Thank You! Debbie Sfraga - Patrick O'Keefe

If you have ever been to our professional development conference, attended an NJMEA festival, sponsored a student for All-State, or just dealt with renewing membership, Debbie Sfraga played a part in the process somewhere along the way. Debbie’s commitment and experience with our organization is hard to match, with a career of region and state work that spans the past 41 years. Contributing volunteer hours in many roles through the beginning of her teaching career, Debbie has most recently served as our NJMEA Executive Secretary Treasurer since 2000 - and will retire at the end of this school year.

Debbie first began her teaching career in 1976 working for Music for America and teaching instrumental music in parochial schools. Her public school resume began a year later and would eventually include teaching high school choir, middle school band, high school band, and general music. Debbie was initially employed at North Arlington High School and then Tinton Falls Middle School before coming to Ocean Township Middle School where she was the band director from 2000 - 2016 when she retired from public school teaching. In the first decade of her career, Debbie began teaching instrumental lessons at Seton Hall while on maternity leave, where she would begin a tenure first as adjunct faculty before becoming full time, teaching classes like music theory, music civilization and methods classes in addition to the ensembles. It was at this time that Debbie began directing the Pep Band, something she is still proud to be doing today.

While holding these positions, sometimes simultaneously, Debbie also became involved in the Region I board. In 1980, she began her involvement with HS Band auditions and also became Recording Secretary. During this time, she conducted several region ensembles. In 1987, Debbie became the coordinator of the November Atlantic City conference sessions for NJMEA, which was a position she held for two years before being elected the NJMEA Recording Secretary in 1989. In July of 2000, the Executive Board added the treasury to her list of responsibilities and Debbie became the first Executive Secretary Treasurer, the position she holds today.

After holding a list of jobs like this over the course of so many years, we sat down with Debbie and reflected over some of the history she was a part of.

*** After 34 years working on behalf of NJMEA and being a part of so many projects, what is your most proud moment?

Wow. There isn’t really one specific moment that comes to mind, but being able to manage the growth of NJMEA is something I’m very proud of. We really have grown so much as an organization, so seeing us become one of the largest MEAs in the country, and putting NJMEA in the category of a true non-profit association.

What has been the biggest challenge for you in managing NJMEA for these several decades?

With the structure we have in place, there is a new president every two years, so I would have to say navigat-

What has been your fondest memory?

In 2005 we had the opportunity to represent NJMEA at the European Music Educators Conference in Traviso, Italy. Several of us presented sessions and worked with the educators there. It was an amazing trip.

Why have you stayed so long?

I truly believe this in organization and what it does for teachers and students, and honestly really do love working with all of the people and volunteers.

What have been the biggest changes that you have seen since you started on the Board?

There has been a lot of change. There was a time when we restructured the Board entirely, going from a 30 piece board that met monthly and was the voting body until it was decided we would have an Executive Board, and that became the voting body. Another huge shift was when we moved out of someone’s house and got the office. That was a big step for us. What do you believe to be the more important thing that NJMEA offers its members?

I think being an organization that is available to support the members and always striving to provide the best. This could be the best conductors, the best conference sessions, or whatever it might be.

What are you going to do with all of your free time?

I hope to travel much more. I have always wanted to visit all of the National Parks, so am hoping to get a chance to start on that list!

***

On behalf on NJMEA, a huge thank you and congratulations to Debbie for all of her work and unwavering commitment to our teachers, students and organization over her career. We often consider the educational aspect of our MEA with the ensembles and professional development, many times not realizing that every offering has a business component to it. Registrations, hotel and conference center contracts, insurance, payments and so much more. Debbie has kept our organization legally safe and solvent, and been the strong voice of reason when something is not possible or sustainable. We wish you the best!

In reference to the Tanglewood Symposium that convened in August of 1967:

Twenty music educators selected to participate in the symposium from public school systems, colleges and universities declared on the closing day (August 2) that “music teachers must be concerned with all kinds of people and therefore all kinds of music, embracing rock, the finest concert music, and music of other cultures. The electronic media have exploded the dimensions of music in America.”