high-quality music education, we must continue our own high-quality music education. One way you can do this is by attending our elementary music workshop in October as well as the AMEA conference in Birmingham in January.
On October 26, at the fall workshop, we will welcome Dr. Erika Knapp to discover how to creatively leverage limited time and materials to foster continuous growth and engagement in our music programs. We will meet at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park for this exciting time of learning and growing. You do not want to miss it! You can register at: https:// docs.google.com/forms/d/e/ 1FAIpQLSeyOD84HI_DEFfuwFAH1QSL9cyRVgK7Z4dooPsJUHWUpBrFTg/viewform
Then, at the annual conference on January 23-25, we will have many learning opportunities for our elementary music educators including everything from taiko drumming to choral warmups. On Thursday evening we will have a session “Ukulele and Pop Music in the General Music Classroom.” Sounds like fun to me. Get yourself registered now, and do not forget to bring your ukulele. If you can, bring an extra one or two you can loan to someone else.
Music teachers, I implore you to commit yourselves to a life of learning. Renew your membership with NAfME. Register for the fall workshop and annual conference. Remember, there is no finish line, and we as educators are in the best position to be lifelong learners ourselves.
PATRICK ROSZELL
Jordan Ford Alabama Orchestra Association
Dear music educators,
Ihope everyone has had an excellent start to your school year! It’s wild that we’ve already made it this far into the first semester. I know that there is beautiful music being made in all the AOA members’ classrooms, studios, and venues. We have so much to look forward to this year!
AMEA Conference
The 2025 AMEA Conference is shaping up to be very exciting for AOA members. We are welcoming Dr. Brenda Brenner, Professor of Music (Music Education) at Indiana University, as our AOA clinician. She specializes in string music education, teaching applied violin, as well as courses in violin and string pedagogy. Brenner received a BM and BME from Wichita State University and an MM and DMA in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music. In addition to her appointment to the Music Education Department, she serves as co-director of the IU String Academy, a position she has held since 1993. Her String Academy students have been featured in concerts in major venues throughout the United States and have presented tours throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. As director of the Fairview Project - a program in which every first and second grader in a Title I school learns violin as part of the curriculum - Brenner researches the cognitive, academic, and social outcomes of early instrumental music instruction. An active performer of chamber music throughout the United States, Brenner partners with her husband, organist Christopher Young. She also teaches and conducts at the IU Summer String
Academy and is Assistant Director of the IU Retreat for Professional Violinists and Violists. Brenner is an active international clinician, is a Past President of the American String Teachers Association, and is on the board of the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Dr. Brenner will present four sessions while at AMEA. These sessions will be:
1. Setting Up for Success: Some of the most important factors that determine success in playing a stringed instrument involve the beginning “set up” stage, which includes establishing a proper playing position and developing free and open muscular motions. Teachers can ensure success for their students by establishing a series of procedures that break down the setup tasks to a sequence of exercises that allow their students to look and sound great!
2. From Poof to Portato (a sequence of bow strokes): Bowing technique is a crucial foundational skill in string playing that creates good tone quality and forms the basis for musical style. In this session, methods of teaching fundamental bow strokes and bow choreography in group settings from beginning through intermediate levels will be explored. Literature utilizing the various strokes will be presented.
3. Winning with Warmups: An effective warm-up routine that integrates technical and musical elements as a preparation for playing repertoire is a key to successful teaching. Separation of both left and right hand difficulties prior to attempting them within the repertoire is essential. This clinic will examine how to design an effective routine and will present examples of warm-ups using standard repertoire from the string orchestra literature.
4. Theory is Awesome: Learning music theory concepts deepens students understanding of music. Knowledge of intervals, solfege, chord structure, and musical form strengthen the comprehension of musical style, allows students to contribute intelligently to the musical decision-making process, and perform with more understanding and awareness. Strategies for building practical theoretical skills in the beginning through advanced string classroom through games, musical activities, and improvisation will be presented in this clinic.
AOA will also host a range of other presenters, including Dr. Anne Witt, Joseph Brenner, Robert Abend, and Cody Ray. Also on the conference schedule is the Northridge Middle School Orchestra, conducted by AOA member, Trey Hedgemon. Congratulations to Mr. Hedgemon and his students for accomplishing this
great honor! We are so excited to have an orchestra performing at AMEA this year. Please make every effort to attend their performance!
We look forward to seeing you all in Birmingham at AMEA 2025!
All-State Orchestra
All audition materials have been posted to the AOA website. Please advocate for all student musicians who are within the correct age range to audition for All-State Orchestra! We would love for all students to be able to experience performing in an orchestra while they are in school! Please see the AOA website for further information. Woodwind, brass, and percussion audition materials are a condensed version of the ABA AllState audition materials, hopefully allowing for students to have adequate time to prepare. Thank you for your diligence in preparing students for auditions!
Important Dates
Strings/Harp/Piano Audition Videos: DUE Oct. 18
Woodwind/Brass/Percussion Audition Videos: DUE Nov. 15
All-Region Orchestra Festivals: Jan. 11-12
All-State Orchestra: Feb. 13-16
OMPA: April 4
For additional information, please visit the AOA website:
https://alabamaorchestraassociation. org/
Please feel free to contact any of the Executive Board with any questions you may have. We are here to support the music educators of Alabama!
Respectfully, Jordan Ford AOA President
AMEA PRESIDENTS
1946 Yale H. Ellis
1948 Walter A. Mason
1950 Vernon Skoog
1952 John J. Hoover
1954 Lamar Triplett
1956 Carleton K. Butler
1958 Mort Glosser
1960 Wilbur Hinton
1962 Lacey Powell, Jr.
1964 G. Truman Welch
1966 Jerry Countryman
1968 Floyd C. McClure
1970 Jerry Bobo
1972 Frances P. Moss
- PAST TO PRESENT
1974 George Hammett
1975 Frances P. Moss
1976 S. J. Allen
1978 W. Frank McArthur
1980 Paul Hall
1982 Lacey Powell, Jr.
1984 Johnny Jacobs
1986 Merilyn Jones
1988 Ronald D. Hooten
1990 Ken Williams
1992 Dianne Johnson
1994 James K. Simpson
1996 Johnnie Vinson
1998 Michael Meeks
2000 John McAphee, Jr.
2002 Tony Pike
2004 Becky Rodgers
2006 John Baker
2008 Pat Stegall
2010 Steve McLendon
2012 Sara Womack
2014 Carl Hancock
2016 Susan Smith
2018 Greg Gumina
2020 David Raney
2022 Rob Lyda
2024 Phil Wilson
Stephen Foster Higher Education
Knowing Your Students and Knowing Yourself
Time flies. I know, that is the understatement of the year. The school year started only about a month ago and already look at all that you and your students have accomplished. Whether choral, general music or instrumental, a lot has happened since the first day of school. As we have moved through these past few weeks I am confident that you have noticed, whether you are a new or veteran teacher, that you have a wide range of personalities in your classroom. There are actually 16 defined personality types, as defined by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs in their Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Four preference indicators make up each personality type. Each indicator is one each of the following pairs: Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I), Sensing (S) or Intuition (N), Thinking (T) or Feeling(F), and Judging (J) or Perceiving (P). Types are indicated by using one indicator from each category such as INTJ. This personality type is known as the Architect and they are known as “Imaginative and strategic thinkers, with a plan for everything”. The other end of the spectrum is the ESFP known as the Entertainer who is defined as “spontaneous, energetic and enthusiastic people – life is never boring around them”. 14 other personality types have a combination of these attributes, one from each category.
If you have an ensemble of around 75 you likely have most if not all of these personality types in your group. The fun thing is, that you have a personality type as well. Do you know what your personality type is? There are several places on the internet where you can take a free personality type indicator. If you don’t know what yours is, I would recommend that you take the time to find out. Knowing what your personality type is can help you to understand why you do things the way you do, and knowing the personality type of your students can help you understand why they do things the way they do.
Musicians are made up of all 16 personality types. Some of us are extroverted while others are introverted. Some of us take in information with Sensing whereas others do so with Intuition. Some of us come to conclusions using Thinking while others base their conclusions more on Feelings. Some of us approach the outside world through Judging while others do so through Perceiving. No one personality type is better than the other. They just help to explain why we behave and react the way we do. When you are planning your lesson, or when you have someone who is having trouble understanding, consider the student’s personality type when you are trying to figure out how to reach them better.
In our education classes, we are taught that some students are auditory learners, some are visual learners, and some are tactile learners. We are told that it is best to present new information three different times in three different ways so that every student can grasp the lesson through one of the three different approaches. In music education, we use all three approaches naturally every day. Our course of study is naturally suited for it and, in fact, demands it. Movement is a major part of our profession from pre-K through college. Music is full of visuals, from music written on the staff to Solfege hand gestures in singing. Auditory learners learn best by listening to our musical examples or verbal explanations.
Our success in music education comes from understanding both ourselves and our students. Keeping an even temperament and high expectations while working with our students is key to gaining their respect and loyalty. I challenge each of you to spend a little time in quiet introspection. Be aware of all that is happening around you. Prepare to work with those who need to look at things a different way than you do to understand. Be a leader through your preparation and proactiveness.
Events
For Middle & High School Students
Sept. 24, 2024 Festival of Voices
Oct. 13, 2024 Flute Day
Nov. 2, 2024
Dec. 7, 2024
Single Reed Symposium
All-State Band Clinic
Jan. 28, 2025 ChoralFest!25
Feb. 21-22, 2025
March 7-9, 2025
On-campus auditions for scholarships
Feb. 15, 2025
March 8, 2025
Middle School Honor Band
High School Honor Band
Honor Band participants only March 15, 2025
Scan the QR code to learn more
Virtual auditions available upon request. For more information, visit montevallo.edu/music/auditions.
Amanda Slay Alabama Vocal Association
It Doesn’t Get Easier, You Get Better
The new school year is officially underway and moving quickly. I hope that in these first few weeks of school, you are reaping the benefits of your pre-planning and preparation for this year. By now you have met and reconnected with students and colleagues, pre-assessed skills and knowledge, chosen repertoire, established routines, and mapped out your calendar of events. If you are already feeling tired or overwhelmed, slow down. Pace yourself. The school year is a marathon, not a sprint. I encourage you to find a pace that sets you up to finish the year just as strong as you have started!
Fall Workshop
I am full of gratitude and happiness to have seen so many of you in Montgomery at the 2024 Fall Workshop. Fall Workshop always creates a wonderful space for connection, collaboration, and exceptional professional learning and this year’s event was no exception. Our clinician, Dr. Emily Burch, helped us build our toolbox of warm-up techniques and repertoire. She challenged us to be vocal about the business of choral music education and its importance in the lives of students. Her enthusiasm was just the jolt of energy we needed to keep the momentum of the year going strong. I also want to say a special thank you to the teachers who led breakout sessions and roundtable discussions.
During Fall Workshop there was an AVA general membership meeting. The minutes from the meeting will be made available on the AVA Website. However, I will share two important votes that came out of our meeting. The membership voted to accept the proposed amendments to the AVA bylaws. The newly approved bylaws can be found in the current AVA handbook posted on the AVA website. The membership also voted to rescind a motion made at the 2022 Fall Workshop that, if passed, would have made way for the addition of a sight-reading component to the All-State audition process. At this time, the addition of a sight-reading component to the All-State audition process will continue to be a topic of discussion and research for the AVA governing board.
All-State Auditions and Festival
All-State auditions are quickly approaching. Make sure you have ordered music for every student who plans to audition, including a copy of “Alabama”. Students should number the measures in each song and be prepared to sing all 7 pieces
of music. Please go over the new audition process with your students. While they need to prepare all songs, they will only be asked to sing 3 of the selected pieces and a portion of Alabama. The new audition process will be as follows:
● Each student will sing selected measures from 3 of the 6 assigned repertoire in addition to Alabama.
● The 3 auditioned songs will be selected by the festival clinicians.
● Every student will sing selected measures of Alabama.
● Students will not know which of the 3 songs will be selected until they enter the audition room. Consequently, students will be required to learn ALL 6 selections before the audition.
Please ensure that students bring an adjudication form to the audition filled out completely, including a parent’s signature.
The 2025 Alabama All-State Festival will take place at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, AL on April 3-5, 2025. The 2025 All-State clinicians are:
● MS Mixed: Victor C. Johnson
● MS Treble: Sophia Miller
● HS TTBB: Dr. Brian Murray
● HS SSAA: Dr. Joni Jensen
● HS SATB: Dr. Gary Packwood
AMEA Conference
If you are a new teacher or think back to your first years of teaching, you may remember a more seasoned teacher telling you, “It will get easier”. The “it” they were referring to, of course, was the job of teaching. Well, I’d like to offer a reframing to those seemingly kind words of encouragement. The profession of teaching is hard and it doesn’t get any easier, but you have the opportunity every day and every year to get better at it. When you
reach out to other teachers for help, when you are an active member of a professional organization, when you attend professional learning like Fall Workshop or AMEA you create opportunities for professional growth that make you better at tackling this beautifully complex career called teaching.
With that thought in mind, I encourage you to make every effort to attend the 2025 AMEA Conference. This year’s conference will be held January 23-25 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, AL. Our guest clinician will be Francis Cathlina. Cathlina is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis and has recently been named one of six conductors to participate in the 2025 International Conductors Exchange Program in the Philippines. He will present three sessions including: 7 Essentials for Developing Voices in Choir, “Tech Time”: Intentional Voice Building through an 8-Step WarmUp and a conducting masterclass titled, “Unlocking Inner Artistry”.
Congratulations to the choirs who were selected to perform at the conference. We are looking forward to hearing performances by Shades Mountain Elementary Singers, Muscle Shoals Middle School, Indian Springs Chamber Choir, Hewitt-Trussville High Chamber Choir, University of North Alabama Collegiate Singers, University of Alabama Singers, and Jacksonville State University A Capella Choir. Performing at AMEA is a special honor and I am eager to hear the beautiful music each group will share with the AMEA conference attendees.
Until we meet again, please know that I am grateful for you and the work we do together for each other and our students. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share contact me at amanda.slay.ava@gmail.com.
Amanda Slay AVA President Francis Cathlina, AVA Guest Clinician
Lori Hart Alabama Bandmasters Association
Mentorship, Professionalism, and Integrity
Irecently have been thinking about the impact that my band directors had on my life. I had a different director almost every year that I was in school until I got to college. From seventh and ninth grade band with Dr. Wayne Cameron, to high school band with Bill Hickman, Bill Lazenby, Bill Mallory, and Dr. Tom Hunter and then college with Dr. John M. Long. Those teachers made an impact on me. They mentored me in ways they may have never realized. They inspired me to be a lifelong learner and it is that type of mentorship that we as teachers must realize we possess as well.
Mentorship is crucial in personal and professional development. It provides guidance, support, and encouragement, helping individuals navigate challenges and make informed decisions. A good mentor offers insights from their experience, helping mentees avoid common pitfalls and learn from others’ successes and failures. Mentorship fosters growth, builds confidence, and often accelerates progress by providing a roadmap that might otherwise take years to develop independently.
Moreover, mentorship goes beyond just skill development. It often plays a significant role in shaping values, attitudes, and professional behavior. Mentors can inspire mentees to reach their full potential, encouraging them to aim higher and think more critically about their goals. For those in teaching or leadership roles,
mentoring can be particularly rewarding as it allows them to pass on their knowledge and contribute to the development of the next generation.
As educators, we carry the responsibility of being role models not only for our students but also for our peers. Learning from the experiences of others is an invaluable education! Our actions, attitudes, and commitment to excellence set the tone for the learning environment, influencing both the young minds we teach and the colleagues we work alongside. By embodying professionalism, integrity, and a passion for lifelong learning, we inspire others to strive for their best, creating a positive and impactful educational community.
One of the ways to be a role model to our peers is by attending our annual AMEA Professional In-Service Conference, January 23-25, 2025 at the beautiful Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham. We have wonderful concerts planned by Pizitz MS Honor Band, Fairhope HS Wind Ensemble, Grissom HS Symphonic Band, Thompson HS Wind Ensemble, Tuscaloosa County HS Percussion Ensemble, Bumpus MS Jazz and Percussion Ensemble and Jacksonville State University Brass Band. We also have several clinics that should provide our teachers with valuable information and inspiration. Check out the schedule that is listed in this issue of the Ala Breve.
Registration is available online. Make sure you have renewed your NAfME and AMEA membership, prior to registering.
We have several ABA reminders: Please make sure you register and/or update your contact info on the alaband.org website. If you are new to our state or are a first or second year teacher, please make sure you contact your District Chairman and Vice-Chairman, so they are able to provide you with up to date information regarding all things ABA! Please make sure you read our bylaws regarding MPA, All-State Auditions, Solo and Ensemble, and Jazz Education related items. Also on the website, we have hotel links for All-State Band.
Please make sure you are aware of events and registration deadlines. Your District Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen work diligently to provide all of this information to our membership. In order to avoid late fees, refer to your calendar frequently and make sure you are sending your payments to the right person. If you are not sure, ask your Chairman. They are there to help and I appreciate all they do to serve our organization.
In closing, let’s have a great representation at our AMEA Conference! Let’s make this the year we make the students our priority, we strive to be the role model that brings a positive light to our professionalism, serve with integrity beyond approach, and a passion for the work we do.
Dr. Meghan Merciers
cNAfME Advisor
JP Aufdemorte cNAfME President
The Importance of INVOLVEMENT in Your cNAfME Chapter
We hope your semesters are off to a strong start. As the year gets underway, we gain more opportunities to get involved. Whether they are musical or not, there are many ways to get invested in the campus community. However, one of the best activities on campus and in our professional community is cNAfME. cNAfME enables you to grow as a leader, learn more about the profession, and network with your fellow future music educators. We hope you will consider joining your university’s chapter and want to highlight activities already underway statewide.
In early September, UA cNAfME had repair technicians come in to teach students about different maintenance issues that may arise and basic fixes. Instrument repair is not typically a topic available in classes at UA, and this particular event provided valuable information that will surely help chapter members as they move throughout their careers. Additionally, Troy’s chapter met in early August and discussed different events they are planning and fundraising ideas. As a music educator, fundraising is a crucial skill to hone, and Troy’s cNAfME chapter is better preparing its members for their future careers. UNA’s chapter advisor started the year by hosting a leadership dinner to plan their interest meeting for a new group of students. Finally, UAB’s chapter began engaging with the community, contacting schools, and sending collegiates to assist with local music programs. As cNAfME members, they get valuable teaching experience, and the schools get extra help for their students.
There are many ways to get involved at your university, but cNAfME is your best way to grow as a music educator. No matter how your chapter functions, you will get valuable experiences collaborating with your peers and growing as a
2024 Collegiate Summit
The Alabama cNAfME Collegiate Summit was hosted at the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Sunday, September 22, 2024. It was a fantastic event, which opened with Dr. Cara Morantz as the keynote speaker, who focused on “Shaping Lives and Building Community.” The presentation highlighted the need to network and collaborate and had us on our feet interacting in multiple ways. Breakout sessions with Craig Cagle, Deanna Bell, and Cameron Johnson-Weiler
AMEA President Dr. Phil Wilson with the AL cNAfME Board: Advisor Dr. Meghan Merciers, President JP Aufdemorte, Treasurer Reid Sayle, and Secretary Cameron Rodgers-Johnson
music educator. Please follow our statewide Instagram account @cnafme_al for collegiate events and announcements.
focused on jazz band, elementary/general music, and show choir, respectively. Keynote and session leaders joined Dr. Phil Wilson, AMEA President, and Derrick Smith, DMA candidate in wind conducting, for an informative panel that focused on questions submitted by attendees. The wealth of experiences from this multi-faceted panel was invaluable for both collegiates and faculty in attendance. In all, we had the broadest scope of attending schools represented in recent
years, including University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of North Alabama, University of Mobile, Miles College, Alabama State University, Troy University, Samford, and Jacksonville State University. The board would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Patrick Evans at UAB for facilitating this event and to the AMEA Board for their presence and participation in the event.
Scenes from the AL cNafME Summit
Teacher Profile
Holly Leeth
Editor’s Note: Each Teacher Profile spotlights a music educator from across the full community of AMEA - new teachers, experienced teachers, retired teachers, and teachers from each of AMEA’s divisions This issue features Holly Leeth, music teacher at East and West Elementary Schools in Cullman
Briefly tell us about your current position, how long you’ve been there, and a little about your schedule.
I am currently the music teacher at East and West Elementary Schools in Cullman City Schools. This is my first year in this position and fourteenth year teaching overall. Previously, I taught for seven years in Decatur City Schools at West Decatur Elementary. Before that, I was in Arab City Schools at Arab Primary, and in Maury County Schools in Tennessee. At East and West, I serve both schools and rotate weekly. I see each class once every two weeks, ranging from 40- to 50-minute classes, and have a total of around 940 students, grades 3-6.
Tell us about your background – hometown, college, family, etc.
I am originally from Columbia, TN, and attended college at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville (Bachelor of Music, 2011) where I played bassoon and majored in music education (K-12). I received my Master of Music in Music Education in 2023 from Anderson University (SC). My mom is an elementary music teacher as well, so my younger sister and I were involved in music from the get-go. I was always in
a choir growing up, took piano lessons for a few years, and started band in 6th grade on clarinet. I’ve been involved in instrumental performing ensembles ever since. I now live in Cullman with my husband Colby, our baby boy, and our dog and cat.
Why did you decide on a career in music education?
In 8th grade we took aptitude tests, and funny enough, one of my results was “band director.” I took it to heart and ended up pursuing music education. My high school band director, Daryl Jack, had me switch to bassoon my freshman year, which was probably one of the best decisions of my life. I was able to participate in a plethora of honor bands and programs, and essentially playing bassoon paid for college. I went in to music education with the intent of becoming a band director and student taught at the middle and high school levels. However, I ended up at the elementary level my first year of teaching and haven’t looked back. I love helping students establish their musical foundation and discover the elements of music. I especially enjoy working with students to discover many types of music making, and how nothing about music is one-size-fits-all.
Who are some of your teachers/colleagues that you would consider mentors and why?
My mom, Sandi Wilson, is my first and biggest mentor by far! She was my own elementary music teacher and has over 40 years of experience, so she has a wealth of knowledge. In two larger districts I have worked in, we were fortunate to have great professional learning communities and share with one another. In Decatur City especially, I had the chance to work with and learn from some superb elementary music teachers and gleaned so much knowledge from them.
What is your favorite thing to teach?
My favorite thing to teach is multicultural/world music. I enjoy learning more about cultures outside my own, in order to expand my knowledge and intercultural sensitivity. I want my students to be afforded the same opportunity, so I try to include music along with its cultural and social aspects in my lessons, and to keep it as authentic as I can (and I am still learning).
Name one accomplishment that fills you with pride so far in your career.
Earning my Master of Music in Music Education. I didn’t pursue it until my 10th year of teaching, but was able to complete my degree online through Anderson University (SC). I thoroughly enjoyed the process, even though it was rigorous and time-consuming. I especially loved my research classes, and would recommend Anderson to anyone in search of a Masters in Music Education program!
What would your students be surprised to find out about you?
I did a 50-mile backpacking trip in Yosemite a few years ago, and I’ve also hiked up mountains in Scotland (I’ve bagged 8 Munros so far)!
How do you spend your summer breaks?
Typically my husband and I take a trip either out west or internationally, but this summer was all about learning to parent with our new baby boy! I also like to catch up on my reading during the summer, meet up with friends, and make it to the beach if I can.
Are you involved in other music-related activities in addition to your teaching position? If so, please explain.
I play bassoon in the Cullman Community Band! I love being able to maintain my playing skills in such a fun group. As a new mom, too, it’s become a highlight of my week to have a hobby to practice that’s just for me.
How about interests or hobbies not related to your teaching position?
Hiking and traveling! I loved exploring Scotland and Norway, and hope to visit some more countries in the next few years. I’m a coffee fanatic as well, so I love trying new coffee shops. I also love to read when I have time–my favorite genres are fantasy, historical fiction, mystery/thriller, and rom-coms.
MUSIC DEGREES OFFERED
Bachelor of Music Education (Choral Track)
Bachelor of Music Education (Instrumental Track)
Bachelor of Arts (Choral Track)
Bachelor of Arts (Instrumental Track)
WHY MUSIC EDUCATION?
P-12 Teacher Certification
Projected job growth from 2024-2034 - 4%*
Share your love of music with the next generation
Focus on choral or instrumental music ... or both!
MUSIC FACULTY
Dr. Art Williams, Chair awilliams@faulkner.edu
Dr. Allen Clements aclements@faulkner.edu
Dr Stephen Foster sfoster@faulkner edu
Dr. Robby Glasscock rglasscock@faulkner.edu
Mr. Michael Bird mbird@faulkner edu
Faulkner Marching Eagles
Faulkner Singers
Faulkner Jazz Band
Faulkner University Chorus
Concert Band
MUSIC STUDIES
Voice
Piano Woodwinds
Brass
Percussion Theory History
Sight Singing Orchestration Conducting
AMEA 2025 Featured Clinicians & Performers
Keynote Speaker: Tim Lautzenheiser is a well-known name in the music education world as a teacher, clinician, author, composer, consultant, adjudicator, and, above all, a trusted friend to anyone interested in working with young people in developing a desire for excellence. Dr. Lautzenheiser has been a part of the Bands of America family for over 25 years. He served as Executive Director in 1980-82 and has since worked directly with tens of thousands of Bands of America students and directors in leadership and motivational training. His career involves ten years of successful college band directing at Northern Michigan University, the University of Missouri, and New Mexico State University. During this time Tim developed highly acclaimed groups in all areas of the instrumental and vocal field. Following his three years with Bands of America, he created Attitude Concepts for Today, an organization designed to manage the many requests for workshops, seminars, and convention speaking engagements focusing on the area of positive attitude and effective leadership training. He presently holds the Earl Dunn Distinguished Lecturer position at Ball State University. Tim also is the Director of Education for Conn-Selmer, and he serves as the national spokesperson for NAfME’s “Make A Difference with Music” program. Tim’s books, produced by G.I.A. Publications, The Art of Successful Teaching and The Joy of Inspired Teaching, are best-sellers in the music profession. He is also co-author of Hal Leonard’s popular band method, Essential Elements, as well as the creator of the highly-acclaimed Director’s Communication Kits. Tim is a graduate of Ball State University and the University of Alabama. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from VanderCook College of Music. Additional awards include the distinguished Sudler Order of Merit from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, Mr. Holland’s Opus Award and the Music Industry Award from the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors.
Featured Performers: The Aeolians of Oakwood University was originally organized in 1946 by the late Dr. Eva B. Dykes. Since its inception, the choir has traveled widely, touching the hearts of both young and old with their inspirational singing. Subsequent conductors include: Mrs. Joni PierreLouis, Mr. Harold Anthony, Dr. Jon Robertson, Dr. Alma M. Blackmon, Dr. John Dennison, Dr. Ricky Little (a former Aeolian), Dr. Eurydice Osterman, Michele Cleveland, Lloyd Mallory, Dr. Julie Moore, Norman Crarey, Dr. Wayne Bucknor (a former Aeolian) Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand (a former Aeolian), and presently Jeremy Sovoy Jordan also a former Aeolian. Directors have made considerable contributions over the years. Under the direction of Dr. John Dennison, the Aeolians performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, receiving flattering reviews. Under the direction of Dr. Alma M. Blackmon which began in 1973, the group was propelled into national and international prominence with the performance of over 200 concerts in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Poland, Romania, and Great Britain. Under the current director, the group tours extensively, and has extended their international prominence to Trinidad & Tobago, Russia, and Jamaica. Aeolian performances present a repertoire of choral music which ranges from the Baroque era to the twenty-first century. They have become an authoritative exponent of Negro spirituals and Work songs which express the yearnings of their forefathers to be free. In Oct 2015, the Aeolians made their debut at Carnegie Hall performing with the Altino Bros, the Altino Brothers Concert Chorale, and the Beyond Boundaries Symphony Orchestra in the Altino Bros’ “Beyond Boundaries” Concert Series. Later that month, the Aeolians accompanied the world acclaimed soprano, Kathleen Battle at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center in her, “Underground Railroad: A spiritual Journey” Concert Series. This choir has been truly blessed and for this they are thankful.
Alabama Intercollegiate Band Clinician
: Dr. Stephen G. Peterson was appointed Director of Bands at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2015. As Director of Bands, he conducted the Wind Symphony, led the graduate wind conducting program, taught courses in wind literature, and guided all aspects of one of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most storied band programs. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Illinois, he served as Director of Bands at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, for seventeen years. From 1988-1998 he served as Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Peterson was also the conductor of the renowned Northshore Concert Band. He held positions as Associate and Interim Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and has several years of successful teaching experience in public schools in Arizona. Since his retirement, Peterson maintains a busy schedule as a conductor and clinician, and as such, has appeared on four continents and in forty-two states. His ensembles have appeared before national conventions of the American Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, the American School Band Directors Association, at Orchestra Hall with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and at Lincoln Center.
AMEA 2025 Featured Clinicians & Performers
All-State Gold Jazz Band Clinician
Wycliffe Gordon experiences an impressive career touring the world performing to great acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Last year, Jazz Journalists Association named him 2022 “Trombonist of the Year” for the record-breaking 15th time, and he’s topped Downbeat Critics Poll for “Best Trombone” for an unprecedented six times (2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013 & 2012). Recent awards include the “Louie Award”, the International Trombone Award and the Satchmo Award, among others. Wycliffe is a prolific recording artist and is extremely popular for his unmatched signature sound, plunger technique and unique vocals. He can be heard on hundreds of recordings, soundtracks, live DVD’s and documentaries, and has an extensive catalog of original compositions that span the various timbres of jazz and chamber music. His arrangement of the theme song to NPR’s “All Things Considered” is heard daily across the globe. In addition to a successful solo career, Gordon tours regularly leading the International All Stars performing at festivals and performing arts centers worldwide. Gordon is also one of America’s most persuasive and committed music educators and is highly sought after as a clinician and guest speaker. Wycliffe Gordon is a Yamaha Performing Artist and has his own line of Wycliffe Gordon Pro Signature Mouthpieces by Pickett Brass. Visit www.wycliffegordon.com.
All-State Silver Jazz Band Clinician
Sallie Vines White teaches full-time at Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama. Mrs. White has been teaching in the Hoover City School System since 1990. Mrs. White is now in her 40th year of teaching having first taught for five years in her hometown of Bessemer, AL. She teaches the award-winning Hoover High School First Edition Jazz Band, Hoover Jam Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and AP Music Theory. The Hoover First Edition Jazz Ensemble, which she directs, performed in December 2023 at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago with guest artist Marcus Printup. They were also the demo band in 2023 at Midwest for a clinic presented by Dean Sorenson. First Edition previously performed at The Midwest Clinic in December 2018 with guest artists Wycliffe Gordon and Todd Stoll, and also in December 2012 with guest artist Jim Pugh. They were a featured performer in 2014 at the Jazz Education Network Conference in Dallas, TX with guest artists John Fedchock and Tom Walsh. First Edition received national recognition through its selection five times as a finalist in the Savannah Music Festival Swing Central Contest. Prior to that they were selected into the North Texas Jazz Festival and have received all Superior ratings the numerous times they have attended the Loyola Jazz Festival in New Orleans. Sallie Vines White graduated magna cum laude from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana in 1982, with a B.A. in Music, Music Education and Psychology. In 1985, she received her M.M.E. in Music Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN where she graduated “with distinction”. She studied Jazz at IU with David Baker and Dominic Spera. Mrs. White is married to Noah and has three children, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
All-State Bronze Jazz Band Clinician
Rodney Brown is a talented saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and educator hailing from Crestview, Florida. His musical journey began at the age of 11 when he was introduced to the saxophone in his middle school band. Since then, he has passionately pursued a broad range of instruments and musical theories. While he is well-versed in classical theory, jazz holds a special place in his heart. He thrives on exploring and pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz, continuously seeking to innovate within the genre. Rodney has captivated audiences throughout the Southeast, performing for thousands and inspiring others to discover and reach their fullest musical potential. Rodney has an impressive record of group and solo performances across various bands. He currently serves as the Commander of the 151st Army Band in the Alabama National Guard. At the University of West Florida (UWF), Rodney made significant contributions by coordinating the Jazz Combo and the UWF Saxophone Quartet. His leadership extended to Georgia State University, where he was the lead alto saxophonist in the Wind Ensemble, played lead alto in the Georgia State Jazz Band, and also directed a Jazz Combo and Saxophone Quartet.
All-State Middle School Jazz Band Clinician
John Cain is a native of Tuscaloosa, AL and holds degrees in Special Education and Music Education from the University of Alabama. Mr. Cain recently retired after teaching 33 years in the Tuscaloosa City School District. The last 15 years of his career, he served as the band director at Northridge High School whose jazz ensemble was selected to perform at the 2024 AMEA Conference. While at Northridge, Mr. Cain received multiple District-wide awards, including the PTSA Teacher of the Year and the TCS secondary representative for the Alabama Teacher of the Year. In 2013, Mr. Cain was one of 4 statewide finalists for the Jacksonville Teacher Hall of Fame. In 2023, Mr. Cain was awarded the Druid Arts Award for the Music Educator of the Year by the Arts Council of West Alabama. In addition to his role as band director, Mr. Cain has been active in the school through coaching duties, serving the tennis and basketball teams. His tennis teams won state championships in 2018 and 2022. Mr. Cain was named the Alabama State Coach of the Year in 2022. In his retirement, Mr. Cain continues to work with the Tuscaloosa City Schools as instructional support and is the Co-Director of the University of Alabama Campus Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Cain has been married to Maura Cain for 30 years and has two daughters, Dr. Julia Kim and Anna Gilbert.
AMEA 2025 Performing Groups
Robert F. Bumpus Middle School is a public school in the Hoover City School system serving 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Students from various ethnic and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds are taught within the Bumpus Band program. Four major band ensembles are available for students at Bumpus: Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Beginner Band. The Percussion Ensemble is developed through each concert ensemble. The percussion ensemble at Bumpus has developed repertoire for performances at the Music For All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival in Atlanta and at the Alabama Music Educators Association Conference as part of their winds concert program. Each year the percussion ensemble at Bumpus regularly performs literature in their spring band concert. The Bumpus percussion students consistently earn places in the District IV Honor Band. The Bumpus Jazz Band has performed a wide variety of musical styles for local, regional, and national performances. Students in the Bumpus Jazz Band have earned a majority of the available spots in the Alabama All-State Middle School Jazz Band over the past four years. The Bumpus Jazz Band has performed at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame’s Student Jazz Band Festival earning superior ratings and receiving the Band of Distinction award twice. They have earned first place in the middle school jazz division at the Smokey Mountain Music Festival, and placed among the top three middle school jazz ensembles at the National Jazz Festival for two consecutive years. The Bumpus Jazz Band developed two jazz groups for performing at the first ABA Jazz Adjudication in 2024. Both ensembles earned straight superior ratings from all judges.
The Fairhope High School Wind Ensemble is the premier instrumental ensemble at Fairhope High School. Students are selected through a rigorous audition process that determines placement in either the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, or Concert Band. The Fairhope Wind Ensemble has earned superior ratings at the Alabama Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessment for more than 30 years. Additionally, the Wind Ensemble has performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association Annual Conference in 2005. Students in the Fairhope High School Wind Ensemble are regularly selected for the Alabama All-State Bands, the Alabama District VII Honor Band, Baldwin County Honor Band, and numerous university honor bands throughout the state, region, and nation. Graduates of the Fairhope Wind Ensemble have gone on to professional careers in music performance, music education, jazz, and music industry with many attending some of the finest music schools in the nation. In addition to the Wind Ensemble, the Fairhope band program includes the Symphony Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the Fairhope High School Buccaneer Band.
The Instrumental Music Department at Grissom High School strives to maintain a balanced program in all facets of music education, including the development of the individual musician. Over the years, the Grissom Band program has consistently produced excellent musicians who are in demand by colleges and universities throughout the Southeast and many parts of the country. Grissom students receive placement in one of the Alabama All-State Bands each year and receive scholarships to continue music in college. Awards and recognitions have come often to the Band. Since its inception, the Symphonic Band 1 has never received less than a superior rating in any adjudication. The band has performed for many prestigious events including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Dixie Classic Adjudicators Invitational Festivals, Alabama Music Educators Conferences, Southern Division MENC performances, Robert W Smith Concert Festival in Orlando, Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, Music For All Concert Band Festival (four times) and was one of the first 8 bands invited to the very first Music For All Concert Festival in 1992, Hawaii Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Parade (two times), Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival in NYC, Swing Central Jazz in Savannah, GA. (4 times), Austria’s Millennial Celebration, The North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, as well as numerous state and local music festivals. The tradition of excellence held by the Grissom High School Band program developed through the hard work and dedication of past members and directors is continued now through the hard work and dedication of our current students and directors.
The Hewitt-Trussville High School Chamber Choir is one of three performance ensembles at HTHS. It is an auditioned choir selected from the one hundred voices in the choral department. Since its inception, the Chamber Choir has scored all Superior ratings at State Assessment. They frequently perform for churches and civic organizations in the community. December is a particularly busy time as they perform on local television, in several hospitals and the airport. The group represents many facets of the HTHS student body. Members are participants in band, jazz band, theater, athletics and various other student organizations.
AMEA 2025 Performing Groups
The Chamber Choir is the flagship choral ensemble of Indian Springs School Founded in 1980, five years after Springs began admitting women, the Chamber Choir has represented the school at state, regional, and national conferences in cities such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, and New York City. The ensemble has also traveled abroad to destinations in Europe and Asia, recently completing a successful tour of Austria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia in May and June 2024. Other recent highlights of the Indian Springs choral program include performances with the choirs of Georgetown University, American University, Mississippi State University, and Northwestern State University (Louisiana), as well as performances with full orchestra and soloists of Haydn’s The Creation and Mozart’s Coronation Mass.
The A Cappella Choir is Jacksonville State University’s flagship choral ensemble performing a wide variety of standard choral literature from all musical periods, contemporary art music, and world music. Founded in the 1950s, the A Cappella Choir tours annually and participates in events hosted by the Alabama American Choral Directors Association and Alabama Music Educators Association. The A Cappella Choir is an auditioned ensemble comprised of students from various disciplines across campus. Recently, the A Cappella Choir debuted at Carnegie Hall and Spivey Hall and was named a national finalist in the choral performance category – college/university division (smaller program) of The American Prize. In May 2025, the A Cappella Choir will tour Belgium and the Netherlands and compete at the CantaRode International Choral Festival in the Netherlands.
The Jacksonville State University Brass Band is an authentic “British-style” brass band, in that it incorporates cornets, tenor horns, and true baritones, with each part written in either Eflat or Bflat treble (except bass trombone). It is the only collegiate brass band in Alabama and the third brass band overall in the state. The JSUBB is an offshoot of the JSU Brass Choir, which has existed since the early 1950’s. The JSU Brass Band, in only their second month of existence, competed in the Third Section of the 2022 North America Brass Band Association Championships and placed fourth (missing third place by a quarter of a point). In April of 2023, it again competed in the Third Section of the NABBA Championships, this time winning the section with a score of 91.5. The JSUBB was chosen to perform at the 2024 AMEA Professional Development Conference.
The Muscle Shoals Middle School Chorus is located in the Muscle Shoals City School System in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The chorus is consistent with students grades 6th - 8th. The average number of students with the combined classes is around 70 students. The students meet by semester and include some after school rehearsals. The chorus has multiple concerts throughout the semester/year. The concerts include a Halloween concert, Veterans Day Concert (combined with band), Christmas Cabaret Concert (combined with the Muscle Shoals High School Chorus), Black History Program, and Spring Concert (combined with the Muscle Shoals High School Chorus). They attend the annual State Choral Performance Assessment every year. Many of the students are involved in multiple honor choirs, musicals (school and local theatre) as well as multiple Arts classes such as band and art. Multiple students are chosen to attend local honor choirs and every year have students to be chosen for the Alabama All State Chorus Festival. The goal of the Muscle Shoals Middle School Chorus is to educate excellence to our students as well as community. It is an honor to be in this chorus.
AMEA 2025 Performing Groups
The Strings in Schools Program was founded in 2005 under the leadership of Dr. Anne C. Witt. Consisting of string orchestra programs in four middle schools and three high schools in the Tuscaloosa area, Strings in Schools has operated with the goal of a comprehensive string music program in every secondary school in the Tuscaloosa City School system. Founded in 2018, Northridge Middle School became one of those schools and has since maintained a tradition of musical excellence, with students regularly representing the school at district All-Region and All-State Orchestra festivals, fine arts showcases, community events, and at national competitions such as Festival Disney. Students in the Northridge Middle String Orchestra Program believe in excellence attained through hard work and dedication. We teach critical thinking and problem solving by way of self-reflection and rehearsal/practice strategies. Everything from our style of performance to our choice of repertoire is designed to push boundaries and further develop our technical proficiency and artistic expression.
Located in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Pizitz Middle School is home to 1200 students in grades 6 through 8. The band program serves 240 students annually. Sixth-grade students are placed in the Beginning Band program where they receive group and individualized instruction. In the seventh and eighth grades, students are placed into one of two abilitybased performing bands. The Pizitz Band is under the direction of Leah Seng and Victoria Chambless. The Pizitz Band program has a rich history of outstanding achievement. The band program has received many awards as well as earning consistent superior ratings at the yearly Alabama Bandmasters Music Performance Assessment. The band program has received the NBA Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence and the John Philip Sousa Sudler Silver Cup. The Pizitz Middle School Symphonic Band has performed at many prestigious events, including the Midwest Clinic, Music For All National Concert Band Festival, Alabama Music Educators Conference, NBA/CBDNA Southern Division Conference, and performances as invited ensembles at the major universities in Alabama. The Pizitz Band program includes a wonderful sta! of sectional and lesson teachers. Students in all band classes are encouraged to take private lessons and have opportunities to perform throughout the school and community in small ensembles and perform at the Solo and Ensemble Festival. Percussion students may also enroll in our Percussion Ensemble class. Students in the band program are very active in other activities, including Athletics, Robotics, Math Team, Student Council, Ambassadors, and Drama. It is the goal of the band program to foster a lifelong love of music and to help students realize their potential in band and in life.
The Shades Mountain Singers are a non-auditioned group of 4th and 5th graders at Shades Mountain Elementary School in Hoover, Alabama. The ensemble is open to any student who wants to participate in choir and welcomes students of all abilities and backgrounds, making it a very diverse group of children, which reflects the beautiful diversity of the school itself. Shades Mountain Singers rehearse once a week before school for thirty minutes. They perform at school programs and events, such as the Holly Jolly Sing Along, Spring Concert, Veterans Day program, and special school assemblies for rewards and recognitions. They have traveled to the Hoover Senior Center and Hoover City Tree Lighting. Shades Mountain Singers usually consists of 40-50 singers, which is nearly half of the 4th-5th grade at SMES. Some members participate in other choral groups such as Birmingham Boys Choir or Birmingham Girls Choir, or take private instrument lessons, but many simply love to sing. In Shades Mountain Singers, the director focuses on building beautiful tone and solid vocal technique. In their concerts, students sing in unison or two/three parts, utilizing ostinati, rounds, and partner songs to learn foundational skills of singing in harmony. They often accompany themselves on barred instruments or play unpitched instruments and recorder along with their performances. The goal of Shades Mountain Singers is to grow a community of students who love music, respect and value each other, and gain foundational musical and ensemble skills to carry them into a lifetime of music making and enjoyment. They hope to share this joy with the 2025 AMEA Conference.
AMEA 2025 Performing Groups
The Thompson High School Wind Ensemble is the top performing wind band at Thompson High School. It annually consists of 40-50 auditioned wind and percussion members varying in the 9th-12th grades. This group consistently receives superior ratings at state performance assessment, has performed at various venues around the state of Alabama, and has even been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. The THS Wind Ensemble has also been selected to play at AMEA in the past, and is honored to be selected again.
The Tuscaloosa County High School Percussion Ensemble has made great strides in the last few years. The Percussion Ensemble has become its own class, separate from the concert-based classes that are offered. The studio has continued to grow in size and ability, and in the spring of 2024 performed their first-ever Percussion Ensemble Concert in the TCHS Band Program’s history. Our percussion students regularly: audition and perform at various concert and marching honor bands within Alabama and Mississippi; participate in the Alabama Allstate Band Festival; perform with our TCHS Blue Velvet Orchestra; perform as percussion accompanist for our TCHS Choir Program, TCHS Musical Theatre Department, and Alabama Young Voices; and represent our state within the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Drumline. One of our Percussion Ensemble’s most important cornerstones is family. Our students have worked hard to foster a sense of family within their group. They understand the importance of quickly taking in our freshman class and transfer students and working in not only musical concepts and abilities, but continuing to build and foster a culture that does not rest on laurels and constantly seeks to improve. This has been the ultimate actor in our Percussion Ensemble growth. We are excited at the opportunity to perform at the 2025 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference!
University Singers is the University of Alabama’s premiere vocal ensemble. Made up of undergraduate and graduate singers representing over twenty academic majors, this ensemble serves as an ambassador for the university both on- and off-campus. University Singers explores a wide variety of repertoire with a focus on storytelling through the choral art, and frequently commissions and premiers works by living composers. Throughout their history, the University Singers have toured nationally and internationally. They were also honored to be selected as a featured choir for the 2024 Alabama Vocal Association All-State Choral Festival. The UA University Singers are known for their thoughtful and innovative performances, flexibility in vocal styles, and passionate choral singing.
An elite group of singers, the UNA Chamber Choir appears on and off campus at events such as the Renaissance Faire in Florence, on tour with the UNA Collegiate Singers, in collaboration with other groups such as the UAH Concert Choir and Huntsville Youth Orchestra, and as part of the Alabama ACDA Collegiate Choirs Festival. In the spring of 2009, they had the privilege of representing the University of North Alabama on the Department of Music & Theatre’s first international tour in its history, taking them to Italy. Since then, the group toured to Costa Rica in the springs of 2011 and 2019 and Ireland in spring 2013 as part of UNA’s Study Abroad program; they completed a second tour to Italy in the spring of 2015. They have been featured performers at the AMEA conference in 2006, 2013, 2016, and 2019. They joined the UNA Collegiate Singers for the inaugural convocation of the Alabama All-State choir in the spring of 2021 and will perform for the Alabama Music Educators Association In-Service Conference this January.
An ensemble inclusive of any UNA student on campus with a passion for singing. The UNA Collegiate Singers perform regularly in concerts with the other UNA choral ensembles and other departmental ensembles as well. They joined the UNA Chamber Choir for the inaugural convocation of the Alabama All-State choir in the spring of 2021 and will perform for the Alabama Music Educators Association In-Service Conference this January.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Robert Abend is in his third year as the Associate Director of Bands at the University of South Alabama. He completed his graduate studies at Michigan State University (DMA) and Western Michigan University (MM). Prior to his graduate studies, Rob taught instrumental music in Michigan for eight years. Most recently, he served as the Director of Bands at Dakota High School in Macomb, Michigan from 2013 to 2018. Under his direction the Dakota High School band program was made up of approximately 200 students. In 2015, the DHS Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the Michigan Music Conference.
Trying to categorize Dr. Milt Allen is as difficult as trying to describe his musical interests. An internationally recognized conductor, music educator, speaker, author and music advocate – not to mention avid adventurer – describes an individual often taking the trail less-traveled: sometimes literally! From Tanzania to Haiti, Rwanda to Compton, CA and Mt. Kilimanjaro to Everest Base Camp, Milt’s extensive experiences from teaching and performing music from grassroots to university levels, then creating his own non-profit: The Music Guerrilla, only begins to describe his musical passion. Dr. Allen is an educational artist for Jupiter Instruments and serves as a clinician for GIA/Meredith Music Publications.
Tyler Arcari (b. 1989) is a composer, arranger, author, and clinician whose music is played around the world. He received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in music education from Troy University where he studied with composer Ralph Ford and Euphonium under Dr. Mark J. Walker. As a teacher, Tyler has taught at both the middle and high school levels. Tyler’s primary focus when writing has been for the young musician. He became passionate about and interested in the needs of developing musicians as a classroom teacher and finds writing for musicians at this level to be very rewarding. Tyler’s music can currently be found published through Excelcia Music Publishing, Wingert-Jones Publications, Kendor Music Publishing and Carl Fischer Music. His original works have been featured across the globe, appear on numerous state contest lists and events such as the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. For more information about the music of Tyler Arcari, visit his website www.tylerarcari.com
Joe Bader received his B.M.E. from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio and a MS in Music Technology from Indiana University, where he was awarded the Chancellor’s Scholar Award. His career of 34 covered both public and private schools in Georgia and Alabama. Under his leadership, the Youth Brass Academy of Huntsville, a British style brass band, took first place in their division at the 2024 NABBA championship. Mr.Bader’s band programs consistently received superior ratings and numerous honors. The Five Forks Bronco Band was selected to perform at the Southeastern United States Band Clinic at Troy State University where he was awarded the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. His band at The Westminster Schools, Atlanta, received numerous invitations including participating the Lord Mayor of Westminster New Years Day Spectacular which included a stage performance in the Royal Albert Hall. Within GMEA, he served as district secretary and district chair, and organized many district and state level events. Mr. Bader also served as organizer for the Georgia Independent School Association All-Select band for their annual conferences. As an early leader utilizing technology in the classroom, he presented at the Georgia Teacher Technology Conference and was invited to present at the ASTA national conference. He has served as an adjudicator, clinician and trumpet performer in Georgia and the South Carolina. As a performer, he has participated in the Charleston Symphony, the Modernaires Big Band, the Tara Winds, The Turner Field Band for the Atlanta Braves, The Brass Band of Huntsville and is a freelancer in the Huntsville area. Joe is married to Holly Ralston and is the proud father of two boys, Zane and Kenny.
Dr. Renée L. Baptiste serves as Department Head of the David L Walters Music Department as well as Director of Music Education at Jacksonville State University in Alabama. A frequent member of accreditation reviews, Dr. Baptiste has contributed to SACSCOC, CAEP and NASM self-studies. She has presented at the International Conference on Technological Directions for Music Learning, the Mountain Lake Colloquium for Teachers of General Music Methods, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, and the Southern Chapter of the College Music Society where she previously served on the board as the music education representative. A strong advocate of music education from K-12 education and beyond, she served as a member of the Advocacy Leadership Force (ALF) of the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA). Dr. Baptiste graduated from William Carey College (BM); Eastman School of Music (MM), and the University of Florida (Ph.D.). She teaches graduate courses in music research and music assessment at JSU. Dr. Baptiste served on the 2023 Arts/AV CTE Course of Study Revision Team.
Nancy H. Barry is Professor and Music Education Coordinator in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Auburn University. She earned the Bachelors of Music Education from Middle Tennessee State; Master’s degree and Ph.D. in music education, and certificates in Electronic Music and Computers in Music from Florida State. Barry has numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international professional conferences. Barry is active in professional organizations such as NAfME and the College Music Society and was a screener for the 2022 and 2023 Grammy Music Educator Award. Barry received the Auburn University Distinguished Graduate Faculty Lectureship in 2022.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Lorelei Batisla-ong, BM, Southwest Texas State University; MM Instrumental Conducting, Texas State University; PhD Music and Human Learning, The University of Texas at Austin. She served on the AOSA Board of Trustees and was State Director of NAfME – Texas. They are the Lead Editor of Decolonizing the Music Room and co-author of Elemental Ukulele: Pathways and Possibilities. Lorelei’s research interests are ukulele pedagogy, teacher noticing and cognition, skill acquisition and development, and equity in the classroom and teaching profession. When she’s not teaching they’re generally wondering why everything is the way it is and how it can be better.
Shellie Beeman, Associate Professor of Voice at Jacksonville State University, earned her D.A. degree in Voice Performance with a secondary emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State University. Dr. Beeman is a CMVT through the McClosky Institute. In 2017 she completed the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Training at Shenandoah University. She is an active performer, clinician, and adjudicator, as well as a member of NATS, NAfME, CMS, and Classical Singer. Dr. Beeman has presented clinics on Vocal Health in Indiana, Colorado, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. She is a published author with Elsevier’s Journal of Voice, Classical Singer Online, and a contributing author for Whaley’s book series, Voice Teacher’s Cookbook.
A native of Monroe, Georgia, Zandra Bell-McRoy has been a music educator since 2002. Upon graduating from the University of Georgia in 2001 with degrees in music and music education, Dr. Bell-McRoy began her career as a high school band director in Troup county, and later Clayton county. She has also served as a middle and high school band director in Clayton, Walton, and Gwinnett counties. Bands under her direction have consistently received superior and excellent ratings. Her most recent appointment is as Director of Bands at Cedar Shoals High School, in which she oversees all aspects of the comprehensive band program and serves as fine arts department chairperson. Dr. Bell-McRoy also serves as the Virtual PLC Lead for 6-12 Band with the Georgia Department of Education. Dr. Bell-McRoy has numerous professional affiliations and serves as a flutist with Tara Winds. She is an active clinician and adjudicator in the state of Georgia. She resides in Monroe, Georgia with her husband, Darvin McRoy.
Dr. Douglas Black, Jr is the Assistant Professor of Music Education and Low Brass at Alabama A&M University and the Director of Education for the Brass Band of Huntsville. Where he teaches applied low brass, music appreciation, and music education courses. Doug has previously served on the music faculty at Nottoway County Public Schools, Halifax Community College, Winthrop University, and the University of South Carolina. Doug has performed concertos with the Winthrop University Wind Symphony, Carolinas Wind Orchestra, Peoria Municipal Band, and given recitals in North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Alabama, and Canada. Doug is an active orchestral tubist; he was the principal tuba of the Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Union Symphony Orchestra, and was the principal tuba and cimbasso of Opera Carolina. Doug received a Bachelor’s degree in Music with emphasis in Music Education with an Undergraduate Performance Certificate from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina, a Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Doug is an Eastman Tuba Artist.
Dr. Kenneth G. Bodiford has served as the Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama since 1994. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education at Jacksonville State University, his Master of Music in Music Education and Wind Ensemble Conducting degree at East Carolina University and his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting degree from The University of Alabama. Dr. Bodiford is the conductor of the Jacksonville State University Chamber Winds, which is the top performing wind ensemble at the university. In addition to his responsibilities as the Director of Bands, Dr. Bodiford teaches the instrumental conducting courses at the university and maintains a busy national schedule as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. Dr. Bodiford is also the director of the internationally known “Marching Southerners.” Since Dr. Bodiford’s appointment to the Jacksonville State University director’s position, the band program has consistently grown in both quantity and quality each year. Under his leadership, The Marching Southerners have grown from approximately 144 members to a membership in excess of 450. Dr. Bodiford served as the Executive Director of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps (JSU Spirit) from 2001 until 2007.
Joseph Brennan received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from Temple University studying violin and trumpet. In 2022 Joe retired after 37 years of teaching, primarily as the director of orchestras in the Haverford Township School District, near Philadelphia. Joe is currently an adjunct music instructor at the University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, and Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Joe has presented sessions at ASTA, MidWest, NAfME, TMEA, and others. Joe has twice been chosen to attend the Juilliard School’s “Conductors Workshop for Music Educators”. In 2006, PMEA recognized Joe with the Citation of Excellence Award.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Brenda Brenner is Professor of Music and Eugene O’Brien Bicentennial Executive Associate Dean (Interim) at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She specializes in string music education, teaching applied violin, as well as courses in violin and string pedagogy. Brenner received a BM and BME from Wichita State University and an MM and DMA in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music. In addition to her appointment to the Music Education Department, she serves as co-director of the IU String Academy, a position she has held since 1993. Her String Academy students have been featured in concerts in major venues throughout the United States and have presented tours throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. As director of the Fairview Project - a program in which every first and second grader in a Title I school learns violin as part of the curriculum - Brenner researches the cognitive, academic, and social outcomes of early instrumental music instruction. An active performer of chamber music throughout the United States, Brenner partners with her husband, organist Christopher Young. She also teaches and conducts at the IU Summer String Academy and is Assistant Director of the IU Retreat for Professional Violinists and Violists. Brenner is an active international clinician, is a Past President of the American String Teachers Association, and is on the board of the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Dr. Caterina Bristol is Assistant Provost and Dean of the Harold Lloyd Murphy Graduate School at Alabama State University. For over two decades, she has promoted diversity and equity in the arts and higher education. She is experienced in accreditation and serves on various commissions and boards. She is a member of the Commission on Accreditation (National Association of Schools of Music), a visiting evaluator for NASM, and on the Executive Committee of the Alabama Council of Graduate Deans. Dr. Bristol is an advocate of student knowledge and skill development through traditional instruction, experiential learning, and entrepreneurial activities.
Dr. Robert L. Bryant III currently serves as Associate Professor, Music Education Program Coordinator, and Music Department Assessment Director at Tennessee State University. Throughout his career, he has successfully built and sustained high-performing programs in Title I schools and HBCUs. His research focuses on diversifying the music teaching profession.
Jon Bubbett received his BMEd from Troy State University and a MMEd from VanderCook College of Music. His thirty eight year career closed with twenty six years at Thompson High School in Alabaster, AL. His bands have performed for the Music for All National Concert Band Festival (2011, 2015) and the Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference (1997, 2009, 2014, 2019). He has served as a clinician participant for the Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference and the Midwest Clinic. Mr. Bubbett has concert band music published through Excelcia Music Publishing, RWS Music, Belwin, Eighth Note Publishing, and JonBubbettMusic.com.
Sarah Burns, assistant professor of music education at Jacksonville State University, received her D.M.A. in Music Education from Shenandoah University (VA). She received the M.M.E. with Kodály emphasis from Capital University (OH) and the B.S. in School Music from Freed Hardeman University (TN). Dr. Burns has completed certification in both Kodály (Capital) and OrffSchulwerk (Memphis) with training in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, World Music Drumming, and Montessori music education. She teaches undergraduate/graduate music education courses and supervises intern and practicum students. Research interests include historical research in music education, community music making, shape-note singing schools, and geriatric music engagement.
Gene Butler is Director of Bands at Smiths Station High School in Smiths Station, AL. Dr. Butler received his Bachelor of Music Education from Troy University, Masters of Science in Music Education from Troy University, and Doctor in Curriculum and Leadership from Columbus State University. Dr. Butler is in his 8th year of teaching at Smiths Station and 14th year overall. Dr. Butler was awarded the 2015 Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year from the Alabama Music Educators Association. Ensembles under the direction of Dr. Butler have consistently received superior ratings at marching concerts and concert assessments throughout the Southeastern United States.
Josh Byrd serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of West Georgia. His primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, teaching conducting and music education courses, and supervising student teachers. Prior to his appointment he served as the band director at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin. Dr. Byrd is an active clinician and advocate for teacher mentorship, having presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, NAfME Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education Conference, and CBDNA National Conference. Dr. Byrd lives in Carrollton with his wife, Katie, and their two children, Tripp and Haley.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Blair Callaway is currently an Instructor of Instrumental Music Education at Jacksonville State University. He received his Master of Arts Degree from the University of North Alabama in Florence, AL and his Bachelor of Science Degree from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. Blair taught high school band for twenty-eight years in Georgia and Alabama. Blair is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, American School Band Directors Association, National Band Association, Georgia Association of Jazz Educators, and the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Francis Cathlina, D.M.A. (he/him) is a distinguished Vietnamese-American conductor and educator. He is currently the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis, where he oversees the Choral Area, leads the DMA and MM Choral Conducting program, and conducts the University Singers (flagship SATB). A two-time GRAMMY-nominated educator with 55+ presentations across the globe, international publications, and an active honor choir schedule, Dr. Cathlina holds degrees from UNT, Michigan State, and Baylor. He is grateful to his husband, family, and friends, who embrace his blend of Vietnamese culture and Western upbringing. www.franciscathlina.com
Michael Chambless is in his ninth year as Director of Bands at Thompson Middle School, and his tenth year of teaching. Mr. Chambless is a native of Hoover, Alabama and a graduate of Hoover High School. Prior to his time at Thompson, Mr. Chambless began his teaching career at Hillcrest and Duncanville Middle Schools in Tuscaloosa, AL. His bands have consistently received superior ratings at the Alabama Bandmasters Music Performance Assessment. Under his direction, the Thompson Middle School Symphonic Band has performed at The University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band Festival, the Alabama Music Educators Association Conference, and the Southeastern Regional Music for All Concert Festival in Atlanta, GA. His bands have also performed in Orlando at both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Mr. Chambless is a two time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence, and a recipient of the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Band Director Award. Mr. Chambless holds a Bachelors of Science in Music Education from The University of Alabama and a Masters in Education from the American Band College at Central Washington University. He currently resides in Helena, Alabama with his wife Cindy, who is a professional musician, and their daughter Caroline.At Thompson Middle School, Mr. Chambless conducts the Symphonic Band and Concert Band 2, and assists with Concert Band 1. He also teaches beginning band horn, trombone, and trumpet classes.
Dr. Erin Charles is the Director of Visual and Performing Arts and Upper School Band Director at Randolph School, a private PK-12 school in Huntsville, Alabama. As an arts administrator, she oversees faculty members in the Fine Arts Department who specialize in band, choir, theatre, and visual arts. She serves as an advocate for Fine Arts in the Randolph and Huntsville community. Dr. Charles also enjoys directing the Upper School Concert Band and her main instrument is clarinet. Prior to her position at Randolph, Dr. Charles was a professor in the Music Education Department at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Mike Christiansen is Professor Emeritus in the Music Department at Utah State University. He was Director of Guitar Studies at USU for 39 years. His awards include: Utah State University Professor of The Year, Caine College of the Arts Professor of the Year, and a U.S. Carnegie Professor of the Year. He has been a TED speaker. He has authored/co-authored over 40 guitar and ukulele instruction books and appears on hundreds of instruction videos. He works as a soloist, with the Brazilian group, Evening in Brazil, with the Lightwood Duo, and the band, Mirage
Shane Colquhoun, Ph.D., is a Grammy-nominated music educator with a diverse musical background in music education and production. Shane is the Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Contemporary Music Styles at Alabama State University. He has published in General Music Today, the Media Journal in Music Education, and is the author of The Producers of Pop: A Comprehensive Plan for Studying Popular Music Producers.
Dr. Nicholaus B. Cummins is the new Director of Choral Studies at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi where he conducts the State Singers and OPUS. Cummins was previously Director of Choral Activities at Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where his Northwestern Chamber Choir performed at the 2024 Southern ACDA Conference, 2019 NCCO 8th National Conference, and competed and placed in multiple international choral competitions. He has presented topics at multiple state and regional conferences and published in the ACDA Choral Journal. Additionally, he has been a clinician for multiple college, high school and junior high honor choirs. Dr. Cummins previously taught high school choral music at Hewitt-Trussville HS in Trussville, Alabama & John Marshall HS in San Antonio, Texas.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Dr. Melinda S. Doyle is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Montevallo. Dr. Doyle received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral and orchestral conducting from Louisiana State University. Choirs under Dr. Doyle’s direction have received invitational performances for American Choral Directors Association Conferences, Alabama Music Educators Association Conference, Florida Music Educators Association Conference, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra as well as some of the finest performance venues throughout Europe. The Montevallo Concert Choir has toured in the United Kingdom and France and has performed at such venues as King’s College in Cambridge, Canterbury Cathedral, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Under Doyle’s direction, the Concert Choir made its New York Carnegie Hall debut in a 2019 featured performance. Dr. Doyle currently serves as the Alabama American Choral Directors Association Past President and is the founder and artistic director of the Alabama Choral Society.
Kent Eversmeyer is the president of the Brass Band of Huntsville. Under Kent’s leadership the Brass Band of Huntsville hosted three North American Brass Band Championships in Huntsville, won numerous awards at the NABBA Championships, and established a new Huntsville Youth Brass Academy. Kent also is the hornist with the Rocket City Brass Quintet and serves on the board of the Madison Scouts Alumni Association.
Greg Gilpin is a celebrated ASCAP award-winning choral composer and arranger and a highly respected choral conductor. He is known throughout the United States leading performances at New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as well as Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. His international appearances include the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, Royal Festival Hall in London, England and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland. Mr. Gilpin is also a producer and musician in the recording industry and is Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, a distinguished choral publisher. In 2020, Mr. Gilpin’s “pandemic pivot” took him down an additional career path by becoming certified as a financial coach and a certified Boss Organizer, creating his own professional organizing business, Maestro Organizing. This work has led to appearances on Fox and NBC network affiliates. Mr. Gilpin can also be seen on the hit TV show “Hoarders”, alongside Dorothy Breininger, renowned producer and organizer. Mr. Gilpin is a proud member of ACDA, NAfME, SAGAFTRA, and is a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Dr. Russell Greene is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. He teaches courses in music education and conducts the ASU Wind Ensemble. His research contributions are in music publications such as The Journal of Band Research, The Instrumentalist, the Ala Breve, and The Horn Call Dr. Greene is the former Director of Bands at Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, AL, and Assistant Band Director at Oak Grove High School in Bessemer, AL. He is an active composer and arranger, writing halftime shows, concert pieces, and chamber music for ensembles throughout the southeast. Dr. Greene received a B.S. in Music Education from Troy University, an M.A. in Music Education from The University of Alabama, and a Ph.D. in Music Education from The University of Alabama.
Vince Guerrero is a former middle school band director and elementary music teacher. He earned his BA in Music from American University where he performed with multiple ensembles including the AU Symphonic Band, Jazz Workshop, and Saxophone Quartet. He was also active in the Pride of San Antonio Showband until moving to Nashville, TN in 2021. Here he began at QuaverEd as a Customer Service Specialist but has now moved to a new challenge as a Music Specialist Trainer.
Dr. Chris Harper is the band director at Long County High School in Ludowici, Georgia, and has been in music education for 23 years. He has earned music education degrees from Valdosta State University, Troy University, and Liberty University. Dr. Harper has studied the psychology of musician motivation from a conductor’s perspective under Dr. Dale Lonis through the Canadian Wind Conductors Development Program in Canada. He is also a noted authority on the Saito Conducting Method, having studied with Wayne Toews and Morihiro Okabe. Dr. Harper has been featured in The Instrumentalist magazine for his ideas on ensemble programming, integration of music technology within a wind band program, and effective practices for recruiting and retaining band students. He has presented clinics at music conferences in Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska, Alabama, South Dakota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, and the 2021 NAfME National Conference, and his sessions have been well received by his audiences.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Andrea Hayter has a dual education background with experience both in elementary music and English as a Second Language. She has taught in private schools, public schools, and abroad. In 2019, she won the Teacher of Excellence Award from the Arlington Masonic Lodge for her work building community in the elementary music classroom. In 2023, she won the Texas Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages TexTESOLer of the Year Award for the San Antonio region. She presents teacher training seminars that help empower teachers with strategies to manage their classrooms and engage every student.
Heather M. Henson graduated from Samford University and began her teaching career in Jefferson County at Gardendale HS, Oak Grove HS, and Pittman MS. She was the visual coordinator, clarinet instructor, and winter guard director for Brookwood HS for twelve years. The last sixteen years Ms. Henson has built a music program at American Christian Academy where she directs the Symphonic, Marching, Intermediate, Beginning, and Royal Bluezz Jazz Bands. She teaches HS Choir, Music Theory, MS Speech, and is the advisor for the Tri-M chapter. Professional memberships include the NAfME, NBA, AMEA, Women Band Directors International, and the International Clarinet Association.
BethAnn Hepburn teaches general music and choir for Streetsboro City Schools. She is an Orff Schulwerk teacher trainer for AOSA and conducts elementary honors choirs and Orff ensembles. BethAnn is a frequent presenter for Orff and Kodaly chapters and presents workshops internationally. She is president-elect for the Ohio music education association, and she is serving her second term as the North Central Division representative on the Nafme General Music Council. BethAnn is co-author of Purposeful Pathways: Possibilities for the Elementary Music Classroom Books 1 -4. She is a Ph. D. candidate in Music Education at Kent State University in music education.
John Hillsman is a graduate of Troy University where he served as drum major of the “Sound of the South Marching Band in 1983 and 1984. He holds BS, MS, and EdS degrees in Music Education. He was drum major and a member of the staff of the McDonald’s All- American Band. He has completed 38 years as a band director teaching at Hawkinsville High School, Westover High School, Washington County High School, Jeff Davis High School, and currently at Beauregard High School. He is an active adjudicator and clinician. He was recently named as the Beauregard High School and Lee County Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year. He holds memberships in NAfME, ABA, NBA, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Beta Mu.
Matthew Hoch is professor of voice at Auburn University. Prior to this appointment, he spent six years as assistant professor of voice at Shorter College/University. Hoch’s students have gone on to successful careers in both classical and musical theatre genres and have won awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council (MONC), NATS, MTNA, ACTF, the Vann Vocal Institute, and others. He has appeared as a soloist with the Oregon Bach Festival, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Vox Consort, Harmonie Universelle, the Hartford, Rome, and Nashua symphony orchestras, the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, and the United States Coast Guard Chamber Players. Hoch is the 2016 winner of the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship, awarded jointly by the Voice Foundation and NATS. He is the author, coauthor, editor, or coeditor of ten books and his articles have appeared in numerous academic and professional journals. He is associate editor of the of the “Voice Pedagogy” column for the NATS Journal of Singing, chair of the NATS/Rowman & Littlefield editorial board, and editor of the “On the Voice” column for the ACDA Choral Journal. In 2018, he presented performances and master classes in the United Arab Emirates as was awarded the Auburn University College of Liberal Arts Teaching Excellence Award.
Jerell Horton has been the band director at Vestavia Hills since 2006. He is a graduate of Samford University. Prior to his appointment at Vestavia Hills High School, he served as the assistant director at Pizitz Middle School and Vestavia Hills High School. While at Vestavia Hills, the bands have consistently earned superior rating at District and State concert band assessments. The Vestavia Hills Wind Ensemble performed at the 2011 Alabama Music Educators Conference, and the Music For All National Concert Band Festival in 2013. The Vestavia Hills High School Rebel Marching Band performed in the 2010 London New Year’s Day Parade in London, England and the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. In January 2024, the Rebel Marching will performed in the Rome New Year’s Day Parade. The Vestavia Hills High School band was awarded the National Program of Excellence Southern Division Blue Ribbon Award presented by the National Band Association. Mr. Horton has served as an honor band clinician within the states of Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia. He is also on staff for the Auburn Summer Marching and Leadership camp and the Music For All Summer Symposium. Mr. Horton a National Board Certified teacher and was named to SBO magazine’s 2014 list of 50 Directors Who Make a Difference. Mr. Horton was honored to serve on 2017 and 2022 Music for All Tournament of Roses teaching staff. He is married to Monica Horton (also an educator) and they have four children, Madina Jaimes, Israel, Chism, and Loula Grayce.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Dr. Lloyd E. Jones is Director of Bands at the University of North Alabama. He is conductor of UNA Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, and he directs the Jazz Band, Studio Lab Band, Jazz Combo, and the Marching Band. In addition to these performing organizations, Dr. Jones teaches selected saxophone and clarinet students, Music Fundamentals and Band Arranging & Drill Writing, and conducts the Miss UNA Pageant Orchestra at the university. As a professional musician, Dr. Jones has performed regularly throughout the southeast and continues to be an active saxophonist. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician at numerous contests, festivals, and honor bands throughout Alabama and Tennessee. He is an active composer, music arranger, and show designer for over 50 universities and high schools in the Southeast and Mid-Western United States. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Alabama Music Educators Association, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Pi Kappa Lamda, and the National Band Association. Dr. Jones holds a BFA in Graphic Design, a Bachelor of Music Education Degree, a Master of Arts in Education Degree, and a PhD in music education. He and his wife, the former Amy Gist, reside in Greenhill, AL with their two sets of twins: Lloyd Edward and Katherine Elizabeth; Hugh William and Walter Andrew.
Aaron Jamal Kennedy is currently a 6th year PreK-5 General Music Teacher/Show Choir Director at Oak Park Elementary School. Jamal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in Instrumental Music PK-12 at the University of North Alabama. During his time at UNA, Jamal ook part in various ensembles, including the UNA Composition Studio. In 2018, he received an award from the AMEA Young Composer’s Competition. In 2022, Jamal was also the recipient of he Alabama Arts Alliance Grant. He is also co-owner of The Chromatic Duo, a podcast that advocates for Black Music Educators, with his wife, Lily.
Lillian Kennedy is currently a PreK-5 General Music Teacher/Show Choir Director at Woodmeade Elementary School. Lillian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in Instrumental Music PK-12 from the University of North Alabama. During her time at UNA, she participated in the UNA Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble/Group, and Shoals Symphony. She was also nominated as the 2022-2023 New Teacher of the Year at her current position and continues to provide a positive musical environment for her students. Lillian is also co-owner of The Chromatic Duo, a podcast that advocates for Black Music Educators, with her husband, Jamal.
Matt Koperniak serves as Performing Arts Coordinator for Fulton County Schools. Under his leadership, Fulton County Schools continues to be named a “Best Community for Music Education” from the NAMM Foundation, recognizing commitment and access to music education. He also leads the Senior Music Education Seminar at Georgia State University. Dr. Koperniak previously served as Director of Bands at Riverwatch Middle School. Under his direction, the Riverwatch Symphonic Band performed at The Midwest Clinic and received the Sudler Silver Cup from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Dr. Koperniak served as President of the Georgia Music Educators Association from 2021-2023.
Dr. Brenda Luchsinger is an Associate Professor of Music at Alabama State University, an HBCU in Montgomery, AL, where she teaches horn, brass methods, and a variety of musicianship courses. She earned a BM in Applied Horn and Instrumental Music Education from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, MM in Horn Performance from the University of Florida, and DMA in Horn Performance from the University of Alabama. Dr. Luchsinger currently holds orchestral positions with the Tuscaloosa and Montgomery Symphony Orchestras, and Sinfonia Gulf Coast (Destin, FL). She performs frequently with other orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the southeast. In addition to an active performance schedule in the US, she has performed in concerts, chamber and solo recitals in Canada, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. In 2018 she became the first American horn player certified by the Suzuki Association of the Americas to teach the Suzuki Method for horn. She serves on the Brass Committee for the International Suzuki Association and is a lead developer of the materials for the Suzuki Horn Method. In addition to a large private studio of both traditional and Suzuki students, she established a Suzuki Brass for Children outreach program at ASU for the campus community. Dr. Luchsinger is a frequent presenter, giving lectures at regional workshops, state, national and international conferences, including multiple presentations at International Horn Symposia. She is in demand as an adjudicator for competitions and serves as a juror for the International Horn Competition of America. She is also a board member with ClefWorks, an arts advocacy organization in Montgomery, which specializes in bringing unique and diverse musical and music education experiences to the community. Dr. Luchsinger currently serves as the International Horn Society’s Area Representative for Alabama and is the News Editor for The Horn Call. Her teachers have included Charles “Skip” Snead, Paul Basler, Patrick Miles, and Michael J. Arendt.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Morgan Luttig, Ph.D. is an active conductor, music educator, and clinician. As the Director of Choral Activities at The University of Alabama, she directs the university choirs and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in choral conducting and techniques. She also serves as Associate Editor of Recording Reviews for the National Collegiate Choral Organization’s (NCCO) publication, The Choral Scholar and American Choral Review. Luttig earned her Ph.D. in Music Education (Choral Conducting) from Florida State University. In the 2020-21 academic year she was named one of six winners of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for her work with the university choirs and choral music education courses. Prior to FSU, she was Visiting Choral Director and Visiting Instructor of Music at Washington and Lee University, directing the university choirs and running the Choral Conducting Mentorship Program. She began her teaching career as a K-12 choral and general music educator in Savannah, GA. Luttig is a leader in the American Choral Directors Association, serving multiple roles at the regional and national levels. She maintains an active conducting and speaking schedule, serving as choral clinician and interest session presenter around the country. Choirs under her direction have sung around Europe and at Carnegie Hall, and the UA University Singers were invited to perform for the Alabama Vocal Association All-State Choral Festival in 2024.
Harry McAfee spent 11 years building an exceptional program at Bottenfield Jr. High. He also had the experience of rebuilding the Shades Valley Band from 29 students to over 230 before moving to the award winning Hoover High School. Mr. McAfee developed successful programs through effective means of recruiting, retention, planning, and teaching. He continues to teach privately and to mentor young teachers in the Birmingham area. He embraces opportunities to share his experience and expertise with young teachers struggling to develop their programs. Mr. McAfee was recently inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
Michelle McDonald is a graduate of Troy University and started her teaching career in Ozark City Schools in 2007 as the director of bands for D.A. Smith Middle School and the associate band director at Carroll High School. Currently, Mrs. McDonald is the band director at Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools -Middle and co-directs the Music Industries program in the Tuscaloosa Fine Arts Academy at Bryant High School in the Tuscaloosa City Schools system. She is actively involved in community outreach to bring awareness and support for the performing arts, having served as the Director of the Dothan Community Band, founding board member of the Dale county performing arts Council, director of the Dale County community choir, and founding member of the Alabama Music Industries Education Association. Mrs. McDonald has served as a clinician and adjudicator across Alabama and had the great honor of serving as a guest clinician for the Middle School SEUS Honor Band. Professional memberships include National Association for Music Education, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Women Band Directors International, Music Will Teacher, and Alabama Music Industry Educators Association- founding member.
Jeanette Mihalchik is a National Board Certified music teacher with almost 3 decades of experience teaching general music, choir, Orff ensembles, and group guitar. She is an Arts Integration Specialist, an instructional coach, a national presenter and a mentor. She has studied Arts Integration at The Kennedy Center through their CETA program and is Orff Certified. She has presented at MEA’s all over the country and mentors music teachers through The Happy Music Teacher Academy. Jeanette is the author of resource books, Stories That Sing and Stories That Sing Too!
Dr. Laura Moore is Chair of the Music Department at the University of South Alabama, where she also serves as the Director of Choral Activities and teaches conducting and music history at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has been the chorus master for Mobile Opera for 15 years and recently was named the Artistic Director of the Eastern Shore Choral Society. Dr. Moore has served as the President of Alabama ACDA and Registrar for the Alabama chapter of NATS. She serves as a visiting evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and currently serves on the Board of Directors of NASM as Chair of Region 8. Dr. Moore is active as a collaborative pianist, adjudicator, clinician, music director, and church musician.
Dr. Cara Morantz is Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Music Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She coordinates the music education program, conducts the Symphony Band, and teaches courses in instrumental methods, graduate foundations, band and aural skills. Prior to her arrival at UAB, Dr. Morantz spent nine years in the public schools of Cobb County, Georgia, where she taught at both the middle school and high school levels. Dr. Morantz graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Miami, and earned both her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Georgia.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Gena Inglis Nix is graduate of Jacksonville State University. She was a member of the Leadership Staff in the Marching Southerners as serving as Drum Major from 1997-1999. Gena is currently in her 24th year as band director. She is in her third as band director at Ohatchee High School. Previous teaching experience includes J.B. Pennington High School, Northwest Whitfield Middle School, and Gaston High School. Gena is an active member of NAfME, AMEA, and Sigma Alpha Iota. In 2022, and the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Gena served ABA District 2 as chairman and vice-chairman 2019-2022.
Dr. Diane Orlofsky is Professor Emerita of Music and Music Education at Troy University. She currently teaches in a part-time capacity for Troy and serves as the Graduate Music Education Program Coordinator. Orlofsky was inducted into the 2024 Alabama Music Education Association (AMEA) Hall of Fame and received the Lacey Powell Outstanding Music Educator award from AMEA in 2016. She was the 2014 recipient of the Wallace D. Malone Distinguished Faculty award which recognizes outstanding scholarship, teaching, leadership, and service, as well as the Ingalls Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching and the Phi Kappa Phi Distinguished Scholar award, among other honors. Orlofsky is a producer and co-host of the Troy Public Radio podcast InChoir: Conversations about Choral Music, the Arts and Life and is currently writing a second book about Jerome Bruner. She serves as a Co-Chair for the AMEA Leadership Initiative.
Heather Palmer is in her 22nd year as a music educator in the state of Alabama. She has been the associate director of bands at Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham Alabama since 2004. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Samford University. Throughout her career, her bands have consistently earned superior ratings at Music Performance Assessment and other band festivals. Mrs. Palmer has been a marching band adjudicator, guest clinician, and guest conductor. She is a member of the National Association of Music Educators, AMEA, ABA, and the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.
Dr. William Petersen was appointed to the faculty of the University of South Alabama in 2012 where he serves as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music and is in charge of all facets of the university’s band program. He conducts the USA Wind Ensemble, the premier instrumental ensemble at USA and serves as director of the 260-member, nationally recognized Jaguar Marching Band. In addition, Petersen also teaches courses in graduate music education, marching band techniques, and conducting. Under his direction, the USA Wind Ensemble has developed a reputation for excellence in performance and served as the featured guest ensemble for the 2015, 2016, and 2022 Alabama All-State Band Festival. In addition, he has been active in promoting new music for the medium with recent consortium commissions from composers Katahj Copley and James Barnes. The Jaguar Marching Band has established itself as a nationally recognized ensemble, both in musical ability and marching technique, during Petersen’s tenure. Petersen received his BME in Instrumental Music (2002), MM in Wind Conducting (2005) and DM in Wind Conducting (2013) from Indiana University. In 2024 he was elected into the membership of the Alabama Chapter of Phi Beta Mu.
Regina Yates Raney completed her 34th year in public education and her 23nd year as the band director at Austin Middle/ Junior High School. Mrs. Raney earned her Bachelors of Music Education, BS in Math Education, and Master of Arts in Education from the University of North Alabama. She earned her EdS from the University of Montevallo. Mrs. Raney earned her National Board Certification in 2005. She regularly conducts honor bands throughout the southeast. She was the ABA District 1 Chairman. She holds memberships in NAfME, AMEA, NBA, ASBDA, Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Mu Epsilon, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Beta Mu.
Dr. Myra Rhoden is the founder of the Athena Music and Leadership Camp (athenacamp.com), an all-girls music program created to promote musical excellence while emphasizing leadership skills. She also served as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chairperson at Fayette County High School (GA). Rhoden frequently serves as a guest conductor for state, regional, and university honor bands and is honored to have presented sessions at The Midwest Clinic, various national, state and regional conferences, and for school systems and professional development clinics throughout the United States and Canada. A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Dr. Rhoden was named the NAfME 2018 National Band Director of the Year, has been awarded the Outstanding Service to Music Award from Tau Beta Sigma, the Golden Rose Award from Women Band Directors International, multiple Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, and has been named STAR Teacher and Teacher of the Year. She had the distinct pleasure of being a guest conductor for the United States Air Force Band and the United States Army Field Band of Washington, D. C. and the Tara Winds of Atlanta, Georgia. She is honored to be a member of the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, serves as a Conn Selmer Educational Clinician and was elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2023. She holds degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of Southern Mississippi and resides in Fayetteville, Georgia with her husband, Errol Jr. Their son, Errol III, is a freelance musician based in Los Angeles.
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Dr. Michael Roy has been teaching secondary music since 2010. He is currently serving as Associate Director of Bands, Trombone Choir Director and Director of Guitar Studies at Foley High School in Foley, AL. Dr. Roy holds degrees from Louisiana State University (Bachelor of Music Education), Southwest Baptist University (Master of Education Administration), University of the Cumberlands (Education Specialist in Instructional Leadership), and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, also from University of the Cumberlands. Dr. Roy has been involved with Drum Corps International for over a decade as both a performer and educator. He performed with the DCI Division 2 World Finalist Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004 and 2005. He was also a performer with the 2006 and 2008 DCI Division 1 World Champion Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He formally served on brass staff with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 2018-2023. Michael is an avid marching instructor and drill writer having worked field and indoor shows for schools in Louisiana, Missouri, and Alabama. Dr. Roy is a member of the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), and was a founding member of the Alabama Music Industry Educators Association (AMIEA). Dr. Roy served on the 2023 Arts/AV CTE Course of Study Revision Team and is currently serving on the Alabama State Fine Arts Standards revision team.
Sara Schiller has taught Kindergarten, First, and Second grade Music for the past seven years. She received her master’s and specialist degrees from Auburn University, where she is currently pursuing her doctorate in Music Education. Sara and her husband Chris teach music in Auburn, where they live with their three children.
Dr. Brandon Slocumb is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Music at Huntingdon College where he was awarded the Dr. and Mrs. John N. Todd III Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2023. His primary teaching responsibilities include Low Brass, Music History and Instrumental Music Education courses. Dr. Slocumb also serves as the Director of Music at Eastwood Presbyterian Church where he directs the choir and supervises instrumental music. His previous experience includes teaching at LaGrange College, Birmingham-Southern College, Alabama A & M University, and Samford University. From 2009-18 he operated a large low brass studio in the Birmingham area while working as a freelance trombonist. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Samford University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees in trombone from the University of North Texas and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Dr. Morgan Soja is the Director of Music Education at Samford University. She earned her PhD and MM in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her BM in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. She has certificates in Kodaly levels I and II, Orff Level I, II, III, and masterclass, GIML Introductions to MLT and Elementary General Music coursework, and Modern Band 101 and 102. She has also completed Orton-Gillingham literacy training. Soja is an active participant in the Association of Popular Music Education. She has presented frequently at state and national NAfME conferences, and internationally at APME conferences .
Dr. Henry Terry teaches music in the Montgomery, Alabama Public School District, where he has been employed for 34 years as director of choirs at George Washington Carver High School. Dr. Terry graduated from Alabama State University, where he earned the BA and MME degrees. He completed an Ed.S. degree in leadership at Auburn University Montgomery. He earned the Ed.S. in Choral Music Education and the Ph.D. in Choral Music Education in 2022 from Auburn University, Auburn, AL. Dr. Terry’s research interest includes using Diverse music with Negro Spirituals Performance Practices to Bridge Culture Diversity Gaps in Eurocentric Music Education.
Leigh Thomas received an undergraduate degree (2010) and a graduate degree (2012) from the University of Alabama, where she was drum major, a wind ensemble percussionist, and a graduate teaching assistant. Ms. Thomas served as assistant director of bands at Bob Jones High School from 2012-15 and Director of Bands beginning fall 2015. In her time there, Bob Jones has performed at AMEA three times (Wind Ensemble 2017 & 2022; Percussion Ensemble 2019). Ms. Thomas is a two-time presenter at AMEA. She performs with the Alabama Winds and has performed at AMEA twice (2015 & 2019), the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic (2017), and the Western International Band Clinic (2021).
AMEA 2025 Clinicians
Becky Warren served 40 years as a Band Director. She is the NDMEA Distinguished Service Award recipient and Founder of Warren Music Consulting. In Alabama, Mrs. Warren was active as ABA Chairman for Districts 2 and 3, President-elect of the ABA, and President of AMEA. She served on the Board of NDMEA. She is a member of NAfME, NBA, NDMEA, MEA, and Phi Beta Mu. Becky has served as a clinician, adjudicator, professional development speaker, and guest conductor in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa, and the International Music Camp. Three of her clinics and numerous Chat Rooms have been presented at the Midwest. She has also been published in The Instrumentalist Magazine.
Justin White is Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama and was a Master’s Conducting Associate at the University of North Texas, where he earned a M.M. in Wind Conducting with a related field in Music Education in 2014. While at UNT, he was a conducting student of Nicholas Enrico Williams, Dennis Fisher and Eugene Migliaro Corporon. In 2020, Mr. White was selected winner in The American Prize conducting competition for winds and outstanding young band director by the Alabama Chapter of Phi Beta Mu.
Joshua Wine is currently the Director of Bands and Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Auburn Junior High School, where he conducts and oversees three concert bands, percussion methods class, jazz band, musicology club, teaches music appreciation, and assists with the Auburn High School Marching Band. Mr. Wine also serves as conductor of the all-adult East Alabama Community Band. Ensembles under Mr. Wine’s direction have performed as featured ensembles at the AMEA Conference, CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference and the Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival. Mr. Wine lives in Auburn with his wife Haley and four children.
Dr. Anne C. Witt recently retired from the University of Alabama, after a 53-year career of teaching music. She taught strings/orchestra in middle and high school in Austin, TX, before beginning her university career at the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Alabama. She has also taught private cello and piano lessons, and classes for retired adults. Her greatest joy comes from seeing her students succeed. Her degrees were earned at the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Austin. She is the author of A Rhythm a Week, a supplementary method for band and strings classes. After returning to her hometown in 2003, Dr. Witt organized a community initiative to fund the start-up of a strings program for the Tuscaloosa City Schools, called Strings in Schools. After 18 years, over 2500 students have participated, and several alumni have become music teachers. There are five full-time teachers in all middle and high schools, and the program has served as an inspiration for other school districts. She also began the Adult Strings program, the Adult String Weekend and Cellobration Day at UA. Dr. Witt has served as President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, National President of ASTA and state of Alabama ASTA President. She continues to be active in these associations, the All State Orchestra Festival and as a guest conductor. She is a frequent presenter at AMEA, focusing on practical topics in the “use it on Monday” category. She continues teaching young musicians as an active volunteer in the public schools.
Dr. Damion Womack, a GRAMMY nominated Music Educator has dedicated over twenty years serving as an inspirational and motivational conductor, educator, and administrator, at the elementary, middle, high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Dr. Womack has served as Director of Choral Activities at Mississippi College and Chair of Fine Arts and Director of Choral Activities at Huntingdon College. Currently, Dr. Womack has been reappointed as Director of Arts at The Montgomery Academy where he previously received the McLemore Award for Excellence in Teaching. Choral ensembles under the direction of Dr. Womack have performed by juried invitation for regional and national conventions of The American Choral Directors Association and The National Association for Music Education. Dr. Womack is in demand as a guest conductor and clinician. He has presented workshops and lectures for ACDA and NAfME conventions. His research topics include choral tone, unified and expressive singing, and word stress. Dr. Womack has conducted choral festivals for ACDA and MEA organizations across the United States. Dr. Womack currently serves as President- Elect Designate for ACDA Southern Region and ACDA National Youth Choirs Coordinator. In addition he has served on numerous planning committees for ACDA Southern Region Conferences. Dr. Womack holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC and holds Music Education degrees from Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University.
Dr. Hui-Ting Yang is Professor of Piano at Troy University John M. Long School of Music, where she serves as the Director of the School of Music as well as the Coordinator of Applied Studies. As an active performer and educator, she has performed, lectured, and conducted master classes throughout the Czech Republic, Korea, China, Taiwan and the United States. She has also performed at numerous festivals including the highly acclaimed Cesky Krumlov International Music Festival, “The Days of Contemporary Music” festival in Prague, and the Parma New Music Festival. Her recordings are available through Kum Seoung Records, Parma, Arco Diva, and Neos. In Spring 2022, she was selected as a Troy University Chancellor’s Fellow and has been an advocate of the faculty/staff training and readiness in student mental health crisis since then. Dr. Yang is a Steinway Artist and an inductee of the 2023 Steinway and Sons Teacher Hall of Fame.
2025 AMEA Conference Schedule
5:00-7:00 pm
5:00-7:00 pm
5:00-7:00 pm
5:30-9:00 pm
7:15-9:30 pm
7:15-9:30 pm
7:15-9:30 pm
AMEA Governing Board Meeting, Forum D (2nd Floor)
ABA Leadership Training, Forum C (2nd Floor)
AVA Scholarship Auditions, Forum F (2nd Floor)
Conference Registration, Sheraton Forum Registration Desk (Lower Level)
University of Montevallo Alumni Reception, BJCC East Meeting Room A
2025 AMEA Conference Schedule
5:30-6:30 pm
5:30-6:30 pm
7:00-9:30 pm
8:00-8:50 am
8:00-8:50 am
8:00-8:50 am
8:00-8:50 am
8:00-8:50 am
8:00-10:00 am
9:15-10:05 am
9:15-10:05 am
9:15-10:05 am
9:15-10:05 am
9:15-10:05 am
9:15-10:15 pm
University of Alabama at Birmingham Alumni Reception, BJCC East Meeting Room B
University of Alabama Alumni Reception, BJCC East Meeting Room C
AMEA General Session, BJCC Theatre
AMEA Awards
Alabama Intercollegiate Band, Stephen Peterson, Conductor University of Alabama University Singers, Morgan Luttig, Conductor
ABA General Business Meeting, Forum A-B
ELEM/GEN Interest Session, Forum J
Peas and Carrots: Partners in Orff Process, BethAnn Hepburn, Clinician
AVA Interest Session, Forum C Practical Voice Pedagogy for Choral Educators, Matthew Hoch, Clinician
HED Interest Session, Forum E Curiouser and Curiouser: Journeys Down the Research Rabbit Hole, Diane Orlofsky, Clinician
AOA Interest Session, Forum G
Do You Hear What I Hear? Anne Witt, Clinician
Conference Registration, Sheraton Forum Registration Desk (Lower Level)
AMEA Interest Session, Forum C 12 Ways to Improve Your Guitar Class, Michael Christiansen, Clinician
AOA Interest Session, Forum D
Theory is Awesome, Brenda Brenner, Clinician
ELEM/GEN Interest Session, Forum J
Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance! 2-Part Repertoire to Get Your Choir Moving, Greg Gilpin, Clinician
Collegiate Interest Session, Forum G
Speaking The Local Language: Speaking and Understanding Like an Administrator, Mark Walker, Clinician
ABA Interest Session, Forum A-B Mentor/Mentee=Win/Win, Rebecca Warren, Clinician
AVA Concert Session, BJCC Theatre Hewitt-Trussville High School Chamber Choir, Allen Gillespie, Conductor Jacksonville State University A Cappella Choir, Eliezer Yanson Jr., Conductor
10:30-11:20 am HED/Collegiate Interest Session, Forum E EdTPA Lesson Planning Competition, Stephen Foster, Facilitator
10:30-11:20 am
10:30-11:20 am
10:30-11:20 am
10:45-1:45 pm
1:00-3:00 pm
1:00-3:00 pm
ELEM/GEN Interest Session, Forum J Please Touch! BethAnn Hepburn, Clinician
AOA Interest Session, Forum G Orchestra Sight Reading Session, Jordan Kirchner Ford, Facilitator
AVA Interest Session, Forum C When Inspiration Won’t Strike: Programming in the Modern World, Morgan Luttig, Clinician
ABA Concert Session, BJCC Theatre All-State Jazz Bands
AVA Adjudicator Training, Forum C
AMEA Governing Board Meeting, Forum E
From Acceptance to Assessment: A Musical Journey for Students with Varying Abilities
Dr. Khristina Motley
Throughout my career as a music educator, I have had many valuable experiences in the classroom through interactions with students and musical groups. In reflection, the most rewarding were often those that were not necessarily assigned as part of my job or opportunities I sought out, but those that organically occurred in my classroom, which is the case with adaptive ensemble.
A tale of two classrooms
I was a seasoned public-school teacher with a terminal degree in Music Education and over the years I taught a variety of students, levels, and courses, however, this particular year was a challenge for me and my students. My high school beginning choir was struggling. Behavior was an issue, making music was a struggle, and social interactions were difficult. Meanwhile, on the other side of the school, the special education teacher was working with a group of students who were putting together their annual Thanksgiving celebration. But there was a problem; the Thanksgiving celebration was without music! I took my beginning choir class and traveled across the school to the self-contained classroom to embark on a journey I never imagined.
Upon arrival, the teacher explained the long-standing tradition of providing a meal, table decorations, and entertainment for parents, administrators, and special guests to celebrate the holiday. The student-centered process started in August as the preparation for the event was quite
involved. Everything was coming together quite nicely except for the special music. The colorful bells, which were rung when the lead teacher flashed color-coded cards to the students did not match the recorded accompaniment music. I began the process of making new visual cue-cards and my beginning choir class of “typical students” started making new friends. Without instruction, they gravitated to individual students and areas of the selfcontained classroom. They began to communicate, join in activities (centers), and make light-hearted comments; an interaction between like-minded students that would not have occurred if forced. As I worked to help with the music aspect of the performance, the students, both typical and varying abilities began to help each other. I knew I could help my colleague, but what I did not know is that my class would be forever changed.
As days went by, collaborations between my choir class and the varying abilities class increased. My students brought baked goods to share with their friends and volunteered to assist them when allowed free time during academic and physical education classes. Additionally, as the choir room was adjacent to the lunchroom, our new friends would drop by after their early mealtime, which was before the school population flooded the cafeteria, to socialize with us. During these visits, we began to “music together.” The varying abilities class was musically inclined, and several had beautiful singing voices. Groupings or clusters of kids formed,
and barriers became less and less visible as the unexpected music community began to make pleasing sounds that boosted the morale of all involved. The non-verbal students were given tone bells and nonpitched instruments, and we explored sign language to ensure participation and inclusion. The end of the semester concert featured our blended choir, and we took bows to “Baby, I’m a Star” by Prince.
Exploring possibilities and providing opportunities
These experiences prompted me to question and probe other schools about their programs and similar collaborations. I discovered that a neighboring school was partnering with professors and music therapy students at the local university offering an organized choir specifically designed for adapted choirs. They paired typical students and those with varying ability in an intentional choral climate, a model that I mirrored the following school year as I also partnered with the local university.
This partnership brought in fresh ideas, new people, and bolstered participation. The Adapted Choir became so popular that the Chamber Choir requested to be the host class and non-musical students were clamoring to work with us. We created a program that promoted excellence in music making using creative literature, instruments, and props. We accepted invitations to sing for graduation, our district-wide back to school Institute,
traveled to participate in the Candlelight Processional at Disney, and began a collaboration with our Art class.
The Art collaboration was performed at the University of Alabama Convocation program for music majors. As our choir sang, tone bells rang, and art students actively drew a portion of the picture by Vincent van Gogh. “Starry, Starry Night,” was coming together tile by tile as the students, in their own time, finished their square and placed it on the easel at the front of the stage. This was another opportunity for the school community to collaborate using a new population of students to promote social understanding. Highlighting their creative and musical skills simultaneously promoted awareness for the arts, while advocating for inclusion programs for students with disabilities.
This remarkable journey for my students grew more than I could imagine, and a level of legitimacy was achieved. We applied and were accepted as a feature ensemble for the Alabama Music Educators Association Annual Conference. The students with varying abilities were so embedded into our choir structure that I chose to enter every choir member in State Choral Performance Assessment, which required two prepared selections and sightreading. The literature was adapted to meet the students’ abilities, nonverbal students participated by using sign language (Curwen hand signs in sightreading), and one of the varying ability students walked to the microphone holding the hand of a typical student to perform a solo. Not only did this venture produce superior ratings, it generated comments and future conversations from the judges, students at other schools, choir directors, and parents in attendance. We had truly traveled a long way from acceptance to assessment.
My experience creating an adaptive ensemble at the high school level was extremely rewarding for me, the students, and the school environment. It created visibility, validity, and opportunity for a population of students who were selfcontained. There is something deep within us that longs to be accepted. To be welcomed to the table. There is also something extremely painful about being disregarded. My students found those who had “disappeared” from their classes in
middle school “protected by isolation” and welcomed them to the choir room creating an experience that changed everyone they encountered.
Whether you are starting a new adventure and adding an adaptive group program (choir, band, orchestra, etc.) or searching for an opportunity to include this population of students in one concert or musical selection, there are things I learned through experience and exploration that I hope will help you along the way.
Tips for your journey:
Getting started. Start by finding a time in one of the choir classes (approximately 30 minutes), to ask the special education class to visit. Pair like-minded students by asking typical students to befriend others and try to communicate. It is fine to change partners, but the intent is to form relationships to anticipate needs and decipher abilities.
Classroom environment is important. Teachers and students involved in an adaptive ensemble thrive in a compassionate and flexible atmosphere where the desire to make all kinds of music in groups is welcomed. High energy greeting of partners is a necessity. Oftentimes, the choral kids would notice arrivals first and jump to their feet to greet or lead their partner to their seat. Others would make the necessary adjustments with classroom furniture and gather accompaniment instruments.
Consistency creates comfortability. We intentionally kept the seating arrangement, the paired students, and the opening song the same. This familiarity helped students feel comfortable and promoted success.
Meet the students where they are. Allow those with noise sensitivity to use hearing adaptations, those with extra energy the room to move, and provide space for wheelchairs to sit nicely within the group.
Pacing. Just as in typical choral instruction, keeping the lesson moving is important. We vacillated between large group and small group activities as needed to allow time for individual attention and reinforcement.
Flexibility is key. As the arrival time would vary due to unforeseen circumstances, I would rehearse general literature with the choir class until our varying ability friends arrived.
Accessibility. To counter immobility, the typical students would create solutions such as one handed partnering of rhythm sticks, hand clap partnering, straps to hold an instrument to fingers that wouldn’t clasp them, hand-over-hand systems, or as simple as tapping the beat on the shoulder of a student who was not capable of full participation. A one-handed percussion instrument such as the tambourine, a maraca, or a kettle drum can also be utilized. Hand straps on tambourines can also be used on feet for toe-tapping. Cueing for instrumentation was sometimes my responsibility or if we had different patterns, students would step out to cue small ensembles.
Mobility. Self-contained students need activities to counter a sedentary lifestyle at school. A music class can be the best motivator to stimulate movement for this population. Choose literature that includes opportunities for movement of various kinds and do not hesitate to try new things. Students have great ideas!
Utilize their skillset. Students (typical and atypical), have different musical skills, comfort levels with others, and personalities. Some choral students prefer to run sound, adapt tech (show lyrics), handle musical instruments, or manage props. Others were more personal and comfortable with hand-over-hand instrumentation, partner activities, and interpersonal skills. Find out your student’s strengths and use them to your advantage.
Timing is everything. Adaptive ensemble did not work every day of the week. Three days a week worked best in my high school setting. Why? Students in the varying ability class have a set schedule (breakfast (which sometimes occurs after the first bell has rung for school), Physical Education, lunch, field trips, Special Olympics, speech therapy, physical therapy, adaptive learning sessions (e.g., self-care, mobility, life skills), and work programs.
Music selection. Pop music and familiar tunes are a good place to start. Songs with repetitive phrases, choreography, sign language, props, and instruments (pitched and non-pitched), are interesting and appealing to students. Echo songs are easy to teach and learn if you are just getting started. Just like with younger grades, a song of introduction, (a “Hello Song”), provides a level of comfort to help students acclimate and settle in.
Kids of varying abilities absorb material, memorize, echo, replicate, mimic, laugh, and cry. Do not be afraid to teach them as you would any other student.
Classroom management. All students have good days and bad days, and varying ability students are no different. With time, the instructor and partner students will learn how to assess behavior as to what is acceptable and create necessary boundaries. Paraprofessionals play a key role in this task. They will know when a student needs to be encouraged, when they are misbehaving, and when physical intervention is needed. Keep in mind the student partner and the music teacher are not equipped to handle this, nor is it acceptable to do so.
Privacy. Even though many people are involved in the learning process, everyone is not privy to confidential information regarding individual student’s disabilities and abilities. Be careful that you do not unintentionally share protected information if partnering with outside organizations and groups.
Class structure. The structure of the class is the same as any other. Build from concepts, introduce songs in chunks, and develop ideas over time. Save the best for last; leave them wanting more.
Conclusion
The most successful, inclusive atmosphere is one where the music teacher and the student partners create musical learning while the faculty and staff who are privy to teaching strategies and management techniques used in the self-contained classroom participate and handle the extra-musical events. To those who may be
new to the idea, or feel ill-prepared, this may seem overwhelming. In my adaptive ensemble, we chose a time either two or three times each week that worked for all involved. Therefore, I was never alone in my attempts to bridge the gap for a student with a disability without information. Your experience can be crafted to fit your comfortability, skills, time, and program. No doubt, whatever you choose, lives will forever be changed!
Resources and Related Articles: Allan, J., & Cope, P. (2004). If you can: Inclusion in music making. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 8(1), 23–36. doi :10.1080/1360311032000139430
Haywood, J. (2006). You can’t be in my choir if you can’t stand up: One journey toward inclusion. Music Education Research, 8(3), 407–416. doi:10.1080/14613800600957511
Nordlund, M. (2006). Finding a systemized approach to music inclusion. General Music Today, 19(3), 13-16. doi:10.11 77/1043713060190030104
Salvador, K. (2013). Inclusion of people with special needs in choral settings: A review of applicable research and professional literature. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 31(2), 37-44. doi: 10.1177/8755123312473760
Vanweelden, K. (2001). Choral Mainstreaming: Tips for Success: By focusing in advance on the special needs of students with disabilities, music teachers can pave the way for their success in the choral ensemble. Music Educators Journal, 88(3), 5560. doi: 10.2307/3399760
Dr. Khristina Motley has taught elementary and choral music education in Alabama for over 25 years and believes in providing musical opportunities for all students. Dr. Motley currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Music Education at The University of Alabama and Music Worship Minister at Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa.
Music AT WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY
The Winters School of Music invites you to be a part of the William Carey family!
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Phi Beta Mu: Celebrating the Past & Inspiring the Future
Frank Buck, Ed.D.
When did you last have an extended conversation with one of the “giants” in our field? What nuggets of wisdom did you take that are as applicable today as they were decades ago?
Band directors are busy people. We spend our days with an eye on tomorrow. As we listen to that 6th-grade trumpet player’s rendition of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” in our mind, we hear the future sounds of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto.
But the truth is tomorrow’s success depends a great deal on how well we pay attention to the lessons from the past.
Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame
Phi Beta Mu is an international honorary fraternity for band directors. Its aim is to promote the development of musicians and bands in schools around the world. Alabama’s chapter is designated as the “Rho” chapter.
In 1975, The Alabama Bandmasters Association and the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu established a Hall of Fame to recognize the achievements of those “giants” in our field and motivate future excellence.
You’ve probably noticed the display in the exhibits at the AMEA Conference and ABA All-State Festival. Pictures of Hall of Fame members and their brief
bios give us a glimpse of some of the finest band directors in Alabama history.
This year, Phi Beta Mu has taken that twice-a-year opportunity and turned it into something we can all enjoy every single day.
The Rho Chapter established a website: https://pbmrho.org Click on the “Hall of Fame” page. You’ll see the pictures and bios of the men and women that comprise the Phi Beta Mu Hall. In many cases, a link within that bio will take you to a recording of their bands or an interview with the member.
State Assessments
Do you remember the day you decided, “I want to be a band director”? I do, and I remember it as if it were yesterday.
I was a skinny 9th grade flute player. The day was the final day of state contest, and I was spending the day listening to bands. One band in particular caught my attention.
They weren’t noteworthy because of their artistry on that day. What struck me was the improvement that band had made over just one year before.
I said to myself, “If this is a profession where, if you’re willing to work, you can make that kind of improvement in such
a short time, I want to be part of it.” I looked around and saw band directors grabbing copies of the printed program. They would go into the hallway to copy the ratings from the charts on the wall into their own programs.
I thought to myself, “If I’m going to be a band director, I guess I need to be doing that too.” And so, I did. And I did it the next year too. And the next. And the next.
Over the years, others added to the collection with programs they found in filing cabinets and garages. Today, we have programs dating back to the very first contest: 1947.
When you visit the Phi Beta Mu website, you’ll see a section devoted to those programs A short summary talks about each year and helps to give readers a sense of the development of the Alabama Bandmasters Association over time.
Click on the thumbnail of any program. You’ll see a PDF of the original program. Who were the bands that participated? Who were the directors? What literature was being played at any given time during our history? What were the ratings? Answers to all these questions rest in this section of the website.
The Legacy Project
The band business is one where we share good ideas. Jim Knight brought a good idea from Florida, one called the “Legacy Project.” The Rho Chapter has made it its own. Chester Bean began interviewing Phi Beta Mu members from around the state. Carl Hancock helped with other interviews. During the last several months, I interviewed 14 Hall of Fame Members.
You can watch the interviews by visiting the Phi Beta Mu website. One page of the site is devoted to the Legacy Project
The Hall of Fame at Troy University
If you’ve been to the John Maloy Long School of Music, you may have visited the Hall of Fame. Every day, college students walk down a certain hallway and pass the beautifully framed photographs. Some may pause to read a nameplate and wonder what made that band director so special.
But something is a little different today. If you visit the Hall of Fame in Long Hall, you’ll notice each photo is accompanied by a QR code. Today, that college music student, or any person visiting Long Hall, can pull out a phone and scan the QR code. The answer to “what made that person so special” becomes obvious. The phone now displays the photo and bio of that person.
Click a link in the bio to be taken to an interview with that Hall of Fame member or a recording of that person’s band.
Lessons Learned
The stories you and I know are often stories that begin in the middle. We know the successes these men and women had. We know of the programs they led at the pinnacle of their respective careers.
Some of the most important lessons have come in listening to the stories of the early years, the years before they “made it.” They all experienced their first year, their first rehearsal with a new band, and all the uncertainty that goes with the beginning of a career.
They often faced struggles. The situations were often far from ideal. But they did the best they could with what they had. Soon, what they had was better because they worked a little harder than the rest, were always learning, and had a vision for what they wanted for the students in their programs.
Best of all, they’ve left tracks. Want to make your band sound better in the future? For the “how to do it,” look to the past. Listen to the interviews and you’ll hear certain names repeated again and again. Great teachers learned their crafts by paying attention to other great teachers and then adding their own contributions.
It’s there. It’s free for the taking. As Sir Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
This website, established by the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, is devoted to helping us remember those who have helped us get to where we are and inspire those who believe the best is yet to come.
Frank Buck is a former middle-level band director, a retired school administrator, and is now a published author and speaker in the areas of organization and time management. He is an honorary member of the Phi Beta Mu Rho Chapter.
Pictured (left to right) Dr. Michael Thrasher, Troy University Dean of the College of Communication & Fine Arts; Dr. Kerry Palmer, Troy University Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Frank Buck, Phi Beta Mu Honorary Member; Kim Bain, President of Phi Beta Mu Rho Chapter; Dr. Rusty Courson, Past President of Phi Beta Mu Rho Chapter.
General Music Reviews
Help Your Shelf
This review is a continuation of the top 5 most recommended resources from our AMEA Elementary Facebook group. This past spring, I asked members to list one book that newer elementary music teachers need on their bookshelves. Below is another gem to get your classes actively listening and moving! In the meantime, visit our Facebook page to see all of the suggestions or the August/ September issue of the Ala Brev to read Part 1!
This resource contains 11 pieces of classical music with guided listening and movement-based lessons to accompany each piece. Several selections have multiple activities. Online resources include video performances of each lesson with Artie’s classes, reproducible visuals, and audio recordings of each piece of music. Each activity includes a Family Musical Moments note that you can copy and send home with students that gives an overview of the piece of music, what you did in class during the lesson, and how to find a recording of the piece so that families can listen together at home. This is a great way to expand your teaching outside the walls of your classroom! Materials and props you might need for various lessons in this book: parachute, scarves, flashlights, stick horses, unpitched percussion instruments, ribbon streamers, plastic plates, large plastic candy canes (for the “March” from The Nutcracker – my students BEG for it every year), stretchy band, flags, plastic cups, and kickballs. Music includes: “Finale” to the Overture from William Tell (another of my students’ favorites using the parachute), The Syncopated Clock, The Wild Horseman, “Trepak” from The Nutcracker, Stars and Stripes Forever, “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, and more!
*Price as listed on publisher’s website, September 2024.
Jason Jackson teaches K-6 general music at Daphne East Elementary School and is President-Elect of the Elementary Division.
o v e r 3 0 0 u n d e r g r a d u a t e a n d g r a d u a t e m u s i c
p e r f o r m e r s . T h e m u s i c d e p a r t m e n t o f f e r s i t s
m a j o r s a m p l e o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o d e v e l o p t h e i r
k n o w l e d g e a n d m u s i c a l s k i l l s t o b e c o m e
p r o f e s s i o n a l e d u c a t o r s a n d m u s i c i a n s K e y
c o u r s e s f o r a l l m u s i c m a j o r s a n d m i n o r s a r e
M u s i c H i s t o r y , M u s i c T h e o r y , M u s i c
T e c h n o l o g y , C o n d u c t i n g , A p p l i e d L e s s o n s ,
a n d E n s e m b l e s
DEGREE PROGRAMS IN MUSIC
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC
-Music Education with Instrumental or Vocal Concentration
-General Music with Instrumental or Vocal Concentration
-Performance with Instrumental, Vocal, Piano, or Jazz Concentration
MASTER OF ARTS IN MUSIC
-Instrumental Music Education
-Instrumental General Music V l M i Ed ti
MINORS
-Music
-Music Technology -Jazz Studies
AMEA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
JANUARY 23-25, 2025
BJCC BIRMINGHAM
Register for the Conference
Reserve a room at the Sheraton
CONFERENCE Q & A
Q: WHEN AND WHERE IS THE AMEA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
January 23-25, 2025 (Thursday through Saturday) at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
Q: WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE AMEA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE?
This conference is intended to fuel your passion and increase the volume of your music teaching knowledge! Band directors, choir directors, elementary educators, general music specialists, string music teachers, music program leaders, administrators, classroom educators, collegiate students, college professors, and private studio teachers will benefit from over 90 sessions and performances. All attendees will learn new skills and techniques that they can use immediately upon returning to the classroom. We are balancing intensive learning with special events that will recharge your battery!
Family and friends are welcome also! There are dozens of activities in and around Birmingham that will keep your guests busy and happy!
Q: WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?
You will be surrounded by attendees from across the state who share your passion for music education. We have also created a professional development line-up that is the best of the best clinicians and specialists from all interest areas. If networking, learning, and being inspired are essential, you cannot miss this!
Q: I HAVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PURSUING CAREERS IN MUSIC EDUCATION. IS THERE ANYTHING FOR THEM AT THE CONFERENCE?
Yes! The FAME (Future Alabama Music Educator) program includes many important topics for students considering a career as a music educator. AMEA provides a $1000 scholarship opportunity to a FAME participant who plans to major in music education at an Alabama college or university. Learn more!
Q: WHERE AND WHEN IS REGISTRATION?
Registration is open on myamea.org Before registering, take a moment to renew your membership with NAfME and AMEA. Visit nafme.org to join or renew.
Q: WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY?
You can cancel your registration and receive a full refund up to 2 weeks before the conference.
Q: DO I NEED TO BE A NAFME/AMEA MEMBER TO REGISTER?
You must be a member and provide your NAfME membership number to register at the membership price. Members may register a guest who is not a music educator. Non-member music educators will register at full pricing. Visit nafme.org to join or renew.
Q: WHAT APP WILL THE CONFERENCE USE THIS YEAR?
The AMEA uses Guidebook as the official app of the conference. Use the guide to navigate the sessions, concerts, exhibits, luncheons, and other events included in this year’s conference. Check out the presenters and performing groups, view the facility and downtown maps, and interact through social media.
Q: HOW CAN I PROVIDE FEEDBACK ABOUT THE CONFERENCE?
The Guidebook app for the conference includes surveys for participants to comment on various aspects of the conference.
Q: WHAT CONTENT IS COVERED IN THE SESSIONS? WHO IS PRESENTING? WHEN ARE THE SESSIONS?
The entire conference schedule will be published in the October/November issue of Ala Breve. It can also be previewed online through our Guidebook App (coming soon)
Q: WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD I BRING?
Yourself and a thirst for knowledge! If special materials are needed for a session, that information will be provided in the session description in the conference program.
Q: WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE FOR THE MEETING?
We want you to relax and be comfortable while participating – so whatever you are comfortable in is what you should wear! (Within reason, of course)
Q: WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE AND DEPART FROM THE AMEA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE?
We suggest attendees arrive by 7:00 pm on Wednesday and check in to the conference. Then take Thursday to take in sessions, the exhibit hall grand opening, and performances, which start early Thursday. All events will be finished around noon on Saturday.
The Alabama Music Educators Association, Higher Education Division invites research poster submissions from all levels of music scholars and practitioners. Submissions may include completed and in-progress research studies involving any aspect of music (education, therapy, history, psychology, performance, music in higher education, alternative music, etc.). Research based on issues facing music educators, musicians, and music students in the Southeastern United States are especially welcome, though this is not a requirement. All submissions should meet the Code of Ethics found in the Journal of Research in Music Education. Research presented at other conferences will be considered, but it should be made clear that you have presented at a previous conference. However, previously published work will not be accepted.
Interested researchers should submit a detailed anonymized abstract of the research project (1000-word limit) through the online submission website. Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, November 1, 2024, for full consideration. All submissions will be peer reviewed and authors will be notified of acceptance by email during the first full week of December.
If accepted, authors must register and attend the AMEA conference to present the poster. In the case of multipleauthor works, at least one author must register and attend the AMEA Conference to present the poster. More information about the AMEA conference can be found on the AMEA Website (https://myamea.org/ > Conference). Contact Dr. Shane Colquhoun at scolquhoun@alasu.edu for questions about the research poster session or this call for participation.
AMEA Industry/Institutional Membership 2024-2025
AMEA would like to express appreciation to the following partners who have joined AMEA in our efforts to promote music education in Alabama. Please support these industry/institutional members who support you as music educators!
American Travel Consulting
https://www.americantravelconsulting.com
Auburn University Department of Music
132 Goodwin Music Building, Auburn, AL 36849 https://cla.auburn.edu/music/
Arts Music Shop
3030 East Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36116 https://artsmusicshop.com
Gadsden Music Company
607 Broad St., PO Box 132, Gadsden, AL 35901 https://gadsdenmusic.com/
J.W. Pepper of Atlanta
9053 Riverside Parkway, Lithia Springs, GA 30122 https://www.jwpepper.com/
Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center
910 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849 https://goguecenter.auburn.edu
Marchmaster/Fruhauf
14 Lake Point Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 https://marchmaster.com/
Southern Performances
427 Apollo Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 https://southernperformances.com/
3680 Preserve Blvd., Panama City Beach, FL 32408 https://www.panamacitybeachmusicfestival.com/
The University of Alabama School of Music
810 2nd Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 https://music.ua.edu/
Troy University John M. Long School of Music
112 Long Hall, Troy, AL 36082 https://www.troy.edu
The University of North Alabama
UNA Box 5040, Florence, AL 35632 https://www.una.edu/schoolofthearts
The University of South Alabama Department of Music
5751 USA Drive South, Mobile, AL 36688 https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/music/
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
AUDITION INFORMATION
The Department of Music's in-person audition day is January 18th, 2025
If you plan to audition for the Department of Music, you must first apply to Auburn University.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship opportunities are available for music majors and non-music majors alike; all require a successful audition. The audition deadline for scholarship consideration is February 1st.
Band Music Reviews
by Jeremy Stovall
Ihopeeveryone has had a great start to the semester. I know many of you are busy with marching band season, but are already thinking toward spring concert and festival pieces. Below are four pieces at varying grade levels I am excited to review. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!
Ember Skies (2020) is a grade 1 piece by Kevin Day (www. kevindaymusic.com). Kevin is a composer, conductor, and jazz pianist based in San Diego, CA. He holds degrees from Texas Christian University, the University of Georgia, and is completing his doctorate in composition at the University of Miami.
From the composer: “Ember Skies is a grade 1 composition for young band that depicts a red-orangecolored sky that awakens from the darkness of night, bringing forth the first light and signaling the start of a new day”.
This work is written in 3/4 time with a key signature of B-flat Major throughout. It contains some use of accidentals (A-flat and F-sharp concert). This work can be played with only four percussionists. While listed as a grade 1, some elements require some musical maturity. This would
be a great lyrical piece to work on shaping and phrasing with developing groups. Ember Skies is also available in a flex version for five-part adaptable ensemble arranged by Josh Trentadue.
A recording and score to Ember Skies can be found at the following link: www.murphymusicpress.com/ products/CB1-732.
Dragonstone (2023) is a grade 2 piece by Gavin Lendt (www. gavinlendt.com). Gavin is a composer, conductor, and horn player. He studied composition at the University of Kentucky with James Barnes and has studied privately with composers Stephen Melillo, John Mackey, Julie Giroux, Charles Rochester Young, and Gabriela Frank.
From the publisher: “Dragonstone was inspired by the composer’s love of video game music, and features many of the hallmarks of that style. Bombastic percussion, driving motivic rhythms, and colorful orchestration are used to great effect in a work that is carefully scored to be accessible for developing players while still providing worthy musical moments for more advanced ensembles as well”.
Recently selected as a J.W. Pepper Editors Choice, Lendt uses a fastslow-fast format, with the slow
section being a tango.There are optional solos for clarinet and alto saxophone. You will need at least seven percussionists for this work. This would be an exciting selection for a spring concert!
A recording and score to Dragonstone can be found at the following link: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=YxwnyJxkCGY.
Refractions (2023) is a grade 3 piece by Kevin Poelking (www. kevinpoelking.com). He currently serves on the faculty at Colorado State University. Poelking has studied composition with James M. David and Carter Pann. Refractions was the winner of the 2024 WASBE International Composition Contest.
From the composer: “Refraction. Physics-the fact or phenomenon of light, radio waves, etc. being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another or through a medium of varying density. Change in direction of propagation of any wave as a result of its traveling at different speeds at different points along the wave front’.
This driving, relentless work reflects the energetic and unpredictable nature of refracted light. It contains shifting meters and syncopated rhythms. This work requires at least nine percussionists.
Refractions can be played as a standalone piece, or in tandem with Light Descending (2023). This would be a wonderful festival selection.
A recording and score to Refractions can be found at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ySdTf2x6c
Armory (2021) is a grade 4.5 piece by Dakota Pederson (www. dakotapederson.com). Pederson is a graduate of Indiana State University, and currently teaches band in northern Indiana. Armory was the winner of the 2021 Claude T. Smith Composition Contest.
From the composer: “Armory intends to aurally describe the characteristics of war and heavy weaponry through an up-tempo march. The theme is heard as a short motif which is then fully fledged out throughout the opening section. The theme returns towards the end of the work in augmentation as the trumpets take it home to the end of the piece. Percussion grooves and rhythms accompany the ensemble as they create a march style with a focus on power, energy, and drive. The lush harmonies interspersed, combined with the percussion grooves create the drive and contrast to bring this piece to life”.
This intense and powerful work is self-published and calls for at least
six percussionists. Armory would be an energetic addition to a spring concert program.
A recording and score to Armory can be found at the following link: www.dakotapederson.com/pages/ armory.html.
I look forward to hearing your ensembles in the upcoming year and wish the best for you and your students. Please reach out if I can ever be of assistance!
Dr.
Jeremy Stovall Assistant Director of Bands Associate Professor
Jacksonville State University jstovall@jsu.edu
Choral Music Reviews
For this choral review, I chose one piece from the repertoire of each of the 2025 Alabama All State Choirs. The full repertoire for each ensemble is excellent, making it difficult to choose only one song from each list. However, there are unique elements in the selections I reviewed that might warrant their inclusion in this article. Some of those elements include language, instrumentation, body percussion, availability in other voicings, etc. It is my hope that readers will delve into the full repertoire and find more gems to include in their own choral programs.
High School SSAA
Turning - SSAA and piano, with optional violin, flute, and bodhran
Irish Folk Song
Arr. Joni Jenson
Text by Rory Cooney
Mark Foster Music - 00295242
Duration: Approximately 3:55
This invigorating musical arrangement is a great concert closer, possibly better suited for advanced SSAA choral ensembles. Attention to subtlety and detail are what can make the difference in a successful performance of this piece. In a skillful use of strophic form, Jenson gives each verse of text its appropriate musical character through her use of dynamics, tempo, modality, etc. It seems to require an energetic enunciation of the text, which would be a welcome element, especially since the instrumental parts are quite active and require skillful players.
High School TTBB
We Are the Music Makers – TTBB and piano (also available for SATB and SSA)
Music by Reginal Wright
Text by Arthur O’Shaughnessy
Oxford University Press - 9780193562943
Duration: Approximately 2:10
by William Powell
FOCUS: 2025 All-State Edition
“We Are the Music Makers” is a stately and attention-grabbing concert opener. The difficulty level for the ensemble is moderate, making it readily accessible to most choral groups. At the beginning of the work, Wright gradually builds upon the text by using harmonic suspension combined with the poetic use of anticipation. The well-written piano accompaniment is integral to the composition in how it drives the composition forward without being boisterous. It provides great support to the character and spirit of the song.
High School SATB
Tu Voz (Your Voice) – SATB, piano
Music by Shawn Kirchner
Text by Pablo Neruda
from Cien Sonetos de Amor: Soneto LII
Santa Barbara Music Publishers
SBMP 705
Duration: Approximately 4:10
Kirchner’s musical setting of Pablo Neruda’s poem from Cien Sonetos de Amor is built primarily from paired voices. It is in 6/8 meter, and the composer’s “ebb and flow” directive gives the song a gentle triple meter feel created by lulling piano accompaniment. Voices are mostly in duets which occur mostly in thirds, between tenors and basses, and between sopranos and altos. There are several lines of text in Spanish, and the composition resembles a through-composed format, although there are distinct sections in the form, including a return to the original melodic idea.
Middle School Treble
Wau Bulan – SA with optional percussion (also available in SAB)
Tracy Wong
Malaysian folk song
Cypress Choral Music - CP 1608
Duration: Approximately 2:45
“Wau Bulan” is folk song and dance from Malaysia. With a theme centered around flying kites, Wong creates a somewhat ethereal introduction, then the song becomes energized by a faster tempo and optional percussion. Also, Wong provides instructions regarding staging and choreographed hand and body percussion. There is also a helpful translation and pronunciation guide.
Middle School Mixed
Plaudite (Plaudite Omnis Terra) –SATB and piano (also available in threepart mixed and two-part; PianoTrax CD also available)
Music and additional words by Victor C. Johnson
Text: Traditional Latin
Alfred Music Publishing
Duration: Approximately 2:40
Johnson is a master at establishing a complementary and accessible piano accompaniment for whatever text he sets to music. Using a 6/8 meter “with driving energy,” the piano score requires a player who is attentive to dynamics, articulation, and mixed meter, and changing meter. Young singers will have the opportunity in this composition to reinforce their ability to adapt to mixed and changing meter through maintaining steady eighth notes. They will also appreciate the vocal tessitura and the optional handclaps.
William Powell Director of Choral Activities Auburn
University
LISTENING TO JAZZ
ALBUM REVIEW
Greetings from the Alabama Jazz Collective! For this edition, we will discuss some of our favorite big band recordings, and why they are important to learning how to play Jazz. Listening to the fundamental elements of Jazz is one of the most critical elements of understanding how to perform this artform effectively, both in preparation and in performance! Jazz is a musical language; you can’t speak a language without first knowing what it sounds like. The answer key to “How do I play Jazz?” is in the recordings!
Dr. Andy Nevala
Director of Jazz Studies, Jacksonville State University
To best understand what “swing” is, you’ve got to start with the Count Basie Orchestra. It’s one thing to draw the “Jazz Triplet” concept on the white board and explain “Back-Accent” articulations, but when you press play on a Count Basie recording and hear the way they interpret their swing 8th notes, you can’t help but feel uplifted at the masterful way they are playing as an ensemble. The way the rhythm section propels the music forward, with everyone playing their specific role, while the band lays back against it, leaves no doubt as to how great these musicians were as individuals and as a group.
I’ve chosen three Count Basie Orchestra recordings that best represent, to me, the “Basie” sound. The first is The Complete Decca Recordings. Recorded in 1937, 1938, and 1939, this is a great representation of early Count Basie. They are swinging hard, and the solos are all great. Some of the songs in this collection that are available for your group to play are “One O’Clock Jump” and “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”.
Jazz Collective
The Complete Atomic Basie, recorded in 1958, won “Best Jazz Performance, Group” and “Best Performance by a Dance Band” at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards in 1959. Arrangements from this album that are available for your group to play include the Neal Hefti arrangements “Splanky”, “Li’l Darlin’”, “Flight of the Foo Birds”, “Kid From Red Bank”, and “Whirlybird”.
My favorite Basie recording is Live at the Sands (Before Frank), recorded in 1966 at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. These tracks were from the warm-up set for a 5-night gig when the band was performing with Frank Sinatra, and is considered the definitive definition of how a big band should swing. Songs on this recording available for your group include “Splanky”, “Satin Doll”, “Makin’ Whoopee!”, “Corner Pocket”, “One O’Clock Jump”, and “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”.
Dr. Dave Camwell Professor of Music, Troy University
In the 1990s, the GRP label organized an all star big band, led by Dave Grusin, featuring some of the largest names in the jazz world. Stars such as Micheal and Randy Brecker, John Patitucci, Chick Corea, Eddie Daniels, Dave Weckle, Kenny Kirkland, Bob Mintzer, Gary Burton, Eric Marienthal, Ernie Watts and many more were formed into a fabulous band, with music arranged by Michael Abene. There were three albums in total, with the last one being a live album, featuring music from the previous two recordings.
As you might expect, the band sounds fantastic, with particularly strong soloists throughout. There are no passengers in this band, and the arrangements themselves are smart, fun, and were the talk of the big band world when the albums were released. All of the music is now available for purchase, and some of the charts are playable by strong high school groups. “Blue Trane” and “Manteca” are examples of charts that groups could perform with practice and dedicated work. Other charts such as “Sister Sadie” and “Cherokee” are really more soloist features - charts that sound great, but really demand outstanding soloists to work effectively.
Personal favorites of mine are the charts “Sing Sing Sing”, “Oleo”, and “Senor Blues.” I encourage all readers of this article to have their students check out these imaginative arrangements, great performances and fantastic soloists. In the almost 30 years since these Grammy winning albums were released, they continue to inspire today and will undoubtedly be hit with your students.
Professor Christopher Kozak
Director of Jazz Studies, University of Alabama
For this article, I chose to highlight the music of one of my favorite composers and arrangers that I thought you might enjoy. Grammy Award winning Bill Holman’s linear approach to writing and unique take on traditional forms drew me to Big Band music early in my career. His approach drew me into the possibilities available to me as an arranger and composer. I hope you’ll check these albums out (if you haven’t already) as they each represent the unique voice that he is. Not to be overshadowed by his contributions to the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Woody Herman Band, and Buddy Rich Band (to name only a few,) his body of work as an arranger for some of Jazz music’s most important artists and under his own name can be considered canon for aspiring arrangers and composers looking for “a view from the side”… sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
Bill Holman, In a Jazz Orbit - Recorded in February of 1958 (for Andex, re-released on VSOP,) this is one of my favorite albums from Mr. Holman. This 15-piece band hits hard throughout all the tracks featuring some of the west coasts most prominent players in Conte Candoli, Carl Fontana, Charlie Mariano, and Victor Feldman among others with the ever-incomparable Mel Lewis whose big band drumming has set the standard for many drummers especially from is contributions with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big band in years to come. Several of these charts are available for purchase to play with your bands, and I highly recommend getting “You Go to My Head” for your groups. Several others, “After You’ve Gone,” “The Man I Love,” and “Kissing Bug” are great introductions for your band to play Holman’s music.
Bill Holman, A View from the Side – This 1995 release on JVC is one of Mr. Holman’s more adventurous efforts that challenge the listener to follow his extended forms and rich harmonic variations on a familiar style. Upon hearing the album the first time, I found myself going back to try to figure out what it was he did to catch my ear. Whether it be an extension of a measure or two, or rhythmic variations extending phrases beyond to break the symmetry of even numbered phrases, it was these small manipulations that stray from the norm and create interest for the listener and player alike. I absolutely love his handling of background figures and the textures he creates for the soloist to float above. Again, his linear concept runs throughout solidifying his mark as a true master. Check out “Lightnin’” and how he handles the shout chorus at the end. Oh… and WHAT A BAND!! If you really want to challenge your band, pick up the chart for “A View from the Side.” Another sleeper I think you’ll enjoy is “Any Dude’ll Do.” Again, a linear, compositional masterpiece!
The Bill Holman Band, Brilliant Corners - The Music of Thelonius Monk – Released in 1997 on JVC, Holman takes Monk’s music into new territory. This was my introduction to Holman’s arranging mastery. His reimagining of “Straight, No Chaser” completely threw me for a loop. There really isn’t a tune on this album that I dislike. The worst part is it is out of print but if you can find it, you will be rewarded with some of the most exciting and interesting music that rivals contemporary Big Band literature and recordings to date. “Bemsha Swing” and “Ruby, My Dear” are worth having in your library for your most seasoned bands.
Most of the charts highlighted can be found at www.sierramusicstore.com under Bill Holman. I hope you enjoy Mr. Holmans music as much as I do. I’m inspired every time I listen to his works.
AMEA DIVISION EVENTS 2024-2025
ALABAMA VOCAL ASSOCIATION
ELEMENTARY/GENERAL DIVISION
Statewide
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State Jazz Recordings alaband.org
AMEA Conference
All-State Jazz Festival
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Jazz Adjudication
District 1 District Fall Meeting
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Spring Meeting
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BJCC, Birmingham, AL
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Sub.deadline: November 15, 2024
January 23-25, 2025
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November 1, 2024
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Thompson High, TBD TBD TBD
Athens High School, Athens, AL
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Hartselle High School, Hartselle, AL
James Clemens, Madison, AL
Liberty Middle School
Main Channel Brewing, Albertville, AL
Albertville High School, Albertville, AL
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August 19, 2024
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May 3, 2025
August 18, 2024
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February 7 - 8, 2025
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Solo and Ensemble Boaz HS, Boaz, AL April 26, 2025
District 3 District Fall Meeting
August 9, 2024
December 20, 2024
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January 24, 2025
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March 8, 2025
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TBD
December 6, 2024
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March 21, 2025
All State Auditions Muscle Shoals High School January 18, 2025 December 20, 2024
District Honor Band Russellville High School
MPA
Solo and Ensemble
University of North Alabama
February 7-8, 2025
March 4-6, 2025
Muscle Shoals Middle School May 3, 2025
January 24, 2025
February 10, 2025
April 11, 2025
District 4 District Fall Meeting TBD September 9, 2024 N/A
All State Auditions
Hoover High School
MPA #2 Hewitt Trussville High School
Solo and Ensemble
March 10-13, 2025
Bumpus Middle School May 3, 2025
December 20, 2024
April 11, 2025
District 5 District Fall Meeting Zoom Meeting August 20, 2024 N/A
All State/District HB Auditions
Prattville High School
February 1, 2025
December 16, 2024
District Honor Band University of Alabama February 21-22, 2025 February 7, 2025
District Spring Meeting
of Alabama February 22, 2025 N/A
MPA University of Alabama
Solo and Ensemble #1
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District 6 District Fall Meeting
All State Auditions
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MPA
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Prattville Junior High School
Brookwood Middle School
McKee Middle School
Wetumpka High School
Auburn Jr High School
Beauregard High School
Wetumpka Middle School
March 4-7, 2025
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February 7, 2025
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August 10, 2024 N/A
February 1, 2025
February 14-15, 2025
March 3-6, 2025
April 26, 2025
December 16, 2024
February 5, 2025
February 7, 2025
April 4, 2025
District Spring Meeting Virtual Meeting May 13, 2025 N/A
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MPA
District
Solo and Ensemble
District Spring Meeting
District
All State Auditions Coppinville Jr. High School January 18, 2025 December 16, 2024
MPA
District Honor Band
District Spring Meeting
Solo and Ensemble #1 W.S. Neal High School May 3, 2025
