Florida Music Director - December 2024

Applications and Auditions Supporting the Next Generation of Musicians

PRELUDE TO

2025 FMEA Professional Learning Conference PLUS:

FMEA, FEMEA & FVA Candidates FMEA Crossover Festivals 2025

December 2024

1

President’sMessage

Jason P. Locker President Florida Music Education Association

‘The Season’ T

’

is the season!” This has always been my response

with the FMEA Professional Learning Conference. While

December. As music educators, we typically balance a

find it is the perfect sequence of events to propel me into

“

when asked what I have going on in the month of

number of rehearsals, performances, special events, parties, and travels during December in both our personal

and professional lives. So, after listing my many upcoming activities for the person who got more than they bar-

gained for in my response, I add on that cheerful phrase (with perhaps just a touch of sarcasm)!

Truth be told, when is it not “the season?” When I think

over the calendar for the entire year, it’s always busy. We move seamlessly from one season full of events to the next equally busy season. And so it goes. I think one of the

that is a lot of activity packed into just over a month, I the second semester, reinvigorated to make a positive impact. Though December is busy, I get to spend time

with students and colleagues performing some of my favorite melodies. When I reach the finish line, and the

winter break begins, I disconnect completely to rest and enjoy meaningful time with my family and friends. And

as I come back to a new year, I am rejuvenated by spending time celebrating my calling as a music educator with colleagues engaged in professional learning.

Friends, whatever this time of year means for you

important lessons the pandemic taught many of us was

physically, mentally, and emotionally is valid. If it is a

boundaries, and to find time to focus on our own wellness

is not a positive one for you, lean on your family, friends,

to reevaluate our work-life balance, to set some healthy in the midst of our event-driven profession.

We have just recently come to the conclusion of another

polarizing and divisive political campaign season. Each election cycle seems to be increasingly full of bitter divi-

sion, and this one was certainly no different. As educators in a nation with compulsory education, our professional

futures are inextricably linked to the winds of political change. As is the case anytime there is a significant

shift in political party control in Washington and/or Tallahassee, it is completely normal to experience feelings of anticipation, uncertainty, and even anxiety as we await

personnel and policy announcements that will indicate what is on the horizon for us in the field of education. But

our personal and corporate mission as music educators to improve the lives of all children through meaningful, positive interaction with the power and beauty of music

remains unchanged year after year, regardless of the

joyous time, lean into that and soak it all in. If this season colleagues, and neighbors rather than experiencing it in isolation. As we arrive in 2025, I look forward to welcoming you back to Tampa for a time of refreshment.

We have an outstanding conference planned for you and your students! You don’t want to miss performances

by Voctave, keynote addresses by Robyn Hilger (ACDA

executive director) and Deb Confredo (NAfME national

president), our FMEA Awards Program, and the myriad of interest sessions, performances, and exhibits! For our students, we have incredible all-state conductors, the Student

Leadership Workshop on Wednesday with Susan Smith

and Robyn Hilger, and fantastic Student Conference and

Tri-M Experiences! This is also an election year for FMEA and several component associations, so please check out

all of the candidate bios and make sure you cast your vote by logging into your account on the FMEA website.

I wish you all the best in your musical endeavors this

political landscape.

December, and I can’t wait to welcome you to Tampa for

busy calendar in front of me for the three-week sprint to

season!

Each year, I return from Thanksgiving and look at the

the winter break, followed by welcoming the new year

the 2025 FMEA Professional Learning Conference! ‘Tis the

Jason P. Locker, President

2 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Florida Music Education Association

Executive Director Florida Music Education Association Kathleen D. Sanz, PhD

Hinckley Center for Fine Arts Education

402 Office Plaza Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 878-6844 or (800) 301-3632 (kdsanz@fmea.org)

Editor-in-Chief

Kelly Miller, DMA University of Central Florida 12488 Centaurus Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32816-8009 (407) 823-4545 (kelly.miller@ucf.edu)

Editorial Committee Terice Allen (850) 245-8700, Tallahassee (tallen1962@hotmail.com) Judy Arthur, PhD Florida State University, KMU 222 (850) 644-3005 (jrarthur@fsu.edu) William Bauer, PhD University of Florida, Gainesville (352) 273-3182; (wbauer@ufl.edu) Alice-Ann Darrow, PhD College of Music, FSU, Tallahassee (850) 645-1438; (aadarrow@fsu.edu) Jeanne Reynolds (jeannewrey@gmail.com) John K. Southall, PhD Indian River State College, Fort Pierce (772) 462-7810; (johnsouthall@fmea.org)

Advertising Sales

Valeria Anderson (val@fmea.org) 402 Office Plaza Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 878-6844

Official FMEA and FMD Photographers

Bob O’Lary Amanda Crawford

Art Director & Production Manager Lori Danello Roberts LDR Design Inc. (lori@flmusiced.org)

Contents

December 2024 Volume 78 • Number 5

F E AT U R E S

Applications and Auditions: Supporting the Next Generation of Musicians. . . . . . . 14 How do I get to the conference?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 FMEA 2023-2025 President-Elect Special Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 FEMEA President-Elect Candidates.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 FVA President-Elect Candidates.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

FMEA 2025-2027 President-Elect Candidates.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

All-State Concerts. . . . . . . . . . .

D E PA R T M E N T S President’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Advocacy Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Corporate Partners. . . . . . . . .

22-23

FMEA Donors. . . . . . . . . . . . .

59

Component News.. . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Copy Editor

Research Puzzles. . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Susan Trainor

Important Dates. . . . . . . . . . . . 26

FVA Middle School Chair-Elect Candidates. . . . . . . . . 11

Circulation & Copy Manager

Valeria Anderson, (800) 301-3632

2025 CONFERENCE

Committee Reports. . . . . . . . . . 68 Executive Director’s Notes. . . . . .

72

Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . .

73

Academic Partners. . . . . . . . . . .

74

Officers and Directors.. . . . . . . .

75

Hotels.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 32

All-State Rehearsals. . . . . . . . . . 34 Session Attendance Verification Report.. . . . . . . . . .

36

Policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

37

All-State Conductors. . . . . . . . .

38

Pre-Conference. . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 President’s Concert.. . . . . . . . . .

42

Exhibition Grand Opening. . . . . . 44 General Sessions. . . . . . . . . . . . 46 FMEA Concerts. . . . . . . . . . . . 48 FMEA Mini-Concerts.. . . . . . . .

52

College Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Student Leadership Workshop. . . .

56

Student Experiences. . . . . . . . . .

58

December 2024

3

AdvocacyReport

Jeanne W. Reynolds

Chairperson, Advocacy Committee

What I Learned By Volunteering During Election Season s I write this, the November 2024 election has not yet hap-

effective and impactful than multimillion-dollar advertisements.

or elation. Doesn’t matter. The lessons I learned from knocking

scripts and talking points. We also provide these types of

directly related to our advocacy work. And these lessons may be

with legislators. Yet I discovered we are more effective if we

pened. No results, no post-election anxiety, depression,

on doors and getting out the vote are invaluable, universal, and more useful after the election.

Visit, Vigilance, Vote

Throughout the fall, I based several articles around the words

vote, visit, and vigilance. After talking with citizens during

the election season, it became clear that those words were out

of order. It should be visit, vigilance, and vote. Said a different way—listen, learn, then act.

Visit – Listen More – Talk Less

In advocacy terms, we often use the word “visit” to reference

official legislative visits. Turns out casual “visits” or conversa-

tions we have with friends, neighbors, colleagues, and decision

makers are more important. Political experts tell us that one-onone conversations, while admittedly are inefficient, can be more

For Get Out The Vote (GOTV) events, volunteers are given

resources when we make FMEA and NAfME “official” visits

listen more and talk less. Be respectful. Ask questions. Try to understand. Don’t assume you know someone else’s motivation.

Gently and respectfully correct inaccurate information when

needed and adjust your “script” so it resonates with your conversation partner.

This is also true when we talk with decision makers whether

they are principals, guidance counselors, school board members, or state legislators. Ask about their past music experiences and

the importance of music education, even if you don’t like the

answer. If someone had a bad experience with music education, all the talking points in the world will not change their views.

If you listen respectfully, you will be able to develop a more nuanced and effective advocacy strategy that may or may not

include that decision maker. Likewise, after an election, it is

critically important to listen. Our information structures are not built for active listening and finding common ground. (Think social media.) This will be up to us. One conversation at a time.

Vigilance – Focus on Fundamentals – Teach

Could you imagine putting a major concert

event on your calendar two years in the

future and not teaching fundamentals or the literature until a few days before the event? (This is one of my recurring

nightmares!) We know how important it

is to build on fundamentals. Music edu-

cation is all about distributed practice over

time. In other words, you can’t cram the

night before a concert. I had a college

roommate who always tried to cram the

night before ear training exams. You can

4 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

a r n i ng e L l a on rofessi ocacy P A E dv FM ence A r e f n o C

on th ist L n Booth r. io o t a D m r n Cente nfo io To t n e v ocacy I n

guess how that went. And yet, in some ways, we

✔

do this with voters every two or four years.

We fail to educate our friends and neighbors on

basic issues in our community and then try to cram

all the information into a few weeks. Some people

say, “I really don’t follow politics.” Doesn’t matter

if you follow politics—everyone is a citizen and is

impacted by voting. One of my takeaways from this

election season is that we all need to be fully engaged

between election cycles. Just like music education, advocacy requires distributed practice over time.

Some Florida communities do this well on the local

level. They don’t wait for crises, or even elections. They

nurture relationships with all local decision makers every

day. This is not happening in enough places, though. And

this does not happen consistently at the state level. After

this election I will be listening (and talking less) to all of

you to see how we can make sure our state legislators are all

e

c an a Co e Adv s so we e Tamp Visit th s h t le f o lk a r t d f loo ore and your needs, an m second n e t s ou n to li about entals y We pla t , hear m u a p d in n u r f you ocacy gather the adv h it w u arm yo N S: need.

S E S S IO O W T E. HESE with M END T s T in T g A e B O 111 PL AN T Program , TCC , Room y M r cy fo 5pm Advoca r y 9, 1:4 a u n a J , at the ay Ahead Thursd g in k o Lo cy and 101 Advoca Session , Room e C iv C t T la , is g :45am 2025 Le y 10, 11 r a u n a J y Friday, dvocac

✔

✔

k other a ogram. Chec l a r e v are se the pr There sessions in related ll out! them a

well versed on music education advocacy.

Vote – Act

When I knocked on doors to get the vote out, many times I was

knocking on doors of people who were believed to be “low pro-

Hope for the Future

justifiably angry about being contacted the last couple of weeks

so many reasons for hope. Some candidates were “listening

pensity” or “low information” voters. Some of these voters were of a campaign. Some said they were not going to vote. Why

should they? If candidates skipped over the important steps of listening and learning and then communicating and executing

a plan based on their constituents’ feedback, why should those candidates earn a person’s vote?

Despite the challenges throughout this election season, I saw more and talking less.” As I knocked on doors, many people

said they had met the candidates personally. More citizens

were actively engaged in volunteering than I have ever seen in the past.

In this post-election season, it is most important to stay

Similarly, think about how we approach decision makers

engaged. Let’s keep this momentum going. For music educa-

connecting with these decision makers? Did we do all we could

right around the corner. Let’s put what we have learned into

when a music program is to be cut. Is this the first time we are

to build a relationship with these decision makers before this issue came up? Have we listened to their point of view? Have

they had ample opportunity to hear our point of view? If not, we should not expect to get their support.

tors, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Our conference is action!

Jeanne W. Reynolds December 2024

5

ImportantUpdate FMEA to Hold Two Elections for President-Elect for 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 Terms There will be two FMEA president-elect elections prior to and during

the 2025 Florida Music Education Association Professional Learning

Conference. The need for two elections was created when then President-Elect Scott Evans unexpectedly resigned. The Board of Directors appointed Harry “Skip” Pardee to serve the current term as outlined in the FMEA Bylaws, Article V Governance. Section 4 (C): The Executive Committee shall have the authority to appoint offi-

cers when vacancies occur, to be confirmed by the Board of Directors.

C. In the event that the President-Elect cannot fulfill their duties, or they

have assumed the duties of the President, a new President-Elect shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. The President-Elect so appointed

shall serve until the next Annual Professional Development Conference, at which time an election shall be held to fill the vacancy.

To complete the 2023-2025 term of office, the nominee from the FMEA Board of Directors is Harry “Skip” Pardee.

PAGE 7

In the 2025-2027 election, the nominees from the FMEA Board of Directors are Bernie Hendricks and Rosemary Pilonero.

PAGES 12 & 13

Elections for these terms of office are now open and will conclude on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 12 noon.

Music The Winters School of Music invites you to be a part of the William Carey family!

• Incredible Scholarships • Mississippi’s FIRST All-Steinway School • Bachelor degrees in Music Education, Worship Leadership, Worship Technology, Music Therapy, Performance and more!

• FULLY ONLINE Doctor of Arts in Music, Master of Music Education, and Master of Music in Worship Studies • Top 10 Most Affordable Online Music Degrees according to Online U! • NO Out-of-state tuition!

F l o r i d a M1 u s i c D i r e c t o r 6 8290_MusicSchool_Ad_8.5x5.5.indd

2024/2025 Scholarship

AUDITION DAYS Friday, November 15 Friday, January 17 Friday, March 7

To reserve an audition day or request a time that works better for you, please email music@wmcarey.edu or call 601-318-6175.

Save the Dates Carey Honor Band January 30 – February 1 Carey Jazz Festival March 21 Carey Honor Choir April 10-12

For More Information Scan this QR Code FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA dFù @wmcareymusic

8/8/24 8:35 AM

FMEA Special Election 2023-2025 FMEA PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE

Harry “Skip” Pardee

Harry “Skip” Pardee serves as district

coordinator of fine arts for the Collier

County Public Schools (Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City, and Immokalee, Florida), where he oversees music,

visual art, theater, and dance, grades

K-12. Mr. Pardee provides direction on Florida Standards through curriculum

and professional development for visual

and performing arts teachers, provides guidance for facilities and equipment

standards, and liaises for all arts organi-

zations and their involvement with the public schools. Mr. Pardee is a graduate

of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School (trum-

pet), received the BME and MME degrees from the University of Florida School of Music, and is a doctoral candidate at Florida Gulf Coast University, with a research focus on teach-

er evaluation in the arts. Mr. Pardee currently serves on the FMEA Executive Committee as president-elect. He has served as president of the Florida Music Supervision Association

and on the FMEA Board of Directors as member-at-large. Mr. Pardee also directs the marketing, branding, and communica-

tions initiative with FMEA. In addition to his duties with the Collier County Public Schools, Mr. Pardee has served as an adjunct professor in the Music Education Department at the

Bower School of Music and the College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida. Mr. Pardee has

recently been listed as a community leader in arts education in Marquis Who’s Who in America. He is an active freelance trumpet player throughout Southwest Florida and serves the

Vision

The Florida Music Education Association’s mission to promote quality, comprehen-

sive music education in all Florida schools

is inextricably tied to leadership, advocacy, and the visibility of music educators in the

field. A robust arts education for students

does not just “happen” without dedicated, passionate music educators, combined

with school and district leaders demanding it so. With one of the country’s largest music education association memberships, FMEA must continue efforts to lead the

way toward a healthy arts education for all

students. As a member of the Executive Committee, I promise to lead the organization with three priorities: (1) keep students

the first priority in all decision-making in our association; (2) communicate our mission and vision for FMEA outward

to all stakeholders using modern approaches to marketing, branding, and social media to enhance advocacy efforts in

Florida and across the nation; and (3) continue to foster finan-

cial wellness and sustainability for our association, to ensure our solvency into the future. Music educators should celebrate successes loudly and proudly, embrace every opportunity to

shape young lives with music-making, and find new ways to innovate and inspire in the classroom. The arts are the

“connective tissue” of society, and music education is more essential now than ever. With all this in mind, our organiza-

tion must do all it can to champion the noble work of music educators in our state.

music ministry at North Naples United Methodist Church.

Mr. Pardee resides in Naples, Florida, with his wife, Lauren (a music educator), and their three children, Quinn, Vivienne, and Braxson.

December 2024

7

FEMEA PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE

Jessica Gronberg

J

ess

Gronberg

has

the

privilege of serving as the

music teacher at Hawkes Bluff Elementary School in

Davie, Florida. She is starting her 22nd year of teaching,

her sixth year in elementary

music. In addition to teaching general music, Ms. Gronberg

also conducts two after-school auditioned

choruses

and

a percussion ensemble, and

directs a musical theatre club, all of which are active in the communi-

ty. Outside of school, Ms. Gronberg teaches musical theatre classes at Dancers Gallery, a local dance studio. She previously taught second-

ary music—both band and chorus at The Sagemont School, Pembroke

Pines Charter High School, West Miami Middle School, as well as L. A. Ainger Middle School. A graduate of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa (2003), she graduated with a BM degree in music

education and voice performance with an emphasis on flute, studying with Dr. Maria DiPalma and Dr. Robert L. Larsen.

Ms. Gronberg is the FEMEA District 1 chairperson and serves on

the executive boards for both Broward County Elementary Music

Teachers Association and the Broward Music Educators Association.

Ms. Gronberg is also an active guest conductor, clinician, performer, private instructor, and adjudicator.

Ms. Gronberg has been fortunate to have had several grant projects

awarded over the last several years. These projects have allowed for the purchase of additional Orff instruments and mallets for the classroom, a classroom set of ukuleles as well as Makey Makeys, and has

allowed for various creative projects such as the designing and constructing of musical instruments with PVC pipe, a musical glow party, and the creation of Hawkes Bluff’s now annual Night of the Arts.

Ms. Gronberg was most recently selected the 2022-23 Hawkes Bluff

Teacher of the Year and is humbled to have been named a quarter-

finalist for the GRAMMY® Music Educator Award in both 2023 and

2024 and a 2025 legacy applicant.

8 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Vision

As music educators, we are motivators, nurturers, providers, and enthusiasts! We are the people that

make children smile and excited about school! We

create life-changing experiences both big and small!

Positive waves of change allow for us as an organiza-

tion to move forward, to find new ways to give back to our community, to each other.

My vision for the Florida Elementary Music

Educators Association is to focus on developing com-

munity through a focus on connection and belonging.

We will work in the best interests of our teachers by developing committees and programs that assist all teachers with curriculum, professional development, mentorship, classroom management or advocacy, and more. FEMEA will seek to understand the differences and similarities that we all face within our programs

throughout the state and how we can work together to aid one another. FEMEA will serve its members so they don’t feel alone in this musical journey, but that

they have found their people and are a part of something truly special. A network, a resource, a community of amazing music professionals!

FEMEA PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE

Shannon Stem

S

Vision

at University Academy in

ories are the times that I spent in the music room with

hannon Stem is the elementary music teacher

and musical theater director Panama City, Florida. A prod-

uct of music education in the state of Florida, upon grad-

uating from Troy University, Shannon returned to her hometown to educate the next generation of musicians.

Mrs. Stem has served the

elementary music teachers in the state of Florida by

serving as the District 6 chairperson for the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association since 2020.

In addition, she serves as an adjudicator for FEMEA,

has consistently had articles published in Florida Music Director as well as on the FEMEA Blog, serves as a men-

tor teacher for new music teachers, serves as chairperson

for the Bay District Elementary Music Festival, and is the secretary of the Bay District Elementary Music Council.

Mrs. Stem has been recognized by the Florida Music

Education Association as an Emerging Leader, has pre-

sented at many state and regional music and leadership conferences, has served on the revision committee for

the Florida Teacher Certification Exam in Music, and was named Teacher of the Year at Hutchison Beach Elementary School in 2016-17, being a district Top 5 final-

ist for the award. In 2022 and 2024, Shannon was named a quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY® Music Educator

Award. Most recently, it was announced that Shannon Stem is a semifinalist for the 2025 GRAMMY Music Educator Award.

As a young child, I absolutely loved school, but what I

remember and look back on with the fondest of mem-

my music teacher, Mrs. Thompson. These memories, my own personal experiences, have helped shape my music education philosophy. I believe that every student

should receive a quality music education. They should

receive instruction in music spanning multiple cultures and genres, and should be afforded the ability to express

themselves through singing, movement, and instrument playing. While this does not cover every aspect of elemen-

tary music education, imagine a world where this was occurring in every elementary school in our great state!

My vision for the Florida Elementary Music Educators

Association is very similar to my education philosophy. The experiences that I had shaped that vision, and I would love to see

more teachers and students involved in the regional and state level experiences available to our student populations. These events are the springboard of advocacy for elementary music education, and

through that advocacy I would love to see the schools that do not

have music programs in them or do not have strong support for the music programs in them to be able to thrive musically. This also

requires networking with other music teachers and supervisors, which is one incredible benefit of our elementary component organization. While there have been great opportunities for networking and collaboration with our organization in the past, I am so excited about the direction in which our organization is headed in

supporting student and member engagement, and I feel like this is

an incredible step toward every student in our elementary schools receiving a quality music education.

It would be an honor to serve the music educators in this state

once more, to further the cause of comprehensive elementary music education for all.

December 2024

9

FVA PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATES

Jeffry Bogue

Tabitha Peck

education from the College of Music at Florida State

T

chorus at Newsome High School in Lithia, Florida.

Janice Harsanyi (undergraduate) and Roy Delp (graduate).

A Florida Native, Jeff Bogue graduated with a

bachelor’s and a master’s degree in choral music University. Mr. Bogue is in his 19th year teaching

Mr. Bogue is also in his third year serving as the

abitha Peck is the director of choral activities at Leon High School, where she has been teaching for 23 years. She holds

a BME and MME in choral music education from the Florida State University College of Music where she studied voice under Mrs. Peck’s ensembles have performed at the Florida ACDA

choral director at Palma Ceia Methodist Church in

Conference, the FLACDA President’s Concert, the FMEA

Mr. Bogue has been honored to be a guest cli-

Her choirs have also received Choir of Distinction titles at the

Tampa, Florida.

nician for honor choirs in Pasco, Clay, Okaloosa,

and Manatee counties and has served as a boardapproved Florida Vocal Association adjudicator in

many outstanding districts throughout the state.

Jeff has also served as the FVA District 7 chairperson, coordinator of the All-State TTBB Chorus, and as a director with Lumina Youth Choirs.

As a student musician growing up in music

President’s Concert, and the Southern Region ACDA Conference.

FVA state music performance assessment. She has presented

sessions at the FMEA Professional Learning Conference on the topics of music theory and a cappella music. Each summer,

Mrs. Peck produces and music directs the Leon Summer Musical

and is active in Leon’s Thespians, selecting and assisting with musical numbers, which are frequently chosen Critic’s Choice and Best in Show at the district and state levels.

Mrs. Peck founded the national award-winning pop

programs in the state of Florida, Mr. Bogue was

a cappella group The Mane Event, as well as the Theatre Tech

provided by the Florida Vocal Association. These

oversees approximately 120 events in LPAT each season.

inspired and enriched by the incredible experiences growth opportunities continue to inspire him as an

program. She manages the Leon Performing Arts Theatre, which Students from Mrs. Peck’s programs have consistently gone

educator. It is Mr. Bogue’s belief that the influence

on to place in collegiate voice, music education, music therapy,

students and teachers of Florida. If given the honor

dents have performed on Broadway, Broadway National Tours,

and opportunities provided by FVA are vital to the of serving as FVA president, it would be his great honor to serve the organization and continue to

musical theatre, and technical theatre programs. Former stuand in opera houses throughout the United States and Europe.

Mrs. Peck is active in leadership with FMEA, FVA, and

work diligently to be sure the organization exists

ACDA, along with membership in USITT and NAfME. She is

and teachers of the state. He would also love to see

member of the ACDA Executive Board as state treasurer and

to serve the musical needs of all of the students the organization continue to support and provide resources for new teachers.

10 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

FVA District 3 treasurer, a past District 3 chairperson, and a webmaster.

Tabitha has two beautiful daughters with her husband, Tim.

FVA MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAIR-ELECT CANDIDATES

Amber Turcott mber Turcott is in her 21st year as the choral and musical theatre director at Tarpon Springs Middle

School, where her ensembles have consistently earned

superior ratings at district music performance assess-

ments, solo/ensemble assessments, and various school music festivals throughout Florida and Georgia.

Ms. Turcott serves as a teacher mentor and has held

leadership positions in both FVA (district chair and

treasurer) and the Pinellas County Music Educators Association, where she recently served as president.

Ms. Turcott earned graduate degrees in both vocal

music performance and choral music education from

Anthony Zoeller, DMA

D

r. Anthony Zoeller is entering his 13th year as chorus

director at Forest Glen Middle School in Broward

County. Previously, he pursued a career in opera and earned a doctorate in voice performance, but he has found his great-

est professional joy in teaching community singing to young people.

Anthony has served FVA as an adjudicator and District

15 chairperson. He has also been a guest clinician for mid-

dle school honor choirs and festivals around the state. He was the founding director of the Coral Springs Children’s

Choir, and he maintains an active performing career in South Florida. Most importantly, he has introduced a couple

thousand beautiful young people to the joy of singing with others.

the University of South Florida. As a Florida Vocal

Association board-approved adjudicator, Ms. Turcott adjudicates solo/ensemble and choral music performance

assessments throughout the state. In 2016, Ms. Turcott was

honored by NAfME as a quarterfinalist in the GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Award.

December 2024

11

2025-2027 FMEA PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE

Bernard (Bernie) Hendricks, Jr. B

ernie

Hendricks

has

served as band director at

Ocoee High School since the

school opened in 2005. Prior to that, he served as band direc-

tor at Robinswood Middle School in Orlando for eight

years. Mr. Hendricks is a 1997

graduate of Florida A & M University, where he served as university band president and

percussion section leader of

the Marching 100. As an active member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, he has served as district secretary and treasurer as well as FBA president.

Locally, Mr. Hendricks served on the Orange County fine arts curriculum and leadership teams and the All-County Concert and Jazz Band committees. Mr.

Hendricks has served the Florida Music Education Association as chairman of the Multicultural Network

and member of the State Executive Board, Advocacy Committee, and Awards Committee.

Mr. Hendricks received the honor of Teacher of the

Year in 2000 at Robinswood Middle School as well as

in 2007 and 2017 at Ocoee High School. In 2017, he was a finalist for Orange County Teacher of the Year. He

was also recognized by the School Band & Orchestra Magazine as the Florida representative for their “50 Most Influential Directors” issue. He is a recipient

of the Sousa Foundations Legion of Honor and most recently noted as a semi-finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award.

Mr. Hendricks is an active adjudicator and clini-

cian throughout the state of Florida and has present-

ed a variety of professional development sessions at

our state conference as well as in local schools and districts. He also serves the Orlando community as band leader and Life Group leader at Orlando World

Outreach Church. Bernie and his wife, Sha, who is also a music educator turned college and career specialist, reside in Ocoee and are the proud parents of three wonderful young people.

12 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Vision

I am a proud product of FMEA and FBA, specifically the band programs in Tallahassee. Moving to Tallahassee when I was in fifth grade and being introduced to Orff instruments in Mrs. Rivers’ music class at W. T. Moore

Elementary School gave me a very solid foundation to

music and the joys of being a part of a music program.

Then on to Cobb Middle School and the band pro-

gram of Bill Miller and Lincoln High School under Bob Hansbrough, and I lived down the street from Byron

and Bobbie Smith (Lincoln HS choral directors and just two incredibly awesome human beings) … the music

education just kept coming! And finally a college education at FAMU under the guidance of Dr. William P. Foster, Dr. Julian White, and

Dr. Shaylor James. By the time I graduated, music education was just part of who I was and who I am to this day. I mention these things

because over my 28-year teaching career, I’ve learned that probably the most valuable thing I’ve acquired are the relationships that are built and forged through music education.

The Mission of FMEA states “Promoting quality, comprehensive

music education in all Florida schools.” Several years ago that mission statement stated “Promoting quality, comprehensive music education for

all Florida students.” Although a few words have changed, two things that have remained are QUALITY and ALL! If granted the opportuni-

ty to serve in this capacity, I’ll continue to move forward the mission of ensuring that ALL students, regardless of who they are, where

they live, what they look like, have access to the same thing I had access to when I was a student in these very Florida schools.

A reinvigorated investment in the “Next Generation” of music

educators will be on the forefront as well. If we fail to invest in our future, we will cease to exist. The “ALL” in the FMEA mission state-

ment also pertains to ALL music educators, which brings us back to building positive relationships among members. Yes, we have a fab-

ulous annual conference that brings thousands of music advocates to a single location for a short period of time. However, we must

continue to develop opportunities to reach even more music educators through our digital and social media platforms as well as future innovative and creative avenues to include ALL.

It is truly an honor to be considered to serve this organization in

this capacity, and I look forward to continuing to move the mission

of FMEA forward for the next generation of music educators and music students.

2025-2027 FMEA PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE

Rosemary Pilonero

R

Vision

Villages Elementary of Lady

couple of music teachers, and I had never been to Tampa.

osemary Pilonero is in

her 31st year of teaching

I moved from New Jersey to Florida in 2006 and attended

music and 11th year at The

my first FMEA conference in January 2007. I only knew a

Lake in Lake County, Florida.

I remember walking into the Tampa Convention Center

She previously taught music

in complete awe! The amount of people, the excitement

for eight years in Sumter

in the air, the whole ballroom of teachers singing the

County, Florida. Before mov-

national anthem, the all-state concerts, the awesome

ing to Florida, she taught music

exhibit hall, the amazing sessions … I was overwhelmed

for 12 years in Ramsey, New

in the very best of ways! I attended my FEMEA district’s

Jersey, where her job included

meeting, and people applauded because they had never

a variety of roles: fifth grade

beginning band director, elementary general music teacher, middle school chorus accompanist, and assis-

tant director of the high school marching band. She has earned two music education degrees: a bachelor’s degree

from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master’s degree from Montclair State University in New

Jersey. In 2009 and 2018, she was selected Teacher of the

Year at her schools. Mrs. Pilonero has completed her Orff Certification and two Orff Master Classes. She is a past

treasurer of the Central Florida Orff Chapter (CFOC) and current director of the CFOC/Orange County Public Schools Orff Levels Course.

Rosemary has been a clinician for all-county Orff

ensembles in Orange, Seminole, Pinellas, and Polk

counties and a workshop clinician in Pinellas and Polk

counties as well as for several Orff chapters. In 2022,

she conducted the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association (FEMEA) Central Regional Orff Ensemble.

She served as a regional representative on the American

Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) National Board of Trustees and is a national conference chair of the 2024

AOSA Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. An FEMEA past president, Rosemary continues to serve the Florida

Music Education Association (FMEA) as coordinator of the All-State Elementary Orff Ensemble and elementary

clinics chair of the Conference Planning Committee.

In 2021, she was awarded FMEA Elementary Music Educator of the Year.

Rosemary lives in Wildwood with her husband,

Mark, and their dogs, Bella and Dolce.

had a teacher from Sumter County attend before! After

about 18 years, Sumter County had just reinstated music in their

four elementary schools, and I was given red carpet treatment! I

came home from Tampa with wonderful ideas, an excitement for my own classroom full of students, and a sense of belonging with

a network of colleagues, many of whom went on to become great friends.

THIS is the power of FMEA, and THIS is why FMEA is so

important. No matter where you are in your music education jour-

ney, FMEA brings us TOGETHER. We are often the only people

who teach music in our individual schools. I sometimes envy the classroom teachers who have a team of colleagues right next door

to talk to and collaborate with while we are each a sort of island at our schools. We have this powerful association filled with won-

derful colleagues to lean on and learn from, and we must continue to be there for each other. In this time of teacher shortages and tough times of being a teacher, it is perhaps more important than ever that we listen to each other and help lift each other up.

I often hear that the key to classroom management is relation-

ships, and I feel that is also true of our profession—the key to

surviving and thriving in music education is RELATIONSHIPS. Relationships with our students, their families, our campus col-

leagues, our administrators, and our music colleagues are all

so vitally important. This is my vision for FMEA, to build new relationships, strengthen current relationships, and make new connections so we can help ALL music educators not only survive,

but THRIVE. My school’s motto is TOGETHER WE CAN, and I see FMEA as TOGETHER WE WILL because we need each other

now more than ever and we truly are BETTER TOGETHER. FMEA

has done so much for me, and I would be honored to give back through servant leadership as FMEA president.

December 2024

13

F E AT U R E

Applications and Auditions Supporting the Next Generation of Musicians

N

by Sandy P. Hinkley, PhD

Now more than ever, challenges exist to move into high-

universities is typically higher, although both public and

Relatedly, the collegiate application process can be stress-

Community colleges operate from state funding, but have

er education, especially in the performing arts field. ful and overwhelming for students and parents alike.

While some students have private instructors to aid in this journey, many do not and will look elsewhere for

private colleges may offer a wide variety of scholarships. fewer scholarships available; conversely, tuition is almost always more affordable at these institutions.

Institutions also differ in availability of degrees and

guidance. It takes a village, and you, the music educator,

class size. Public and private universities offer four-year

each of us has been through this process and understand

cially at state colleges. Community colleges have smaller

are an important part of their support system. Although its challenges, everyone’s experience is unique. Thus, the purpose of this article is to broaden awareness about the

journey into higher education—ideally, serving as an additional resource for you and your students.

Exploring Institutions and Degrees

Institutions fundamentally differ in many ways, one of

which is funding. This is an important variable because

bachelor’s degrees and usually have larger classes, especlass sizes and mostly offer two-year associate degrees; fundamental courses (e.g., music theory) can typically be

taken at community colleges, which are then transferable

to public or private universities. The size of an institution

is an important and often overlooked consideration for students, as it is directly related to their daily learning and social environment.

When it comes to specific degrees, students will need

it directly affects cost. Public universities are primarily

to do their research, as not all degrees are offered at every

monies from private donors and alumni. Tuition at private

continued on page 16

funded by state dollars, while private universities receive

14 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

institution. Bachelor’s degrees in music performance

December 2024

15

Applications and Auditions continued from page 14

and music education are the most common, with some universities offering programs in music therapy, music composition, jazz studies, and music theater (while popular, degrees in commercial music are the least prevalent).

Students who begin their musical journey at a community

college should be aware that while all courses may “transfer” to a university, not all credits may “apply” to a particular music degree—the semantics of this can be confus-

ing, so this is an important conversation to be had with a qualified academic advisor at the second institution.

Navigating the Application and Audition Process

The application process for most high school students

typically begins in the fall of senior year. It is important to start this process early, and students are encouraged to do their research before submitting applications. Ideally, students should tour each campus and community to get

a feel of what life is like. Students are also encouraged to reach out to music faculty to arrange a private lesson, observe an ensemble rehearsal, and/or sit in on a class.

Other ways to visit campuses include music camps and “music major for a day” events. If a campus visit is not

possible, faculty members are always willing to visit virtually with students. The bottom line—while visiting campuses is not always possible, a student’s first choice often changes when they are able to have interactive experiences.

In many institutions, students must apply and/or be

accepted into the university before a music audition will

be scheduled; relatedly, an additional application to the college, school, or department of music may be required

as well. Students should look on the university music website to search for this information—if it’s not clear, stu-

dents should contact the university music office to clarify the “order of operations.” Letters of recommendation are a

active in tracking items and making contacts as needed.

need help in identifying appropriate people to write these

privacy act under which institutions, in many ways, can

standard part of most application processes. Students may letters and should be encouraged to ask for letters earlier than later. In addition to a live audition, some institutions may also require a screening video. Again, students may

need assistance in finding an appropriate venue in which to record and should be reminded to clearly and confi-

dently announce their name and piece(s) at the beginning of the video.

In many institutions, auditions are only scheduled

upon receipt of all materials, so students should be pro-

16 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

(Note: this is a good lesson in how FERPA works, the only interact with students and not parents.) Finally, when

interacting via email correspondence, students should

always write in a formal manner and include their full name and contact information in all messages.

Potential Financial Aid and Scholarships

To determine eligibility for federal financial aid, students

will need to complete the FAFSA form annually. If aid is received, students need to be aware that most entities

require them to carry a minimum of 12 hours per semester

potential monies. It is important for students to be proac-

during student teaching for music education majors).

layered and add up to a substantial sum of money. It is

in order to receive full aid (this can be particularly tricky Regarding music scholarships—some music schools

earmark monies as auditions happen, while others wait

and make decisions after all audition days have passed.

In general, auditioning earlier is often better for potential scholarship consideration.

Non-music scholarships are also available at public

and private institutions, many of which are renewable

each year. Some universities have a financial aid portal in which students create a profile that matches them with

tive and do their research, as small scholarships can be also important for students to know that if aid is received,

they will likely be required to submit annual documentation for continuance—this could be in the form of

letters of recommendation, transcripts, and/or specific forms. Students will need to understand that these are

hard deadlines to which they must adhere if aid is to be continued.

continued on page 18 December 2024

17

Applications and Auditions continued from page 17

Audition Requirements

formances that demonstrate consistent

positive self-talk. Memorizing “anchor

is critical, as students may not be consid-

weigh into their decision is the student’s

ful if students get stuck and need to jump

Preparing appropriate audition material

ered for admission otherwise. Diligent

fundamentals. Other variables that often stage presence, expressivity, and per-

research on the university’s music website

ceived potential for growth. The bottom

materials are chosen. Audition require-

the student’s “best” technique and tone,

is highly encouraged to ensure the correct

ments may include technical exercises (e.g., scales, études), a particular number

line is that repertoire should demonstrate with some measure of musicality present.

points” throughout the music is also help-

ahead. Performance practice is an art, and

university faculty know this—encourage students to always keep going … The show must go on!

During auditions, students will also

likely interact with faculty members.

and type of pieces (e.g., pieces from spe-

Preparing for the Audition

Consequently, they should practice intro-

vocal repertoire), sight-reading exercises,

encourage them to spend time on memo-

potential questions (e.g., Why did you

cific time periods; foreign languages for

As students prepare for their audition,

and/or music theory assessments. If audi-

rization, as slips invariably happen when

tion requirements are not clear, students should reach out to the appropriate faculty to clarify what is needed. If students

need assistance in selecting audition repertoire, be sure to consider the difficulty

level (students will often select music on their own that does not match their current skill set). While harder repertoire

may seem important for a competitive edge, most faculty are looking for per-

ducing themselves and responding to choose this institution? Why do you want to

nerves kick in. If possible, arrange for

be a music education major? Where do you

es. These mini performances help them

should not be minimized, as charisma,

them to perform for various audienc-

discover how they respond to stress and provide them with opportunities to practice recovering from potential slips. If students struggle in this area, help them

see yourself in 10 years?). Presentation skills

positivity, maturity, and demeanor can

be a deciding factor with a borderline audition.

If applicable, students should always

begin to focus their energies toward man-

rehearse their pieces with the piano

breathing, visualization/imagery, and

sounds with their part before the audi-

aging physiological responses through

accompaniment so they know how it tion. It is also important for them to

inquire if a faculty accompanist will be

provided (they often are) or if they should bring their own pianist. If an accompanist

is provided, students should bring music

that is legible to read and will stay on the piano (larger books often fall in the middle of auditions). Less experienced

students may also need a reminder that

an accompanist’s job is to follow and support—meaning students should set the

Visit our new site for specials, deals, and limited time offers!

tempo and confidently lead with their performance.

Finally, students should be encouraged

to set realistic goals for their auditions.

Apprehension and nervousness are to be expected, and there is no such thing

as a “perfect” performance. Again, fac-

ulty are looking for many things beyond notes, rhythms, and text—stage presence,

musicality, and presentation are also very

18 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

important!

into the music part of the institution.

After auditions, communication will be sent out via email and/or letter. If an

admittance offer is made, students must

accept or deny the offer. A timely response is critical for many reasons, the most

important of which is related to faculty teaching loads. If a student has received multiple offers and is on the fence

between schools, it is entirely appropriate to communicate this with faculty

members at each institution. Oftentimes in this situation, a faculty member will

contact the student and dialogue further with them; in some cases, an addition-

al scholarship offer can even be made.

Ultimately, making a final decision of

where to go is a reciprocal process and should be a good fit for both the student Audition Day

cess. Students should know that it is

in a way that is comfortable, but that also

pieces due to time constraints (this can

For their audition, students should dress shows respect for the process and what they have to offer. Students should bring

extra (legal) copies of music and any required paperwork, along with water and a snack. Students should also make a plan to arrive early and anticipate that

parking may be challenging on cam-

pus (inquire beforehand about this to

know where to park and if it is free).

Once arrived, students should check in at the music school and warm up in the

designated area; it is possible that warmup spaces are limited, so it is always a

good idea to arrive having played or

sung beforehand. Students may not have time to meet with a provided accompanist, but if given the opportunity, they

should quickly point out places they need more support (tempos changes, places to

normal to be stopped in the middle of

Supporting the Next Generation

be jarring if they’re not mentally pre-

a difficult profession, but an extremely

pared for this to happen). If sight-reading

or theory assessments are administered, encourage students to stay in a positive

mindset and do their best (these are often

diagnostic tools and not consequential to acceptance). Also important for students

to know, university faculty will likely be typing, writing, and possibly communicating during auditions—this is normal, and students should not take this as a

negative sign or disapproval. If given an opportunity to ask questions, it is entirely

As music educators, we know this is rewarding one. In today’s post-pandemic

era, we know that anxiety among young adults is at an all-time high. Providing

high school students with resources such as this can potentially reduce apprehen-

sion in the application/audition process

and make it a more positive experience.

Ultimately, the future of the performing

arts profession depends on raising up the next generation of musicians—let us support them as best we can!

appropriate for students to politely ask

Sandy P. Hinkley, PhD, is

Finally, remind students to relax, present

Houston State University,

about the acceptance decision timeline. their most authentic self, and leave feeling positive about what they did.

breathe, etc.).

Making the Final Decision

will be guided through the audition pro-

a university, they must also be accepted

When brought into the room, students

and the university.

Once a student has been accepted into

an associate professor at Sam where she serves as the associate director of choral activi-

ties and coordinator of music education. Prior to joining the SHSU faculty, Dr. Hinkley

taught choral music in Florida for 20 years at the middle and high school levels.

December 2024

19

F E AT U R E

How do I get to the Making your case to attend the 2025 FMEA Professional Learning Conference

G

etting approval to attend the Florida Music

observe and/or with whom you will

Conference may require developing a proposal. Due to

ence. List the high-quality performanc-

Education

Association

Professional

Learning

tight budgets in today’s economy, school principals and

districts carefully scrutinize requests to attend profes-

sional learning. That does not mean you should not give

be able to interact while at the confer-

es you will observe and from which

you will learn. You can download the

conference app from the FMEA’s website

your attendance will benefit the students in your school. w Write down your case for how attendit your best effort by showing your administrators how

and bookmark your sessions.

Rather than assuming your administrators are aware of

ing the FMEA Professional Learning

from content-specific sessions, consider submitting a

will help you contribute to your school’s

the critical importance of you professionally benefitting formal proposal.

Through this proposal, you can demonstrate how

your participation directly relates to the strategies and the objectives of your school (including those beyond the

Conference and meeting the people there

goals and strategies, and use this case with

your administrators when making your request to attend the conference.

When you create your proposal, in addition

classroom). This will allow you to articulate the need for

to providing a summary of the funding you

students, your school, and you.

your school’s goals, download the conference

your continuing education and how it will benefit your

will need, detail your case for attending. List

schedule, list the sessions and the clinicians and

w Write down three of the most important goals and sessions you plan to attend. Also, list the performing groups you will have the opportunity to strategies being addressed in your school’s plan. w Think about how you personally contribute to those observe during rehearsals with national clinicians Develop Your Case

presenters who will be there, and list the specific

three goals and strategies. How does your work as

as well as the performances by these well-known

school? Make a list of your personal contributions to

and conducting ideas). Additionally, let your admin-

a music educator affect the overall mission of your

conductors (from whom you can gain programming

w Review the conference’s professional learning sched- 10,000 teachers, administrators, students, and parents your school’s goals and strategies.

ule to better understand how the information provid-

ed will support your school’s goals. Mark meetings

that relate to your list of personal contributions to the attainment of those goals and strategies, and make

note of the clinicians and others you will be able to

20 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

istrators know that this conference has more than

in attendance, the second largest music education conference in the nation.

Finally, ask your administrators to support you to

attend the FMEA Professional Learning Conference in Tampa, Florida, January 8-11, 2025.

conference?

December 2024

21

GOLD

Partners as of November 4, 2024.

*Please visit FMEA.org/partners for partnership details or call 850-878-6844.

22 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Please take time to thank and support our 2024-2025 Corporate Partners.

PARTNERS

BRONZE PARTNERS Eastman Music Company FloridaFundraiser.com Head’s House of Music J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc. Mark Custom Recording Service, Inc.

Music & Arts Music is Elementary Sight Reading Factory West Music Company

December 2024

23

2025 FMEA Professional Learning

JANUARY 8-11, 2025, TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER 24 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

COnference

December 2024

25

We can’t wait to see you in Tampa this January!

Important Conference Dates & Information Early registration closes at midnight. Prices increase to the regular registration rates. You may continue to register and pay online until the conference.

December 13, 2024

December 16, 2024

Postmark deadline for checks mailed to pay for conference registration. After this date, all unpaid conference registrations must be paid by credit card online, or the check must be brought with you to the conference.

All school lodging checks are due to hotels, payable to the hotel where reservations were made for you and/or your students.

The final deadline for discounted hotel blocks; unsold rooms in the FMEA blocks are released back to hotels.

26 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

! l a t i g i d go ce program

nferen o c 5 2 0 2 urse e o c Th f o d n a nly ... o l a t i g i d e will b load the n w o d o t t test you’ll wan a l e h t l l a r app fo e c n e r e f n o c ms a r g o r p t r e info! Conc ted. n i r p e b l l i t will s

The FMEA Professional Learning Conference

is one of the largest music education professional development events in the

United States. In addition to approximately 200 clinic sessions and concerts, it

is host to 24 all-state ensembles featuring Florida’s top band, orchestra, chorus,

guitar, Orff, and popular music students conducted by world-class conductors and teachers.

It is attended by more than 10,000 people, including secondary

music directors, elementary music teachers, music supervisors, college students, college music teachers, school administrators, K-12 students performing in the all-state ensembles, students and professional musicians performing with invited performing ensembles, exhibitors, and parents and family members of performing students.

So many reasons to participate:

w An exhibit hall with world-class exhibitors

providing products and services for music

w More than 3,000 music teachers and 300 administrators w More than 200 sessions covering a variety of educators and students

topics for all music educators, with on-demand

w Performances and mini-concerts from some of Florida’s top music programs w Networking opportunities, college fair, awards ceremony, access to recordings after the conference

and other special events

December 2024

27

Registration w Membership in FMEA and NAfME is a prerequisite for registration.

See the Registration Policies for details. w To take advantage of early discounted rates, you must register and Registration Prices and Procedures pay before the deadlines.

Note: If you are mailing a check to the FMEA office to pay for your registration, it

must be postmarked early enough so that it will ARRIVE in the FMEA office before the preregistration deadline.

REGISTRATION FEES Description Director/Member Collegiate Member Retired Member Non-Teaching Spouse Non-Teaching Spouse of Retired Member Paid Chaperone Free Chaperone All-State Student Tri-M Student Pre-Conference Workshop Pre-Conference Workshop (First-Year Teacher) Student Experience – Student Student Experience – Chaperone

9/8/24– After 12/15/24 12/15/24 $160 $205 $70 $100 $30 $30 $105 $155 $0 $0 $75 $125 $0 $0 $75 $125 $50 $75 $80 $100 $80

$100

$50 $50

$75 $75

Refund Policies

1. Full registration refunds are available for cancellation requests made through December 15, 2024.

2. No registration refunds will be made for cancellations made after December 15, 2024, except for emergency situations.

These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

3. Refunds must be requested in writing (email is acceptable).

4. All requests for refunds must be received no later than January 31, 2025. Requests received after that date will not be processed.

5. All refunds will be issued after the conference is completed.

28 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

6. There are no refunds for concert tickets.

Chaperone Registration

Chaperone registration is based on the following rules:

w For each elementary student registered, one free chaperone and one paid chaperone may be registered. w Any additional attendees must purchase a guest pass at Elementary Students

on-site registration for entry into the convention center.

w For every six students registered, one free chaperone and one

Middle School and High School Students

Registration Policies

1. All participants—directors, students, chaperones, and guests—must be registered for the conference.

2. Only directors may register their groups or pick up registration materials if preregistered.

3. All participating students must be chaperoned. As required

by FMEA and FSMA, at least one chaperone other than a director is required for every ten (10) students or fraction

thereof; however, FMEA policy allows for one free chaperone for every six (6) students or fraction thereof.

4. An additional paid chaperone may be registered for (a) each

six (6) students registered or (b) for each all-state rehearsal site where registered students are performing.

5. If a participating student is not accompanied by the director

from that student’s school, then the principal from that school must furnish a letter designating the person from the school or school district who is to be in charge of that student. The

letter should be addressed to the FMEA executive director, explain the extenuating circumstances preventing the direc-

paid chaperone may be registered. No other chaperones may

w Any additional attendees (chaperones or guests) must purbe registered until the seventh student is registered.

chase a guest pass at on-site registration for entry into the

w EXCEPTIONS

convention center.

~ If you have students in more than one performing ensem-

ble, you may pay for a chaperone for each performing ensemble in which you have registered students.

~ If you have students from different schools, you may pay

for a chaperone for each school for which you have registered students.

Chaperones are not allowed to bring other children who are not participating in an all-state ensemble. Only registered students, teachers, and chaperones wearing a conference badge are

allowed in and around the rehearsal areas. Directors are asked to make sure their chaperones are aware of this policy before agreeing to serve as a chaperone.

tor from attending, and must be submitted with registration materials. The school will be notified of approval.

6. Student observers are not allowed to attend the conference.

If any student observers are brought to the conference, the

offending school’s participation in the conference may be eliminated the following year. (Tri-M students registered and participating in sessions or working for the all-state concerts are exempt from this rule.)

7. All school music teachers must register for the conference as FMEA directors and be current members of FMEA. This

includes directors of invited performing groups, mini-con-

certs, and session presenters. All-state conductors from Florida schools, colleges, or universities must also be FMEA members. No current music teacher may register as a chaperone.

December 2024

29

Greetings! It’s the wonderful time of year when we start planning our very special conference event.

The Florida Music Education Association has contracted the following Tampa hotels for the January 8-11, 2025, Professional Learning Conference.

We look forward to seeing you in Tampa!

HOTELS

Contracted for 2025 FMEA Professional Learning Conference NOTE: FMEA IS NOT offering a housing bureau service. All participants MUST reserve their rooms online via links that will be posted at FMEA.org/conference/hotels/ on September 28, 2024. Please confirm the guest room rate posted below when you make your reservation. We look forward to seeing you in Tampa!

w All reservations will be made online via links that will be posted at FMEA.org/con-

ference/hotels/. Room blocks will open on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 9 am EDT. The hotel list will be available on the FMEA website at that time, along with

w Guest rooms at the contracted rates will be available until the room block is full or the online reservation links and phone numbers for each hotel.

until the cancellation deadline of November 9, 2024, at 5 pm. If your hotel of choice

is sold out, please continue to try to make a reservation until November 9, 2024, as FMEA attendees will periodically release surplus guest rooms.

ROOM RATES

HOTEL – Cutoff date: 11/9/24

Single

Double

Triple

Quad

Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk 111 West Fortune Street, Tampa, FL 33602

Comp. internet & self-parking

$164

$164

$164

$164

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Tampa 102 East Cass Street, Tampa, FL 33602

Comp. internet; $40 valet only parking

$179

$179

$179

$179

Embassy Suites Downtown 513 South Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602

Comp. internet & breakfast $31 valet only parking

$272

$272

$282

$292

Embassy Suites Tampa Airport Westshore 555 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609

Comp. internet, self-parking, & breakfast

$239

$239

(up to 5 in room)

(up to 6 in room)

Four Points by Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore 4400 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607

Comp. internet & $10 self-parking; comp. shuttle to Tampa airport

$152

$152

$152

$152

Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District 1155 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

Comp. internet & breakfast; $30 self-parking

$205

$205

$205

$205

Hilton Tampa Downtown 211 North Tampa Street, Tampa, FL 33602

$9.99 internet (comp. for HH); $45 valet parking

$241

$241

$241

$241

Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore Airport 700 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609

$10 self-parking per day; $100 for bus parking

$179

$179

$179

$179

Home 2 Suites Tampa Downtown Channel District 1155 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

Comp. internet & continental breakfast buffet; $30 self-parking

$230

$230

$230

$230

Hotel Tampa Riverwalk (formerly Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk) 200 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602

Comp. internet; $36 valet parking overnight; $20 valet parking daytime

$239

$239

$259

$259

Residence Inn Tampa Downtown 101 East Tyler Street Tampa, Florida 33602

$25 self-parking

$205

$205

$205

$205

Tampa Marriott Water Street Hotel (formerly Marriott Waterside) 505 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602

Comp. internet for Bonvoy members; $40 valet parking overnight; $30 valet parking daytime

$217

$217

$217

$217

Westin Tampa Waterside 725 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

Comp. internet; $30 valet only parking

$229

$229

$229

$229

30 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

$239

$239

w A maximum of five (5) guest rooms may be reserved per name/credit card. w Directors should try to reserve rooms for all-state students and chaperones in the hotel where they are rehearsing. w Credit cards are required for online reservations, and the credit card name must match the name on the reservation. w If calling, be sure to request the “Florida Music Education Association” room block rate and confirm the guest room rate listed for the hotel. w If paying by check, reservations must be made over the phone, and a check for the full amount must be mailed directly to the hotel no later

w You do not need to register for the conference before reserving your than December 13, 2024.

hotel rooms, but this is something we are considering for future

w Each hotel will have contract terms, such as parking charges, etc., on conferences.

their reservation link.

Cancellation Deadline

We urge any guest holding surplus reservations/

rooms to cancel the excess reservation(s) as soon as possible and no later than 5 PM ON NOVEMBER

9, 2024, and you must secure a cancellation confir-

mation number. This courtesy will make surplus rooms available to other FMEA members and conference attendees.

Nonrefundable Deposit

Frequently Asked Questions Why are the FMEA hotels so expensive?

The prices we contract with the hotels are much lower than their standard room rates during the same dates (in many cases, less than half).

Why is it so hard to get a room?

On November 12, 2024, each room reserved and not

cancelled by November 9 will be charged a nonrefundable deposit in the amount of the posted rate for one night plus tax. It will be charged to the credit

card used to secure the reservation. Invalid credit cards risk reservation cancellation.

When the blocks first open, everyone tries to get as many rooms as

If Hotels Are Full

so they fill up very fast. If you wait until after the all-state results come

ately upon opening due to teachers overestimating

they can in case they need them for all-state students and chaperones, out, many people will have cancelled their rooms and it will be much easier for everyone else to get a reservation.

Why don’t you wait and open the hotel block after all-state auditions results are released?

Our hotel partners are not comfortable waiting until we are so close to the start of the conference to start booking room reservations.

Every year, the hotel blocks fill up almost immedi-

how many they will need for all-state students and

chaperones. They cancel the rooms they don’t need after the audition results are released (late October

w Try again in late October or early November and early November).

after all-state results are released and teachers

the cancellation deadline listed, you will not be charged any type of

w Try again after the cancellation deadline. All

per room in your reservation will be charged to your credit card, and

FMEA blocks! To receive discounts for the ball-

Is there a cancellation fee?

No, as long as you have cancelled all the rooms you no longer need by cancellation fee. After the cancellation deadline, a deposit of one night that deposit is nonrefundable.

Someone at the hotel told me that cancelled rooms don’t

go back into the FMEA block, and they are sold at full price instead. Is that true?

Not until December 16. Before that date, all the hotel rooms in the

FMEA blocks that are cancelled will go back into the FMEA blocks and can be reserved by other FMEA members at the low FMEA rate.

cancel rooms for students who were not selected.

cancelled rooms will return to the FMEA blocks

w Please do not reserve a room outside of the until December 16, 2024.

rooms we use for all-state rehearsals, we must fill most of our allotted room blocks. If we do not meet our required minimum number of hotel

nights sold, we will need to raise conference registration rates to compensate for the added cost of the rehearsal space.

December 2024

31

All-State COncerts Attendee Concert Tickets Registered conference attendees, such as directors, chaperones, students, and administrators registered as part of your conference

registration, will be admitted to all all-state concerts with their conference badge. Purchased tickets are necessary for other family or friends attending only the concert.

All-state concerts are now sold exclusively online through the

FMEA conference ticket sponsor: TeachTix. Directors should send the following link to the parents or guardians of their all-state stu-

dents who may need to purchase tickets: FMEA.org/Conference/ Tickets/.

Ticket Sales Tickets are sold online for family, friends, and other attendees

who are not registered for the conference. Directors will no longer need to pre-order all-state concert tickets for their students’ family

Frequently Asked Questions

members or friends who will be attending their concerts. Send them this link instead: FMEA.org/Conference/Tickets/.

Tickets will go on sale in September, and can be purchased any-

time up until 30 minutes after the start time of the concert.

Tickets purchased will be emailed to the purchaser and can be

printed or stored on their phone. The barcode will be scanned at

the door to validate a ticket’s authenticity and to gain entrance to the concert.

No Refunds. Tickets may be exchanged for another concert or

transferred to another person using the online ticket sales portal only.

Signs with QR codes will be posted at the conference for pur-

chasing tickets at the door with your smartphone.

A desk in the conference registration area on the second floor

of the convention center will be selling paper tickets if you need to

purchase tickets with cash or if you do not want to use electronic tickets.

Concert Reentry Procedure Once a ticket’s barcode is scanned to

Do I get free tickets for my students’ family members to attend the concert?

No.

Can I get free tickets to any concerts?

No. Registered attendees (directors, chaperones, students) are allowed admission to concerts with their name badge

so no ticket is necessary. Attendees that are not registered for the conference (parents, family, etc.) must purchase tickets.

Can I buy extra tickets anytime?

Anyone can purchase tickets online. Electronic tickets will go on sale in September and sales will close 30 minutes

after each concert’s scheduled start time. Paper tickets will be sold at the FMEA registration desk during its regular open hours on Thursday through Saturday.

gain entry, that ticket is marked as

Does my young child need to buy a ticket?

for another entry into the concert. Attendees who need to exit and

Babies that are being held by a parent or sitting on a

“used” and will no longer be eligible

reenter the concert should be prepared to show their ticket and a photo ID to confirm they are the ticket owner to gain reentry into the concert hall.

32 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Everyone who will be taking up a seat will need a ticket. parent’s lap for the duration of the concert are welcome

without a ticket, but children who are old enough to sit in their own seat will need a ticket.

All-Ticket Sales Are Final.

No Refunds.

Please make sure you know the exact name of the all-state ensemble for which you need tickets before approaching the ticket sales window. Exchanges may only be made through the online portal.

Note: No concerts will be held in the Straz Performing Arts Center.

All-State Concert Ticket Policy 1. Registered (BADGED) attendees do not require tickets

to purchase tickets should take care to correctly enter the

members, directors’ non-teaching spouses, performing

using the tickets into the online sales portal, or transfer

to attend any all-state concert. This includes directors/

all-state students, registered chaperones, collegiate stu-

dent members, retired members, and VIP guests that you entered as part of your conference registration.

2. All nonregistered (NONBADGED) attendees (parents,

family members, guests, etc.) are required to purchase tickets for any all-state concert they wish to attend.

3. There are no “free” or “allotted” tickets. All concert attendees must either wear their conference badge or purchase a ticket.

4. Tickets will be electronic and sold online utilizing a

mobile-friendly website. The link will be available on the conference website well in advance of the confer-

ence, and directors are encouraged to share the link

with all of their all-state students and their parents or guardians. On site at the conference, the links and QR codes will be posted on signs in the venue so attendees

names and email addresses of the people who will be the tickets to those who will be using the tickets using their correct name and email address in the online ticket sales portal.

6. Paper tickets will be on sale at the registration desk on site at the conference for attendees who would like to pay by cash or who do not want to use electronic tickets. Paper ticket sales for all-state concerts will begin on

Thursday morning and continue Friday and Saturday at the FMEA registration desk. There is no requirement that the director or any other registered attendee be the person

purchasing these tickets. If a concert starts after the regis-

tration desk is closed, only electronic tickets will continue to be sold for that concert.

7. All ticket sales are final. There are no refunds for any concert tickets. Tickets may be transferred or exchanged using the online ticket sales portal only.

may purchase tickets using their smartphones. Anyone

8. For entrance, ticket, and concert purposes, a concert is

tronic ticket online anytime up until 30 minutes after

forming in the same venue in a common, defined block of

who wishes to attend a concert can purchase an electhe concert’s published start time.

5. There is no longer a need for directors to pre-purchase any tickets for their students or their families. Instead, they should direct the student and their family to the

online ticket sales website. Any directors who still wish

defined as the pair or group of ensembles that are pertime. An example of a “concert” for purposes of entrance

and ticketing would be the 5:30 pm concert that features

both the Treble Chorus and Mixed Chorus or the 6:30 pm concert that features the Middle, Concert, and Symphonic Bands.

December 2024

33

All-State Rehearsals All-State Concert Band Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 6:30pm Reseating Auditions Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, Riverwalk Ballroom Thursday.................................................. 9am-11am Rehearsals Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, Riverwalk Ballroom Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday.............................................. 7pm-9:30pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm Saturday................................................9am-12noon

All-State Concert Chorus Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11am Rehearsals – Tampa Convention Center, Room 114 Thursday...........................8am-8:30am, Registration Thursday........................................ 8:30am-11:30am Thursday......................................... 1:30pm-4:30pm Thursday...............................................6:30pm-9pm Friday............................................. 8:30am-11:30am Friday....................................................1:30pm-4pm

Full Orchestra Rehearsals – Marriott Water Street, Florida Ballroom, Salons 5-6 Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday................................................... 7pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm Saturday.........................................8:30am-10:30am

All-State Elementary Chorus Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Thursday, January 9, 2025, 1:30pm Rehearsals – Tampa Convention Center Wednesday.......12noon-1pm, Registration, Room 114 Wednesday............................... 1pm-6pm, Room 114 Thursday...................... 7:45am-12:45pm, Room 111

All-State Elementary Orff Ensemble Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Friday, January 10, 2025, 1pm Rehearsals – Tampa Convention Center Thursday......... 10am-11am, Registration, West Hall A Thursday...............................11am-6pm, West Hall A Friday.................................8am-11:30am, Room 112

All-State Concert Orchestra

All-State Guitar Ensemble

Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30pm

Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Thursday, January 9, 2025, 12:30pm

Registration for Strings – Marriott Water Street, Florida Ballroom, Salons 5-6 Thursday, 7:30am-8am

Rehearsals

Reseating Auditions for Strings Marriott Water Street, Florida Ballroom, Salons 5-6 Thursday, 8am-11:30am Registration for Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion – Marriott Water Street, Florida Ballroom, Salons 5-6 Thursday, 9am-9:30am

Sectional Rehearsal – Marriott Water Street, Florida Ballroom, Salons 5-6 Thursday........................................ 9:30am-11:30am Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion

34 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Tuesday......................................................7pm-9pm Marriott Water Street, Meeting Room 8 Wednesday....................................... 8:30am-12noon Marriott Water Street, Meeting Room 8 Wednesday.................................................1pm-5pm Marriott Water Street, Meeting Room 8 Thursday........................................ 8:30am-11:30am Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

All-State High School Jazz Band Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Friday, January 10, 2025, 7:30pm Rehearsals – Tampa Convention Center, Room 407 Wednesday........................................... 2pm-5:30pm Wednesday................................................ 7pm-9pm Thursday........................................8:30am-11:30am Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Friday...............................................8:30am-12noon

All-State Intercollegiate Band Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Friday, January 10, 2025, 4pm Rehearsals – Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, Crown Ballroom Thursday................................8am-9am, Registration Thursday.............................................9am-11:30am Thursday.............................................. 1pm-4:30pm Thursday................................................... 6pm-9pm Friday....................................................8am-12noon

All-State Middle School Band Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 6:30pm Reseating Auditions – Hilton Tampa Downtown, Palma Ceia Ballroom Thursday, 9am-11am Rehearsals Hilton Tampa Downtown, Palma Ceia Ballroom Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday................................................... 7pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday................................................... 2pm-5:30pm Saturday...........................................8:30am-12noon

All-State Middle School Jazz Band

All-State Middle School Treble Chorus

Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Friday, January 10, 2025, 7:30pm

Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Friday, January 10, 2025, 5:30pm

Rehearsals Westin Tampa Waterside, Conch Room Wednesday........................................... 2pm-5:30pm Wednesday................................................ 7pm-9pm Thursday........................................8:30am-11:30am Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Friday...............................................8:30am-12noon

Rehearsals Hilton Tampa Downtown, Bayshore Ballroom 5-7 Thursday.......................10:30am-11am, Registration Thursday............................................. 11am-1:15pm Thursday.........................................2:45pm-4:45pm Thursday......................................... 6:15pm-8:15pm Friday.............................................8:45am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-3pm

All-State Middle School Mixed Chorus Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Friday, January 10, 2025, 5:30pm Rehearsals – Hilton Tampa Downtown, Bayshore Ballroom 1-3 Thursday....................... 11am-11:30am, Registration Thursday........................................11:30am-1:30pm Thursday................................................... 3pm-5pm Thursday.........................................6:30pm-8:30pm Friday............................................ 8:30am-11:15am Friday............................................ 12:45pm-2:45pm

All-State Middle School Orchestra Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30pm Reseating Auditions Marriott Water Street, Meeting Room 8 Thursday, 7:30am-8am, Registration Thursday, 8am-11:30am Rehearsals Marriott Water Street, Meeting Room 8 Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday................................................... 7pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm Saturday................................................... 9am-11am

All-State Popular Music Collective Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Thursday, January 9, 2025, 6pm Rehearsals – Tampa Convention Center, Room 403 Wednesday............................................8am-12noon Wednesday................................................ 1pm-5pm Wednesday................................................ 6pm-9pm

All-State Reading Chorus Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 8:45am Rehearsals Embassy Suites Downtown, Gandy Meeting Room Thursday.......................... 8am-8:30am, Registration Thursday........................................ 8:30am-11:30am Thursday......................................... 1:30pm-4:30pm Thursday...............................................6:30pm-9pm Friday............................................. 8:30am-11:30am Friday....................................................1:30pm-4pm Friday............................................. 4:30pm-5:30pm, Tampa Convention Center, Room 120

All-State SSAA Chorus Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Friday, January 10, 2025, 7:30pm Rehearsals Westin Tampa Waterside, Oasis Ballroom Thursday.......................... 8am-8:30am, Registration Thursday........................................8:30am-11:30am Thursday......................................... 1:30pm-4:30pm Thursday.............................................. 6:30pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday................................................... 1:30pm-4pm

All-State Symphonic Band Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 6:30pm Reseating Auditions Tampa Convention Center, Room 122 Thursday........................................8:30am-10:30am Rehearsals – Tampa Convention Center, Room 122 Thursday.......................................12:30pm-4:30pm Thursday.............................................. 6:30pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm Saturday................................................9am-12noon

All-State Symphonic Orchestra Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30pm Reseating Auditions – Tampa Convention Center Thursday, 8am-8:30am, Registration, Room 124 Thursday........................................ 8:30am-11:30am Violin 1, Room 103 Violin 2, Room 105 Viola, Room 106 Cello, Room 104 Bass, Room 109 Sectional Rehearsal Tampa Convention Center, Room 124 Thursday........................................ 8:30am-11:30am Woodwind/Brass/Percussion Full Orchestra Rehearsals Tampa Convention Center, Room 124 Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday................................................... 7pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm Saturday................................................... 9am-11am

All-State TTBB Chorus Concert – Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A Saturday, January 11, 2025, 8:45am Rehearsals Embassy Suites Downtown, Bayside Ballroom Thursday.......................... 8am-8:30am, Registration Thursday........................................8:30am-11:30am Thursday......................................... 1:30pm-4:30pm Thursday.............................................. 6:30pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday................................................... 1:30pm-4pm December 2024

35

All-State Rehearsals High School Honors Band Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30pm Reseating Auditions Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, Bayshore Ballroom Thursday, 9am-11am

High School Honors Orchestra Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11am

Rehearsals Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, Bayshore Ballroom Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday.............................................. 7pm-9:30pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm

Rehearsals Embassy Suites Downtown, Skyway Room Thursday.......................... 8am-8:30am, Registration Thursday........................................8:30am-11:30am Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday................................................... 7pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm

High School Honors Big Band

Middle School Honors Band Middle School Honors Orchestra Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Friday, January 10, 2025, 7:30pm Rehearsals – Embassy Suites Tampa Airport Westshore, Cypress Room Wednesday........................................... 2pm-5:30pm Wednesday................................................ 7pm-9pm Thursday........................................8:30am-11:30am Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Friday...............................................8:30am-12noon

Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30pm

Reseating Auditions Hilton Tampa Downtown, Esplanade Suite Thursday, 9am-11am Rehearsals Hilton Tampa Downtown, Esplanade Suite Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday.............................................. 7pm-9:30pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm

Concert – Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11am Rehearsals Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, Riverview Room Thursday.......................... 8am-8:30am, Registration Thursday........................................8:30am-11:30am Thursday................................................... 1pm-5pm Thursday................................................... 7pm-9pm Friday.............................................8:30am-11:30am Friday........................................................ 1pm-5pm

Session Attendance Verification Report Provide proof of the sessions you attended to your administration with Session Attendance Verification Reports!

Each of our presenters will be provided a QR code and asked to display it on the last slide of their presentation. Scan that QR code to confirm your attendance and add the session to your Verification Report.

w Register for the conference, either via preregistration or on site. w Make sure you can login to the FMEA website using the web browser on your Requirements:

phone. Use the username and password you chose when you renewed your mem-

bership. If you are from outside of Florida, you should have chosen your username

w Learn how to scan a QR code with your phone. With iPhones and newer Androids, and password when you registered for the conference.

you just need to open your camera, point it at the code, and a box will appear for you to click.

36 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

FMEA does NOT automatically submit your hours for you. It

is up to you to follow the pro-

cess outlined by your school or school district to apply for the

professional development points toward your certificate renewal.

Policies Code of Conduct

Photographic Release

FMEA is dedicated to providing a positive environment of

By attending the conference and/or asso-

respect and civility for all attendees, including members, stu-

dents, parents, speakers, clinicians, exhibitors, sponsors, staff, volunteers, and guests. All attendees are asked to follow all

applicable laws and conference policies and to refrain from physical and verbal harassment, bullying, disorderly conduct,

or any actions or behaviors that create unsafe conditions or interfere with presentations or performances. Harassment, bullying, and sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for

any conference venue, including clinics, workshops, concerts,

rehearsals, social events, online, and social media. Violations

should be reported to convention center security or conference

staff in a timely manner. Violators and their registered students may be expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the FMEA Executive Committee.

Indemnity Clause FMEA reserves the right to change the conference/workshop

ciated activities, you grant permission for FMEA to use any and all photographic imagery and video footage taken of you and your students at this event and activ-

ities pertaining to this event, without payment or any other consideration. You understand that such materials may be

published electronically or in print, or used in presentations or exhibitions.

Security Procedures The Florida Music Education Association works with the Tampa Police Department

and Allied Security at the Tampa Convention

Center (TCC) to enhance the conference experience for the students and attendees.

content, timing, speakers, or venue without notice. The event

Great News!

extreme weather conditions, industrial action, fewer than

security presence throughout the TCC and at various hotels. All

may be postponed or cancelled due to acts of terrorism, war, expected delegates, pandemic, or any event beyond the control

of FMEA. If such a situation arises, FMEA will endeavor to reschedule the event; however, FMEA cannot be held responsi-

ble for any cost, damage, or expenses that may be incurred by the registrant as a consequence of the event being postponed or cancelled. Some registrants consider travel insurance to cover

the cost of the registration, travel, and expenses for these types

In order to help keep attendees safe, there will be a heightened

entrances to the TCC will be patrolled by uniformed officers of

the Tampa Police Department and uniformed Allied Security personnel. They will be patrolling the TCC as well. The Tampa Police Department will be at the crosswalks between Marriott Tampa Water Street and the TCC, at concerts, and patrolling some of the downtown hotels during rehearsals.

All attendees (this includes members, exhibitors, chaper-

of situations. FMEA is not responsible for any registrant’s per-

ones, and student participants) must wear their conference

or property damages while attending an FMEA conference

obtains the conference packet.

sonal injury (i.e., physical, psychological, or emotional stress)

or event. Conference registrants assume all risks inherent in attending an FMEA conference for which the registration covers, whether before, during, or after the conference.

badge during the conference once the authorized registrant Please be prepared for random bag and/or purse searches.

It is encouraged, if at all possible, to use a clear bag, similar to those used at sporting events, for entrance.

December 2024

37

All-State Conductors

Mrs. Nancy Beebe

Middle School Honors Orchestra Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11 am Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

Ms. Kalena Bovell

All-State Concert Orchestra Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand

All-State Concert Chorus Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11 am Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Ms. Mary Biddlecombe

All-State Elementary Chorus Thursday, January 9, 2025, 1:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Mr. Kenneth Boyd

High School Honors Big Band Friday, January 10, 2025, 7:30 pm Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

Mr. Mike Kamuf

All-State Middle School Jazz Band Friday, January 10, 2025, 7:30 pm Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

38 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Dr. Tucker Biddlecombe

All-State Reading Chorus Saturday, January 11, 2025, 8:45 am Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Dr. Trent R. Brown

All-State TTBB Chorus Saturday, January 11, 2025, 8:45 am Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Mrs. Tamara Lewis

Middle School Honors Band Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30 pm Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

Mr. Evan Billings

All-State Elementary Orff Ensemble Friday, January 10, 2025, 1 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Dr. Emily Williams Burch

All-State Middle School Mixed Chorus Friday, January 10, 2025, 5:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Mr. Glen McCarthy

All-State Guitar Ensemble Thursday, January 9, 2025, 12:30 pm Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

Dr. Devan L. Moore

Dr. Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant All-State Intercollegiate Band Friday, January 10, 2025, 4 pm Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

All-State Symphonic Band Saturday, January 11, 2025, 6:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Ms. Jennifer K. Prestridge

Dr. Andrea Ramsey

Dr. Marguerite Richardson

All-State Middle School Band Saturday, January 11, 2025, 6:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

All-State Elementary Orff Ensemble Friday, January 10, 2025, 1 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Mr. Bingiee Shiu

All-State Middle School Orchestra Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

All-State SSAA Chorus Friday, January 10, 2025, 7:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Mr. Terell Stafford

All-State High School Jazz Band Friday, January 10, 2025, 7:30 pm Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

Dr. Douglas L. Phillips

High School Honors Orchestra Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11 am Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom

Mr. Bruce Walker

All-State Symphonic Orchestra Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Dr. Kyle Prescott

All-State Concert Band Saturday, January 11, 2025, 6:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Dr. Hillary J. Ridgley

All-State Middle School Treble Chorus Friday, January 10, 2025, 5:30 pm Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A

Mr. Dan Wooten

High School Honors Band Saturday, January 11, 2025, 2:30 pm Marriott Water Street, Grand Ballroom December 2024

39

PRE-CONFERENCE Wednesday, January 8, 2025 1pm – 5pm

Contemporary Trends & Issues in Education 12:45 pm: Opening Remarks by FMEA President-Elect Skip Pardee

Session A:

f ul g n i n a e M g Creatin rograms Music P chools in Rural S Presenters

ession B: Charms aSn d hallen ges of StudenC t s W ith Disabilitie s and Rural in Title I Schools Presente rs

rper Dr. Chris Ha

McGee Dr. DaShaun

Dr. Christi ne Lapka

40 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Cody Puck ett

Session C:

#FloridaProud: A Panel of Extraordinary Rural & Title I Music Educators Presenters

Fernando Garcia

Alexander Burden

Maria Del Valle

Lissette Garcia-Burden

Sandra Stein

Session D:

Spread the Good N Connecting Rural ews: Music Programs an & Title I Multicultural Supp d Expanding ort Networks Presenters

Harry “Skip” Pard ee

Dr. Arnekua Jackso n

December 2024

41

president’s concert Sponsored by FMEA

Wednesday, January 8, 2025 7:30pm-9pm TCC, Ballroom B

Coordinators: Clinton LaFlam, Christopher Bowen

Raa Middle School Advanced Steelband Director: William Sahely The

Raa

Middle

School

Advanced Steelband is made

up of eighth grade students

who have been in the Raa Steelband Program for three

years. This is an auditioned group of students who have shown dedication and skill at playing the steelpan. The

Raa Advanced Steelband performs at many events in

and around Tallahassee and the North Florida area and has performed for the FMEA Steelband Festival each of the past seven years. As Florida’s only full-time middle

school steelband program, the Raa Steelband Program strives to be leaders in steelband performance by show-

casing all the musical skills and excitement that can be

achieved through the wonderful instrument called the steelpan.

42 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Blake High School Jazz Messengers Director: Carmen Griffin

The Blake Jazz Messengers are composed of magnet and traditional students from the Music Department

including band, orchestra, piano, and guitar. Students range from grades 9-12 and are mixed skill level, with some enrolled in Jazz I – Jazz IV. Students have the opportunity to take a jazz theory course aiding

their understanding of improvisation. The group fellowships with community partners such as Ruth Eckerd Jazz and the Straz Jazz Project. The ensemble has maintained straight superior ratings at district

and state evaluations, has historically competed in the Essentially Ellington competition, has had stu-

dents selected to participate in the Vail Jazz Fest, and has numerous graduates working professionally in the industry such as recording artists Eric Darius and B. K. Jackson. Many Jazz Messengers graduate

with scholarships to fine institutions for jazz education. The ensemble commonly performs on festivals

in Tampa such as Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, and Gasparilla Music Fest.

Freedom High School Guitar Orchestra Director: Christopher Perez

The FHS Guitar Orchestra is internationally known, presenting regularly at concerts and festivals in and outside the state of Florida. Performance highlights include the FMEA Professional Learning Conference and All-State

Concerts; Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Marriott resorts; the Long Island Guitar Festival in New York; the Stetson University Guitar Day; the

Florida Guitar Festival at Florida State University; the Miami International GuitART Festival at Florida International University; and also virtually with the Virtual Guitar Orchestra Project. The Freedom High School Guitar Program enjoys nationally and internationally renowned artists, composers, and guitar professors visiting as guest clinicians to work with their students

and perform in concert with their ensembles, including Dr. Stephen Robinson, William Kanengiser, Bobby Koelble, Samuel Hines, Harris Becker, Christopher

Gotzen-Berg, Rex Willis, Dr. Lynn McGrath, Dr. Ulisses Rocha, Dr. Eva Beneke, Dr. Adam Kossler, and Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo.

December 2024

43

FMEA EXHIBITION GRAND OPENING Thursday, January 9, 2025 • 12:15pm-12:30pm TCC, East Hall A Sponsored by FMEA

Coordinators: Fred Schiff, Melissa Nelson

EXHIBIT Hall hours (Subject to Change)

Thursday 12:15-6pm*

*Colleges and Universities: College Night will be in the Exhibition Hall on Thursday from 5pm until 7pm

Friday: 10am-6:30pm Saturday: 9am-1pm

NO BADGE SATURDAY:

44 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Conference badges are only required on Thursday and Friday. This allows all-state students to bring their family and friends into the exhibits on Saturday.

Celebrate the FMEA Exhibition Grand Opening Ceremony featuring the Brass Band of Central Florida.

December 2024

45

Fmea First General Session Sponsored by FMEA

Thursday, January 9, 2025 10:30am-12noon TCC, Ballroom A

Coordinators: Dr. John Southall, Melissa Nelson The Florida Music Education Association’s First General Session is an inspiring and dynamic event, showcas-

ing the incredible impact of music education through engaging presentations and unforgettable performances.

Robyn Hilger, executive director of the American Choral

Directors Association, is the keynote speaker, and FMEA

Robyn Hilger

President Jason Locker will preside over this superb ses-

sion, which will also feature Jane Castor, mayor of Tampa;

Dr. Kathy Sanz, FMEA executive director; and Fred Schiff, FMEA Corporate & Academic Partners chair. In addition,

performances by the renowned vocal ensemble Voctave

Mayor Jane Castor

and the talented Rainbow Elementary Violin Club will be a musical highlight of this general session.

Jason Locker

Dr. Kathy Sanz

Rainbow Elementary Violin Club

46 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Fred Schiff

FMEA Second General Session Sponsored by FMEA

Friday, January 10, 2025 9am-10:15am TCC, Ballroom A

Coordinators: Dr. John Southall, Melissa Nelson The Florida Music Education Association’s Second General Session is a vibrant celebration of musical excellence.

During this session, we will honor select music educators, administrators, music advocates, and music industry rep-

resentatives who have contributed greatly to the music education profession over the years. A highlight of this

session will be the annual Awards Ceremony and the

FMEA Hall of Fame award presentation. President Jason Locker will preside over this superb event, and Dr. Deb

Confredo, president of the National Association for Music Dr. Dale Rieth

Education, will serve as guest speaker. In addition, per-

formances by Dr. Dale Rieth on piano and the Volusia All-

County Elementary STOMP Ensemble with directors Kris

Light, Semoia Reid, and Chelsea Greer, and coordinator Dr. Deb Confredo

Craig Uppercue, will be a musical highlight for this event.

Volusia All-County Elementary STOMP Ensemble December 2024

47

FMEA concerts Sponsored by FMEA

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Coordinators: Clinton LaFlam, Christopher Bowen

8:30am-10am TCC, Ballroom A

New World School of the Arts Wind Ensemble Director: Brent Mounger

The New World School of the Arts Wind Ensemble is composed of the

finest wind and percussion students in the Miami-Dade County Public School system and is guided by a philosophy that seeks to expose students to the highest quality of music in the wind repertoire. Students

are exposed to a wide range of compositional techniques, rehearsal

processes, and expressive possibilities that challenge and develop their

individual musicianship. This diverse experience affords the members of the ensemble an opportunity to receive a comprehensive music education through a demanding and rigorous process of both rehearsal and performance.

48 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Silver Lining Lake Howell High School Director: Elisael Serrano

Silver Lining is Lake Howell High School’s top SATB choir. The choir includes students in grades 9-12. Silver Lining has received superiors at district and state MPA. They received first place at the Atlanta Heritage Festival. Silver Lining has performed as

Honor Choir for Disney’s Candlelight Processional. The students are passionate about music and fellowship through music. They strive to do everything with passion for a purpose to inspire!

LaVilla School of the Arts Chamber Orchestra Director: Carol Maynard

The LaVilla School of the Arts Chamber Orchestra is the top performing

tive change in their sphere of influence

dents who desire to excel at their craft and who possess the work ethic and

talents. The students understand that con-

ensemble of the LaVilla Orchestra Program. This ensemble consists of stu-

motivation to achieve the great work that the orchestra sets out to accomplish each year. One of the goals of the Chamber Orchestra is to make a posi-

through the best use of their gifts and nection through music is a vital element of this performance art. When performers demonstrate musical passion, along with

high levels of technical and fundamental

skill, they are in a position to enact pos-

itive change in the world around them.

Even when live performances aren’t tech-

nically perfect, the connection between

musicians, conductor, and audience is something to be valued and cherished.

These young musicians encapsulate these

values and traits and exceed the expectations of their director year after year.

December 2024

49

FMEA concerts Sponsored by FMEA

Thursday, January 9, 2025 6:30pm-7:30pm

TCC, Ballroom B

University of West Florida Singers Director: Dr. Peter Steenblik

Coordinator: Melissa Nelson

The UWF Singers is the flagship choral

ensemble at the University of West Florida.

Founded in 1967 and situated in Pensacola,

this undergraduate-only group consists of students from a wide variety of degree pro-

grams. Under the direction of Dr. Peter Steenblik, they have become known for

choral excellence throughout Northwest Florida. The Dr. Grier Williams School of Music is proud to have a robust scholarship initiative benefitting students campus-wide, and offers the BM performance, BME music education with spe-

cializations, and the BA music and an outside field. The UWF Singers recently

performed at the 2022 FLACDA Conference in Orlando and by invitation at the ACDA Southern Division Conference with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra.

Additional collaborations include the Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Choral Society of Pensacola, and the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.

8pm-10pm

TCC, Ballroom B

Voctave

Voctave will also perform during

the First General Session.

Director: Jamey Ray; Coordinator: Melissa Nelson

Voctave is a dynamic 11-member a cappella group hailing from Central Florida,

renowned for their intricate and captivating vocal arrangements. Founded in

the winter of 2015 by esteemed producer and arranger Jamey Ray, Voctave brings together a rich tapestry of musical backgrounds including musical the-

ater, contemporary Christian music, barbershop, pop, and choral music. The group’s members have performed globally and have contributed to numerous recordings, showcasing their versatile talent.

50 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

9:15pm-10:15pm

The UNF Wind Symphony is composed of approximately 45 of the most outstand-

Grand Ballroom

University of North Florida Wind Symphony

Dedicated to promoting and performing the finest in contemporary wind litera-

Coordinator: Maria Dix

(2007). The UNF Wind Symphony’s first album, This Prismasonic Rock, released in

Marriott Water Street,

Director: Dr. Erin Bodnar

ing woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians at the University of North Florida. ture, this ensemble has established a reputation for musical excellence. The UNF

Wind Symphony performs with renowned guest artists, as well as premiers new works by leading composers. The UNF Wind Symphony maintains an active sched-

ule including three concerts per semester, regional and international tours, and appearances at regional and international events. Past performances include the

World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference in Buñol, Spain (2019), College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference (2014), Lincoln Center (2011), Carnegie Hall (2008), and the FMEA State Conference December 2022, was GRAMMY® nomination eligible.

Friday, January 10, 2025 10:15am-1pm

Marriott Water Street, Florida Ballroom, Salons 1-3

Digital Music Showcase and Singer/Songwriter Festival Director: Dr. Clinton Randles; Coordinators: Clinton Randles, Maria Dix The

Florida

Music

Education

Association Digital Music Showcase

is designed to encourage musical creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration by students in K-12

schools. Students submit their orig-

inal compositions in the areas of

Live Performance, Fixed Media, or Music With Video for the opportunity to have them presented at the Showcase/Festival.

December 2024

51

FMEA Mini-concerts Sponsored by FMEA

Thursday, January 9, 2025 TCC, Lobby Stage 1pm-1:30pm

USF Clarinet Ensemble Director: Calvin Falwell; Coordinator: Christopher Bowen

The University of South Florida Clarinet Ensemble is composed of 24 graduate and undergraduate students from the University of South Florida

School of Music and is directed by USF Assistant Professor of Clarinet

Calvin Falwell and USF Adjunct Instructor of Clarinet Asher Carlson. The University of South Florida Clarinet Ensemble performs a wide variety

of repertoire that spans from the standard literature for clarinet choir

to contemporary premieres of new arrangements and commissioned

works. Recent performances include the Central Florida Clarinet Day and appearances at the International Clarinet Association’s annual conference in 2023 and 2024.

3pm-3:30pm

Silver Sands Middle School Show Choir Director: Taylor Gelb; Coordinator: Clinton LaFlam

The Silver Sands Show Choir is an auditioned ensemble made up of seventh and eighth graders at Silver Sands Middle School. The ensemble received straight

superior ratings at the 2024 MPA and performs at Disney Springs every year through their Disney Imagination Campus program. The choir is a close-knit

family that values its members sharing their voices through song and is focused on encouraging each other to be confident and inspiring leaders in everything they pursue. Its members are also encouraged to take other performing arts

classes, which helps raise the musicianship of the ensemble. The Silver Sands Middle School Show Choir is made up of hardworking young musicians eager to share their voices with a larger audience!

5:15pm-5:45pm

Modern Music Ensemble Director: Holly Cordero; Coordinator: Brandon Davis

The Ridgeview Global Studies Academy Modern Music Ensemble is a student collaboration between different instrumentalists and vocalists to create all original music in the popular music genre. Students practice songwriting skills as well as applying music history and technology to their compositions. Students have performed in the All-State Popular Music Collective as well as Battle of the Bands (2023 and 2024) and community festivals and events.

52 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

FMEA Mini-concerts Sponsored by FMEA

Friday, January 10, 2025 TCC, Lobby Stage 11:30am-12noon

West Orange High School Percussion Ensemble Director: Garth Steger; Coordinator: Clinton LaFlam

The West Orange High School Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Garth Steger, is an approximately 40-member ensemble from Winter

Garden, Florida. The percussion ensemble has performed a variety of litera-

ture from small chamber works to large percussion ensemble pieces and large transcriptions. The ensemble regularly attends district and state level solo and ensemble festivals where it has been awarded superior ratings. In addition

to performing their own night of percussion, the West Orange Percussion ensemble has been asked to perform on multiple occasions at the UCF Percussion Festival, which is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts in Steinmetz Hall.

3pm-3:30pm

Dr. Phillips High School Jazz Ensemble I Director: Matthew Malhiot; Coordinator: Christopher Bowen

The Dr. Phillips High School Jazz Ensemble I is composed of the top musicians from Dr. Phillips High School, the Orange County Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts Magnet. Members of the Jazz Ensemble I have had the honor

of performing at Disney and at various functions for Orange County Public Schools. The Jazz Program at Dr. Phillips High School boasts three jazz bands and a legacy of straight superior ratings at district and state MPAs. Many of their

members have gone on to study jazz and tour with notable artists such as The Basie Band and Dave Weckl.

4:45pm-5:15pm

The Stetson University Trombone Choir Director: Dr. Dunwoody Mirvil; Coordinator: Brandon Davis

The Stetson University Trombone Choir is composed of all trombone music majors

and minors with selected non-majors. The ensemble immerses itself in various genres, ranging from music from the Renaissance period to military marches,

jazz, orchestral, and fusion, to name a few. The group prepares at least two cam-

pus performances each semester and has occasionally been invited to perform off

campus as well. In June 2013, the Stetson Trombone Choir was invited to perform two concerts at the prestigious International Trombone Association Festival, held at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.

December 2024

53

COLLEGE FREE event open to all high school music students!

Thursday, January 9, 2025 — 5pm-7pm Tampa Convention Center Exhibition Hall PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES FOR THIS YEAR: College Night will be held on Thursday instead of Friday and in the Exhibition Hall instead of in a separate meeting room.

Free admission for students/parents/ attendees.

Conference registration is not required.

54 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

NIGHT 2025 College Night is a college fair held in conjunction with the FMEA Professional Learning Conference and is open to all students regardless of whether they are participating in an all-state ensemble or registered for the conference.

Students and parents have the opportunity to meet with representatives from premier universities and colleges located in Florida and throughout the country.

EXHIBITORS: Thursday, January 9, 2025, 5pm-7pm (subject to change) Exhibition Hall at the Tampa Convention Center Schools that are exhibiting for the entire conference can remain in their same booths within the first two aisles, labeled “Hall of Ivy.” Schools that are coming in for College Night only will be provided temporary booths in those two aisles on Thursday evening.

Booths will include a six-foot table and two chairs.

Free for conference exhibitors, $150 for other schools.

December 2024

55

STUDENT LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP Sponsored by Student Leadership Committee

Wednesday, January 8, 2025 1pm-4:30pm TCC, Ballroom A

Coordinators: Michael Antmann, Charlene Cannon This workshop is designed for all high school student leaders who want to learn, thrive, and become the best leaders for their schools, peers, and themselves. Attendees will participate in active conversations and team-building activities while also discovering their person-

al strengths and needs to continue to grow on their leadership journey.

Everyone will be engaged in a culture of inclusivity to see and hear all students while revealing the unique strengths and knowledge of our combined voices and experiences.

If you have high school students in an all-state ensemble, the

Student Conference Experience, or the Tri-M Experience, their sched-

ules will not conflict, so you are encouraged to also register them for this Leadership Workshop. All high school students are eligible.

The workshop cost is $50 per student, and chaperones are free.

FMEA/NAfME members registered for the FMEA conference are also welcome to observe for free. Directors, register your students as part of your FMEA Conference Registration.

56 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

CLINICIANS Robyn Hilger

Susan L. Smith

September 2021. She is a seasoned nonprofit execu-

ral, and instrumental music at the elemen-

Robyn Hilger joined ACDA as executive director in tive with a wealth of experience in administration, fundraising, and strategic

innovation. The overarch-

ing theme of Robyn’s work

is meeting the identified needs of historically marginalized communities.

Robyn began her career

as the band and strings teacher in Oklahoma’s largest urban school district. In 2006, she was rec-

ognized as Oklahoma’s State Teacher of the Year.

In 2007, she joined the staff of the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools as the chief programs

officer. Robyn created two programs that received

national attention and recognition for addressing unmet needs of urban teachers and students. In

2014, Robyn was named the executive director for El Sistema Oklahoma. El Sistema Oklahoma facilitates the development of empowered youth who use music

to make strong positive change in their lives, their

communities, and the world. Robyn’s service in key positions has helped her excel in fundraising and volunteer and donor relations. In 2017, she was named

New Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Oklahoma City Chapter.

Just prior to joining ACDA, she served as the director of community engagement for ReMerge of Oklahoma

County. ReMerge is a leader in developing solutions in criminal justice reform for women facing felony

convictions. Robyn also serves on the advisory board for Oklahoma Youth Orchestras and is a board mem-

ber for Oklahoma Youth Sing! (formerly the Norman Children’s Chorus).

Susan L. Smith has taught general, chotary through collegiate levels in Florida,

Virginia, and Alabama and has served as an author, clinician, conductor, and adjudicator

across the United States. She is the president of the Southern Division of the National Association for Music Education and was

formerly an assistant professor of music education at Troy University.

She is the past president of the Alabama Music Educators Association and the current faculty advisor for the Troy Collegiate NAfME chap-

ter. Smith is the chair of the NAfME Collegiate Advisory Council and a member of the Professional Development Committee. Her previ-

ous appointment was director of bands at the Saint James School in Montgomery, Alabama. The Saint James Band consistently received superior ratings in concert, jazz, and marching band events including the Alabama Music Performance Assessment, Smoky Mountain Music

Festival, and Bands of America Super Regional and Grand National Championships. Smith is the president/CEO of RWS Music Company, an educational music publisher created by her late husband, Robert W. Smith. Smith has presented clinics at many state, national, and

regional NAfME conferences. She has presented at the Midwest Clinic multiple times and performed as a member of the Alabama Winds, an adult community band composed of Alabama music educators. As its first coordinator, Smith launched the Chamber Music National Festival

at the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha, and is a

cofounder of the Mind the Gap webinar and podcast for young and preservice music educators. Her professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music

Educators Association, Florida Music Education Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, Phi Beta Kappa, and the National Band Association. Smith is in demand as a clinician, conductor, and adjudicator throughout the country. She has conducted honor

bands in multiple states including University of Alabama Honor Band, Samford University Honor Band, Marshall University Honor Band, and Midfest at UGA, as well as district honor bands in Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky.

December 2024

57

Student Experiences at the Conference Jameyel “J. Dash ” Johnson

Keynote Speaker and One-on-One Interview With Fred Schiff, Florida Corporate Partners Chairman and NAMM Dealer of the Year

J

ameyel “J. Dash” Johnson is a

2025 FMEA Student Conference & Tri-M ExperiencES Schedule Student Conference Experience students must be with chaperones at all times.

Events in bold are required.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025

multi-platinum rapper, song-

9 am

SCE Session: Opening Kick-Off Meeting With J. Dash!

TCC, Room 417

er. He also holds a degree in com-

10:30 am

FMEA FIRST GENERAL SESSION TCC, Ballroom A

of Florida.

11 am

Lunch on your own/exhibits

1 pm

Mini Concert: USF Clarinet Choir

3 pm

SCE Session: Leadership and Advocacy TCC, Room 417 Clinician: Michael Antmann

5 pm

FMEA College Night TCC, West Hall A

writer, music producer, engineer, and award-winning film composputer science from the University Although

having

already

amassed an impressive collection

of musical material over the years, J. Dash’s pulse-pounding dance sensation “WOP” is RIAA certified multi-platinum.

He

founder of SlapDash Productions, a boutique firm specializing in music production and sync licens-

ing for TV and film.

He moved to Austin in 2018 to help build the

company Everlywell (now Everly Health).

Currently, J. is a

director of engineering

with Everly Health, is

on the board of direc-

tors of the Long Center for Performing Arts,

DIRECTORS, STUDENTS, & CHAPERONES—

is

the

Join Jameyel “J. Dash” Johnson for

Orchestrating Success: Careers in Music for Your Students

Thursday, January 9, 2025, 4:15 pm TCC, Room 111 In today’s rapidly evolving social, commercial, and workforce landscape, the benefits of music education extend beyond the traditional performance and education career pathways. This session, presented in collaboration with the NAMM Foundation, features Jameyel “J. Dash” Johnson and other Florida Corporate Partners and music industry executives.

the RISE Center for

Liberation, and MOON Ultra Light, and is a national advocate for music education with the NAMM Foundation.

In addition to giving the keynote address for the FMEA Student

Conference and Tri-M Experiences, J. will participate in a panel discussion on the many careers available in the music industry.

58 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

There are many great concerts on Thursday evening.

We encourage you to attend at least one: 6:30 pm

UWF Singers

9 pm

Voctave

9:15 pm

UNF Wind Ensemble

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2025 9 am

FMEA SECOND GENERAL SESSION TCC, Ballroom A

10:30 am

SCE/Tri-M Session: Careers in the Arts TCC, Room 417

11:30 am

Lunch on your own/exhibits

2:45 pm

SCE/Tri-M Session: Conference Wrap-Up and the Way Forward!

Presenter: Charlene Cannon TCC, Room 301

FLORIDA MUSIC Thank you to all of the donors who have EDUCATION shown their dedication to the improvement ASSOCIATION of music education in Florida by supporting 2024-2025 DONORS our Mission through financial contributions.

Our donors support specific causes by donating to the FMEA funds of their choice: FMEA Scholarship Fund Music Education Advocacy General Fund

June M. Hinckley Scholarship Professional Development for Members Mel & Sally Schiff Music Education Relief Fund

The following have graciously donated to FMEA from April 1, 2024, through November 4, 2024.

MAESTRO’S CIRCLE $10,000 and up

No current donors at this time.

ARTIST’S CIRCLE $1,000 – $9,999

Frank Howes In Memory of Vashti Jordan Howes Louis Schiff

SUSTAINERS $100 – $999

Carlos Abril In Honor of Dr. Alice-Ann Darrow Lucinda Balistreri In Honor of Sarasota County Music Educators Trent Brown In Honor of J. Mark Scott Dale Choate In Honor of R. Wayne Bailey Alice-Ann Darrow In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. O.B. Darrow Virginia Dickert In Memory of Debbie Liles & Lindsay Keller William Fredrickson Marsha Juday Steve & Beth Kelly Sheila King Jason Locker In Memory of June M. Hinckley Joseph Luechauer

Deborah Mar In Memory of Barbara Kingman Carolyn Minear In Memory of Alice Fague John Nista In Memory of Stanley Dmitrenko Douglas Phillips In Memory of Dr. Bobby Adams David Pletincks In Honor of My Children Clinton Randles Jeanne Reynolds In Honor of Pinellas County Performing Arts Teachers Mary Catherine Salo In Memory of Gary Rivenbark & Wes Rainer Kathleen Sanz In Memory of June M. Hinckley J. Mark Scott In Honor of Jason Locker, Dr. André Thomas, Dr. Judy Bowers, & Dr. Judy Arthur December 2024

59

SUSTAINERS continued D. Gregory Springer Harry Spyker In Honor of Fred & Marlene Miller Jeannine Stemmer In Memory of Barbara Kingman & Lauren Alonso Leiland Theriot In Memory of Clayton Krehbiel Rebecca Traenkner On Behalf of the Hillsborough County Elementary Music Educators Council Richard Uhler

Peter Waidelich Howard Weinstein In Memory of Barry Weinstein Kenneth Williams Anonymous (1) In Memory of Claude Dobbins

PATRONS $25 – $99 Sandra Adorno Meghan Alfaro Maria Athanasulis Sasha Aufschneider In Memory of Michael Aufschneider William Bauer In Honor of My Colleagues, Present & Past David Bayardelle In Dedication to Dr. George Sparks Kasia Bugaj Greg Carswell William Castillo Jeff Cayer Zachary Chowning Dayna Cole In Memory of Linda Mann Edward Doyle Debbie Fahmie Anne Fennell Bradley Franks In Memory of Gary W. Rivenbark

Anna Marie Friars In Honor of Dr. Clifford Madsen Dakeyan Graham Rebecca Hammac Amanda Hauta Cynthia Heidel Marsha Kindall-Smith Christine Lapka Craig Lilly David Martinez-Cooley Amelita McGrath Katie McGuire Menges Jessica Moore In Honor of Dr. Nancy Barlar Mark Morette Harry Pardee In Honor of Harry & Anne Pardee Edward Prasse Marie Radloff In Memory of Charles F. Ulrey Rudolf Radocy Sean Rees

Diana Rollo Thomas Silliman In Honor of Dr. Tom Silliman, Sr. John Southall Kelly Southall Eddie Steadman Mark Stevens In Honor of Dr. Clifford K. Madsen Phil Tempkins In Memory ofSue McCray Valerie Terry David Verdoni Matthew Weihmuller Sondra Wenninger Collins Lindsey Williams

William Hazlett Yangqian Hu Ethan Hubbard Jason Jerald Kathleen Kerstetter Lu Anne Leone John Marshall Matthew McCutchen In Honor of Dr. John Carmichael Anthony Moore

Ian Schwindt Gary Smith Andrea Szarowicz

Anonymous (6) In Honor of Columbia County Music Teachers

FRIENDS

up to $24

Bryan Alspach Crystal Berner Laurie Bitters Ernesta Chicklowski On Behalf of Roosevelt Elementary Musicians Jennifer Corzine Christopher Dunn Tina Gill In Memory of Gary Rivenbark Angela Hartvigsen

60 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Anonymous (12) In Memory of Ernest O. Hebson

ComponentNews

FLORIDA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION

Laurie Bitters President

Happy Holidays and Greetings From FOA s we approach winter break, let’s celebrate the achievements

new ideas. Get ready to explore creative approaches, devel-

start to 2025. With the holidays right around the corner, we

classroom. Some of this year’s distinguished session presenters

we’ve made so far and look forward to an even brighter

op new strategies, and bring back a renewed energy to your

Learning Conference—a premier event that offers inspiring w Victoria Senko insights, powerful performances, and a chance to grow both w Jim Palmer professionally and personally. Don’t miss the early registration w Keith Dodson, Andrea Szarowicz, and Jennifer Zahn w Mauricio Cespedes deadline on December 13!

This year, we’re thrilled to host some of the most celebrated w Tian Sanchez-Ballado all-state conductors, who are bringing their passion and exper- w Kasia Bugaj and Martha Placeres tise to our ensembles and students. Watching these renowned w Steven Bossert conductors guide our young musicians from their first rehearsal w Lewis Rosove to their final performance is always one of the most rewarding w Cherie Cseley and Holly Watters w Raine Hollingsworth parts of our conference. Our 2025 all-state conductors include: w Bruce Walker (11-12 Symphonic Orchestra) Make time to connect with your fellow teachers! The insights w Kalena Bovell (9-10 Concert Orchestra) and experiences shared in casual hallway conversations often w Marguerite Richardson (9-12 Honors Orchestra) become as valuable as the formal sessions. There is a remarkable w Bingiee Shiu (7-8 Middle School Orchestra) power in connecting with colleagues who share your passion, w Nancy Beebe (7-8 Honors Orchestra) and you’ll leave the conference feeling uplifted, valued, and want to remind you to register for the 2025 FMEA Professional

Each conductor brings a unique style, and witnessing the

transformation they foster in their students is an experience you

include:

proud to be a part of this vibrant community.

As we conclude the first half of this year, take pride in your

won’t want to miss. Let’s come together to support these young

accomplishments, both big and small. Have a safe and restful

The conference isn’t just about performances; it’s about reju-

that 2025 holds. We’re grateful to be part of such a dedicated

musicians and marvel at their dedication and skill.

venation and inspiration! Our lineup of expert clinicians offers sessions that are bound to invigorate your teaching and spark

winter break, enjoy time with loved ones, and recharge for all community of music educators and are excited to see you at the conference!

Help Us Support Music Education in the Schools!

Donate today for a stronger tomorrow.

Your FMEA is working to advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all. With your support, FMEA will continue to grow its programs for teachers and students, strengthen united advocacy efforts, and improve your professional development opportunities.

D O N AT E T O D AY !

The donor levels are: Friends................................. up to $24 Patrons.............................. $25 to $99 Sustainers...................... $100 to $999 Artist’s Circle.........$1,000 to $9,999 Maestro’s Circle.................. $10,000+ December 2024

61

ComponentNews

FLORIDA ELEMENTARY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

Ashley Peek President

Season’s Greetings, FEMEA teachers!

T

his is undoubtedly one of my favor-

encourage everyone to keep their sights

November issue, you won’t want to miss

musician, with so many incredible winter

We have the power to bring joy to so

(Peripole) and Katie Traxler (West Music).

ite seasons as a music educator and

performances to take part in or attend,

and then our annual FMEA conference

on the musical joy that this season brings. many listeners during this winter season!

Amidst the hustle and bustle of winter

just around the corner! This is also one of

concert preparation, also be sure to get

can be easy to get bogged down in extra

Once again, we have a phenomenal lineup

our busiest seasons as musicians. While it rehearsals, busy schedules, and more, I

our two FEMEA headliners, Dena Byers Thank you to Peripole and West Music for sponsoring these incredible presenters!

In addition to our headliners, I am

registered for our conference next month.

excited to feature another fantastic session

of clinicians for you all. As featured in our

azine, “Playtime Thursday Night” with

in this month’s Florida Music Director mag-

FLORIDA BANDMASTERS ASSOCIATION

Jeff Cayer, EdD President

I

t’s that magical time of year again—the “Most Wonderful

Time of the Year”! December has arrived, wrapping us in

formal presentations.

And speaking of connections, the FMEA conference is

its festive embrace with cool weather, sparkling Christmas

also approaching quickly. Make sure you’ve reserved your

air. Families gather to share meals rich with tradition, laugh-

course, yourself! This conference is always a highlight of my

lights, and the sweet sounds of carols drifting through the ter, and warmth, making memories that will last a lifetime.

Yet, for us musicians, this season also means a whirlwind of

rehearsals, parades, and performances that can sometimes overshadow our holiday cheer.

hotel rooms and registered your students, chaperones, and of year, filled with opportunities to meet old friends and make

new ones. It’s a time to support each other and grow together in our passion for music education.

A friendly reminder: Initial and renewal adjudication

But don’t let the hectic schedule dampen your spirit!

workshops will take place on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

moments for what truly matters: enjoying quality time with

you’re not an adjudicator, I encourage you to join these work-

Amidst the flurry of activities, remember to carve out family and friends, indulging in delicious holiday treats, and

reflecting on the year’s successes within your band program.

This winter break is the perfect opportunity to recharge,

celebrate your achievements, and appreciate the joy of music

Keep your adjudication approval status up-to-date. Even if shops as a guest. It’s a valuable chance to learn about the

adjudication process and gain insights that can benefit your teaching and performances.

The Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) has an excit-

in your life.

ing lineup of sessions and concerts scheduled for the FMEA

corner, and I am excited to connect with many of you in the

bookmarking your favorite sessions and concerts. With so

As we look ahead, the Midwest Clinic is just around the

vibrant city of Chicago. This event is a treasure trove of inspiration, where we gather not only to attend insightful sessions

conference. Don’t forget to download the FMEA app and start much to explore, you won’t want to miss a moment!

While December is undeniably magical, the January con-

and concerts but also to foster connections that enrich our

ference promises its own kind of wonder. Let’s make the most

riences and ideas in the hallways and local eateries—these

can’t wait to see you all there—let’s celebrate the joy of music

professional lives. Don’t miss out on the chance to share expeinformal conversations can be just as enlightening as the

62 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

of this holiday season and the opportunities that lie ahead. I together!

FLORIDA VOCAL ASSOCIATION

David Pletincks President

Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg. “Hey, you all!

Come out and play! The black lights will shine as bright as day! Come with a whoop, come with a ball, come with a costume, a bow or shawl! Be ready to

play and dance and sing.

Our Thursday night will really swing!”

Sandy Lantz taught

in Lee County, Florida, for over 35 years. She

is a published composer with Eldridge Publishing and co-recipient of the

2002 Zornio Memorial

Playwriting Award from

the University of New Hampshire.

In

2004,

Sandy was the recipi-

ent of the FMEA Music

Educator of the Year award. In 2007, Sandy became a national board certified teacher.

Gretchen Wahlberg taught elementary music in

Lee County, Florida, for over 37 years. She has pre-

sented numerous workshops in Florida, New York, Georgia, and Texas. She won the Golden Apple Teacher

Recognition Program in 1996. In 2006, Gretchen received the Lee County Music Teacher of the Year award and was a national board certified teacher.

Sandy and Gretchen have both served as presidents

for the SW Florida Orff Chapter. They co-taught at

the University of South Florida, Barry University, and Florida Gulf Coast University as adjunct professors.

They have successfully co-taught Level I teacher train-

ing courses in Florida for over 20 years. They continue

to present workshops at state and national conferences,

as well as for Orff chapters all over the United States.

Together they have published the books Drumming it UP, Creative Bits with Children’s Lit, S’More Bits with

Children’s Lit, Strumming it UP, and Mixing it UP.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our Thursday

night FEMEA business meeting and “Playtime Thursday

T

he summer of 2024 saw the creation of the inaugural Florida Treble All-Stars Honor Chorus at the FVA Summer Professional

Development Conference. What a thrill it was to open the conference with an exuberant group of 120 sixth-grade singers from 38 schools

across 19 counties. Our guest clinician, Mary Biddlecombe, did a fabulous job conducting the honor chorus along with Dr. Judy Arthur as her collaborative pianist.

It was an inspiration to see students so excited about participating

in an honor chorus during the summer when they could be doing so many other activities. The choir was selected by director nomina-

tions as opposed to the vocal audition process used for our all-state programs. Directors were able to nominate up to five treble singers

finishing their sixth-grade year. We were able to accept each student that was nominated by their director, which was a wonderful way to kick off this annual chorus.

Now would be a great time for our middle school directors to

begin thinking about the singers you will nominate for the 2025

Florida Treble All-Stars Honor Chorus. Even in the first quarter of

the school year, we can recognize those students who absolutely

love to sing and would thrive in an honor chorus like this. We plan to allow directors to nominate up to five students again, but we anticipate more participation this year after the attendees last summer saw the incredible experience the students had with Mary Biddlecombe.

Our clinician for the 2025 Florida Treble All-Stars Honor Chorus

next summer will be the incomparable Evan Powers. Evan is currently a doctoral student at the University of North Texas after years

as a stellar middle school director here in Florida. When asked if

he would be interested in conducting the 2025 Treble All-Stars, his response was, “THE SIXTH-GRADE BABIES?” Anyone who has

ever talked to Evan can immediately visualize the enthusiasm in that response. Our sixth graders will be in for an incredible treat spending the day with Evan Powers.

Information for the 2025 Florida Treble All-Stars will be available

in the spring with a nomination deadline around mid-March. Our FVA president next summer will be David Verdoni, and he will undoubtedly have a fascinating conference planned for all of us.

Also, if you missed the announcements, we will be convening again next summer at the Hilton in Altamonte Springs after a two-year

hiatus at the Wyndham in Celebration. But first, we look forward to

seeing you all in Tampa for the FMEA conference in January. Hope to see you all there!

Night” with this dynamic duo!

December 2024

63

ComponentNews

FLORIDA NAfME COLLEGIATE

Mark A. Belfast, Jr., PhD Advisor

Homework for the Holidays!

I

hope you all had an absolutely wonder-

7pm*

FMEA NAFME COLLEGIATE PRESIDENTS FORUM (TCC, 411). This is for chapter presidents and members of their executive boards.

10:30am

FMEA FIRST GENERAL SESSION: Robyn Hilger, keynote speaker; performances by Voctave and the Rainbow Elementary Violin Club (TCC, Ballroom A)

5:30pm*

FLORIDA NAFME COLLEGIATE GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING (TCC, 417)

9am

FMEA SECOND GENERAL SESSION: Dr. Deb Confredo (president of NAfME), guest speaker; performances by Dr. Dale Rieth (piano) and the Volusia All-County Elementary STOMP Ensemble (TCC, Ballroom A)

10:30am*

Navigating Stress and the Path to Confidence (TCC, 107)

know. To get you started, I’m including

11:45am*

The Other Side: Logistical Planning for the New Ensemble Director! (TCC, 112)

for a few years. I hope you enjoy it!

12noon

Research Poster Session (TCC, West Hall B)

2:45pm

Meet the Supervisors (TCC, 417)

4pm

School District Exhibit (TCC, 417)

10am*

FLORIDA NAFME COLLEGIATE BUSINESS MEETING (TCC, 417). This is when state executive board elections will take place.

ful time with friends and family during

the Thanksgiving break. Congrats on

Wednesday January 8

making it to the end of the semester! With juries, end of semester concerts, and final

exams right around the corner, I know this can be a stressful time. Hang in there!

In the immortal words of Rob Schneider,

Thursday January 9

“You can do it!” Before you know it, you’ll

be back home, chillin’, and enjoying some much-needed down time. When you get

there, be sure to call dibs on the home stereo and ensure your family listens to great holiday music during your stay!

Teachers are always teaching, so now’s a great time for you to introduce your fam-

ily to some tracks they may not already

Friday January 10

QR codes for a playlist I’ve been curating While you’re listening to these sweet,

sweet jams, be sure to download the

FMEA mobile app (FMEA.org/confer-

ence/mobile-app/) and begin planning

your time for January’s FMEA Professional Learning Conference. The full conference

schedule is available on the app and the conference website (FMEA.org/confer-

Saturday January 11

There are LOTS of other FANTASTIC sessions planned throughout the week, so be

ence/). Be sure to bookmark the sessions

sure to review the FULL conference schedule and map out how you’ll spend each day!

so you don’t forget about them. Those

your time while you’re in town. So, this holiday season, while you’re watching Santa

listed and add them to your calendar

marked with an asterisk are sponsored by Florida NAfME Collegiate:

Holiday Playlist 64 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Taking care of that before you get to Tampa will help ensure you make the best use of

Paws for the eleventy-frillionth time, go ahead and finalize your plans for the FMEA Professional Learning Conference. I look forward to seeing you all there!

SPOTIFY:

APPLE MUSIC:

Enjoy!

FLORIDA NAfME COLLEGIATE

Megan Robichaud President

s the semester draws to a close, so does my time as president

of Florida NAfME Collegiate. These past two years serving

on the Executive Board have allowed me to meet so many wonder-

ful people and make some amazing memories along the way. This is the last article I will write as president, and I would like to take some time to reflect on my experience.

It was just over a year ago that I wrote my first article, and I

cannot believe how much has changed since then. Serving in this

role has allowed me to gain friendships with collegiates across the state. One of the most wonderful things about FMEA and NAfME is the people. I have noticed that with experiences like this, it truly is the people who make or break it. In this case, it surely made it.

All the memories, meetings, and conferences would be different if it weren’t for the kind and brilliant people who were part of them.

I have learned so much serving as president of Florida NAfME

Collegiate. Serving on the FMEA Board of Directors has been an

honor, and my eyes have been opened to all the immense work that happens behind the scenes. I have always viewed myself as

a hard worker, but I don’t think I have ever worked as hard on

anything as I did on Fall Conference. It absolutely could not have been accomplished without the work of Dr. Belfast and the rest of the Executive Board. I am so proud to have been part of such a

wonderful team of people. Our efforts paid off with more than 100

registrants and 12 schools represented. As it was ending, I remember holding back tears; I felt relieved it was over, proud to have put

it on with so many people smiling around us, and sad that everything we had worked toward for so long was coming to an end.

Serving as president is an experience I will hold dear for the rest

of my life. As I write this, my senior recital is only four days away.

I find myself not only reflecting on my time as president, but my entire collegiate career. I cannot believe this is my last semester on

campus. Many of us are feeling this sense of finality, whether it

is our last semester on campus or the last semester of our college career. Others are finishing up their first semester and feel like

START OR RENEW YOUR CHAPTER TODAY! Join the only national music honor society for students in grades 6-12

their time in college is just beginning. Let me tell you all—it will go by faster than you think, so be sure to make the most of it.

Thank you to everyone who gave me the opportunity and

Learn more about this program: nafme.org/Tri-M

pride, and I hope I have represented Florida NAfME Collegiate

Contact us: Tri-M@nafme.org

platform to lead this organization. It is a position I have held with well.

Thank you for everything.

December 2024

65

ResearchPuzzles FOR MUSIC TEACHERS

William I. Bauer, PhD FMEA Research Committee Chairperson, University of Florida This on-going column seeks to stimulate awareness of research issues for FMEA teachers and researchers.

Music Creativity and Technology

M

usic teachers and researchers have long explored ways to integrate technology into K-12 music education to

enhance student creativity. In a recent scoping review, Chi

Kai Lam (2024) examined 17 studies published between 1987

and 2022, identifying the types of technological tools used, their impact on creativity, and existing research gaps. Scoping

reviews are a type of literature review that maps key concepts

are as follows:

1. Identifying the research question 2. Identifying relevant studies 3. Study selection

4. Charting the data

5. Collating, summarizing, and reporting results

Arksey and O’Malley’s framework makes scoping reviews a

and evidence within a field, systematically organizing and

flexible tool for exploring and organizing knowledge in broad

study.

overview rather than evaluating specific outcomes.

summarizing findings while highlighting areas for further

research areas, particularly useful for gaining a comprehensive Lam (2024) conducted the review across seven databases,

Background

selecting peer-reviewed journal articles that examined the use

in fostering creativity, a recognized educational priority due to

The search included studies from 1987 to 2022 to capture a com-

Global educational trends underscore the value of technology

its social and economic benefits. National curricula in countries like New Zealand, the UK, and Finland advocate for technolo-

gy as a tool to enhance music creation in classrooms. However,

of technology to support creativity in K-12 music education.

prehensive historical perspective. After initial searches and subsequent screenings, 17 articles met the inclusion criteria.

research specifically examining the impact of technology

Data Collection and Analysis

Previous studies have primarily focused on broader educa-

platform that helps streamline the process of screening, extract-

on creativity within K-12 music education remains limited. tional contexts or interdisciplinary approaches like STEAM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), leaving a gap in our understanding of how specific technologies can cultivate music-based creativity in young learners.

Data extraction was conducted using Covidence,1 an online ing, and charting data. Data were categorized by the types of

technological tools used and how these tools supported cre-

ativity, then analyzed and summarized in tables to identify trends.

Purpose and Research Questions

Findings

cal tools used in music education and examine how these tools

eight categories: (a) sequencer software (loop-based composi-

The study’s primary goal was to assess the types of technologienhance creativity in K-12 classrooms. The research questions were:

1. What technological tools are used to enhance students’ creativity?

2. How do these tools support students’ creative processes?

Methodology

Lam (2024) used Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) five-stage framework, an approach for conducting a scoping review to

systematically map existing literature on a topic. This framework provides a clear structure for organizing the collection, analysis, and presentation of research findings. The five stages

66 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Technological tools used in the studies were organized into

tion and digital audio workstations), (b) music notation soft-

ware, (c) virtual instruments, (d) audio mastering software,

(e) audio reproducing software, (f) communication software,

(g) programming software, and (h) interactive reflective music systems. Lam (2024) found that sequencer software (half of the

studies used GarageBand for loop-based composition) was the

most common tool for fostering creativity, followed by music

notation software. These tools often enabled students to manipulate prerecorded musical samples, which proved useful for students without formal musical training.

To better understand how music teachers used these tools,

Lam applied Lubart’s (2005) model that proposes four roles

technology may assume to support and enhance creative

Familiarity with loop-based software, for instance, can help

nology can provide a structured and supportive environ-

technology as a communicative platform can help students

to tools and resources that help users stay organized and

orative learning environment. The findings also point to the

w Computer as Nanny: This role is focused on ways that tech- into their classrooms. Additionally, encouraging the use of thinking and problem-solving.

ment, managing the creative process by offering access maintain a creative mindset. Software such as GarageBand

and Dance eJay were seen to create supportive environ-

ments, allow students to explore music freely, and promote

teachers integrate accessible and flexible composition tools

share and receive feedback on their work, fostering a collab-

need for further research into tools that go beyond facilitation and actively contribute to the creative process. Educators might

explore emerging AI-based technologies as partners in music

w Computer as Pen-Pal: Here, technology enables communica- in composition. engagement.

tion and collaboration by allowing users to share ideas, per-

creation, considering how such tools can serve as “colleagues”

spectives, and feedback with others, fostering diverse input

Limitations and Future Research

platform allowed students to share compositions online,

peer-reviewed journal articles, potentially omitting relevant

and potential breakthroughs. Tools such as the ALSong

fostering peer interaction and feedback, which reinforced

The study’s limitations include its reliance on English-language, research published in other languages or formats, like confer-

w Computer as Coach: When technology serves as a coach, it tative, the findings are limited in their generalizability. Lam their roles as both creators and critics.

ence papers. Additionally, because most studies were quali-

acts as an expert guide, providing tutorials, exercises, and

(2024) suggested that future research should employ mixed

processes. Certain software provided extensive databases

understanding of how technology impacts creativity in diverse

feedback to enhance specific creative skills and cognitive of sounds and feedback features, helping students build

compositions within a structured yet exploratory environ-

ment. For example, the audio feedback function of music notation software provided a means for students to evalu-

or quantitative methods to develop a more comprehensive

educational settings. Studies focusing on younger students

(K-3) and students with special needs are also recommended to address gaps in current research.

In conclusion, Lam’s scoping review provides a valuable

w Computer as Colleague: When technology functions as a creativity in K-12 music education, offering insights into both ate their musical ideas in sound.

foundation for understanding technology’s role in fostering

colleague, it actively participates in the creative process,

effective practices and areas for further exploration. Music edu-

Only one study examined this role, using an interactive

findings in developing curricula and instructional strategies

contributing to idea generation, evaluation, and refinement. system called the Continuator, which generated musical 2

responses in real-time, encouraging students to collaboratively develop creative ideas.

These roles encompass technology’s capacity to monitor,

facilitate, guide, and even collaborate with students in creative pursuits, providing a useful lens through which to assess technology’s contributions to creative learning in music.

Discussion and Implications

Lam (2024) highlights that technology provides an accessible environment for creativity, enabling even novice students to

explore music composition and improvisation without requiring extensive musical knowledge. However, a significant gap

remains in understanding the role of technology as an active creative partner, with limited studies examining how advanced technologies like AI might collaborate with students in generating new ideas.

For music educators, this review suggests several prac-

tical applications and areas for professional development.

cators and researchers alike are encouraged to consider these that harness the potential of technology to enhance creative learning.

References Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616 Lam, C. K. (2024). Technology-enhanced creativity in K-12 music education: A scoping review. International Journal of Music Education, 42(4), 691–703. https://doi.org/10.1177/02557614231194073 Lubart, T. (2005). How can computers be partners in the creative process: Classification and commentary on the Special Issue.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 63(4–5), 365–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2005.04.002

Endnotes 1.

https://www.covidence.org

2.

https://www.francoispachet.fr/continuator/

Email your questions and feedback to wbauer@ufl.edu with a subject heading Research Puzzles.

December 2024

67

CommitteeReports A

AWARDS COMMITTEE

Sondra A. W. Collins Chairperson

long with the rest of FMEA, your FMEA Awards

music education. And don’t forget to check out the digital

Professional Learning Conference! This year’s awards recog-

awardee has a spotlight biography and photo, so you can

Committee is excited to see you in January at our FMEA

nition at the Second General Session will shine a spotlight on our awardees, and you will have an opportunity to hear a short message directly from them. You will get a glimpse into

the hearts and minds of the awardees regarding the value of music education and the role they play in assuring that all

students, at all schools, receive quality and comprehensive

FMEA Professional Learning Conference Program, as each

get to know them better. I hope you are as excited as we are about celebrating our honorees. Your Awards Committee is

also currently working hard to award those of you that have applied for the Music Education Service Awards and the

Music Education Enrollment Awards—these awesome individuals will be announced in the conference program as well.

Please join me in applauding your 2025 FMEA Award winners!

2025 FMEA Awardees ELEMENTARY MUSIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Katie Grace Miller

Elementary Music Educator Lake George Elementary School Orange County Public Schools Nominated by Christina Torrez

SECONDARY MUSIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Mara Rose Bruce

Retired Secondary Music Educator Fleming Island High School Clay County District Schools

LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR MUSIC EDUCATION

Benny L. Bolden, Jr., EdD

President, Florida School Music Association Divisional Director of Secondary Schools Leon County Schools Past Principal, R. Frank Nims Middle School Leon County Schools Nominated by Andrew Thompson

EXEMPLARY MODEL MUSIC PROGRAM

Nominated by Alexander Buck

COLLEGE MUSIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Sandra Sanchez Adorno, PhD

Assistant Professor of Music Education and Area Coordinator of the Music Education Department Florida International University President, Florida College Music Education Association Nominated by Jessica Gronberg on behalf of FEMEA

ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Ricardo (Ricky) Grimaldo Elementary Principal Stephen Foster Elementary School Broward County Public Schools

Nominated by Pauline Latorre on behalf of FEMEA

SECONDARY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Dennis Mayo

Secondary Principal Marshall Middle Magnet IB World School Hillsborough County Public Schools

Nominated by Dr. Jeffrey Cayer on behalf of FBA

Vocal Youth Miami (formerly The Children’s Voice Chorus)

Jamie Sutta, Executive Artistic Director, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools Nominated by Alicia Romero-Sardiñas

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN MUSIC EDUCATION AWARD

Valeria Anderson

Director of Operations, FMEA Director of Operations, Center for Fine Arts Director of Operations, FAEA Nominated by Jeanne Reynolds

68 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

DIVERSE LEARNERS COMMITTEE

Christine Lapka, EdD Chairperson

Puckett’s Passion Project

by Cody Puckett

S

eason’s greetings, Florida music educators! As education becomes more in tune with diverse learners, we recognize

more students with disabilities in our classrooms. Even though

teaching a range of learners is a normal occurrence for most

music educators, some are completely new to exceptionalities in

their line of work. I am very excited to announce that FMEA’s Diverse Learners Committee is starting a new pilot of shared lesson plans, lesson designs, and ideas for working with your students with disabilities.

My name is Cody Puckett, and I am a part of FMEA’s Diverse

Learners Committee. I serve as an adaptive elementary music

teacher in Polk County where I teach students with mild to severe exceptionalities, and who are deaf and hard of hearing. I

have over five years of experience training and working with our

students with disabilities in a music classroom. Collaborating with our committee chair, Dr. Christine Lapka, we are creating

a digital file on the FMEA members page to share your best and

most effective lesson plan(s) to help or inspire music teachers who may need additional assistance for teaching our exceptional students.

In this pilot plan to share your work, we want to include

submissions from music educators from across the state. From

beginning to seasoned teachers, sharing can help educators at all levels. We are looking for anyone willing to post their most effective lesson plans for their students with disabilities. Teachers can

You can email your lesson plans to us as we start building our

upload their lesson plans and see other lesson ideas for creating

files so we can submit everything to the FMEA’s website man-

ers will be based on students’ needs. For example, we will have

via our email or mobile number: Dr. Christine Lapka, christine.

plans for exceptional students in their classrooms. Shared fold-

folders titled “Supporting Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing” and “Supporting Students With Autism.” The folders

will be on the FMEA membership page to help all music teachers learn and grow. Other folders will contain related information

covering disabilities, IEP, 504, accommodations, modifications, and explanations for most of these legal documents.

ager. We are here for you! We are accessible for you to reach us

lapka@ucf.edu, (309) 224-1472; Cody Puckett, cody.puckett@ polk-fl.net, (407) 815-5741.

Again, we are here for you and to empower you in any capac-

ity we can! We are excited to share this new pilot plan with you all.

We hope to support any educational staff member who is

Cody Puckett is in his fifth year of teaching at Horizons Elementary

growing as a teacher and student, I look forward to serving

studies in deaf education/ASL and music education from Flagler College

looking for answers or new ideas. As a lover of learning and you as a committee member. It is our mission to help give your

students the accessibility and accommodations that are needed within your classroom walls.

School in Davenport, Florida. He graduated with a BA in liberal arts and recently earned his MEd in special education from FGCU. He is a

proud advocate for inclusive music education teaching for all students and their abilities.

December 2024

69

CONTEMPORARY MEDIA COMMITTEE

CommitteeReports

Clint Randles, PhD Chairperson

FMEA Crossover Festivals 2025

T

eachers are welcome to bring their student bands to a fes-

combination of musical styles. While live performance com-

ments in the area of cover song and original song performance.

vocalists, they must prominently feature at least one digital

tival experience that will celebrate their students’ achieve-

Students will perform a 10-minute set of cover and original

music and then have a 30-minute coaching session by a music teacher producer from the hosting institution. Students should plan on spending the day to hear other bands perform and expe-

rience the unique program of each host institution. There will be performances from university students, presentations from

positions can include any combination of instruments and instrument (computers, electric guitars, phones, electronic toys, tablets, synthesizers, midi controllers, microphones,

w The inclusion of other performing arts, such as movement, electronic drums, loopers, etc.).

dance, theater, poetry, and visual art, is encouraged.

members of the music industry, and valuable Q&A sessions for

Submission Process

fessionally multitrack-recorded. At the end of each festival, two

or student groups as they wish. Each nomination must include

how to make better music. All student performances will be probands will be awarded the honor of having one of their original

songs released on a special album following the festivals. Here is a link to the 2024 Festival Album: bit.ly/fmeaCrossover24

w Gainesville (Santa Fe College)—May 9, 2025 w Tallahassee (Florida State University)—May 17, 2025 w Tampa (University of South Florida)—May 22, 2025 Site Locations

General Guidelines

1. All Florida student bands in grades K-12 are eligible to par-

FMEA member teachers may nominate as many students and/

w A video recording of a live performance of the two full

the following: pieces.

• The video should be uploaded to a video-sharing site

such as YouTube, Vimeo, TeacherTube, or the composer’s or school’s/teacher’s website. Make sure it’s set so that

anyone with the link can view the video. For example, in YouTube, this would be “Unlisted” but not private, and

in Google Drive the sharing settings should be “anyone

with the link” can view. The online application will ask for the link/URL.

ticipate. Students must, however, be nominated by an FMEA

• If submitting an audio recording, it should be an mp3

middle school (6-8), or high school (9-12).

email(s), school name(s), year(s) in school, composition title,

or more individuals.

analysis of the piece’s form, one or two paragraphs describ-

2. Students can enter one of three divisions: elementary (K-5), w The online application will ask for composer name(s) and member teacher.

3. This is a group festival. Groups can consist of as few as two 4. Each student can be involved in only one submission.

5. The submission deadline is 5pm EDT on March 21, 2025.

Each group must submit a performance of:

1. A Cover Song. Cover songs are songs written and/or performed by an artist who is not the student(s) performing.

2. An Original Song. Original songs are songs written and/or performed by the songwriter(s) at the festival.

w Submissions can include original compositions, mash-ups,

Submission Guidelines

partner songs, re-mixes, covers, etc. Live performance piec-

w Submissions must include both a cover song and an original es must be no longer than four minutes in length.

song. Performances can involve any single musical style or

70 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

file. The application will ask you to upload it.

duration, listing of instrumentation and equipment used, an ing the compositional/creative process, a listing of student

performers that includes name, email, school name, year in

school, and type of participation in the composition for each student, and links to uploaded video/audio files.

The submission deadline is 5pm EDT on March 21, 2025.

Only applications completed by this time will be considered. Students whose works are selected for performance will be notified by March 28 and will be expected to attend the event.

Download the Crossover Music Festival application at

FMEA.org/programs/crossover-festivals/.

SECONDARY GENERAL MUSIC COMMITTEE

Ed Prasse Chairperson

H

ello, secondary general music teach-

These are dual opportunity events

eight- to ten-minute intervals. Comment

and a solo and small ensemble category

Additional lectures and masterclasses or

ers of Florida! We are excited to

offering both a large ensemble experience

ing festival opportunities for steel pan

on the same day. Participating schools

announce that FMEA will again be offer-

and guitar programs in 2025. Here are some details: Please

mark

your

calendars

for

Saturday, April 12, 2025, for the FMEA Steel Drum Ensemble Festival. It will

be held at the Blankner K-8 School in

Orlando, and the clinician will be Tom

Miller, adjunct professor of steel drums

can enter ensembles for a 30-minute stage

experience where they will play one or two selections and then receive feedback from the clinicians for the remaining

minutes. On the same day and location, your students can also play a solo or perform in a small ensemble for a clinician in

sheets will be provided in lieu of ratings.

performances might be scheduled at each site as well. Please see FMEA.org/programs/guitar/ for additional information

and online registration. You may reach out to the individual site coordinators listed

above or contact me at prasse@aol.com if you have questions.

at the University of Denver. Participating

ensembles will have a 30-minute time slot

MULTICULTURAL NETWORK COMMITTEE

to perform a tune or two and then receive

Arnekua Jackson, PhD Chairperson

feedback from the clinician. Additional details and links to the registration for

this event can be found at FMEA.org/ programs/steel-band-festival/.

Please

reach out to Dr. Jared Allen via the “con-

tact us” page should you need additional information.

At the time of writing this article, there

are four FMEA Guitar Ensemble Festivals scheduled for 2025. Here are the dates, locations, and local festival coordinators:

University High School Orlando Chris Perez Saturday, February 15, 2025 Leon High School Tallahassee Ed Prasse Thursday, February 27, 2025 West Port High School Ocala Jeremy Shepard Saturday, March 8, 2025 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers Kayla Lisa Saturday, April 5, 2025

Incorporating Diversity in Holiday Concerts Through Inclusive Selections

S

eason’s greetings! As music educators, we have a powerful opportunity and responsibility to embrace diversity in our holiday music selections, especially

when we consider the rich multicultural backgrounds of our students. Holiday music can be an extraordinary way to introduce students to new perspectives,

traditions, and sounds. By thoughtfully choosing pieces that celebrate a variety of

cultural and religious traditions, we not only broaden their musical horizons but foster a spirit of inclusivity and respect.

The holiday season offers an ideal opportunity for teaching students that music

is more than notes and rhythms; it is a medium that captures and shares the essence of diverse cultural celebrations. Holiday music can serve as a comforting

way to reflect on traditions, but it can also reinforce limited perspectives if we don’t introduce students to new experiences. The beauty of holiday music lies in its universality and open invitation to explore the diverse ways communities worldwide express gratitude, joy, and reflection.

When we expand our holiday music programs, we promote global awareness

and empathy. Students may be familiar with traditional Christmas songs, but how

many have sung a Kwanzaa celebration song or experienced the peaceful beauty

of a Hanukkah melody? Exposing them to a wide range of holiday music enhanc-

es their understanding of the world, celebrating the unique contributions of every culture while underscoring the values that bind us together.

December 2024

71

ExecutiveDirector’sNotes The mission of The Florida Music Education Association is to promote

FMEA Executive Director Kathleen D. Sanz, PhD

quality, comprehensive music education for all Florida students as a part of their complete education.

Promoting Music Education for ALL Florida Students

T

he Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) is

anytime up until 30 minutes after the start time of the

initiative is designed to promote music teacher recruit-

be printed or stored on their phone. The barcode will be

continuing the initiative “Teach Music Florida.” This

ment and retention for students in the state of Florida. We believe that teaching in Florida provides an opportunity

for students to excel as musicians, teachers, and creative

concert. Tickets will be emailed to the purchaser and can scanned at the door to validate the ticket’s authenticity and gain entrance to the concert.

music industry leaders.

Advocacy and Government Relations

National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the

is to hold our elected officials account-

FMEA works with national associations including the

National Music Merchants Association (NAMM), and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) to promote music education. FMEA looks forward to engaging with like-minded associations and partners to embrace the

future of music education in the state. Continue to access

the FMEA website to engage with FMEA leaders and members to assist in this initiative.

The election is over, and now the work begins! Our task able for adequately funding and supporting education generally and music education specifically. First

things first. Send a congratulatory

letter to all of your newly elected legis-

lators, school board members, and superintendents. The

speaker of the House and the president of the Senate will determine the legislative leadership, committees, and

committee chairs. FMEA will post the committees on the website once they have been determined. We need to

work together to continue to build strong relationships

with our representatives and senators. Plan talking points

and elevator speeches to relay the importance of music education for Florida students.

2025 FMEA Professional Learning Conference Music Education Begins with ME

Early registration is open for the 2025 FMEA Professional Learning Conference Music Education Begins with ME at

FMEA.org/conference/. NOTE: The deadline for early

2025 Florida Legislative Session The 2025 Legislative Session will begin on March

registration ends at midnight on December 13, 2024. Be

4, 2025, and is scheduled to end on May 2, 2025. The

excellent conference in Tampa on January 8-11, 2025, at the

Music Association (FSMA), and the Florida Art Education

sure to watch the FMEA website to take advantage of this

Tampa Convention Center. FMEA leadership and staff are looking forward to seeing everyone in January.

REMINDER: All-state concert tickets are sold online.

Directors no longer need to pre-order all-state concert tickets for their students’ family members or friends who

will be attending their concerts. Tickets can be purchased

72 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

Florida Music Education Association, the Florida School Association (FAEA) are collaborating on the development

of the Center for Fine Arts Education 2025 Legislative Platform. Please review the platform on the FMEA website in January. If you have questions about the bills as they move through the process, please call Dr. Kathleen Sanz at the FMEA office. It is so important for you to be

2024-25 FMEA MEMBERSHIP: You are eligible for membership in the Florida Music Education Association if you are an individual engaged in the teaching, supervision, or administration of music in elementary and secondary schools, colleges, or universities within the state. Visit FMEA.org/membership to learn more about the benefits of active membership.

involved personally in helping legislators make good

decisions for Florida students in general and for music students in particular.

Time to Vote for FMEA and FMEA Component Leadership

There are several very important FMEA elections: president-elect for the remainder of the 2024-2025 election

cycle and president-elect for the 2025-2027 FMEA Board of Directors. The component president-elect for FEMEA,

FMSA, FOA, and FVA will be elected during the 2025 FMEA Professional Learning Conference.

Health and Wellness

As I mentioned last year at this time, your physical health and wellness are so very important. While oftentimes we

are aware of and are reminded of the need to eat healthfully, exercise, and maintain good mental health and vocal health, how often do we think about the importance

of protecting our hearing? October was National Protect Your Hearing Month. We are now in December and football marching season has typically come to an end, but that’s not the end of potential harm to our hearing.

Acoustics in our music rehearsal spaces is not always adequate for healthy hearing. Make it one of your New

Year’s resolutions to protect your hearing. There are many earplugs available today that can assist us in preventing

hearing loss. The best way to prevent hearing loss is by protecting your hearing, and this includes early identifi-

cation and intervention. Make an appointment today to have your hearing checked.

FMEA leadership and staff are looking forward to

seeing you in January at the FMEA Professional Learning Conference and All-State Concerts.

See you at the conference,

Kathleen D. Sanz, PhD

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Direct correspondence regarding subscriptions to: Hinckley Center for Fine Arts Education, 402 Office Plaza, Tallahassee, FL, 32301-2757.

Subscription cost included in FMEA membership dues ($9); libraries, educational institutions, and all others within the United States: $27 plus 7.5% sales tax.

CIRCULATION: The circulation of the Florida Music Director is 4,500 educators.

Published eight times annually by The Florida Music Education Association, Hinckley Center for Fine Arts Education: 402 Office Plaza, Tallahassee, FL 323012757. FMEA reserves the right to approve any application for appearance and to edit all materials proposed for distribution. Permission is granted to all FMEA members to reprint articles from the Florida Music Director for non-commercial, educational purposes. Non-members may request permission from the FMEA office.

SUBMISSIONS: Article and art submissions are always considered and should be submitted on or before the 1st of the month, one month prior to the publication issue to: Kelly Miller, DMA, kelly.miller@ucf.edu.

All articles must be provided in digital format (e.g., Microsoft Word). All applicable fonts and images must be provided. Images must be at least 300 dpi resolution at 100% of the size. All submissions must be accompanied by a proof (color, if applicable). Ads may be submitted via email to val@fmea.org.

Advertiser Index The Florida Music Director is made possible by the participation of the following businesses whose advertisements appear in this issue. They make it possible to provide you with a high-quality publication, and we gratefully acknowledge their support of our mission. We hope you will take special notice of these advertisements and consider the products and services offered. It is another important way you can support your professional association and the enhancement of Florida music education.

The publisher does not endorse any particular company, product, or service. The Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) is not responsible for the content of any advertisement and reserves the right to accept or refuse any advertisement submitted for publication. Information for advertisers (rate card, insertion orders, graphics requirements, etc.) can be found at FMEAMediaKit.org. Florida Music Director reserves the right to refuse any ad not prepared to the correct specifications OR to rework the ad as needed with fees applied.

ADVERTISERS Music Is Elementary..................................................................................................................... 18 University of Florida.................................................................................................................. BC William Carey University............................................................................................................. 6 Advertisers indicated in bold provide additional support to FMEA members through membership in the Florida Corporate and Academic Partners program. These partners deserve your special recognition and attention.

CONNECT FLMusicEd

FLMusicEd

FLMusicEd

FLMusicEd

December 2024

73

Please take time to thank and support our 2024-2025 Academic Partners.

GOLD PARTNERS

BRONZE PARTNERS Florida Gulf Coast University University of North Texas Partners as of November 4, 2024.

*Please visit FMEA.org/partners for partnership details or call 850-878-6844.

74 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r

F LO R I DA M U S I C E D U C AT I O N A SSO C I AT I O N

Officers and Directors

EXECUTIVE BOARD President

Jason P. Locker

Orange County Public Schools 445 W. Amelia St.; Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 317-3200; jasonlocker@fmea.org Past President

Shelby R. Chipman, PhD

Florida A&M University, Department of Music Foster-Tanner Music Bldg., Room 318 Tallahassee, FL 32307; (850) 599-8165 shelby.chipman@famu.edu President-Elect

Harry “Skip” Pardee

Collier County Public Schools 5775 Osceola Trail; Naples, FL 34109-0919 (239) 377-0087; pardeh@collierschools.com FBA President

Jeff Cayer, EdD

president@fba.flmusiced.org FCMEA President

Sandra Sanchez Adorno, PhD Florida International University 10910 SW 17 St.; Miami, FL 33199 sadorno@fiu.edu FEMEA President

Ashley Peek

Holley-Navarre Intermediate 1936 Navarre School Rd.; Navarre, FL 32566-7504 ashley@femea.flmusiced.org Florida NAfME Collegiate President

Megan Robichaud University of North Florida n01492523@unf.edu

Florida NAfME Collegiate Advisor

Mark A. Belfast, Jr., PhD Florida State University mbelfast@fsu.edu FMSA President

Christopher Burns, PhD

School District of Osceola County (407) 870-4901; christopher.burns@ osceolaschools.net FOA President

Laurie Bitters

Winter Park High School 2100 Summerfield Rd.; Winter Park, FL 32792 (407) 622-3200; laurie.bitters@gmail.com FVA President

David Pletincks

Powell Middle School 4100 Barclay Ave.; Brooksville, FL 34609-0860 (352) 403-8437; david@fva.net Member-at-Large

Steven N. Kelly, PhD

Florida State University School of Music, KMU 330; Tallahassee, FL 32306 (850) 644-4069; skelly@fsu.edu

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

FLORIDA COLLEGE MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

Historian/Parliamentarian & Executive Director.................................................. Kathleen D. Sanz, PhD Hinckley Center for Fine Arts Education 402 Office Plaza Dr.; Tallahassee, FL 32301-2757 (850) 878-6844; Fax: (850) 942-1793; kdsanz@fmea.org

President......................................................Sandra Sanchez Adorno, PhD Florida International University; 10910 SW 17 St.; Miami, FL 33199 sadorno@fiu.edu

Editor-in-Chief.................................................................Kelly Miller, DMA University of Central Florida; 12488 Centaurus Blvd.; Orlando, FL 32816-8009 (407) 823-4545; kelly.miller@ucf.edu Conference Planning Committee Chairperson........John K. Southall, PhD Indian River State College; 3209 Virginia Ave.; Fort Pierce, FL 34981 (772) 418-9133; johnsouthall@me.com FSMA President..................................................Benny L. Bolden, Jr., EdD laruemusic99@gmail.com Hall of Fame Chairperson...............................................Mary Palmer, EdD (407) 252-5172; mpalmerassoc@aol.com

FMEA COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Advocacy..................................................................... Jeanne W. Reynolds (727) 744-7252; jeannewrey@gmail.com Awards........................................................................Sondra A. W. Collins sondra.collins@marion.k12.fl.us Budget/Finance, Development...........................................Jason P. Locker Orange County Public Schools; 445 W. Amelia St.; Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 317-3200; jasonlocker@fmea.org

Past President.............................................................. Marc Decker, DMA Florida Atlantic University; 777 Glades Rd.; Boca Raton, FL 33431 deckerm@fau.edu

FLORIDA NAFME COLLEGIATE President................................................................. Megan Robichaud University of North Florida; n01492523@unf.edu Past President..................................................................Colin Urbina University of Central Florida; co006947@ucf.edu

FLORIDA ELEMENTARY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION President..................................................................................Ashley Peek Holley-Navarre Intermediate; 1936 Navarre School Rd.; Navarre, FL 32566-7504; ashley@femea.flmusiced.org Past President......................................................................Joani Slawson Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy; 1720 Peachtree St.; Melbourne, FL 32901 joanislawson@gmail.com Executive Director............................................................Jennifer Sullivan 1750 Common Way Rd., Orlando, FL 32814 (321) 624-5433; slljenn@aol.com

FLORIDA MUSIC SUPERVISION ASSOCIATION

Contemporary Media.................................................... Clint Randles, PhD University of South Florida; 4202 E. Fowler Ave.; Tampa, FL 33620-9951 (813) 974-2311; randlesc@usf.edu

President............................................................... Christopher Burns, PhD School District of Osceola County (407) 870-4901; christopher.burns@osceolaschools.net

Diverse Learners....................................................... Christine Lapka, EdD University of Central Florida; 12488 Centaurus Blvd.; Orlando, FL 32816-2372; christine.lapka@ucf.edu

Past President.................................................... Lindsey R. Williams, PhD Seminole County Public Schools (407) 320-0434; willialz2@scps.k12.fl.us

Emerging Leaders.............................Dakeyan C. Graham, PhD, EdD, DMA Alachua County Public Schools; 3600 NE 15th St.; Gainesville, FL 32609 dregraham@gmail.com

FLORIDA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION

Florida Corporate & Academic Partners...................................Fred Schiff All County Music; 8136 N. University Dr.; Tamarac, FL 33321-1708 (954) 722-3424; fred@allcountymusic.com Health & Wellness..................................................................... Aaron Kass Lake Nona High School; 12500 Narcoossee Rd.; Orlando, FL 32832-6922 (407) 956-8327; aaron.kass@ocps.net Multicultural Network............................................Arnekua Jackson, PhD Boynton Beach Community High School; 4975 Park Ridge Blvd.; Boynton Beach, FL 33426-8318 (561) 713-6851; arnekua.jackson@palmbeachschools.org

President.............................................................................. Laurie Bitters Winter Park High School; 2100 Summerfield Rd.; Winter Park, FL 32792 (407) 622-3200; laurie.bitters@gmail.com Past President................................................................ Matthew L. Davis Harrison School of the Arts; 750 Hollingsworth Rd.; Lakeland, FL 33801 (863) 393-4232 Executive Director............................................................ Cheri A. Sleeper 1915 S. 47th St.; Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 363-4139; csleeper@myfoa.org

FLORIDA VOCAL ASSOCIATION

Professional Learning............................................................Ajori Spencer Pinellas District Office; 301 4th St. SW; Largo, FL 33770-3536 (727) 588-6055; spencera@pcsb.org

President............................................................................ David Pletincks Powell Middle School; 4100 Barclay Ave.; Brooksville, FL 34609-0860 (352) 403-8437; david@fva.net

Research....................................................................William I. Bauer, PhD University of Florida; (352) 273-3182; wbauer@ufl.edu

Past President.............................................................. Jeannine Stemmer Florida Christian School, 4200 SW 89th Ave.; Miami, FL 33165 j9stemmer@floridachristian.org

Secondary General Music............................................................Ed Prasse Leon High School; 550 E. Tennessee St.; Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850) 617-5700; prassee@leonschools.net Student Engagement..............................................Michael Antmann, EdD Freedom High School; 2500 W. Taft-Vineland Rd.; Orlando, FL 32837 (407) 816-5600; michael.antmann@ocps.net

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE Exhibits Manager fmeaexhibits@fmea.org Local Chairperson..................................................................Jon Sever (813) 272-4861; jon.sever@sdhc.k12.fl.us

FLORIDA BANDMASTERS ASSOCIATION President.............................................................................Jeff Cayer, EdD president@fba.flmusiced.org Past President..........................................Bernard (Bernie) Hendricks, Jr. Ocoee High School; 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Pkwy.; Ocoee, FL 34761 bernard.hendricks@ocps.net Executive Director...................................................................Neil Jenkins Florida Bandmasters Association P.O. Box 840135; Pembroke Pines, FL 33084 (954) 432-4111; Fax: (954) 432-4909; exec@fba.flmusiced.org

Executive Director...................................................................Michael Dye 231 S. Bayshore Dr.; Valparaiso, FL 32580 (850) 217-7419; mike@fva.net Business Manager................................................................Jo Hagan, CPA 8975 San Rae Rd.; Jacksonville, FL 32257 (904) 379-2245; Fax: (904) 379-2260; business@fva.net

CENTER FOR FINE ARTS EDUCATION 402 Office Plaza Dr.; Tallahassee, FL 32301-2757 (850) 878-6844; Fax: (850) 942-1793 Executive Director..................... Kathleen D. Sanz, PhD (kdsanz@fmea.org) Director of Operations...................... Valeria Anderson, IOM (val@fmea.org) Technology Director....................................Josh Bula, PhD (josh@fmea.org) Marketing & Membership Coordinator.........................Jasmine VanWeelden (jasmine@fmea.org) Administrative Assistant..............................Siena Deaton (siena@fmea.org)

AFFILIATIONS

Business Manager................................................................Jo Hagan, CPA 8975 San Rae Rd.; Jacksonville, FL 32257 (904) 379-2245; Fax: (904) 379-2260; jo@barefootaccounting.com

December 2024

75

76 F l o r i d a M u s i c D i r e c t o r