President’s Message, Summer 2020

The COVID-19 and this past spring reminded me of how resilient, creative, and collaborative music educators are when it comes to problem solving during challenging times. In March a request to all five CASMEC partners came from CBDA and CCDA, to join together to address the challenges faced by many music educators. As part of the support to our field, the group decided to provide a series of professional learning webinars. So, with the help of an ad hoc CMEA development team, CMEA began a series of eight webinars that were held every Friday afternoon for eight weeks. We invited our members and non-members to Sip and Share with us. The CMEA development team consisted of myself; Anne Fennell, Pres-Elect; Chad Zullinger, Vice President; CMEA Council Representatives; Michael Albertson, Innovations Rep; Jessica Husselstein, CMEA-SWS Past-President and Music Technology Rep; Emma Joleen Schopler, General Music, TK-12 Rep; and of course Trish Adams, CMEA Executive Administrator. I wish to thank this creative ad hoc committee for their time, effort, and leadership. Trish, given her many roles, committed to all five association’s webinars, and Trish definitely deserves a shout out! We had a wonderful response to the diversity of topics the webinars provided to the field. Our students will benefit from the new ideas and applications gained from the webinars.

The CMEA Advocacy Team has been extremely busy since January in responding to legislation and COVID-19. The advocacy pillar continues to be an important part of our strategic plan. With the help of our advocate, Martha Zaragoza-Diaz, we have submitted letters to every state decision maker including Governor Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. We sent additional letters to key statewide educational associations, such as California School Board Association and Association of California School Administrators. CMEA has provided public comment at key educational hearings.

We continue to work with the legislative sponsor and Assembly Labor and Employee Committee on AB 1850. Our goal is to ensure language that will exempt adjudicators, clinicians, guest conductors, and accompanists of student events from having to be hired as employees of non-profit associations. All of our letters and comments stress the importance of music and arts education. We remind policy makers of the need to make fair, just, and equitable decisions as they address California’s educational issues. I am honored to work side by side with the members of the CMEA Advocacy Team, our advocate, and the Section Presidents in this advocacy work to educate decision and policy makers of the importance of music education.

The murder of George Floyd and other injustices reminded me that leadership is about growth, both personal and professional. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” In my role as President of CMEA, I have the responsibility to ensure that we are cognizant of systemic racism and inequity and through our words and actions, we are making needed changes. The CMEA statement of standing in unity with our black sisters and brothers is a beginning, but not enough. Our students deserve more from us. In August, the CMEA Board will begin to examine our practices identifying and articulating the injustices and inequities within California’s music education system. As we begin the new school year, let us act upon and be guided by our CMEA vision so that one day California music education IS for ALL.