2026 January TEMPO

VOLUME 80, No. 2

JANUARY 2026

2026 NJMEA STATE CONFERENCE ISSUE JANUARY 2026

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The Official Magazine of the New Jersey Music Educators Association a federated state association of the National Association for Music Education

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Volume 80, No. 2 https://www.njmea.org

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FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS AND NJMEA BUSINESS Advertisers Index & Web Addresses....53

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President's Message - Yale Snyder

Board of Directors................................ 51

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NJMEA Marching Band Festival 2025

Editorial Policy & Advertising Rates.....52

20 NJMEA Thursday Elementary Music Academy is Back!

Amy M. Burns 22 When We Keep Learning Our Students Keep Growing Dr. David L. Westawski 24 The Teacher Behind the Baton: Mental Health, Resilience, and the Music Classroom Marissa Weathrby 26 2026 NJMEA State Conference

Elementary Academy...........................21 In Memoriam....................................... 44 NJMEA Awards..................................... 49 NJMEA Past Presidents........................52 Resource Personnel.............................. 43 Round the Regions............................... 45 TechFEST 2026..................................... 15

34 What's Next? Middle Level Music in a Post-pandemic World Dr. Tyler Adel 38 Yes - You Can Create Composition Activities with Google Docs!

Joseph DeRosa

FORMS AND APPLICATIONS Please go to njmea.org

TEMPO Editor - William McDevitt 300 W. Somerdale Road, STE C Voorhees, NJ 08043 Phone: 856-433-8512 e-mail: wmcdevittnjmea[at]gmail.com Deadlines October Issue - August 30 January Issue - December 1 March Issue - February 1 May Issue - April 11

The New Jersey Music Educators Association is a state unit of the National Association for Music Education and an affiliate of the New Jersey Education Association. It is a nonprofit membership organization.

TEMPO (ISSN 0040-3016) is published four times during the school year: October, January, March and May. It is the official publication of the New Jersey Music Educators Association.

Inquiries regarding advertising rate, closing dates, and the publication of original articles should be sent to the Editor.

Volume 80, No. 2, January 2026 TEMPO Editor - William McDevitt C/O NJMEA, 300 W Somerdale Rd, STE C, Voorhees NJ 08043

Click on the desired activity for downloadable copies of all their forms & applications

EMAIL/ADDRESS CHANGES Please go to nafme.org to record email and address changes.

President's Message Yale Snyder Monroe Township Schools snyder.njmea[at]gmail.com

As we enter this festive season, I want to extend my heartfelt holiday wishes to each and every one of you. This time of year reminds us why we do what we do: the joy on our students’ faces, the pride in their accomplishments, and the remarkable power of music to bring communities together. I wish you all the very best in your winter concerts! May your performances be meaningful, musical, and deeply rewarding.

Thank you for the countless hours you devote to creating these magical moments.

November brought us another exceptional season of All-State performances, and I could not be more proud of our students and educators. Our All-State Orchestra and Mixed Chorus once again demonstrated the deep musicianship and commitment that define New Jersey’s arts community. A tremendous thank you to Brian Williams, Chorus Performance Chair, and Liz Sato, Orchestra Performance Chair, for their leadership and unwavering dedication. My gratitude also goes to Joe Cantaffa, whose masterful coordination of rehearsals and performances in both Atlantic City and NJPAC ensures the highest level of experience for our students.

I want to give a huge thank you to Bill McDevitt, our Executive Director, for his guidance, and Nancy Dickenson, our Housing Director, whose detailed and tireless work makes these large-scale events possible year after year. We were deeply honored to have Lou Kosma conducting the Orchestra and Dr. Kimberly Adams TEMPO

leading the Mixed Chorus. Both Lou and Kimberly brought artistry and inspiration that our students will remember for years to come.

I am thrilled to highlight our strong partnership with NJAJE, reflected through this year’s All-State Jazz ensembles. My appreciation goes to Andrew Lopez, NJAJE President, for his collaboration and leadership. A special thank you to this year’s conductors: Doug Heyburn for the Jazz Choir and Dr. David Demsey for the Jazz Ensemble. Their vision and musicianship helped our students reach impressive musical heights both in Atlantic City and Newark at their performances.

Now, as we look forward, I could not be more excited for the 2026 NJMEA State Conference, taking place February 19–21, 2026 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. This year’s conference is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic, comprehensive, and musically vibrant gatherings we have ever offered! It will be filled with incredible sessions, inspiring clinics, extraordinary performances, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from every corner of our profession. As our theme is “Catch the Groove, Fuel the Passion, Grow the Future” this conference will be a space where we reconnect with our purpose, reignite our enthusiasm, and collectively shape what music education will look like for the next generation. I am thrilled that Dr. Peter Boonshaft will serve as our keynote speaker. His ability to motivate, uplift, and 4

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created to help you advocate with your school leadership for your attendance, outlining the professional value and importance of being part of this statewide event.

As we bring 2025 to a close, I want to thank you for your commitment to your students, your communities, and the art of music education.

It is one of the greatest honors of my career to serve you as President of NJMEA. Every day, I am inspired by your passion, your resilience, and your unwavering belief in the power of music to change lives. Together, we are shaping the future of music education in New Jersey.

I look forward to seeing you very soon. As always, I am only a phone call or email away if you need me.

speak to the heart of our work is unmatched.

I am equally excited about our expanded Elementary Academy, featuring the phenomenal Bill Henry of Mr. Henry’s World, whose creativity and joyful approach will resonate with educators at every level. This year’s roster of invited performing groups is also truly exceptional as they embody the excellence, diversity, and artistry that define New Jersey’s music programs, and I cannot wait for you to hear them. And of course, I am absolutely thrilled about our Gala Concert, featuring Brasilian Vibes. This energizing, vibrant, and unforgettable performance will bring a sound unlike anything we’ve had on the gala stage before— I am counting down the days already!

Before you register, I encourage you to take a moment to explore the Conference Justification Toolkit on our website. This resource was

Yale

NJMEA President Yale Snyder and composer Melissa Dunphy who was commissioned by NJMEA to arrange the Star Spangled Banner for New Jersey All-State Mixed Chorus, Orchestra, and Treble Chorus.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Saturday, February 28, 2026 Saturday, March 7, 2026 6

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The 2025 N.J.M.E.A. State Marching Band Ratings Festival was held at Wayne Hills High School on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The evening featured 17 bands in performance.

Performing bands included: Dover HS, Newton HS, Emerson Jr. Sr. HS, Bernards HS, Indian Hills HS, Pascack Hills HS, PCTVS, North Hunterdon HS, Whippany Park HS, Garfield HS, Teaneck HS, Hackensack HS, Ramapo HS, Northern Valley Demarest HS, Midland Park HS, Bergenfield HS, and Wayne Hills HS. Each band received quality feedback from our team of “Evaluators” and a rating of Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Bands also received awards for the most outstanding musical contribution and most outstanding visual contribution to their show. A special thank you to our knowledgeable and enthusiastic evaluation team: Carl Boos, Darren Delaney, Gary Mallinson, Bud McCormick, Jackie Sarracco, and Corwin Sheffield.

The wide variety of performances and styles, as well as the showmanship and musicality were fantastic. The support each band gave to their fellow performers was equally inspiring. The band members and directors of each group deserve a special thank you for both their flexibility and enthusiasm during the event. Mark your calendars for next year’s festival on Saturday, October 17th. Sign-ups begin on March 1st, 2025.

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News From the Board of Directors Band Performance Jesse Argenziano njmeaband[at]gmail.com Happy New Year! All State Band auditions are set to take place Saturday January 24, 2026 at J.P. Stevens High School. Directors meeting is 8:30am-9:00am. Registration is 9:00am-1:00pm. If you are participating in All State then you probably have completed your background check. If you plan on sending a substitute that day, be sure they are a NAfME member and have gone through the same process.

Conductors this year are Dr. T. Andre Feagin from Central Washington University who is set to conduct our Wind Ensemble and Dr. Kevin Holzman from the University of Cincinnati to conduct our Symphonic Band.

It is always great seeing us come together as a community to put these honors ensembles together. Sometimes a student may not be representing your school at All State auditions and therefore you are not required to attend, however, we could always use your assistance on this day, especially your expertise for adjudication. Last year we were running short of qualified judges and moderators. Please consider attending even if you did not have a student accepted into one of the Region Honors Ensembles.

Do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. Good luck at the start of your year!

Choral Festivals Donna Marie Berchtold firesongwed[at]gmail.com Happy New Year! Hoping all of you had a wonderful Holiday Season and a Healthy, Peaceful, and Happy New Year!

The 71st Annual NJMEA Middle School – Junior High Choral Festival dates are scheduled for the spring of 2026. Karen Blumenthal and I will coordinate the Festivals again.

The Festivals are currently scheduled to be held at two separate locations.

• The first event (South Site) will take place at Rowan University on Thurs. March 19, 2026. The deadline for applications is February 6, 2026. (Event time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM). A SNOWDATE has been scheduled for Fri. March 20, 2026.

• The second event (North Site) will be held at Monroe Township Middle School on Wed. April 29, 2026. The deadline for applications is March 13, 2026. (Event time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM) Any schools interested in participating in either of these 2026 events should be sure to complete the application form available online at www.njmea.org. A maximum of ten (10) registrations will be accepted at each site. The Registration Fee per school group is $150.00.

Please send the Completed Form, listing your two (2) song titles and composers’ names, along with the registration fee and a photocopy of your NAfME Card as per the instructions on the application form.

Each participating choral group will receive written and aural evaluations by the adjudicators, along with a plaque from NJMEA which recognizes the commitment and involvement by the school, its chorus, and the director(s).

Anyone with questions or concerns may contact Donna Marie at: firesongwed[at]gmail.com, or 609-226-7751 (cell)

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News From the Board of Directors PreK-8 General Music Amy M. Burns aburns[at]fhcds.org We are looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming NJMEA Conference in February! Check out our Elementary Academy Headliners in this issue. You will not want to miss the Elementary Academy!

Choral Performance Brian Williams NJAllStateChoir[at]gmail.com Happy New Year Everyone! While we are looking forward to another fantastic year of choral singing, I wanted to highlight the accomplishments of the New Jersey All-State Mixed Choir last November.

Singing under the incredible Dr. Kim Adams, the Mixed Choir dazzled audiences at Boardwalk Hall and NJPAC. An All-State experience does not happen without the dedication and expertise of a small army. Special thanks to Rich Tinsley and Sara Munson for their brilliant leadership as choir managers. James Lubrano for his exquisite piano playing.

Joe Cantaffa for being the genius behind all the production operations. Nancy Dickinson for her tireless and brilliant work as Housing Director. Bill McDevitt for all his work behind the scenes to make sure everything runs as smoothly as it does. Yale Snyder for his guidance and leadership as our President. Lastly, an immense thank you to all of you who chaperoned and gave of your time, we could not have done it without you.

Additionally, we were lucky enough to premier the commissioning project started by NJMEA last year. We had the amazing Melissa Dunphy arrange a stunning Star Spangled Banner for the choir and orchestra to perform together. Special thanks to everyone who worked hard behind the scenes to allow this opportunity to happen!

Looking ahead into 2026, we have an amazing array of presenters and ensembles at the NJMEA Conference in February. If you have not already taken the opportunity to register for this amazing professional development, make sure it is something you do immediately. Also in February, the New Jersey All-State Treble Choir will be performing under the baton of our very own Patrick Hachey. As a reminder to our directors that have students involved in this ensemble, we are utilizing a MailChimp account to send emails out. If you are not receiving emails about this group, please contact Brian Williams and Ken Bryson at NJallstatechoir[at]gmail.com. Finally, make sure to check the NJMEA website to keep up to date on audition materials for the 2026–2027 All-State Choirs Audition information.

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News From the Board of Directors Accessible Music Education Maureen Butler maureenbutlermusic[at]gmail.com As a new calendar year begins, we can take the opportunity to reflect on the first four months of the school year and consider how our special learners are faring. Have you been successful in teaching all of your students? Are you looking for more insight into how to include students with disabilities? If so, you’re in luck! Come to this year’s conference in Atlantic City, where there will be several sessions dedicated to this important topic. Plan on attending our annual Roundtable discussion, where music teachers bring their concerns and questions to our panel of experts. It’s a wonderful opportunity for learning and sharing ideas, as we discuss how to help all our students develop the musical skills we want them to have. You may have successful experiences of your own that you can share with the group - we all benefit by supporting and learning from each other!

Hope to see you at the conference! In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns about any of your students, please contact me at the email listed above.

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Access Isaiah C. Mason deia.njmea[at]gmail.com I hope the first half of the school year was rewarding! The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) Committee is excited to provide multiple sessions for you at the 2026 NJMEA Annual State Conference. We look forward to seeing you at our sessions in February!

Breaking Down Barriers: Perspectives on Accessibility This expert panel will identify existing barriers to music education, discuss how to break down those barriers, and highlight successes in making their programs more accessible to all students. Join current teachers and administrators in a conversation that will move the needle forward.

Band & Orchestra Reading Sessions: A Focus on Diverse Repertoire Members of the DEIA Committee will introduce repertoire by composers from various backgrounds for your consideration. Orchestra members - bring your instruments, play along, and discover new repertoire that reflects your students' culture and experiences. Band members, be prepared listen and observe as The North Brunswick Township High School Wind Ensemble plays through several pieces of new music..

Updates on Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Access (DEIA) Connect with the NJMEA DEIA Committee to learn about state and region initiatives, opportunities for involvement, and the next steps on topics of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in music education. Participants are encouraged to share resources, recommendations, and expertise to help shape future programming.

Email deia.njmea[at]gmail.com to learn more about our various initiatives or to join our team.

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News From the Board of Directors Orchestra Performance/Festivals Elisabeth Sato orchestra.njmea[at]gmail.com Happy New Year to all! Congratulations to the All State Orchestra and Mixed Chorus, who had outstanding performances in Atlantic City and NJPAC this past November! Thank you to the Orchestra conductor, Lou Kosma, who did a fantastic job working with the students! Another huge thank you to Laura Kearney and Susan Meuse for managing the ensemble, to Chris Janney for acting as Percussion Coordinator, and to all of the directors and chaperones who assisted during rehearsals. Without your help, we would not be able to provide our students with the incredible region and all state experience.

The Orchestra Procedures Committee is busy preparing for the ASO and ASIO auditions at J.P. Stevens High School on March 21. The committee will be meeting during auditions to discuss the solos and excerpts for next year as well as conductors and repertoire for both ASO and ASIO. Best of luck to all students who are auditioning!

At this time, we are planning two Orchestra Festivals. The High School Orchestra Festival will take place at Metuchen High School on March 3, and the Middle School Orchestra Festival will take place at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School on March 18. Thank you to our festival hosts Chris McEwan (Metuchen) and Caty Butler (Bridgewater-Raritan)! More information will be coming out soon. All questions can be sent to njmeaorchestrafestivals[at]gmail.com or orchestra.njmea[at]gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Retired Members/Mentorship Kathleen Spadafino kspadeb[at]aol.com Dear Music Colleagues - we retired folks salute you as you soar/trudge through another school year.

As this semester draws to a close, take a minute and reflect on the unexpected great musical moments you have had so far this year. And there’s more to come!

We at NJRMEA are willing and eager to lend a helping hand through our mentoring program. Please come and see us at the February conference – we’ll be at a table in the exhibit area, or you can contact our president Ron Dolce at rdolce561[at] aol.com or myself at kspadeb[at]aol.com. We have been in conversation with Isaiah Mason to lend help to students prepare for their auditions for region or All-State groups. Check us out! We may even have a zoom opportunity.

We are always looking for new members. Please contact Ron or myself if you know anyone about to retire, or who has retired and is just sitting around. The February conference is a great time and place to connect! We look forward to seeing you there!

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News From the Board of Directors

Administration/K-12 Ed Tech Shawna Longo shawnalongo[at]gmail.com The NJMEA Music TechFEST will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at The Atlantic City Convention Center!

The Music TechFEST will be open to all New Jersey students grades 9-12 with accompanying music teacher (who must be a member of NJMEA/NAfME) as well as college students! TechFEST will run from 10:00am-5:00pm featuring four different Masterclasses!!

The best part - you can attend as part of your Conference registration! Come hear from amazing educators from across the country and see them putting their practices into action working with students during the Music TechFEST! Not only can you hear them talk about the amazing work they do with their students, but you can experience them working with our New Jersey high school students! If you’ve ever wondered - “how can I do that?” Well, this is your chance!

Music TechFEST Masterclass Teachers/Presenters: • Ryan VanBibber from Columbus, OH • Arin Canbolat from Jersey City, NJ • Jeremy Fogel from New Jersey • Eric Jao aka DJ Enferno from Virginia Schedules for the Music TechFEST will be postedon the NJMEA Website and in Guidebook.

Administration: Membership in the New Jersey Music Administrators Association is open to any and all administrators who supervise music educators. At this year’s NJMEA Conference, the following NJMAA members will be presenting: • Shawna Longo: 1) Lesson Plan Design Lab: Effectively Connecting Resources for General Music, 2) Navigating the Revised NJSLS for Music (with Rebekkah Sterlacci, John DiEgidio, and Jeff Santoro) • Scott Ziegler: Composing in Choir: being Creativity with Chaos • Alfred Hadinger: How to Speak "Principal"- Working with Non-Musician Colleagues to Enhance and Sustain Your Program • Jonathan Harris + panel of NJMAA Supervisors: Passing the "Audition": Strategies for Applying and Interviewing for Teaching Positions in Music • Michelle VanHoven: Beyond Performance: Unlocking the Power of Responding and Connecting in the Classroom • Michelle DeGrosa: I’m in Charge of What?? The Road to Success as an Arts Supervisor Make sure you look them up as I’m sure these sessions will be informative and helpful!

Looking for a new podcast? Check out ArtSaid that I produce with my friend and former colleague, Edric Debos. It features conversations through the perspective of the arts in education. Check it out on all major platforms and subscribe for future episodes, which drop every other Wednesday! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ly-Bt5LmUOdqx5XlRvDJwZSzgBK33ZcU/ view?usp=sharing

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TECH FEST

2026

2.19.2026 10am to 5pm

Atlantic City Convention Center

ERIC JAO “Referencing: Create With Intention, Sound Like Pros” With 20 years of experience as a world-touring DJ and producer, Eric Jao (aka DJ Enferno) has performed for over 3 million people in 36 countries. In this hands on session learn how to use referencing to create original music with intention.

RYAN VAN BIBBER “Remixing Made Easy” Musician, Producer , and Eductaor Ryan Van Bibber will work through the steps to creating a high quality remix of a song. From editing vocals to adding new instruments this session will cover various techniques to improve any remix.

ARIN CANBOLAT “Music Industry & Entrepreneurship in Education” Vice President of Education at the GRAMMY Museum, Arin Canbolat, will help unlock the modern music industry in this interactive session. Explore current career pathways, key industry roles, and emerging trends that are reshaping how students can succeed in music today.

JEREMY FOGEL “The Future of Music” Explore the tools utilized in creating music past, present, and future from renowned Audio Specialist Jeremy Fowler. Examine the development of technology used in music creation and what is on the horizon.

REGISTER @ WWW.NJMEA.ORG/MUSIC-TECHNOLOGY-EXPO JANUARY 2026

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News From the Board of Directors

Collegiate/Higher Ed/Research Marissa Silverman silvermanm[at]montclair.edu Happy January, New Jersey music educators. The end of autumn and the beginning of winter signals a time for reflection and renewal. While many find this season cold and harsh, it doesn’t have to be; it also holds miracles and magic, wonders and warmth. About this, Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli said: “Winter blues are cured every time with a potato gratin paired with a roast chicken.” Indeed, this time of year, with potential snow, ice, and cold give way to, not only spring and its fruits, but also readily to snowflakes, hand-made wool hats and scarves, warm apple cider, and more.

So, the plans for the annual convention are near complete, and we shall see each other soon. Regarding the Collegiate/Research Division of NJMEA, upon sending out a Call for Research Papers, we received research proposals for the poster session at the 2026 NJMEA Conference from inservice teachers, doctoral students, and faculty in higher education. This kind of breadth is reassuring, exciting, and, quite frankly, what “should” be. All teachers research best practices (or the lack thereof). Because of this, it is important that NJMEA members hear about a variety of professionally based questions and problems; that a variety of teachers feel that their teaching-based pursuits get shared and heard.

Perhaps warm scarves and sweaters, mittens and hats, the thoughts of ice-skating and hot chocolate, and the other glories of winter will help us absorb all the good this time of year will yield? We’ll see. I look forward to seeing you at the NJMEA Conference in February.

Advocacy Arwen Kapusta arwenkapusta[at]gmail.com The NJMEA Convention is right around the corner, and I am so pleased to announce an Advocacy Series of offerings. This year, we are hosting three tiers of advocacy training: Local, State, and National.

At the local session, come meet me and my instrumental counterpart, Ryan Wiemken as we discuss advocating for your music program through a strong colleague partnership and jointly planned timeline that can maximize participation in your music program. At the state level, join us for a Q&A roundtable session that will give members an opportunity to provide feedback on their advocacy wishlist needs to help shape our Advocacy mission and vision moving forward. And finally, be sure to catch our Advocacy headliner, Jazzmone Sutton from NAfME as she discusses advocacy at the national level in her three course offerings.

She is a wonderful presenter and incredible resource, and I would encourage you to add her courses to your conference agenda.

This is going to be a great conference. Hope to see you there, and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at arwenkapusta[at]gmail.com.

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Concerts for Young People In the 2025–26 season, the New Jersey Symphony will debut two Concerts for Young People programs that support and enhance classroom learning. These programs are aligned with New Jersey State Standards and created specifically for students in grades 3–5. Each program features an engaging host and an interactive performance experience. Teachers receive a comprehensive learning package that includes classroom resources, audio clips, presentation slides, and other materials to supplement instruction before and after the concert.

Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty

Mozart’s The Magic Flute

Morristown → Thursday, March 19 at 10 am Mayo Performing Arts Center

Rahway → Wednesday, March 18 at 10 am Union County Performing Arts Center

Presented in collaboration with New Jersey Ballet

Presented in collaboration with Undead Arts

Englewood → Thursday, March 19 at 10 am Bergen Performing Arts Center Newark → Tuesday, March 24 at 10 am New Jersey Performing Arts Center

$10 TICKETS | RESERVE TODAY! For more information contact: nsrinivas@njsymphony.org or 862.401.4515 Made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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We are proud to partner with leading New Jersey arts organizations to bring these exciting performances to life.

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NJMEA Thursday Elementary Music Academy is Back!

Amy M. Burns Far Hills Country Day School NJMEA PS-8 General Music Chair aburns[at]fhcds.org

I am so excited to welcome our two headliners for the NJMEA Elementary Music Academy this year: Bill Henry from Mr. Henry’s World and Lillie Feierabend! They will be presenting two sessions each on Thursday, February 19, beginning at 8:00 am at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ.

Chorus for eighteen years, where she conducted ensembles and elevated choral opportunities for young singers. Her commitment to inclusive and innovative teaching has been honored twice with her district’s Teacher of the Year Award, as well as the Connecticut Music Educators Association’s Outstanding Elementary Music Educator Award in 2008.

A passionate advocate for professional growth in the field, Lillie has presented more than two hundred workshops and conference sessions at the local, state, and national levels. She regularly conducts regional honors choirs and teaches immersive weeklong courses at institutions such as Anderson University (IN), Gordon College (MA), Silver Lake College (WI), and the University of Hartford (CT). She has proudly mentored twentythree student teachers, viewing that guidance as one of the most meaningful parts of her career.

Lillie is a founding and lifetime member of FAME, and her professional involvement also includes NAfME, OAKE, CMEA, and ACDA—where she served as National Children’s Honor Choir Chair for the 2010 Conference. In addition, she is a member and former president of KESNE and currently serves as President-Elect of Delta Kappa Gamma for her region, supporting leadership and excellence in education. Having taught First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege throughout their development, she became an endorsed Teacher Trainer in both curriculums in 2012, continuing to champion high-quality music instruction for the youngest learners in our schools.

Lillie will begin Thursday’s Elementary Academy with sessions involving vocals and dancing, followed by Mr. Henry’s recorder and ukulele sessions. In addition, there will be many amazing elementary music educators presenting all three days of the conference. You will not want to miss it!

Mr. Henry’s World Bill Henry is an accomplished elementary music educator and the creative force behind Mr. Henry’s Music World ((https://www.mrhenrysmusicworld.com/), a vibrant online resource for young musicians and their teachers. He teaches Preschool through 5th grade in the public school system and brings a joyful, student-centered approach to general music and chorus instruction. His background in a highly musical family sparked a lifelong love of music that led him to pursue music education in college, shifting from his initial interest in the music business to a passion for teaching. Through his engaging instructional style and strong musicianship, he has built a career focused on helping children develop musical skills in meaningful and exciting ways.

Beyond the classroom, Henry has become widely known for his digital contributions to the elementary music community. His YouTube channel, Mr. Henry’s Music World, features rhythm play-alongs, bucket-drumming tracks, animated theory lessons, and classroom-ready videos that reach students around the world. He also co-hosts The Music Podcast for Kids, an audio-based learning experience that encourages creativity and musical curiosity. Through his online presence, Henry has created a powerful platform that supports music educators with accessible, high-quality resources while inspiring children to explore music with confidence and joy.

Bring your ukulele and recorder as Mr. Henry is ready to have us playing and learning new ideas at Atlantic City!

Lillie Feierabend Lillie is widely recognized for her dedication to nurturing a lifelong love of music in young learners. With more than thirty years of experience in early childhood and general music education, she has shaped countless students’ musical foundations. Her leadership extended to the Connecticut Children’s TEMPO

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When We Keep Learning, Our Students Keep Growing Dr. David L. Westawski NJMEA Past President

westawski.njmea[at]gmail.com

In early October of 2019, I introduced William Dawson’s Soon-Ah Will Be Done to my Chamber Choir. What began as a simple rehearsal quickly became one of the most transformative moments of my teaching career. As we learned the piece, my students and I had an honest discussion about the history of spirituals, the African American experience, and the implications of using the dialect preserved in Dawson’s arrangement.

We asked thoughtful questions that didn’t have easy answers, and we sat in the discomfort of not knowing.

As the bell rang, I found myself saying out loud, “Why are we having this conversation with just ourselves? We’re not African American. But our assistant principal is. Let me see if she’ll come in to talk.” Within hours, Dr. Carla Royster, who is an African American educator, pastor, and gospel singer, enthusiastically agreed to join us. The next day, she spoke about spirituals with a depth, authority, and lived experience that stopped all of us in our tracks. Then she sang. She delivered the refrain of Soon-Ah Will Be Done with a richness and honesty that brought several of us to tears. In that moment, the music became something alive, sacred, and deeply rooted in history.

Dr. Royster invited us to try the refrain again, this time much slower than Dawson’s tempo marking, and began to improvise over the choir as they sang. What happened next is difficult to describe. The harmonies deepened, the tone settled in a new and resonant way, and the room filled with a kind of emotional weight that none of us had anticipated. When Dr. Royster left the room, my students sat in stunned silence before finally blurting out the question they were all thinking.

“Can she sing with us for the concert?” To our amazement, she accepted our invite.

The moment Dr. Royster joined us on stage, there was a palpable sense that something extraordinary was about to unfold. When she entered on the refrain, her voice carried the full history of the tradition we had been studying. It was easily the most powerful and emotional performance of my entire career. The students rose to the moment, singing with a depth and understanding that had been shaped by her teaching, her story, and her presence. You could feel and hear the weight of history in every note, and the audience was completely stunned by what they witnessed. Many were in tears; my students were beaming.

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It was an unforgettable performance, one that reminded all of us why music matters. What made it even more powerful was knowing that it grew from our willingness to ask questions, to acknowledge what we didn’t know, and to learn from someone whose lived experience expanded our own. That combination of vulnerability and discovery remains one of the clearest examples in my career of what lifelong learning can create.

Twenty five years into my teaching career, experiences like this still shape me. Not because they’re extraordinary, although this one certainly was, but because they reinforce an essential truth: we grow as educators when we remain open to learning. Expertise isn’t a destination, it’s a practice. And our students benefit most when we commit to learning alongside them.

This belief in committed learning is what pushed me to pursue my doctorate. I entered my Ed.D. program in 2020 because I reached a point where I wanted new tools, new questions, and new perspectives to keep evolving. I wanted a deeper understanding of how schools function and how educators make sense of equity work. I wanted to refine my leadership and stretch myself in ways I hadn’t done since graduate school.

The journey was challenging, but it fundamentally changed how I think, teach, and lead. Successfully defending my dissertation this fall was more than a personal milestone. It was a reminder that we’re never finished becoming the educators we’re meant to be.

One of the greatest gifts of serving as NJMEA Past-President is the vantage point it gives me into the extraordinary professional development happening throughout our state. Each region offers meaningful learning opportunities all year long.

Workshops, festivals, reading sessions, networking events, and roundtables are created by educators who understand this work from the inside. Their dedication ensures that no matter where you teach in New Jersey, you have access to high quality professional growth. In addition to regional offerings, NAfME provides an outstanding range of professional development opportunities, most of which are available online. Between webinars, virtual trainings, and resource libraries, our members now have more access to ongoing learning than ever before.

At the state level, our largest and most comprehensive 22

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opportunity for professional learning is the NJMEA February State Conference. It’s the one time each year when we come together as a full community of music educators. Choir, band, orchestra, general music, jazz, modern band, technology, higher education, and administration all gather under one roof to learn from leaders in our field and, most importantly, from one another. The conference is energizing, inspiring, and grounding. It reminds us of the collective strength of our profession.

But professional development only matters when we take advantage of it. Too often, we encourage our students to embrace curiosity, growth, and grit, yet we hesitate to do the same for ourselves. Our field is constantly evolving, and our teaching has to evolve with it. New repertoire emerges, new research deepens our understanding, and the needs of our students continue to shift. We can’t expect our programs to thrive if we stop investing in our own learning.

And I get it; it’s often difficult to step away from the endless responsibilities of our programs. Many of us face districts that won’t approve release time or won’t cover the costs associated with attending professional development. These bar-

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riers are very real. Even so, I’d encourage you to find a way to make it work when you can. Maybe that means using a personal day or dipping into a rainy day fund so you can pursue experiences that ultimately benefit your students as much as they benefit you. Your growth directly impacts their growth, and that makes the investment worthwhile.

Lifelong learning doesn’t have to mean pursuing a doctorate. It can mean attending a region workshop, attending a session at the February conference that stretches your thinking, collaborating with colleagues whose strengths complement your own, or seeking insight from someone whose lived experiences differ from yours. Growth happens whenever we open ourselves to new knowledge.

As we step into the second half of the school year, I encourage you to seek out every opportunity to learn, grow, and stretch. Take advantage of the regional offerings. Explore the online opportunities from NAfME. Make plans to join us in February. Try something new and allow yourself to be inspired.

When we keep learning, our students keep growing.

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The Teacher Behind the Baton: Mental Health, Resilience, and the Music Classroom Marissa Weatherby

weatherbymn[at]gmail.com

As music teachers, we often carry an emotional weight that goes beyond the classroom or concert stage. For some of us, that weight includes the invisible challenges of mental illness. Living with conditions such as Bipolar II disorder, depression, anxiety, or PTSD does not negate our ability to lead, inspire, or succeed; it simply means we navigate our work with a different kind of awareness and resilience. The skills we use to nurture students’ creativity, empathy, reflection, and vulnerability are the same ones we must extend to ourselves. Balancing personal mental health with professional expectations – managing rehearsal schedules, concert preparation, and public performances – isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Our stories prove that success in teaching and the realities of mental illness can coexist, and that acknowledging both is not weakness, it’s strength.

There are days when my mind feels like my greatest strength, or my biggest obstacle. Learning to teach while caring for my mental health has redefined what true resilience looks like. Managing the emotional intensity, energy fluctuations, and moments of self-doubt that come with mental illness requires patience, reflection, and self-awareness. It means understanding my emotions, my limits, and my strengths at any given time, and in doing so, I have become more observant and compassionate, not just toward myself, but toward my students, whether in the classroom, in the rehearsal hall, or during a high-stakes performance.

Managing my mental health while teaching requires intentional strategies and daily practices. I schedule regular breaks throughout the day to reset and recharge, which allows me to maintain focus and energy for my students during lessons, rehearsals, and concerts. Grounding techniques, such as mindful breathing or brief moments of reflection, help me navigate emotional intensity and prevent overwhelm during chaotic or emotionally charged rehearsal environments. I also recognize when to ask for help – from colleagues, administrators, or mental health professionals – understanding that seeking support is a sign of professionalism and self-awareness, not weakness. These practices enable me to show up fully in the music room, TEMPO

modeling resilience, self-care, and emotional regulation for my students while sustaining my own well-being.

Advocating for myself has been essential to maintaining my mental health and sustaining my teaching practice.

This means setting clear boundaries around my workload, communicating my needs with administrators, and ensuring that my classroom environment supports both my wellbeing and my students’ learning. Protecting my mental health is not just about avoiding burnout; it is about creating the conditions in which I can thrive as an educator.

Research shows that “in schools with more positive leadership and support, including for mental health, teachers are more likely to stay. … Teachers excel at their jobs when school leaders prioritize their mental wellbeing, and research has directly linked teachers’ well-being with greater resilience” (Doan, Steiner, Pandey, & Woo, 2023, p. 45). By modeling self-advocacy, I demonstrate to students that it is acceptable to speak up for their own needs, set limits, and seek support when necessary. In this way, advocating for myself reinforces the lessons of resilience, responsibility, and self-care that I hope to instill in my students.

The key to success is deepening our understanding of ourselves, which, in turn, allows us to deepen our understanding of our students. As García-Moya, Brooks, and Moreno (2020) note, “In the classroom, humanizing relationships, in which the students are acknowledged and respected as individuals and feel understood and supported by their teachers, emerged as a central attribute of positive teacher–student connectedness” (p. 122). By becoming more attuned to our own emotions, triggers, and coping strategies, we gain the ability to recognize these patterns in others. This authenticity fosters meaningful connections and trust with students, connections that are critical to effective teaching in the classroom, in rehearsals, and on the performance stage.

For me, cultivating these humanizing relationships is deeply intertwined with managing my own mental health.

Living with Bipolar II, depression, anxiety, and PTSD has made self-awareness not just beneficial, but essential to 24

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my teaching. My mental health challenges create unique demands in the music classroom that require intentional strategies for management and success. By learning to recognize my own triggers and emotional patterns, I have not only developed resilience in the face of my own mental health challenges, but I have also become more observant of students’ needs and more intentional in creating a supportive classroom and rehearsal environment.

Navigating these personal challenges has taught me that mental illness and professional success are not mutually exclusive; they can coexist when approached with reflection, structure, and support. By redefining resilience, I have learned to take what is commonly seen as a hindrance or weakness and turn it into a strength and a means of understanding and responding to my students on a human level. This does not mean that teaching with mental illness is easy, but by developing our self-awareness and affording ourselves the same support we provide to our students, we can turn our challenges into strengths and become extraordinarily successful music educators. By sharing these strategies and experiences, I hope to encourage fellow music teachers to honor their own mental health while cultivating resilient, compassionate classrooms and rehearsal halls.

Strategies for Resilience in the Music Room • Schedule Regular Breaks: Take short pauses to reset your energy and focus; stretch, hydrate, or engage in mindfulness exercises.

• Self-Advocacy: Communicate needs with administrators and colleagues; set boundaries around workload and extracurricular commitments.

• Ask for Help: Seek support from colleagues, mentors, or mental health professionals; modeling this teaches students it’s okay to ask for help.

• Reflection and Self-Awareness: Check in with emotions, triggers, and energy; use journaling or quick self-assessments to track patterns.

• Model Resilience for Students: Demonstrate self-care, boundary-setting, and authenticity; share strategies and reflect on challenges to foster a supportive environment.

References Doan, S., Steiner, E. D., Pandey, R., & Woo, A. (2023).

Teacher well-being and intentions toleave: Findings from the 2023 State of the American Teacher Survey (RR-A11088). RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1108-8.html García-Moya, I., Brooks, F., & Moreno, C. (2020). Positive teacher–student connectedness in the classroom: Humanizing relationships and student engagement. Journal of Adolescence, 80, 120–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.01.010

• Grounding Techniques: Practice mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or sensory grounding before/ after high-stakes moments like performances.

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The New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conference Atlantic City Convention Center Atlantic City, NJ February 19-21, 2026

REGISTRATION INFORMATION Full Conference - Members - $225 Full Conference - Collegiate and Retired Members - $60 Single Day - Members - $150 Full Conference - Non-members - $400 Single Day - Non-members - $300 Clinicians - $100 (All clinicians MUST register) Add $10 for late and on-site registration

To Pre-Register

The Pre-Registration process will also be the same this year as last. You can follow the link below to our website and the Eventcreate page. You will need to know your NAfME log-in to start the registration process. Your NAfME membership must expire no earlier than 2/22/26. Please renew prior to registering to avoid problems!

Payment

There are three forms of payment. You will see forms of payment listed - check one.

You may pay by:

Credit Card - Upon completion of the form you will be asked if you want to pay now or pay with check or PO. For credit card you select, "Pay Now" and you will be directed to the payment page.

Check – Upon completion of the form, you will opt to pay by check or PO. Print out the confirmation page, and send a check, made out to NJMEA, for the correct amount, with a copy of the confirmation to: NJMEA 300 W Somerdale Road, Suite C Voorhees, NJ 08043 Purchase Order – You MUST register online first then opt to pay by check or PO. Print out the confirmation page, give it to your Board Office and then have your school send the PO with the confirmation page to the above address. If you need an Invoice before creating the PO, contact wmcdevittnjmea[at]gmail.com.

Pre-registration will end on Friday, February 6, 2026 and the site will SHUT DOWN. ALL PO’s MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN Friday, February 6, 2026.

There will be NO REFUNDS after Friday, February 6, 2026.

To register:

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www.eventcreate.com/e/njmeaconference2026

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2026 NJMEA State Conference Hotel Reservations

Conference Hotel Sheraton Atlantic City Two Convention Boulevard Atlantic City, NJ 08401 609-244-3535 additional rooms are available at: Bally's 1900 Pacific Avenue Atlantic City, NJ 609-340-2000 Use the link on the NJMEA website to access the NJMEA room rates.

Go to njmea.org and click on the "Conventions" tab.

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Preliminary List of Sessions The list below is a preliminary list as of 1/1/26.

The list will continue to be updated on the NJMEA website.

Reigniting Your Leadership Flame Clinician: Adam Freeman "Free Your Drill: Accessible, Modern Design with OpenMarch" Clinician: Alex Dumouchelle Neuroscience and Music Advocacy: Beyond Higher Math Scores Clinician: Alex Gittelman The Listening Walk - An Elemental Approach to Student Composition Clinician: Alexandra Fyhr How to Speak "Principal"- Working with Non-Musician Colleagues to Enhance and Sustain Your Program Clinician: Alfred Hadinger AI and Music Technology: Practical Applications for Student and Teacher Use in the Music Classroom Clinician: Alyssa Campanini You Need to Project! Advocating for Yourself as Teacher with a Chronic Illness and/ or Disability Clinician: Amanda Clarfield Newell Oboe? Oh No! Tips on teaching oboe for elementary, middle, and high school band directors.

Clinician: Amanda Spratt Fresh Ideas for Recorder, Ukulele, Barred Instruments, and Boomwhackers!

Clinician: Amy M Burns Design Creative Resources for Your Music Classroom Clinician: Amy M Burns On the Move in your Elementary Music Room Clinician: Amy M Burns Rhythms and Rotations: Creative Centers in Elementary General Music Clinician: Amy Paz Playing With a Purpose Clinician: Amy Paz

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In Tune With Well-Being: Preventing Burnout in the Music Room Clinician: Andrea Lynch

Orchestra Program Ask Me Anything: No Question Denied!

Clinician: Betsy Maliszewski

Recommendations for Supporting Students with Disabilities in Audition and Performance Settings Clinician: Angela Guerriero

Selecting Quality Repertoire for Your String Orchestra Classroom Clinician: Betsy Maliszewski

A.I. = Am I Ready? Tools for the 21st Century Music Educator Clinician: Angelo Anton Leveraging Your Music Ecosystem for Resources & Advocacy Clinician: Anne Joseph The Sounds of Success: Acres of Diamonds Clinician: Annie Ray The Sounds of Success: Evidence for the Arts as a Schoolwide Strategy Clinician: Annie Ray The Sounds of Success: Learning Out Loud in a Student-Driven Classroom Clinician: Annie Ray Music Industry and Entrepreneurship in Education - TechFEST Clinician: Arin Canbolat Bridging Classrooms from Ensemble to Industry Clinician: Arin Canbolat Vibes & Marimba Techniques for Concert Band, Jazz & Percussion Ensembles Clinician: Arthur Lipner Strength in Numbers: Collaborate to Advocate and Maximize Program Potential Clinician: Arwen Kapusta

SJCDA Meeting Clinician: Brendan Moore Music for All: Engaging All Learners in the Accessible Music Classroom Clinician: Brian J. Wagner-Yeung Unintentional Barriers: Recognizing & Designing Accessible Musical Instruction for All Clinician: Brian J. Wagner-Yeung Lights, Curtains, Action! The Accessible Musical Theatre Production for All Clinician: Brian J. Wagner-Yeung Orchestra for All: Adapting the String Program for a Diverse Range of Learners Clinician: Brian J. Wagner-Yeung Behavioral Strategies: Approaches & Techniques for All Students in Musical Environments Clinician: Brian J. Wagner-Yeung So You're Doing a Musical... Now What?

Clinician: Bruce Van Hoven Tech Tools for Modern Band Clinician: Bryan Powell Songwriting Strategies Clinician: Bryan Powell Ideas for your Autism Students Clinician: Cara M. Chaapel

State Advocacy Roundtable Clinician: Arwen Kapusta

Diagnosing and Rehearsing “Hotspots” in an Ensemble Score Clinician: Carol Frierson-Campbell

Prioritizing Building Better Musicians and Humans Clinician: Beth Moore

Canons & Building Harmony in Your Instrumental Ensembles Clinician: Carol Swinchoski

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Active Musical Thinking Games: Pathways to Building Music Literacy in the Classroom Clinician: Carol Swinchoski Mix, Make, Collaborate: Music Production for Young Creators Clinician: Catie Dwinal What's New at QuaverMusic?

Clinician: Catie Dwinal Incorporating Total Percussion Into Your Band Program Clinician: Chris Colaneri “Sousa-What?” A Non-Sousaphone Players Guide to Supporting a Strong and Healthy Sousaphone Section Clinician: Chris Tkacik From Routine to Results: Crafting an Intentional Comprehensive Fundamentals Program For Your High School Band Clinician: Chris Vitale Contemporary Music Education: Modern Band in the Classroom Clinician: Christian Lopez SEL & CRAE in Beginning-Intermediate Band? Look in Your Library!

Clinician: Christina Restine SEL & CRAE in Intermediate-Advanced Band? Look in Your Library!

Clinician: Christina Restine Fan Favorites! Engaging Games and Activities for Elementary General Music Classes Clinician: Christine Nowmos Common Clarinet Conundrums and Cures Clinician: Christopher Ciarlariello Collegiate Breakfast Meeting Clinician: Clark Mitchell Teaching Your Percussion Students, Practically and Effectively Clinician: Colin Bell Hands On with Music Production and Technology: The DAW and Curriculum Concepts for Your Class Clinician: Colin Bell Building Better Bands: Tools for Teaching, Organizing, and Inspiring - PART 1 Clinician: Dan Halpern

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Building Better Bands: Tools for Teaching, Organizing, and Inspiring - PART 2 Clinician: Dan Halpern Center Stage: Putting Music Learning in the Spotlight with Classroom Centers Clinician: Dana Rizzo-Kemp Kindergarten Chronicles Clinician: Darrah McCreath Band Winter Olympics: Reigniting Ensemble Culture Through Competition Clinician: Derek Rohaly Songwriting In The Music Classroom: Generating Repertoire and Voice Builders for the classroom Clinician: Destiny Cooper Beyond the Degree: The Skills They Didn’t Cover in College-But You’ll Definitely Need Clinician: Domenic Pisano

Enrich Your Choir With The Lush Harmonic Palette of Vocal Jazz Clinician: Doug Heyburn Don’t Blow It: Setting Up Young Trumpet Players for Success Clinician: Dr. Alexander Sanso Guiding Young Ensembles: Using Laban Efforts for Impactful Conducting Clinician: Dr. Ashlen Udell Flute Techniques Revisited: Tools for Confident Teaching Clinician: Dr. Ashlen Udell Gospel Music Workshop 3.0 for Grades 5-12 Clinician: Dr. Beverly Vaughn Do You Hear What I Hear? Optimizing the Choral Sound of Smaller Ensembles Clinician: Dr. Bobby G. Helms Something Wholly New: Culturally Generative Music Pedagogy Clinician: Dr. Brian Gellerstein Standing Guard: Gatekeeping and the Persistence of Whiteness in Music Education Clinician: Dr. Brian Gellerstein (Grad) School’s IN for Summer: Graduate Education Considerations for Pre-Service and Practicing Music Educators Clinician: Dr. Edward C. Hoffman, III

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“Is Music Easy or a Hard Discipline?”

(What does the legacy teach about the journey?)

Clinician: Dr. Frances Covalesky The Music of Puerto Rico: A Workshop in Music, Culture, and Movement Clinician: Dr. Francisco Luis Reyes The Compositional and Improvisational Style of Kenny Kirkland Clinician: Dr. José Beviá Bassoon Pedagogy for Middle & High School Students Clinician: Dr. Joseph Swift Conducting the Bigger Picture: A Music Teacher's Journey to Arts Leadership Clinician: Dr. Larisa Skinner Start ‘Em Young! Strategies for Teaching Younger Strings Clinician: Dr. Larisa Skinner Teach Urban! Qualities of a Successful Urban Music Educator Clinician: Dr. Larisa Skinner The Sound of Confidence: Clear Steps to Teach Jazz Improv Clinician: Dr. Pamela Turowski "20 Ways To Energize Your Rehearsals Or Classes: How We Teach Is As Important As What We Teach" Clinician: Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft "Warm-up and Ensemble Development Exercises That Work" Clinician: Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft Pass the Praxis!

Clinician: Dr. Ted Hoffman From Sopranos to Saxophones: Choral Specialists in Instrumental Classrooms Clinician: Dr. Ted Hoffman Leading with Purpose: How You Move is Not as Important as WHY You Move Clinician: Dr. Thomas McCauley In Search of Our "True Academy": Thoughts on Open Jams, Modern Band, and the Potential of "Curated Jams" for Popular Music Ed Clinician: Dr. Tom Zlabinger

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Teaching the Saxophone with Confidence: From First Notes to Advanced Skills Clinician: Dr. Tyler Adel Mix, Learn, Inspire: A Beginner’s Guide to DJing for Educators Clinician: Dr. Tyler Adel

"It doesn't have to be a devil to play!"

Modern Day Horn Pedagogy for Beginners to High School Clinician: Evan Young Growing Student Leaders...Delegating Some Things Off the Director's Plate Clinician: Grant Mathews

SJBODA Meeting Clinician: John Drechen The Care and Feeding of Heavy Metal Musicians Clinician: John J. PalatuccI

The Music and Life of Raymond Helble Clinician: Greg Giannascoli

Passing the "Audition": Strategies for Applying and Interviewing for Teaching Positions in Music Clinician: Jonathan Harris

From Day One to Year Five: Teaching Woodwinds with Confidence Clinician: Dr. Vincent Du Beau

Everybody Plays! Teaching techniques for group ukulele instruction.

Clinician: Ian White

NJ Music Administrators Association Breakfast Meeting Clinician: Jonathan Harris

The Hidden Power of General Music: Reimagining Music Education for Secondary Students Clinician: Dr. Vincent Du Beau

Orchestra Reading Session: A Focus on Diverse Repertoire Clinician: Isaiah C. Mason

The Modern Instrumental Methods Course: Where Pedagogy Unites with Technology and Composition Clinician: Jonathan Helmick

From Research to Classroom: Navigating Middle Level General Music Today Clinician: Dr. Tyler Adel

High School, High Level: Unlocking Advanced Woodwind Skills for Directors Clinician: Dr. Vincent Du Beau Lights, Camera, Action! How to Start an Elementary Theatre Club Clinician: Edward M. Easse The Empowered Classroom: Encouraging Student Ownership and Reflective Musicianship Clinician: Elizabeth Graber Teaching the Rainbow: Understanding and Including LGBTQ Students Clinician: Elizabeth Graber Seuss Loops: Using BandLab for Education to Inspire Today's Students Clinician: Emily DeMarzio STuCK in the Middle...of MS General Music Clinician: Eric J. McLaughlin Using Dalcroze Eurythmics to Enhance Your Pedagogy Clinician: Eric J. McLaughlin Referencing: Create With Intention, Sound Like Pros Clinician: Eric Jao Turntables = Instruments: Why Your Modern Band Needs a DJ Clinician: Eric Jao The State of the Art of Marching Audio Clinician: Evan Kempey

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Band Reading Session: A Focus on Diverse Repertoire Clinician: Isaiah C. Mason Updates on Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Access (DEIA) Clinician: Isaiah C. Mason Drum Tuning and Maintenance: a hands on experience!

Clinician: Jacob Ford Improve Your Saxophone Section - Core Sound Concept Clinician: James Aslanian Why YOU Should Start An Emerging Ensemble At Your School Clinician: James Doyle Advocacy Strategies for the Music Educator Clinician: Jazzmone Sutton The Stories We Tell: Using Storytelling to Shape Our Advocacy Efforts Clinician: Jazzmone Sutton The Stories We Tell: Using Storytelling to Shape Our Advocacy Efforts Clinician: Jazzmone Sutton Leading Forward: Empowering Women for Lasting Change Clinician: Jenna DiSalvio The Future Of Music Clinician: Jeremy Fogel Building a Thriving Music Program: A Case Study from New Brunswick High School.

Clinician: Jessie Mersinger

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Banding Together: Surviving, Thriving, and High-Fiving in Faculty Collaboration Clinician: Jonathan Helmick Brass Pedagogy in Bloom: Heuristic Tools to Cultivate Tone, Range, Articulation, and Intonation Today!

Clinician: Jonathan Helmick Breaking Down Barriers: Perspectives on Classroom Accessibility Clinician: Jordan Peters How To Start A Band Program From Scratch…or Less !?!

Clinician: Joseph Akinskas I Have the Degree-What Now: Teach-PlayReboot?

Clinician: Joseph Akinskas Improving the Ensemble Playing Habits of Your String Players Clinician: Joseph Brennan Conducting Workshop with the Rowan University Wind Ensemble Clinician: Joseph Higgins What’s New for Jazz Ensemble - A New Music Reading Session Clinician: Joseph J. Verderese, Jr From Fear to Fuel: A Research-Based Approach to Fostering Motivation Clinician: Juliana George Trombone Practices for the Intermediate and Advanced Student Clinician: Justin Halat

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Fragments and Functions: Navigating the Realities of Itinerant Music Teaching Clinician: Dr. Katherine Wyatt

The Brass Toolbox: Techniques for Developing Healthy Brass Playing Clinician: Libby Ando

All In! Planning Immersive Field Experiences for Music Education Majors Clinician: Kathleen Melago

Vocal Development in Young Children Clinician: Lillie H Feierabend

Bring Your Professor! Strategies for Embedding Social Emotional Learning into Your Music Teacher Education Program Clinician: Kathleen Melago Connecting with Musicians: Embedding Social Emotional Learning in Private & Small-Group Lessons Clinician: Kathleen Melago From Silence to Song: Utilizing Vocal Instruction as a Bridge to Verbal Communication for Nonverbal Learners Clinician: Kelsie Spears Activate Your Voice for Arts Education: Actionable Tips and Strategies Clinician: Kira Rizzuto Redesigning Secondary General Music: Creating Curricula That Resonate Clinician: Kristina Westover Adaptive Education Support for the Accessible Arts Classroom Clinician: Krysta Mirsik DePuy Partnering with Paraprofessionals: Examining Roles in the Inclusive Music Classroom and Beyond Clinician: Krysta Mirsik DePuy Silence to Strength: Teachers with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Speak Out Clinician: Krysta Mirsik DePuy Body Music & Circlesinging for Spontaneous Musicking Clinician: Laura Montanari Songwriting the Soul through Hillman's Imaginative Method & Found Poetry.

Clinician: Laura Montanari Burn Bright Not Out: Building a Sustainable Career in Music Education Clinician: Lauren Ryals Summative Assessments in the Elementary General Music Classroom Clinician: Lawrence Little

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Books that Sing, Books that Dance Clinician: Lillie H Feierabend How to Host a Family Folk Dance Clinician: Lillie H Feierabend Travel for a purpose: Grant writing to enhance your music classroom!

Clinician: Lisa Costantino

What the Research Tells Us About Music Educator Burnout and How We Can Prevent It Clinician: Megan Reilly Let's Talk About Burnout: A Roundtable Discussion Clinician: Megan Reilly Music for All: Realistic & Practical Advice for Directing Inclusive Ensembles Clinician: Meghan Mulligan Sharing best practices for orchestra Clinician: Melissa Clark

The Fun Factor: Creative Concert Prep for Elementary Students Clinician: Lisa Wichman

Three Parts, One Voice: Accessible & Inspiring SAB Repertoire for Developing Choirs Clinician: Melissa Manzano

NJSMA Meeting Clinician: Lyn Lowndes

Smarter Practice, Better Learning Clinician: Micah Killion

Reimagining Ensemble Hierarchies: Student Perceptions of Rotational Seating in High School Music Ensembles Clinician: Mackenzie Miller

Creating Positive, Reflective, and Fully Engaged Classrooms.

Clinician: Michael Lichtenfeld

"New to the Field - Now What? A Round Table Session for 1st Year Music Educators" Clinician: Mackenzie Miller I Saw the Sign: American Sign Language in the Music Classroom Clinician: Maia Judd Advancing Your Practice: Master’s and Doctoral Opportunities in Music Education Clinician: Marjoris Regus How to Get String Players to Follow Your Conducting Clinician: Joseph Brennan Start a New Program – Digital Music Production Clinician: Matthew Lyons Roundtable Discussion: Focus on Accessible Music Education Clinician: Maureen Butler Teaching Music to Students with Hearing Loss Clinician: Maureen J Butler

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“I’m in Charge of What?? The Road to Success as an Arts Supervisor” Clinician: Michelle DaGrosa Beyond Performance: Unlocking the Power of Responding and Connecting in the Classroom Clinician: Michelle Van Hoven Air and Space: The Key To Unlocking Quality Saxophone Sounds Clinician: Mike Iapicca Teach Full-Time School and Supplement with a Side Studio Gig Clinician: Mimi Butler Recorder Basics Can Be Fun! Clinician: Mr. Henry's Music World Jammin' on the Ukulele: Basic Strategies for Elementary General Music Clinician: Mr. Henry's Music World "New Circle of Fifths" Raif's Palm Clinician: Raif Hyseni The Magic of Music Education Clinician: NJ Symphony Chamber Players Music Without Limits: Inclusive Ensembles in K–12 and Community Settings Clinician: Nicole Cerna

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Improving Engagement: Grow Tri-M and Collegiate Chapters into Communities Clinician: Nikki Hayden Emerging Conversations through Authentic Community Singing Clinician: Professor Jose Martinez "Classroom Management" by Design Clinician: Rachel Grimsby "It’s Not Optional!": Translating IEPs and 504s into the Music Education Setting Clinician: Rachel Grimsby Sing Say Dance Play in Your Favorite Way: Hip-Hop and Pop Arrangements Clinician: Rachel Grimsby Conquer Your Intermediate Band! - with “Make It Happen!” A new approach that works!

Clinician: Rayne Ellison CJMEA Meeting Clinician: Rebekah Sterlacci CJMEA Executive Board Meeting Clinician: Rebekah Sterlacci Tickling the Ivories: Tips and Tricks for Teaching High School Piano Lab Clinician: Robin McAnally-Sengco High School Piano Lab 101: Teaching Piano When it's Not Your Main Instrument Clinician: Robin McAnally-Sengco NJ Retired Music Educators Association Clinician: Ron Dolce

Get Out of Their Way! How Score knowledge and efficient conducting facilitate the success of your ensemble Clinician: Sarah Culp Beyond the Method Book: Everything I Wish I Knew When I Started Teaching Beginner Band Clinician: Sarah Healey The World's Largest Musical Instrument is in New Jersey?!?!

Clinician: Scott D. Banks Composing in Choir: being Creativity with Chaos Clinician: Scott Ziegler

Trauma-sensitive Music Teaching Practices Clinician: Val Luther Neurodiversity-Affirming Music Education Clinician: Val Luther

From Sound To Significance: Connecting Musical Elements to Emotional Meaning Clinician: Shaun Day, DMA

Building a Modern Band from your Music Scene: A Guide for Getting Started Clinician: Vincent Inciong

Lesson Plan Design Lab: Effectively Connecting Resources for General Music Clinician: Shawna E Longo

System of a Sound: Why Can't They Count? Why Can't They Focus? Why is This Job Driving Me Crazy?

Clinician: Vincent J. DeVito

Navigating the Revised NJSLS for Music Clinician: Shawna E Longo 10+ Tools For Your Retention and Recruitment Toolbox Clinician: Spencer M. Brooks Building A Modern Band ProgramRock&Roll Academy Clinician: Steven Thompson

Teaching Technique with a Popular Music Twist Clinician: Saleel Menon

Rehearsal Remix: Engaging Students in Imaginative Ways Clinician: Teresa Purcell-Giles

Self-Care Isn’t Taboo: Recognizing and Recovering from Burnout in Music Education Clinician: Samantha Noble

Capturing Time Clinician: Thomas Bourgault

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A Regulated Music Classroom Starts with Us! Clinician: Val Luther

Let’s Get in Line!: Line Dancing in our General Music Classrooms Clinician: Vanessa L. Bond

The Host with the Most - Why Host A Student Teacher?

Clinician: Sue Mark

The Young Orchestra - A Powerhouse of Sound!

Clinician: Sandra Dackow

Challenging Behaviors or Dysregulation?

Clinician: Val Luther

Posting with a Purpose: Navigating Social Media in the Music Classroom Clinician: Sean Masino

Remixing Made Easy Clinician: Ryan Van Bibber

Karaoke Conducting with Live Orchestra Clinician: Sandra Dackow

15 DIY Projects To Benefit Your Percussion Section (and Save You $) Clinician: Trevor Sindorf

Help! I want to start a vocal jazz group but I’m not a jazz musician!

Clinician: Tina Beveridge Cultural Inclusivity: Expanding Musical Repertoire and Learning Activities Clinician: Tonia Asel Kaufman

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Fulfilling the Human Spirit! Elementary Dance Standards in Connection with the NJ Music Standards.

Clinician: Virginia Jarvela Decentering the Podium Clinician: Wayne Mallette Stay Woke: Understanding how Race impacts Music Education Clinician: Wayne Mallette Engaging Music Technology Ideas for Middle and High School Clinician: Wayne Splettstoeszer Podcasting: The New Voice of Your Students Clinician: Wayne Splettstoeszer Creative Music Production Audio Effects for the Music Technology Class Clinician: Werner Colmon Beyond the School Day: Strengthening & Growing Programs Through Authentic Arts Enrichment Clinician: Zachary Morolda

JANUARY 2026

Preliminary List of Performers The list below is a preliminary list as of 1/1/26.

The list will continue to be updated on the NJMEA website.

Mississippi Boychoir Young Men's Ensemble Director: Dr. Bobby G. Helms

Montclair State University Wind Symphony Director: Dr. Thomas McCauley

Washington Township High School Wind Ensemble Director: Calvin M.Spencer

Churchill Junior High School Honors Percussion Ensemble Director: Christopher Bouvier

Westfield High School Wind Ensemble Director: Chris Vitale

Montgomery High School Wind Ensemble Director: Rebecca Palmer

Greg Giannascoli, Marimba

Rowan University Saxophone Ensemble Director: Noa Even

Verona High School Chamber Choir Director: Christopher J. Fludd

Mendham Township Middle School Wind Ensemble Director: Russell Branch

José Beviá Trio - TCNJ Director: Dr. José Beviá

The Metropolitan Saxophone Quartet Director: Erik Donough

Somerville High School Wind Ensemble Director: Sean Ferguson

William Paterson University Percussion Director: Payton MacDonald

Rowan University Wind Ensemble Director: Joseph Higgins

Rutgers Voorhees Choir Director: Dr. Saleel Menon

Monroe Township Chamber Singers Director: Nina Schmetterer

West Windsor-Plainsboro HS Wind Ensemble Director: Jesse Argenziano

West Morris Mendham High School Wind Ensemble Director: Mick Gibbons

West Windsor-Plainsboro Saxophone Ensemble Director: Jesse Argenziano

NJMEA Intergenerational Concert Band Director: Dr. Thomas McCauley

Paramus High School String Virtuosi Director: Yoonhee Roberts

The Afternoon Ramble - Roosevelt Intermediate School Director: James Doyle

JANUARY 2026

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What's Next? Middle Level Music in a Post-pandemic World Dr. Tyler Adel Paramus High School

tadel[at]paramusschools.oeg While it may not be enjoyable to remember what you endured during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to reflect on the pedagogical experience and evaluate what, if any, benefits resulted from such a heavy reliance on technology for nearly every aspect of life during that time. What new tools may have been learned or discovered from this experience, and how has it shaped you as an educator? Is any aspect of your teaching today a result of your experiences teaching during the pandemic?

While I was a middle school band director, I was re-assigned during the pandemic to teach general music virtually to grades 4-8 in the 2020-2021 hybrid school year – a role I was not experienced in or prepared for. However, this circumstance forced me to explore new content and discover digital resources that resulted in an innovative curriculum that students enjoyed. The year revolved around popular music: the evolution of popular music, an introduction to Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) and digital composition, and a project remixing a pop song. This specialized curriculum created for virtual instruction allowed for project-based learning, student choice, creativity, and collaboration.

I learned a lot through the experience and continued to teach 8th grade general music after the return to in-person learning, utilizing a lot of the new tools I acquired during COVID. This experience made me wonder whether other general music teachers had similar experiences and motivated me to conduct an empirical study. The research described in this article is based on the data from my recently published dissertation (Adel, 2025). The purpose of my study was to understand how music teachers in one county of New Jersey used digital technologies in virtual instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic in middle level general music and to determine if and how these digital technologies were retained in the return to in-person learning.

ticle analyzed publications in the Journal of Research in Music Education from 1953 to 2002, finding that the journal only contained 89 samples representing middle school or junior high school, compared to 212 and 104 samples in elementary and high school, respectively (Ebie, 2002). Furthermore, of the 89 middle level samples, Ebie stated that “general music courses were mentioned three times” (2002, p. 285). Ebie’s findings highlight the need for research in middle level general music education as well as the lack of pre-existing literature in this content area.

Cronenberg (2022) explored the concept of required middle level general music classes and the responses provided by middle school music educators highlighted the controversial nature of whether or not it should be a required course. Of 1,316 middle level music teachers that responded to the survey, Cronenberg found that they were divided on the requirement of general music classes in middle level schools. The controversial nature of this content area within the population of practicing music educators suggests further research needs to be done in this area.

In my research, I interviewed eight middle level music teachers who taught general music to Grades 6, 7, and/or 8 before, during, and after the pandemic. Interestingly, the content varied greatly across all teachers, even though they all taught within the same county of New Jersey. From ukuleles and guitars to western composition and digital music-making, it appears that middle-level general music content is largely shaped by each teacher’s individual strengths and experiences.

This stands in contrast to other content areas, such as math or science, where there is a defined body of knowledge that all students are expected to master by the end of eighth grade.

This raises an important question: Is it beneficial for students to learn from specialists whose teaching reflects their personal expertise, or should we strive for a more unified general music curriculum to promote equity in learning outcomes across districts? For instance, is it acceptable that eighth graders in one district may be proficient on guitar but unfamiliar with DAWs, while students in a neighboring district can create digital music but have never held a guitar?

Middle Level General Music Most articles about middle level general music are anecdotal in nature, offering tips and guidance based on the author’s own experiences (McAnally, 2016; Yoo, 2022). One arTEMPO

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Music Technology For a long time, digital technologies in music classes were considered tools used in music for tasks such as production, recording, or composition. Since technology has evolved and is now incorporated in nearly every facet of everyday life, this understanding of digital technology for music has since been expanded to include classroom tools and resources such as Google Classroom or digital assessment tools such as SmartMusic. It is important to examine the literature related to digital technologies in music education to gain an understanding of how it has evolved in recent years, to better understand its role today, and to identify its function in your own classroom.

themselves needing to develop new technological competencies to maintain a meaningful student engagement online.

However, most of the teachers I interviewed described a lack of professional development that directly addressed the unique challenges of teaching music in a digital or hybrid format.

The SAMR Model

TPACK Framework

©2012 by tpack.org

A conceptual framework incorporating technology in education was developed by Mishra and Koehler (2006) called the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) Framework. The TPACK Framework is an extension of Shulman’s (1986) concept of Pedagogical Content Knowledge, which identifies a need beyond solely content knowledge for effective teaching. While Mishra and Koehler still believe that “Shulman’s approach still holds true, what has changed since the 1980s is that technologies have come to the forefront of educational discourse primarily because of the availability of a range of new, primary digital technologies” (2006, p. 1023).

The TPACK Framework emphasizes the need for knowledge in all three areas of technology, pedagogy, and content for the most effective instruction to take place.

The relevance of the TPACK Framework became especially evident during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when music teachers were suddenly required to integrate digital tools into their instruction in unprecedented ways. Many teachers who had relied primarily on traditional, in-person pedagogies found JANUARY 2026

Building upon the ideas presented in the TPACK Framework, the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition (SAMR) Model (Puentedura, 2006) provides a complementary perspective that focuses more specifically on the degree to which technology transforms teaching and learning. According to Puentedura (2014), the Substitution and Augmentation levels of this model are classified as enhancing instruction without functional change while the Modification and Redefinition levels are considered to transform instruction by using technology to redesign tasks or create new tasks that were previously inconceivable.

Examples of Substitution or Augmentation could include using Google Forms for a worksheet, quiz or survey instead of a physical paper. The role of technology does not change the content, but has slight improvements in functionality due to its efficiency. On the other hand, composing digital music using a Digital Audio Workstation such as BandLab or SoundTrap would fall under Modification and Redefinition since it allows for new tasks that would not have been possible otherwise.

The TPACK Framework and SAMR Model are valuable tools for understanding and improving how technology is integrated into music education. As educators, it is essential to continually reflect on our instructional practices and evaluate how technology is being used. By intentionally applying these frameworks, we can ensure that digital tools are thoughtfully incorporated to support musical creativity, critical thinking, and overall student success in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Findings Interestingly, among the teachers I interviewed, the decision to use or avoid technology was often connected to their 35

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personal philosophy of music-making. One teacher explained that “music is meant to be made by humans together” as a reason for avoiding technology in class, while another shared that “the students live in a digital world” using technology as a means of cultural connection. Upon returning to in-person teaching, most teachers retained some level of technology adopted during the pandemic, primarily at the substitution or augmentation levels, for reasons of convenience. Some continued using rhythm videos from YouTube, while others repurposed tutorial videos they had created for remote instruction.

A particularly notable finding from my research was the incorporation of student check-ins following the return to inperson learning. Many participants described how witnessing students’ home environments during virtual instruction reshaped their approach to classroom culture. As a result, several teachers began each class with a brief activity to check in on students’ well-being before transitioning into musical instruction, demonstrating a lasting pedagogical shift toward socialemotional awareness.

Cronenberg, S., & Williams, B. (2022). Standing in the gap: A survey of middle level music education in the United States and its territories (2020–2021). National Association for Music Education. https://nafme.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20202022-FINAL-GRANT-RESEARCH-REPORT-Cronenberg_Williams_Standing-in-the-Gap-Report.pdf Ebie, B. D. (2002). Characteristics of 50 years of research samples found in the Journal of Research in Music Education, 1953–2002. Journal of Research in Music Education,50(4), 280–291. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3345355 McAnally, E. A. (2016). Middle school general music: The best part of your day. Rowman & Littlefield.

Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge.

Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9260.2006.00684.x

Conclusion The experiences of middle-level general music teachers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic illustrate how technology, pedagogy, and content are deeply interconnected. The findings of this study reveal that while digital tools can enhance instruction, their impact ultimately depends on teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and their willingness to adapt. The pandemic accelerated the integration of technology in music classrooms, yet its lasting influence seems to lie less in the specific tools adopted and more in the pedagogical shifts that followed. As the TPACK Framework and SAMR Model remind us, meaningful technology integration is not about replacing traditional music-making but about reimagining how technology can support authentic, student-centered musical experiences. Moving forward, music educators have the opportunity to blend the best of both worlds, human connection and digital innovation, to create classrooms that reflect the evolving landscape of music and learning in the 21st century.

Puentedura, R. (2006). Transformation, technology, and education [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://hippasus.com/resources/tte/.

Puentedura, R. (2014). Building transformation: An introduction to the SAMR model [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.hippasus.com/rrpweblog/archives/2014/08/22/BuildingTransformation_AnIntroductionToSAMR.pdf.

Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4–14. https://doi.org/10.2307/1175860 Yoo, H. (2022). Building 21st century skills through technology in general music classes. Journal of General Music Education, 36(1), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/27527646221110867

References Adel, T. (2025). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on middle level general music: Navigating a digital landscape (Publication No. 31764748) [Doctoral dissertation, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey).

ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/ impact-covid-19-pandemic-on-middle-level-general/ docview/3156038456/se-2

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Department of Music

The Department of Music at Kean University provides personalized instruction, world-class faculty mentorship and master classes with top performers.

Students excel in performance and music education, preparing for careers or advanced studies in music.

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Yes - You Can Create Composition Activities with Google Docs!

Joseph DeRosa Leonard V. Moore Middle School jderosa[at]roselleschools.org

Teaching elementary and middle school students how to write music is one of the most important aspects of music education. However, this can sometimes be difficult to implement into our curricula because we need the proper technology and programs that allow our students to compose. With the help of Microsoft Word, Musescore 4, Music Ed Font, Microsoft Paint, and Google Docs, I discovered a way to teach my students how to compose music, while also making it easy to assess and grade later. In this article, I am going to show how to create an assignment in which the students compose music with quarter notes and the pentatonic scale on a Google Document.

Step #1: Create pictures of each pitch and the time signature

Additionally, you need a time signature for your assignment, so I recommend creating the four-four time signature on Microsoft Word with the Music Ed Font and screenshotting it for later. Once again, this will also need to be cropped .

The first step to creating a composition project out of Google Docs is to create pictures of the pitches that can be cut and pasted into the project. I recommend going onto a music program like Musescore 4, setting the time signature to two-eight, and making a screenshot of each pentatonic pitch. The two-eight time signature will allow you to create a picture of the pitch without any rests. Make sure to make the note as large as possible to make it easy to screenshot.

Creating a screenshot of a four-four time signature for later.

Step #2: Cropping each pentatonic note The next step is to crop each pentatonic note into smaller pictures so your students can copy and paste each picture into their as-

Creating a screenshot of the pitches on Musescore 4.

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signment. When creating a picture of the pitches, I recommend going to Microsoft Paint and cropping each picture the same. For example, I click on the rectangle button on Microsoft Paint and line up each corner the same as I did for each pitch. My reference points for lining up the rectangle are the top and lowest points of the treble clef, the edge of the time signature, and the edge of the bar line. This ensures that the pictures of each note look similar. Once the reference points have been made on the rectangle, you can crop each picture.

The table with the borders painted.

Once all the borders are painted, split the bottom two rows apart from each other. I also recommend adding your time signature to the first and third rows in the first column after this step.

Cropping the note with Microsoft Paint. Notice how the rectangle lines up with the top and bottom of the treble clef, the time signature, and bar line.

If you cropped each pitch correctly, the notes should look the same, and the staff lines should line up with each other. The goal is to crop each note so the staff lines in the measures line up if the pictures are placed next to each other like the picture below.

This is the table with the time signature and the last row split from the main table.

Step #4: Adding the pictures of the notes to the assignment Step #3: Creating a table for the pitches and time signature in Microsoft Word

Now that you have created a table, it’s time to add the pictures of the pitches that you previously created! Go to the column that you split from the rest of the table and add the pictures of the pitches that you cropped earlier. Make sure that all the staff lines in the pictures align with each other. If the pictures make the table uneven, you can highlight the whole table and click on the “distribute rows evenly button.” After the pictures are added, insert another row below to write the solfege, and use the border painter button to make the new table look neater. Once the table below is finished, it should be easy for your students to copy and paste each picture into the main table above.

Although it is possible to create a table on Google Docs, I recommend creating the table on Microsoft Word so you can modify the borders more easily. In Microsoft Word, create a table that has nine columns and five rows. Once you have created the table, select “table design,” and select the “no border” button in the border tab.

After creating a table, make the borders disappear, and then get ready to use the border painter.

Once the borders are invisible, use the border painter to start painting specific borders. I recommend using dashed lines with the line weight of ¾ pt. to represent each beat, and solid lines with the line weight of 3 pt. to represent a bar line.

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The assignment with the table that has pictures of each note.

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Step #5: Adding a place to tell the students where to select their solfege

Next, click on “new drop-down,” and type “select solfege” and each of the solfege into the options.

The last step in Microsoft Word is to add a place to tell the students to select their solfege. In the first column in the second and fourth rows, I recommend typing “Select solfege here!” and then inserting a shape of a block arrow. This will make it easier for your students to follow the instructions later when they complete the project.

When the drop-down menus have been added to each box, your table should look like this: The final steps are to add directions and to make copies of this assignment on Google Drive. Once this is complete, you will have a composition assignment that your students can complete on a Google document. While the students work on this assignment, I also encourage them to go to https://playxylo.com/ and enable the solfege feature so they can play their melodies. I hope this article helps you to create a composition activity for your students, and feel free to send an email if you have any questions.

Type “select solfege here” and add a block arrow for the final step on Microsoft Word.

Step #6: Final Tweaks on Google Drive Once you have completed each step in Microsoft Word, upload your file to Google Drive. Since some students may paste their pictures in the second and fourth columns by mistake, I usually add a drop-down menu for the students to click on to prevent this error. To add a drop-down menu, type “@” into the box where the students will select the solfege and click on “drop-down.”

An example of a complete assignment is below:

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Bring a New Jersey Symphony Musician to Your Classroom!

Through a special partnership between New Jersey Symphony and the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA), teachers can request a free in-school visit from a Symphony musician.

Choose your format: • Sectional or ensemble coaching • Performance demo + Q&A Offered at no cost to you or your school with an NJMEA membership Sessions run January–June and are scheduled based on availability.

Submit the Program Request Form to reserve your spot!

Made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

JANUARY 2026

Scan for Form!

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NJMEA RESOURCE PERSONNEL Area of Responsibility

Name

Email Address

Administrative Matters........................................................ Yale Snyder................................................ snyder.njmea[at]gmail.com All-State Coordinator........................................................ Joseph Cantaffa................................... jcantaffa[at]rocknrollchorus.com Association Business........................................................ William McDevitt....................................... wmcdevittnjmea[at]gmail.com Band Performance Chair.................................................. Jesse Argenziano................................................ njmeaband[at]gmail.com Band Procedures Chair........................................................ Allan Daleus.......................................................... adaleus[at]whrhs.org Choral Performance Chair...................................................Brian Williams..............................................njallstatechoir[at]gmail.com Choral Procedures Chair....................................................... Ken Bryson.................................................njallstatechoir[at]gmail.com Composition Contest.....................................................Dr. Andrew Bleckner..................................andrew.bleckner[at]prismsus.org Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Access.................................... Isaiah C. Mason..................................................deia.njmea[at]gmail.com Guitar Education......................................................................... TBD............................................................................................. TBD Jazz Procedures Chair........................................................ Andrew Lopez................................................. alopez.njaje[at]gmail.com Marching Band Festival Chair............................................. Nancy Clasen................................................. nancyclasen[at]gmail.com Membership.................................................................... William McDevitt....................................... wmcdevittnjmea[at]gmail.com Middle/Junior High Band Festival....................................... Nancy Clasen ................................................. nancyclasen[at]gmail.com Middle/Junior High Choral Festival............................. Donna Marie Berchtold........................................ firesongwed[at]gmail.com Modern Band........................................................................ Zach Gates......................................... zacharygatesmusic[at]gmail.com MusicTECH Fest................................................................. Shawna Longo............................................... shawnalongo[at]gmail.com NJMEA Historian.............................................................. Nicholas Santoro .................................................... n31b13[at]gmail.com NJMEA State Conference Exhibits Chair............................. Nancy Clasen................................................. nancyclasen[at]gmail.com NJMEA State Conference Manager..................................... Marie Malara ........................................................ malara97[at]aol.com NJMEA/ACDA Honors Choir................................................ Kaitlyn Reiser.......................................................... kreiser[at]spfk12.org November Convention – NJEA............................................ Nancy Clasen................................................ nancyclasen[at]gmail.com Orchestra Performance Chair.............................................Elisabeth Sato........................................... orchestra.njmea[at]gmail.com Orchestra Procedures Chair....................................... Liam Keller & Caty Butler.................................. orchestra.njmea[at]gmail.com Research......................................................................... Marissa Silverman......................................... silvermanm[at]montclair.edu Students with Special Needs............................................. Maureen Butler................................. maureenbutlermusic[at]gmail.com Supervisor of Performing Groups.................................... David Westawski....................................... westawski.njmea[at]gmail.com Tri-M............................................................................ Anthony Lanzerotti, Jr.................................... lanzerotti.njmea[at]gmail.com REPRESENTATIVES/LIAISONS TO AFFILIATED, ASSOCIATED AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS NJ American Choral Directors Association..........................Kason Jackson............................................njacdapresident[at]gmail.com American String Teachers Association/NJ.........................Jennifer Meckler............................................. njastachapter[at]gmail.com Governor’s Award for Arts Education.............................. David Westawski....................................... westawski.njmea[at]gmail.com NJ Association for Jazz Education.......................................Andrew Lopez.................................................. alopez.njaje[at]gmail.com NAfME.............................................................................. William McDevitt ...................................... wmcdevittnjmea[at]gmail.com NJ Music Administrators Association........................Dr. Latasha Casterlow-Lalla........................................... njmusicaa[at]gmail.com NJ Retired Music Educators Association............................. Frank Hughes....................................................... bugle11[at]yahoo.com Percussive Arts Society......................................................... Joe Bergen ...............................................joe[at]mantrapercussion.org COMMUNICATION SERVICES/PUBLIC RELATIONS Executive Director/TEMPO Editor/ TEMPO Express/NJMEA Website..................................... William McDevitt...................................... wmcdevittnjmea[at]gmail.com

JANUARY 2026

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This column salutes the lives and careers of recently departed colleagues. It is the way NJMEA and NJRMEA can express appreciation for the work that they have done and the lives that they have touched. We mourn their passing and salute their contributions, which are the basis for music education in the state of New Jersey.

Florence C. Adler

Theodore G. Fish

Florence C. Adler, (nee-Crompton) Age 87 years, of Shamong, New Jersey, formerly of Runnemede, NJ. Passed away peacefully at home on December 11, 2025. Beloved wife of Robert M. Adler. Loving mother of Gaye Amey, Barry Lowder and his wife Susan. Step mother of Sandy Adler Kallotte and her husband Aaron, Kenneth Adler and his wife Stacy, Sheryl AdlerEldridge and her husband Barry, and Gail and their children.

Grandmother of the late Justin R. Lowder. Great grandmother of Jaxon R. Lowder. Dear sister of Tom Crompton, Evelyn McLean and the late Edward A. Crompton, Jr. Florence was a graduate of Westminster Choir College. She was a music teacher at Pine Hill and Shamong Elementary Schools and taught private lessons. Florence was director of Adler Music Studios of Runnemede and Shamong, and for seventy years, Florence was the Senior Organist at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Runnemede, NJ. Florence will receive a massive welcome at the Rainbow Bridge from her beloved, deceased fur babies: Maggie, Millie, Smoke, and Marty and eventually Margie.

Theodore G. Fish, Jr. 96, of Yardville, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025. Born in Reading, PA, he earned his bachelor's degree from Lebanon Valley College and was a proud US Marine veteran, serving during the Korean War. Ted was a talented musician who played many instruments.

He especially loved the trombone, which he played in the US Marine Corps Band at Parris Island.

Mr. Fish's love of music brought him to his career as a music teacher. A beloved teacher for Allentown/Upper Freehold Regional School district, he was the original music teacher and band director. He started the music program in 1957 with a class of only eight students. He taught at Allentown High School as the band director for 30 years and created the Marching Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band Ensemble.

He also was a coach for the school's baseball and basketball teams. After he retired as a music teacher, Mr. Fish continued to work in the district as a substitute schoolteacher for 25 more years. He was very fond of all of his students and kept in touch with many of them over the years, even attending all of the reunions.

Mr. Fish loved Allentown and the community. He was the only teacher to be recognized on the Allentown High School "Wall of Fame" of which he was extremely proud. In May of 2025, Ted served as Grand Marshal of the Allentown Memorial Day Parade, the first teacher to be honored with the title.

In his spare time, Ted and his wife, Kitty, loved to travel and go camping. He was a huge fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. Ted was the heart of his neighborhood, always bringing warmth and humor to those around him with his many stories.

Son of the late Myrtle Fish Blawn, he was predeceased by his loving wife Kathryn Fish and his sister, Natalie Hoffer.

Ted is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Jim Fair of Fayetteville, GA; his sons, Jeff Fish of Lawrenceville, GA and Craig Fish, of Dawsonville, GA; his grandchildren, Jenna Fair (Josh Price), Christopher Fair (Savannah), McKenzie Fish, and Kelsey Fair, his great-grandson, Scottie Fair; his half-sister, Judith Neal, many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn S. Chesner Marilyn S. Chesner of Somerset died Thursday, September 18th at the Regency Jewish Heritage Care Center, Somerset.

She was 95. Born in Lakewood, she resided in Ewing Twp. before moving to Somerset 67 years ago. Mrs. Chesner received her bachelor's degree as well as her master's degree from Trenton State College in Music.

Marilyn was a Music Teacher with the Franklin Twp. Board of Education for over 40 yrs. retiring in 1992. She also was a Choir Director for several local church's. A member of the Middlebush Reformed Church, of Somerset.Mrs. Chesner had a love for music, gardening and enjoyed feeding her birds in the back yard of her home.

Predeceased by her 1st husband Richard Robinson 1995 and her 2nd husband Walter Chesner 2007. Surviving are her sons Thomas, Richard, Frederick and Jeffrey Robinson; 2 stepsons Craig and Scott Chesner; 2 sisters Sharon and Patricia; 13 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

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What's happening around our Region:: NJSMA Band Division : Co Chairs - Amy Wilcox, Chris DeWilde, Xavi Bonilla - band[at]njsma.org Thank you to Clifton HS for hosting Senior Auditions and to Wayne Hills High School for hosting Intermediate Auditions.

• High School Senior Region Concert on 2/1 @ Parsippany Hills HS • Intermediate Region Concert 3/8 @ Parsippany HS • High School Band Festival will take place over 3 days on 3/17 @ West Essex HS (day and night), 3/18 @ Parsippany Hills HS (day only), Parsippany HS (night only) and 3/19 @ Mt. Olive HS (day) • Middle School Band Festival on 4/14 @ West Essex HS • Elementary Region Festival will take place on 5/9 @ location TBD (We are looking for hosts who would like to help out; please reach out if interested!)

Directors who would like to suggest a new high school or intermediate region solo for future auditions are encouraged to do so. The process for having a new solo considered is to contact the band chairs and provide a copy of the music for them. Your suggestion will be submitted to a committee for review (All State Band Procedures Committee for high school solos) and added to the rotation if deemed appropriate.

NJSMA

North Jersey School Music Association www.njsma.com

Greetings Music Colleagues!

Happy New Year! I hope your 2025-2026 school year is going well and that your Winter/Holiday performances were a success. As we kick off the new year, I'm excited about all that NJSMA has in store for our teachers and students. Thanks to the continuing work of our Diversity & Inclusion Division we were able to continue our fee waiver program this year making participation more accessible. This program is making a significant difference for many, providing more students with the opportunity to engage in music education.

The NJSMA Region I High School Band, Chorus, Orchestra & Intermediate Orchestra auditions will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with a snow date of Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Clifton High School. We would like to thank Bryan Stepneski, Leonid Wesimantel and Paulina Edel at Clifton High School for hosting auditions.

The NJSMA Region I Intermediate Band and Chorus auditions will be held on February 7, 2026, with a snow date of February 8, 2026 at Wayne Hills High School (snow date location TBD). Thank you to Annie Pascale and Chris DeWilde for volunteering to host this event.

JANUARY 2026

NJSMA Choral Division : Co-Chairs - Deana Larsen & Becky Polynice - chorus[at]njsma.org We would like to thank Dr. Heather Buchanan and MSU, Matt Vanzini and Mount Olive High School, and Brian Lang and Lyndhurst Middle School for hosting our HS Chorus Festivals on December 3, 4, and 5th of 2025. Many thanks to our adjudicators and participating choirs!

We are looking forward to our High School Region Chorus Ensembles! We are pleased to announce that Nick McBride will conduct our Mixed Ensemble and James Millar will conduct our Treble Choir.. It should be a great experience for all that participate! We are also thrilled that Matt Zabiegala will be conducting our Intermediate Mixed Ensemble and Tricia Lalla will conduct our Intermediate Treble Choir.

We would also like to thank Brian Lang and Lyndhurst Middle School for hosting our Middle School 45

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Chorus Festival which is scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026.

NJSMA Elementary General Music Division : Co-Chairs - Lisa Wichman & Karen Andruska - elementary[at] njsma.org We are delighted to share that our October workshop with guest presenter Dr. Rob Amchin was a wonderful success! His engaging ideas, thoughtful insights, and joyful musicianship inspired everyone in attendance. A heartfelt thank you to all the participants whose enthusiasm, openness, and collaboration made the session truly meaningful. We are grateful for your presence and look forward to continued learning and music-making together!

Join us for our upcoming Choral Celebration, featuring renowned guest clinicians Tom Shelton and Chaequan Anderson! This inspiring event will bring young singers together for a day of learning, artistry, and joyful music-making. Don’t miss this opportunity to work with two exceptional leaders in the choral world.

For more information, please email elementary[at] njsma.org We welcome your ideas! If you have suggestions for future presenters, topics, or workshops, please email elementary[at]njsma.org. All NJMEA members are invited to attend NJSMA Elementary Division events— we look forward to seeing you there!

NJSMA Orchestra Division : Co-Chairs - Samantha Bream & Kim Kanefke - orchestra[at]njsma.org High school and intermediate orchestra auditions for Region 1 will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 (with a snow date of Sunday, January 11, 2026) at Clifton High School. Thanks to Clifton High School for hosting. We would also like to thank Wendy Campbell (Mahwah HS) and Laura Abbey (Tenakill MS in Closter) for serving as audition chairs.

We are excited to announce the conductors for both Region 1 Orchestra groups! The High School Region 1 Orchestra will be conducted by Dr. Oliver Hagen, who currently serves as Orchestra and Chamber Music Director at Newark Academy, Chamber Music and Conducting Faculty at the Juilliard Preparatory Division, and Youth Orchestra Conductor at New Jersey Youth Symphony. He is an actively performing pianist who can be heard on the 2017 Grammy-winning album entitled “Reich: Mallet Quartet, Sextet, Nagoya Marimbas & Music for Pieces of Wood.” The IntermeTEMPO

diate Region 1 Orchestra will be conducted by Liam Keller, who is the Director of Orchestras for the School District of the Chathams. He also serves as Procedures Chair for the NJ All State Orchestra.

The HS/Intermediate Region 1 Orchestra concert will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Parsippany Hills High School.

Future dates: HS/Intermediate Orchestra (Director-nominated), Saturday, March 14, 2026 Looking ahead!!

We hope to see many of you at the NJMEA State Conference in February 2026. There is a great slate of workshops planned for every grade level and performance area. NJSMA will be having a membership meeting on Friday, February 20, 2026. Please check the schedule of events for the exact time and location. We are also planning to once again host a social gathering for our members. That information will also be communicated by email once time and location are confirmed.

None of our events would be possible without the many helping hands working behind the scenes!

We’re always looking for volunteers of all experience levels to serve as site hosts, audition chairs, managers, and even executive board members, to name a few. If you want to get involved, we have a spot for you and will work with you throughout the entire process.

We’re also reaching out to connect with new teachers in our region and those who may not yet be active members of NJSMA. If this applies to you—or if you know someone it does—please contact our corresponding secretary at publicity@njsma.org or complete the contact form on our website. Our website (njsma.org) includes all relevant information about our region, with the calendar section updated to reflect all confirmed events. Contact information for executive board members and division officers is available in the “Officers” section.

Thank you for everything you do to give our students high-quality music education. Your hard work makes a difference! If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out— we’re here to help.

Lyn M. Lowndes NJSMA President president[at]njsma.org 46

JANUARY 2026

CJMEA

Central Jersey Music Educators Association www.cjmea.org

Happy New Year!

We are well into our year and I want to take a moment to thank our incredible music educators who volunteer their time within our organization and within our ensembles! A huge thanks to our CJMEA board members, audition managers, ensemble managers, rehearsal/performance hosts, and sponsoring music educators that make region opportunities possible. We could not do this without you. Your care and commitment to our music education community is so valued and appreciated.

This year, we have launched a new initiative CJMEA Stories! We want to share the amazing things happening in our region. Check out our first profile on Arturo Healing Hearts. If you know of something that we should feature with this initiative, fill out this form to let us know!

We sponsored a professional learning webinar in November with Dr. Lauren Diaz entitled Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Performance Based Classroom. A huge thank you to our Diversity and Inclusion Chairs Isaiah Mason and Linda Grossman for putting this together. We also have a new resource on our website that will be continually updated with other local resources/professional learning opportunities.

Thanks to Isaiah, Linda, and our General Music Chair Shannon Maddolin for putting this together!

We look forward to seeing you at the NJMEA Conference in February. Check us out on the exhibit floor and at our CJMEA general membership meeting.

You’ll have a chance to chat with our board members and to hear about upcoming opportunities and ways to get involved. If you are a CJMEA member presenting a session, please let us know through this form!

We would like to feature you on our social media leading up to the conference!

We look forward to connecting with you throughout the year! Please follow us on instagram (@cjmea_ official) and stop by our website, CJMEA.org, where you can find all of the ensembles and professional development opportunities that we have available for you this year.

JANUARY 2026

With gratitude and joy, Rebekah Sterlacci CJMEA President president.cjmea[at]gmail.com

SJBODA

South Jersey Band and Orchestra Directors Association www.sjboda.org

SJBODA will bring in the New Year with two very exciting concerts at Rowan University. On Sunday, January 11th we will present our Orchestra and String Ensemble concert. This is the 71st anniversary concert for the Orchestra which will be conducted by Rob Bradshaw (South Jersey Pops Orchestra). The Junior High String Ensemble will be conducted by Dave Hercock (Cinnaminson HS). Samantha Sara (Egg Harbor Township School District) will manage the Orchestra and Mimi Butler (Symphony in C) will be the manager for the String Ensemble. The following Sunday, January 18th the Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band will perform in their 79th anniversary concert. The Wind Ensemble will be conducted by Julia Baumanis (Rutgers University) and the Symphonic Band will be led by Jennifer Hodgson (Southern Regional HS). Our managers for this weekend are Jon Porco (Cherry Hill Public Schools) and Patrick O’Keefe (Absegami HS).

Our concert host for these performances will be Megan Cooney and Joe Higgins.

These concerts would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of our colleagues. Phil Senseney (Southern Regional Schools, retired) and Jeffrey Moore (Palmyra HS) did an outstanding job in providing our students with a positive audition experience and Patrick O’Keefe provided an excellent facility for our students, parents, and membership at the auditions which were held at Absegami HS. The first rehearsal for these ensembles was held at Cinnaminson HS and hosted by Nick DiSalvio. Nick did a wonderful job in meeting the needs of our students. Our young musicians also benefitted from the efforts of Amanda Lakits Porco (Hamilton Township 47

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Schools), our Senior High Band Coordinator and Carrington Thompson (Eastern Regional HS), our String Coordinator.

The Junior High Band auditions will take place on Saturday, January 31st at Southern Regional Middle School. Andrew Wright will be our host. Audition information is available on our website. Jon Porco (Cherry Hill Public Schools) and Joe Jacobs (Ventnor MS, retired) are the Junior High Audition Chairs. Nancy Robinson (Linwood Public Schools, retired) is our Junior High Band Coordinator. The concert will take place on March 8th at Fernwood Ave. MS. Marc Spatz and Dawn Donchey will be our concert hosts. The rehearsals will take place at Mainland Regional HS with Derek Rohaly as our host. The conductors for the 48th Annual Junior High Band Concert are Robin Soden (Middle School of Pleasantville) and Jeffrey Moore (Palmyra HS). We were still in need of managers at the deadline for this article.

The 17th Annual Chamber Ensemble Concert will take place on Wednesday, February 4th at Pitman HS with Jon Botbyl as our host. Jon Porco (Cherry Hill Public Schools) is our Chamber Ensemble Coordinator. Our coaches for this year are Jack Franchi (Lenape HS) – Sax Quartet, Barry Plevinsky (Deptford Township, retired) – Percussion Ensemble, Donna Scharfetter (Ocean City HS, retired) – Flute Quartet, Anita Gosevska (Upper Township MS) – Clarinet Quartet, Rick Maxwell (Middle Township ES #2) - Tuba/Euphonium Quartet, and Mandy Spratt (Cranberry Pines ES) – Woodwind Quintet, Registration forms for our 32nd Annual Concert Band Festival are available on the SJBODA website.

The festival, coordinated by Jim Mark (Cherry Hill West HS, retired), will take place on Tuesday, March 17th and Wednesday, March 18th at Rowan University. The snow date will be Tuesday, March 24th. Den-

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nis MacMullin (TCNJ) and Paul Bryan (Curtis Institute of Music) will be the adjudicators. Megan Cooney will host this event.

The 32nd Annual Elementary Honors Band Festival will take place on Saturday, May 2nd at Absegami HS. Patrick O’Keefe will be our host. LeeAnn Hewitt (Little Egg Harbor Township School District) will be our coordinator for this event. Our conductors will be Tim Trout (Berlin Community School), Mark Bligh (Denton Ave. ES), Donald Haney (Greenwich Township School District), and Mathieu Maier (Haddonfield School District). The managers for this festival will include Mike Daly (Roland Rogers ES), Andy Owens (Ann A. Mullen MS), Ciara Rabey (Hess Education Complex), and Laura Test (Williamstown MS).

The 9th Annual Elementary String Festival and our 2nd Annual Intermediate String Festival will take place on Saturday, May 9th at Egg Harbor Township HS. Kate Wyatt and Matt Wyckoff will be our host and Christine Macaulay (Clara Barton ES) will be our coordinator. Liz Aldrich (Washington Township School District) will conduct the Intermediate String Ensemble.

Maya Norton (Haddonfield School District) and Francesca Secrest (Carusi MS) will conduct are elementary string ensembles. Registration forms are available on our website.

The SJBODA Winter Meeting will take place on Friday, January 16th at 10:00 AM at Rowan University.

All members are encouraged to attend. Please continue to check the website, maintained by Derek Rohaly (Mainland Regional HS) for the latest SJBODA updates.

The SJBODA phone number is 609-457-0590.

John Drechen SJBODA President sjbodapresident[at]gmail.com

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JANUARY 2026

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SUPPORTIVE INCLUSIVE EXCEPTIONAL TEMPO

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JANUARY 2026

NJMEA 2025-2027 Board of Directors EXECUTIVE BOARD

President Yale Snyder

Past President David Westawski High School Choir Director westawski.njmea[at]gmail.com

President-Elect Anthony Lanzerotti, Jr

Monroe Township District snyder.njmea[at]gmail.com

Woodrow Wilson MS lanzerotti.njmea[at]gmail.com

Executive Director

NJSMA, President

CJMEA, President

Lyn Lowndes

Rebekah Sterlacci

Butler High School president[at]njsma.org

Piscataway HS president.cjmea[at]gmail.com

William McDevitt Retired wmcdevittnjmea[at]gmail.com

SJCDA, President

SJBODA, President

Lenape High School bmoore2[at]lrhsd.org

Retired sjbodapresident[at]gmail.com

Brendan Moore

John Drechen

APPOINTED MEMBERS Accessible Music Education Maureen Butler Retired maureenbutlermusic[at]gmail.com

Band Performance Jesse Argenziano W Windsor-Plainsboro HS South njmeaband[at]gmail.com

Jazz Education Andrew Lopez Sparta High School alopez.njaje[at]gmail.com

Administration/K-12 Ed Tech Shawna Longo Westfield Public Schools shawnalongo[at]gmail.com

Choral Festivals Donna Marie Berchtold Retired firesongwed[at]gmail.com

Orchestra Performance/Festivals Elisabeth Sato Martin Luther King Elementary orchestra.njmea[at]gmail.com

Advocacy Arwen Kapusta John Adams Elementary School arwenkapusta[at]gmail.com

Choral Performance Brian Williams Robbinsville High School NJAllStateChoir[at]gmail.com

PreK-8 General Music Amy Burns Far Hills Country Day School aburns[at]fhcds.org

All-State Production Manager Joseph Cantaffa Howell High School jcantaffahhs[at]hotmail.com

Conferences Marie Malara Retired malara97[at]aol.com

Research/Collegiate/HigherEd Marissa Silverman Montclair State University silvermanm[at]montclair.edu

Band Festivals/NJEA Liaison Nancy Clasen Lodi Public Schools nancyclasen[at]gmail.com

D.E.I.A Isaiah C. Mason Linwood School deia.njmea[at]gmail.com

Retired Members/Mentorship Kathy Spadafino Retired kspadeb[at]aol.com

JANUARY 2026

Emerging Ensembles Zach Gates East Brunswick High School zacharygatesmusic[at]gmail.com

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EDITORIAL POLICY Articles may be submitted to the editor of this magazine by anyone who wishes to write about topics related to music or music education.

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NJMEA Past Presidents 1924 - 1926 1926 - 1930 1930 1930 - 1931 1931 - 1933 1933 - 1935 1935 - 1936 1936 - 1938 1938 - 1939 1939 - 1941 1941 - 1942 1942 - 1944 1944 - 1945 1945 - 1947 1947 - 1949 1949 - 1951 1951 - 1953 1953 - 1955

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Josephine Duke R.W. Laslett Smith Jay W. Fay Wilbert B. Hitchner Thomas Wilson John H. Jaquish Clifford Demarest Mable E. Bray Paul H. Oliver K. Elizabeth Ingles Arthur E. Ward John T. Nicholson Frances Allan-Allen Philip Gordon Violet Johnson Samuel W. Peck Janet G. Gleason Henry Zimmerman

1955 - 1957 1957 - 1959 1959 - 1961 1961 - 1963 1963 - 1965 1965 - 1967 1967 - 1969 1969 - 1971 1971 - 1973 1973 - 1975 1975 - 1977 1977 - 1979 1979 - 1981 1981 - 1983 1983 - 1985 1985 - 1987 1987 - 1989 1989 - 1991

Agnes B. Gordown Leroy B. Lenox Elizabeth R. Wood Harold A. Brown E. Brock Griffith Robert C. Heath Edward Brown Rudolph Kreutzer Charles Wertman Stephen M. Clarke Herman L. Dash Buddy S. Ajalat Alyn J. Heim Robert Marince Anthony Guerere Joan Policastro Joseph Mello Dorian Parreott

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1991 - 1993 1993 - 1995 1995 - 1997 1997 - 1999 1999 - 2001 2001 - 2003 2003 - 2005 2005 - 2007 2007 - 2009 2009 - 2011 2011 - 2013 2013 - 2015 2015 - 2017 2017 - 2019 2019 - 2021 2021 - 2023 2023 - 2025

David S. Jones Anthony Guerere Sharon Strack Chic Hansen Joseph Mello Nicholas Santoro Frank Phillips Joseph Akinskas Robert Frampton William McDevitt Keith Hodgson Joseph Jacobs William McDevitt Jeffrey Santoro Patrick O'Keefe Wayne Mallette David Westawski

JANUARY 2026

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Messiah University

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Millersville University

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Montclair State University, Cali School of Music

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New Jersey Symphony

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Peripole

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West Chester University - Wells School

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53

Calderone School of Music

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2026 NJMEA STATE CONFERENCE February 19 - 21 Atlantic City Convention Center All Conference Information is available at: www.njmea.org/state.conference TEMPO

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JANUARY 2026