News from Our Board of Directors

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION News From Our Board of Directors

Kathy Spadfino

kspadeb@aol.com

As we come to the end of a very trying year for our profession, the Retired Music Educators want you all to know that we are with you and waiting eagerly for a return to a new “normal” in the fall. Some of us have supervised student teachers, helping them through a teaching experience without actually conducting! Region, AllState and National ensembles have happened remotely. We can’t wait to hear and make music again! One positive note is that NJRMEA will be working with NJMEA in creating a Mentoring program that will begin in the fall. You should have received a TEMPO express with a questionnaire about this. Please fill it out and submit if you are interested in being a mentor, or just contact me at kspadeb@aol.com. Better days are coming!

Dr. Andrew Lesser

andrew.lesser@yahoo.com www.andrewlessermusic.com YouTube: Professor Lesser

Hello, fellow music educators! It seems like a lifetime ago, but this school year has truly been a historical journey for music educators all over the country. Looking back at how we began last year, none of us could ever foresee the ramifications of what would result from this pandemic. I truly hope all of you have kept yourselves safe and healthy during this incredible ordeal and that we can look forward to a return to, for lack of a better word, normalcy, in September.

Speaking of which, many music educators ask me what will be the face of music education in the future. I believe that educators and administrators will try and keep the positive benefits that we have learned (and sometimes forced into) from distance learning and remote instruction while attempting to improve the challenges that have resulted from this situation. The proverbial technology genie has been let out of the bottle, and I’m sure that many of the resources and materials that have been introduced will continue to serve music teachers long after the pandemic has been eradicated.

Even though we’re still busy planning for the end of our respective school years, it’s never too early to think about the opportunities that will be available in 2021-22. We will continue to hold both the NJMEA Young Composer’s Competition and the NJMEA Student Tech Expo, hopefully with several on-ground events. There are other exciting proposals heading our way too; keep checking out the Technology page of the NJMEA website for updates and new information.

And, as always, if you are looking to assist at any of these events or just want to get involved, please feel free to contact me anytime at andrew.lesser@yahoo.com. Here’s to the end of a truly unique school year, and may the lessons that we have learned serve our students into the future.

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION News From Our Board of Directors

Dennis H. Argul

dennisargul@gmail.com

I have been working with Robert Hamm, K-12 Supervisor, Arts Education & Library for the East Windsor Public Schools for a number of years as members of both NJMEA and NJMAA. Robert and I are members of the IDEA committee which was formed under Jeff Santoro’s tenure as President of NJMEA and continued now with Patrick O’Keefe as a part of the Strategic Plan for NJMEA. Robert has done an incredible job of collecting important information to guide us all in our next steps as we address the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access challenges in our state.

Tell me about your journey in music education? How did you end up as a Supervisor?

Music has always been “home” for me, and it was always my desire to help build “musical homes” for students. After teaching Band and Elementary General Music for 11 years, I earned my administrative credentials and was hired in Neptune Township School District as the Supervisor for the Arts, then moved to my current position, East Windsor Regional School District, again as Supervisor for Arts Education. I’ve been an administrator for the past 7 years.

How did you become interested in this IDEA data collection?

As an administrator, I’ve developed a passion for tracking student participation, and how it impacts the overall program (special thank you to Mr. Rusty Palmer, Band Director, friend, colleague from NTSD). Initially the committee focused on review of the performance literature. I started working on that piece first. After we saw the outcome, we felt we needed to dive deeper into actual student participation. We determined that even though we would not be able to have actual student demographics, having an established estimate, based on the demographics of the districts represented in the All-State or Region Ensembles, painted a picture of student participation over the past 10 years.

Tell us a little bit about the project

The NJMEA IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) reviewed the following data sources to create a baseline to inform decision making. These sources included All State Performance literature from 2009 to 2020, Non-Traditional Ensemble participation, review of All State and Region student participation from 2009 to 2020, and Music Teacher distribution.

How did you go about collecting and putting together the information?

We reached out to the NJMEA ensemble chairs, and Region Boards, requesting student participation and audition information from 2009 to 2020 (pre-COVID). We also reviewed past programs, researching background information of various composers, used publicly available District demographic information from the DOE, NJMEA membership data, and made an OPRA request for the total number of Music teachers in various districts.

What directed your focus?

The focus was developing as complete of a picture as possible, using the available information. We looked to see how the demographics of represented districts impacted the estimated demographics of student participants. The focus was creating a valid “equity lens” to see where areas are that we can improve our outreach. The question being, how reflective are estimated participant demographics, when compared to state-wide and region overall student population demographics. We looked at the four largest racial demographics: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian; and students considered Economically Disadvantaged, as determined by Federal Free or Reduced Lunch eligibility.

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION News From Our Board of Directors

What can you identify as areas that need to be addressed based on the data you’ve collected?

The data clearly shows the need to expand outreach to many traditionally underserved student populations. The estimated student participation was not reflective of the overall 9-12 student population. However, it is important to note that we analyzed data for students who participated in an “above and beyond” musical activity. That being said, there is a clear need to “peel back the onion” and determine why districts that serve traditionally underrepresented student populations are underrepresented in NJMEA sponsored student programs. To do this, there is a need for all districts to determine how inclusive their music programs (and in particular ensemble programs) are of all student demographics.

How are you planning to use this data at your district level? How can it be used at the school level (for our peers and colleagues) and at the State level (NJMEA and others)?

This data report is a “balcony level” view of one aspect of Music Education in NJ. With that mind, it’s my opinion that any balcony level data set is useless until individual educators take concrete actions to change that data for the better of their students. It is my recommendation that individual educators and schools use the processes outlined in the data report as a model, to review their own data.

All public schools maintain student demographic data. If you are not sure how to find it, or can not access it, reach out to your Administration. Demographics are also available on the annual School Report Cards. By simply reviewing your school and district overall student demographic data, and comparing that to student demographics of your ensemble. The key question, how reflective are your ensemble’s student demographics, when compared to the total student population? For example, if the school’s total population is 90% demographic A, and 10% demographic, your ensemble is 90% demographic B and 10% demographic A, your ensemble is only drawing from the smallest student group in the entire school. This is an extreme example of the ensemble not being reflective of the school.

As we approach next school year, and we begin our ensemble recruitment process, use your demographic data to target your efforts. If you find your ensembles not reflective of specific demographic groups what can you do to improve those numbers? For example, if your instrumental group has a low population of Economically Disadvantaged students, why is this case? Can they not afford the instruments? Are there steps you can take or advocate for increased access to instruments?

• What do you see as your next steps?

The report makes two recommendations for further research to be supported by NJMEA, and made publicly available: • Collect NJMEA (All State and Regions) Ensemble Equity Data with actual student demographics during SY 21-22 (pending COVID normalcy). - Events that students participate as a school-group director would complete a demographic survey of the ensemble membership (not revealing specific student identifying info) - Events that students participate as individuals, either audition or recommended, students would be asked to complete a demographic survey, with an option to chose not to participate • Music Participation Equity Survey: asking volunteer members to review and submit individual school and district Music Programs with an Equity Lens. - Performance Literature Review - Student participation demographic survey (not revealing specific student identifying info)

The New Jersey Music Administrators Association is inviting our members to our remaining session for the 2020-2021 academic year: June 4: Traversing the ‘New Normal’: A Reflection on 2020-21-Roundtable – Facilitator: Jonathan Harris, NJMAA President

Also, if you are in a district where you are supervised by a ‘non-arts’ administrator, please share this information with them, and encourage them to reach out to NJMAA for more information and any assistance they may need.

For more information, please visit: www.njmaa.org

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION News From Our Board of Directors

Susan Meuse

susanmeuse@gmail.com

After a year of not having any All-State events, I am pleased to announce that there will be auditions for the 2021 All-State (High School) Orchestra. Because there were no Region auditions this year, all string students in grades 9-11 are eligible to audition for the 2021 All-State Orchestra. The auditions are completely online, and the information can be found on the NJMEA website. Audition videos are due the first week in June, and the event will take place in the Fall. While we don’t know if it will be in person or virtual, the 2021 All-State Orchestra will be a valuable experience for students selected. At this time, no decisions have been made for the 2022 ensembles, so please regularly check the NJMEA website, TEMPO, and TEMPO Express for more information on dates and audition requirements.

Wayne Mallette

wayne.mallette1@gmail.com

It has been quite a year. And while we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, we know many of us in the music world are still trying to navigate our way to the end of the year.

We are happy to let you know that we are moving forward with the 2021-2022 All-State Choral Season! By now, you should have received the email information concerning auditions and the potential options for the All-State Season. Students will upload their auditions as we have done in the past using Audition Forms. We will make the audition packet available in June so you students will be able to practice the audition material over the summer. You will be able to upload student videos between September 1-28.

We are excited that Dr. T.J. Harper from Loyola Marymount (Mixed) and Dr. Brandon Williams from Rutgers University (Treble) will be joining us to conduct the All-State Ensembles. If we have learned one thing because of this pandemic, we have learned to be flexible. If things need to be adjusted for any reason, we will continue to give you updated information as necessary.

I must end this report on a bittersweet note. I have decided to step down as the chair of the Choral Performance Committee. Being a part of this committee has been one of the highlights of my teaching career. Watching the students up close from around the State making beautiful music together has been a blessing that I will cherish for a lifetime. I will also like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Choral Procedures Committee. Each of you esteemed educators sacrifice your time to help shape the All-State experience, and I can’t thank you enough for all you have done. I am excited about the direction we are heading in, and I know you will continue to open the doors for many more students to get involved in the All-State Choir experience.

So this is by no means good-bye, I’ll still be around! And I promise you, I will never forget my choral roots. Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone.

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION News From Our Board of Directors

Nick Mossa

nmossa16@gmail.com

Greetings all! We are nearly at the end of the road for our 2020/2021 school year and I’m sure it is a road many of us will not wish to travel again! Many programs around the State have endured radical transformations in the spirit of maintaining, and at times spontaneously creating, a valuable musical experience for our band students. We are not out of the woods just yet, but there is a significant optimism that exists on the horizon for us and our programs. With the summer months waiting just around the corner, here are a few ideas to ponder:

Many of our band students of all ages have suffered set-backs on their instruments. Students may not be as far in the lesson books as they are “supposed to be”, performance standards may have dipped, practice hours may have lessened, or any number of detriments may be present that have affected your students and program. My professional advice is to let it go. Next year, all band students deserve our unconditional support and our very best practices to help revive their fascination in music, motivation, creativity, and provide the social environment that is such a crucial aspect of the value that band provides. I do not mean to suggest we abandon our musical standards and ambitions entirely, but I believe we should start by meeting students where they are to inspire their participation and excitement once again and musical excellence should be secondary. You may disagree, but I would caution you then to consider that we have no way of knowing everything about all of our students’ experiences in the last calendar year and band may need to be, now more than ever, something more than just a place by which excellence is achieved for your students next year. Food for thought!

Additionally if your experience teaching band in the past school year has been anything like mine, you may find that you have been without meaningful musical experiences for far too long. I’m talking about the types of moments or memories that elevate you, remind you why you were inspired to teach band, bring you fulfillment and joy, and most importantly those moments balance out all of the stuff that comes with the not-so-glamorous parts of the job (I am sure you do not need me to elaborate on that!). I believe we have those moments to look forward to again in the next school year but it is important that we recognize the need to recharge and refresh ourselves this summer so that we may be ready to create those moments for our students and our programs again. If you are one who typically frets about concert dates, packs the summer months with professional development opportunities, or spends all summer planning and practicing with the marching band, perhaps now is as good a time as any to prioritize some healthy relaxation. We will best serve our students if we are mentally and physically refreshed to take on the challenges that await us all next year. They are counting on us!

Finally, NJMEA is thrilled to be providing All-State Ensemble opportunities for our students in the 2021/2022 school year. Please keep an eye on your TEMPO Express emails and the NJMEA website for the latest updates and happenings as conditions evolve. The 2021/2022 All-State Band Repertoire List should be included in this issue. Please observe that the 2021/2022 AllState Band Repertoire List is different from the 2021 All State Orchestra Wind & Percussion Audition Repertoire which is set to be completed this month. Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me via email. I wish you and your programs all the best as we near the end of this incredible school year and look ahead to the start of next year. Be well!