FROM THE PRESIDENT - Ann Usher

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to the fall edition of TRIAD. I hope your year is off to a good start and that you are physically, mentally, and emotionally well.

Our optimism over the summer that this fall would bring a complete return to normal has been upended by the surging Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus and once again, music educators are struggling to protect students, create meaningful musical experiences, and recover from the many damaging effects of the last challenging year. Although we are all very tired of this battle, I hope that you have been reenergized by summer vacations, back to school activities, and the joy of making music with your students, together again.

NAfME and NFHS have published the Return to Music Guidance Phase III. In addition, the latest Guidelines for Fall 2021 Activities from the Colorado aerosol study can be found HERE. Local districts have employed a wide variety of policies regarding mitigation strategies and we encourage music educators to proactively be a part of those conversations. Our ultimate goal is to do everything we can to ensure outstanding musical experiences for all students in the safest possible environment.

After the success of virtual events last year, the Adjudicated Events Committee has announced the opportunity for directors to again participate in Virtual Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Events this fall for both HS and JH/MS students. Registration will open on Saturday, September 25th and close on Saturday, November 6th. See the OMEA website for details. At this time, we anticipate all Adjudicated Events in the spring will be in-person.

First-year music educators and student teachers are invited to participate in the ‘New Teacher Cohort’ facilitated by the Ohio Department of Education. These discipline-specific virtual cohorts will learn the nuts and bolts of teaching in Ohio from expert teachers who will assist new teachers in navigating a successful first year of teaching. Topics will include: standardsdriven lesson planning, innovative practices, program development, and much more. All meetings will be held virtually on the second Tuesday of each month (September – May) from 4:30-6 p.m. Register HERE.

If you do not currently receive the weekly updates from the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE), I encourage you to sign up for their mailing list HERE. This organization, of which OMEA is a partner along with other state arts organizations, monitors arts legislation in the Ohio legislature and works tirelessly on advocacy and professional development. Specifically, keep your eyes open for announcements of Building Bridges sessions which will address topics such as OTES 2.0 and SEL (Social Emotional Learning) in the arts. This organization has also developed wonderful guidance on applying for ARP ESSER III Funds for Arts Education with sample letters and a breakdown of the process. Take

School of Music

Welcome home!

Ohio’s Pride - The University of Akron Marching Band

• Outstanding programs, ensembles, and facilities • Numerous performance opportunities • Master classes and residencies by acclaimed guest artists • Affordable tuition and generous scholarships • Internationally renowned faculty-musicians

DEGREE PROGRAMS

Bachelor of Music (B.M.)

• Music Education • Theory/Composition • Performance • Jazz Studies • Accompanying

Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A. in Music) Bachelor of Arts in Music with Business Cognate Master of Music (M.M.)

The University of Akron School of Music Dr. Marc Reed, Director 330-972-7590 • music@uakron.edu www.uakron.edu/music

Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 Guzzetta Hall, 157 University Ave.

Free, fun, and informative for high school students and parents – live and in person!

• Attend classes, lessons, and rehearsals • Learn about the application and audition process • Tour campus • Enjoy lunch at Rob’s Café • Meet the School of Music faculty and students

To register for Zip to UA Music Day, please register online at www.uakron.edu/music or email music@uakron.edu.

Collage 2021

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St.

Experience the best of UA’s School of Music in one exciting, non-stop event. Part of the School of Music’s Kulas Concert Series. Visit www.uakron.edu/music for details.

50th Annual Ohio Band Directors Conference

Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 UA Student Union Ballroom

Celebrating 50 years! Guest bands Wadsworth High School Wind Ensemble, Hudson High School Wind Ensemble, Grove City High School Symphonic Band, and UA’s Concert Band, Symphony Band, and Wind Symphony.

Guest composer Johan de Meij, founder and CEO of Amstel Music. Guest conductor and UA alumnus (BM 1981) John Climer, Director of Bands, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Clinic sessions for directors, and presentation of the ‘20 & ‘21 OBDC Hall of Fame awards.

Deadline for OBDC Honor Band applications is October 18. Visit www.uakron.edu/bands/obdc for details.

41st Annual TubaChristmas

Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, noon and 2:30 p.m. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St.

Scholarship Audition Days

Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 Saturday, March 5, 2022 Virtual auditions by appointment. Sign up online at www.uakron.edu/music.

advantage of this opportunity for funding to address the needs of music education students!

OMEA Immediate Past President Kathy McGrady is leading a task force this fall to examine our regional structure, the All-State Orchestra selection process, and the overall standing/ad hoc committees OMEA currently has in place. Many appointments are for positions or committees that no longer have much relevance or purpose. We hope this analysis will lead to more meaningful and efficient use of our volunteers’ time.

There are strategic planning initiatives and transitions ahead in our future and I encourage you to become an active part of this process. Reach out to your district president to ask how you can get involved by participating in Adjudicated Events, hosting an event, running for a district or region office, or serving on a committee, or simply attending our state professional development conference! It all begins with membership, so please be sure to join or renew at https://nafme.org/join-renew/. If there are new music educators in your district, invite them to join as well. WE are OMEA!

I continue to be tremendously honored to serve as OMEA president and appreciate the incredible work of our trustees, staff, elected district and region officers, and the many, many volunteers who are the backbone of our organization. We are indeed stronger together and as we hope for brighter days, let’s celebrate this year’s theme: “LOVE MUSIC…..AGAIN!”

Have a great year!

Ann Usher is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Music at The University of Akron in Akron, OH, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses, supervises student teachers, and coordinates the music education program. She has served OMEA in many capacities, including district president, conference co-chair, on the AE Committee from 1999-2013, and as the inaugural director of the All-State Children’s Chorus in 2014. Dr. Usher retired in 2020 after her twentieth season as director of the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus. Active as a clinician and adjudicator, she holds a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Northern Iowa, as well as a master of music degree in choral conducting and a doctorate in music education from Kent State University.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC

High School Honor Band Weekend

January 14–16, 2022 Nominations deadline: November 1, 2021

The Ohio State Marching Band Concerts

Friday, Nov. 5 (grades K–12) • Sunday, Nov. 7 (public)

Audition Days for the 2022–2023 Academic Year

Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 — live virtual audition Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022

Spring Visit Day 2022

for all high school students Friday, April 8 (on campus) • Saturday, April 9 (via Zoom)

All events are subject to change.