DIVISION NEWS BAND DIVISION Rudy Gilbert Greeting everyone! First, let me say that is my honor and privilege to serve the GMEA membership as the Band Division Chair. Hopefully your school year is off to great start and you are able to enjoy the things that keep us excited about teaching music: those first sounds with the beginners, that first Friday night in your home stadium, the time in rehearsal that there is great music being made, the time when that one kid finally “got it,” the piece of music that incites a student to ask great questions. I hope that you are able to let go of the things that make this a job and are able to find joy in what we get to do: teach music to exciting young people! I am very much looking forward to working with you through our various GMEA events. The 2020 In-Service Conference is shaping up to be a terrific event with exciting and informative sessions. All of the performing ensembles will be presenting wonderful concerts for us and I wish them well in their preparations. Please take the opportunity to attend the conference and experience what some of our most accomplished and respected educators have to share with us. I am also looking forward to an incredible All-State experience for our students. The guest conductors are all wonderful teachers and musicians who are looking forward to being in front of our students in March. The conductors are as follows: All State Middle School Band Linda J. Gammon, Virginia Winds Academy Junior Band, All State Middle School Band Thomas L. Dvorak, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Wind Ensemble
CNAfME
STATE ADVISOR
Dr. Richard Bell
Advocacy is an ongoing part of what we need to be doing as music educators. Whether it be with staff and colleagues in your building, citizens in your community, school system officials or elected representatives, we need to continually make the case for the importance of a quality music education for every child. This summer in Washington D. C., several GMEA members had a chance to take part in the annual NAfME Advocacy Summit. GMEA Executive Director Cecil Wilder, GMEA President Carl Rieke, CNAfME member Jessica Hutcherson and I had the opportunity to learn about and get involved with NAfME’s advocacy initiatives at the national level. Following training about pending legislation dealing with education policy and funding, we traveled to the House and Senate office buildings to meet with staff members of our two U.S. senators and the congressional representatives from each of our districts. Collegiate NAfME members are an integral part of this annual advocacy summit. CNAfME students from across the country came to Washington D.C. the day before other NAfME members arrived. During this day they attended sessions on how to tell their personal story about what music has done for them, how they can be advocates in their state and community, and how NAfME functions. And of course, there was time for some sightseeing. We would love to have more Georgia CNAfME students involved in next summer’s summit. You’ll be hearing more about how you can register through your campus chapter officers.
Scott Hanna, University of Texas, All State Concert Band Scott Tobias, University of West Virginia, All State Concert Band Jamie Nix, Columbus State University, All State Symphonic Band Damon Talley, Louisiana State University, All State Symphonic Band I am excited to be in these rehearsals and know that the concerts will be incredible! Best wishes for a rewarding and successful Fall semester! Please do not hesitate to contact me if needed or just reach out and say hello.
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G E O RG I A M U S I C N E W S | FA L L 2018
CNAfME advisor Richard Bell and Clayton State CNAfME student Jessica Hutcherson with Leonardo Rodriguez, education staffer for Congressman David Scott.