April 2022 Southwestern Musician

APRIL 2022

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VOLUME 90 ■ ISSUE 8 APRIL 2022

CONTENTS FEATURES

Music: Where Students Find Themselves . . . . . . 42 by k ari zamora

Music educators strive to meet each student’s needs—helping them find a place where they belong and can develop musical skills. What you do saves lives.

What You Do Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 by ren robertson

The love and care that music educators show their students has lasting effects on their lives, and for some, it can be the inspiration that leads them to our profession.

UPDATES & CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS Attend Your Spring Region Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Welcome, 2022–2023 Executive Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Post-Convention Offerings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Shaping the Future: All-State Student Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

22 COLUMNS President Michael Stringer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Executive Director Robert Floyd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Band Vice-President Shane Goforth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Submit a Proposal for the 2023 TMEA Clinic/Convention. . . . . . . 20

Orchestra Vice-President Ann G . Smith . . . . . . . . . . 36

2022 Clinic/Convention Images. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 44, 66

Vocal Vice-President Jesse Cannon II . . . . . . . . . . . 49

2022 TMEA Scholarship Recipients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Elementary Vice-President Katherine Johns . . . . .60

Congratulations, Four-Year All-Staters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Nominate Your Students for the Texas Music Scholar Award . . . 33

College Vice-President Matthew McInturf . . . . . . . 72

Lessons Learned During the 2022 Clinic/Convention . . . . . . . . . . 34 Like Coming Home: Attendee Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Convention Survey Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Membership and Convention Attendance Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

ON THE COVER: Madison Shavers, a junior, performs with the Wylie East HS Choir during the First General Session of the 2022 TMEA Clinic/ Convention. Photo by Karen Cross.

Southwestern Musician | April 2022

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Attend Your Spring Region Meeting OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

Editor-in-Chief: Robert Floyd

rfloyd@tmea.org | 512-452-0710, ext. 101

Managing Editor: Karen Cross

kcross@tmea.org | 512-452-0710, ext. 107

TMEA Executive Board President: Michael Stringer, Irving ISD

president@tmea.org | 972-600-5088 3511 Lake Champlain Drive, Arlington, 76016

President-Elect: Dana Pradervand, University of Houston pradervandd@yahoo.com | 713-743-3627 8226 Lakeshore Villa Drive, Humble, 77346

Past-President: John Carroll, Permian HS

john.carroll@ectorcountyisd.org | 432-553-2780 1800 East 42nd Street, Odessa, 79762

Band Vice-President: Shane Goforth,

For online meetings, go to www.tmea.org/regionmeeting to access the login.

Region Date 1

May 7

Time

Location

10:00 a.m. mtg,

Amarillo HS Cafeteria

9:30 a.m. food

2

May 21

10:00 a.m.

Guyer HS, Denton

3

May 14

10:00 a.m.

Sachse HS

4

May 13

5:30 p.m.

Region 8 ESC, Pittsburg

5

May 14

9:00 a.m.

I.M. Terrell Academy

6

April 23

1:00 p.m.

Permian HS

7

April 23

10:00 a.m.

Graham HS

8

May 7

10:00 a.m. mtg,

Temple College PAC

9:30 a.m. food

9

May 7

9:00 a.m.

Tomball Memorial HS

10

May 2

6:30 p.m.

Lamar Univ Music Bldg

sgoforth@galenaparkisd.com | 713-516-7158 14122 Wadebridge Way, Houston, 77015

11

May 7

12:00 p.m.

Medina Valley HS

12

May 1

2:30 p.m.

Madison HS

Orchestra Vice-President: Ann G. Smith, Plano East Senior HS

13

April 9

10:00 a.m.

Online

14

May 14

9:00 a.m.

Online

ann.smith@pisd.edu | 469-752-9237 3000 Los Rios Boulevard, Plano, 75074

Vocal Vice-President: Jesse Cannon II, Duncanville HS

vocalvp@tmea.org | 972-708-3764 900 West Camp Wisdom Road, Duncanville, 75116

15

May 1

2:00 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer HS

16

May 2

10:00 a.m.

Frenship PAC

17

May 7

10:00 a.m. mtg,

Shadow Creek HS

9:30 a.m. food

Elementary Vice-President: Katherine Johns, Floresville South Elementary kjohns@fisd.us | 281-370-4040 116 Oaklawn Drive, Floresville, 78114

College Vice-President: Matthew McInturf, Sam Houston State University mcinturf@shsu.edu | 832-515-8724 17 Hornsilver Place, The Woodlands, 77381

18

April 9

10:00 a.m.

Austin HS

19

May 7

10:00 a.m.

Sam Rayburn HS

9:30 a.m. food

20

May 7

9:00 a.m.

Greiner MS

TMEA Staff

21

May 7

10:00 a.m.

Legacy HS

22

May 16

6:00 p.m.

UTEP

Executive Director: Robert Floyd | rfloyd@tmea.org

23

May 14

9:00 a.m.

Austin HS, Houston ISD

8:30 a.m. food

Deputy Director: Frank Coachman | fcoachman@tmea.org Administrative Director: Kay Vanlandingham | kvanlandingham@tmea.org

24

May 14

10:00 a.m.

Frisco Memorial HS

Advertising/Exhibits Manager: Zachary Gersch | zgersch@tmea.org

25

May 14

10:00 a.m.

Plano ISD PAC

26

April 26

6:00 p.m.

Manor SHS

Financial Manager: Cristin Gaffney | cgaffney@tmea.org

27

May 14

9:00 a.m.

Cypress Creek HS

Information Technologist: Andrew Denman-Tidline | adenman@tmea.org

28

May 14

10:00 a.m. mtg,

Harlingen CISD PAC

Membership Manager: Susan Daugherty | susand@tmea.org Communications Manager: Karen Cross | kcross@tmea.org

9:30 a.m. food

Administrative Assistant: Rita Ellinger | rellinger@tmea.org

29

May 21

10:00 a.m.

O’Connor HS

TMEA Office

30

May 14

10:00 a.m.

Chisholm Trail HS

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 140465, Austin, 78714-0465 Physical Address: 7900 Centre Park Drive, Austin, 78754 Website: www.tmea.org | Phone: 512-452-0710 Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a .m.– 4:30 p.m.

31

May 14

10:00 a.m.

Birdville FA Complex

32

May 3

6:00 p.m.

Online

33

May 14

10:00 a.m.

Summer Creek HS

Southwestern Musician (ISSN 0162-380X) (USPS 508-340) is published monthly except March, June, and July by Texas Music Educators Association, 7900 Centre Park Drive, Austin, TX 78754.

Subscription rates: One Year – $20; Single copies $3.00. Periodical postage paid at Austin, TX, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Southwestern Musician, P.O. Box 140465, Austin, TX 78714-0465. Southwestern Musician was founded in 1915 by A.L. Harper. Renamed in 1934 and published by Dr. Clyde Jay Garrett. Published 1941–47 by Dr. Stella Owsley.

Incorporated in 1948 as National by Harlan-Bell P ­ ublishers, Inc. Published 1947–54 by Dr. H. Grady Harlan. Purchased in 1954 by D.O. Wiley. Texas Music Educator was founded in 1936 by Richard J. Dunn and given to the Texas Music Educators Association, whose official publication it has been since 1938. In 1954, the two magazines were merged using the name Southwestern Musician combined with the Texas Music Educator under the editorship of D.O. Wiley, who continued to serve as editor until his retirement in 1963. At that time ownership of both magazines was assumed by TMEA. In August 2004 the TMEA Executive Board changed the name of the publication to Southwestern Musician.

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Southwestern Musician | April 2022

Welcome, 2022–2023 TMEA Executive Board

President Michael Stringer

President-Elect Dana Pradervand

D IV IS IO N A L

Band Shane Goforth

Orchestra Ann G. Smith

Past-President John Carroll

V ICE- PR ES ID E NTS

Vocal Jesse Cannon II

Elementary Katherine Johns

College Matthew McInturf

Post-Convention Offerings Continuing Professional Education Continuing Professional Education credit is available only to TMEA active members and out-of-state registrants who attended the convention. Attendees with family or visitor badges and retired or student members do not have access to create CPE records.

1. Go to www.tmea.org/cpe and log in.

2. Select events you attended to completion.

Clinic Handouts Go to the full schedule at www.tmea.org/2022schedule to find a clinic. If the clinician provided handout files, a link will be at the bottom of the clinic description under the PDF heading. You can also download them from your convention mobile app.

Clinic Audio Files If you purchased access, go to www.tmea.org/convention.

Follow the link to log in and download these files.

If you attended but didn’t purchase this access, you can call Susan Daugherty at 888-318-8632, ext. 105, to purchase access via credit card payment ($10) by April 30.

3. Save your CPE selections.

4. Print your CPE record and submit it to your administrator. Keep a copy for your records.

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Southwestern Musician | April 2022

Performance Recordings

At www.tmea.org/convention, you will find a link to the online store for concert recordings.

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TMEA President MICHAEL STRINGER

Keep Celebrating Music Together!

While our virtual convention was amazing, there is just nothing that can replace the awe of coming together as one body to remember why we celebrate music in our classrooms daily.

A

t the end of the 2020 convention, when we celebrated TMEA’s Centennial, I never dreamed that just a few weeks later we would be completely isolated from one another and learning to communicate and make music through our computers. As the world was able to open again, our students returned to school, we hosted live auditions, and anticipated the inperson TMEA Clinic/Convention. I was overjoyed as I looked forward to the convention so aptly themed Celebrating Music Together.

While our virtual convention was amazing, there is just nothing that can replace the awe of coming together as one body to remember why we celebrate music in our classrooms daily! I want to publicly thank President John Carroll for leading us to the finish line. This convention did not materialize overnight, nor was it easy to get there, but John always kept his focus on the goal. He led the Executive Board and membership through tough conversations that allowed us to offer a convention from which members could leave inspired, rededicated, and ready for whatever the rest of the school year might bring (and ready for the 2023 convention!). I think we can safely say, mission accomplished! I left the convention more inspired than ever, ready to make a greater impact on the wonderful students and amazing educators of my district.

The Small Things My wife, who is a school counselor, has been saying for months that

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Southwestern Musician | April 2022

MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates

April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2).

May 1—TMEA 2022–2023 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission.

May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award.

May 1–June 1—2023 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online.

June 30—All 2021–2022 TMEA memberships expire.

July 21–23—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.

A Member of the Texas A&M University System

2022 SUMMER MUSIC CAMP SERIES Texas Summer Flute Symposium

June 12-17

Leadership, Drum Major & Color Guard Camp

June 19-23

Marching Arts Director Symposium

June 20-22

Summer Percussion Camp & Director Symposium

June 27-July 1

All State Choir Camp

July 6-9

Blast of Brass

July 10-16

Camp Granada - Elementary Music Day Camp

July 18-22

Online registration now open: tamuc.edu/music

@TAMUCMusic | @TAMUCBands | @TAMUCChoirs

educators are tired of hearing that they need to make time for themselves—it’s time to figure out how to help relieve stress and improve the mental health of our educators. I couldn’t agree with her more! As I contemplated what she said and what I would write in my first column as TMEA President, I realized my response is that the best thing we can do is celebrate.

When I reflect on my time in the classroom, I remember specific moments, and each moment is so joyful in my mind— the time a student felt confident in their abilities after several after-school tutoring

sessions, the performance where I knew the ensemble understood the meaning of the piece by their performance, and the moments of silence just before I put my arms down and then heard bravo yelled loudly from the audience.

Those little celebrations are etched in my memory, and I often reflect on them to lift my spirit or just keep me moving. In my most stressful moments—those when I just can’t seem to keep going—I reach into my “happy box” and read a card from a student or a colleague that reminds me of the small impact I have made. I find these

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All-State Choir Camp

JUNE 6 - 9, 2022

Teaching in the Middle School Band

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Southwestern Musician | April 2022

reminders help me release just a little bit of tension and give me just enough motivation to keep going.

Disconnect Every time I open social media, I can’t help but be inundated with things that are wrong. No matter what side of the aisle I am on about an issue, the other side seems to be yelling at me that I am wrong. Those aligned with me on the issue are yelling at them that they are wrong. It seems to be an endless cycle that leads only to more stress in my life. Lately, as I have found myself under more stress than ever, I have found it relieving to simply disconnect. I go home, spend quality time with my loved ones, maybe play some video games, and don’t think about what the people on social media are saying. I often leave my computer at work and turn off my email on my phone to get away from it all. While this doesn’t happen daily, when I do disconnect, it offers a break that allows me to recharge and get ready for the next concern, event, or meeting. I encourage you just to find some time for disconnecting from the busyness that today’s society and work environment bring. Find things that bring you joy and, even if only periodically, concentrate on those things instead.

Be Together One of my favorite things is getting together with my musician friends to decompress. Honest and open discussions about challenges we are facing let me know I am not going through the stress alone. When I gather with colleagues from other districts who are facing the same (or similar) issues, we can collaborate and find ways to get through them. Often, I find that my colleagues have found a better or more efficient strategy to handle exactly what is causing the greatest stresses in my life. A casual discussion or shop talk sometimes is just what the doctor ordered! Of course, being around friends and colleagues does not always have to revolve around work.

Remember that sometimes just enjoying the company of those with whom you are close can soothe your soul and give your batteries a recharge. As the conversation ebbs and flows between work and life, allow the joy of being together to fill your soul and reignite your flame so you enter your classroom refreshed and rejuvenated, ready for whatever the next day, week, or semester will throw at you.

Appreciation of Service Each year, a bittersweet time occurs at the conclusion of our convention where we say goodbye to outgoing members of the Executive Board and welcome our new ones. I want to recognize outgoing College Division Vice-President Paul Sikes for his faithful and excellent service not only to our College Division but also to the entire membership. Additionally, we say a heartfelt goodbye to our Immediate Past-President, Brian Coatney. Brian has faithfully served TMEA for the past five years as both the Orchestra Division Vice-

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President and President. His leadership, passion, drive, and character were always on display at every Board meeting and in every decision that was made.

With goodbyes come wonderful hellos as we welcome our newly elected Executive Board members, Shane Goforth as our Band Division Vice-President and Matthew McInturf as our College Division Vice-President. You can read their first columns in this issue. Also, a huge congratulations to Dana Pradervand, who just ended her term as the Band Division Vice-President and now begins her term as President-Elect.

Celebrating TMEA Staff and Exhibitors Enough cannot be said about the amazing staff that we have at TMEA. These nine individuals are simply the best in the business. They work tirelessly to ensure a smooth convention and work year-round to continue to make TMEA the strongest music organization in the nation. It would be impossible for the membership to know all the things they do to promote music education in our state, but their work is evident in the lives of the millions of children who study music each day in our schools!

TMEA would also like to offer a special thanks to the many exhibitors for their presence at our convention in San Antonio. One trip around the exhibit floor and you know that these dedicated companies are integral to music education and the future of TMEA. Also, a special thanks to our higher education institutions who exhibited during the convention for your support of our students and TMEA.

All-State Mariachi and Percussion Ensembles What an absolute treat it was to hear our inaugural performances of the AllState Mariachi and Percussion Ensembles.

The display of musicianship and artistry from these magnificent groups was aweinspiring. I am so proud that TMEA is able to spotlight such a wide variety of musical styles with our All-State program and cannot wait to see what the future holds for these amazing groups.

Region Meetings Please remember to attend your spring Region meeting. You can get information on the time and location at www.tmea.org/ regionmeeting. Region meetings offer opportunities to network, and make your voice heard on region and state issues.

TMEA Clinic Proposals Open May 1 Take time now to start working on a proposal to present a clinic or music showcase at our 2023 TMEA Clinic/ Convention. The clinic submission process opens on May 1 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 1. More information about submitting is at www.tmea.org/proposals.

Our membership has so much to learn from each other and the clinics provided by our members are always highly requested on TMEA surveys. If you have a great idea, teaching practice, or something that works for you, please apply to be a presenter so we can continue to advance music education together!

As you are receiving this issue, there are only a few weeks left in the school year. I wish you and your students the best and most successful end to your year.

Remember to find time to celebrate music together.

0

CPE CREDIT Every performance and almost every clinic featured during the 2022 Clinic/Convention is eligible for continuing professional education credit.

If eligible, go to www.tmea.org/cpe to log in and create your certificate.

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JUNE 26 -JULY 1, 2022

BAND, CHOIR, & ORCHESTRA ACHIEVEMENT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL BANDS

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TMEA Executive Director ROBERT FLOYD

Never Have We Needed It More Never has our need for each other been more apparent than during the four-day Celebrating Music Together convention.

T

hroughout the pandemic, we all began to recognize the one basic need that overrode all others in terms of healing and surviving. We realized we need each other to withstand the challenges that the pandemic brought from its first days. As we all began to teach and work virtually, the isolation began to wear on us more each day, and we soon realized videoconferencing, email, or phone calls were inadequate to meet that need, both professionally and personally.

We first began to see that need surface in our students. The isolation began to erode social skills, and mental health issues became more prevalent as students’ abilities to concentrate, focus, and communicate in a personal manner lessened, though we did not realize the depth of that impact until this past fall when everyone returned to school. Thankfully, a healing process in our classrooms, while still ongoing, is progressing in a positive way.

Initially, many believed our students would weather the pandemic with minimal challenges. After all, kids have grit, they are resilient, and they are tough, and as teachers and parents we generally believed that. However, I recall hearing a mom on a national news program even recently proclaim, not so fast! She shared that in the case of her son, he heard that message as well, and because he did not want to disappoint, he suppressed his real emotions over the months of isolation and as a result is battling serious mental health issues.

Even now, NPR recently shared a study that 94% of parents believe their children have social and emotional health challenges because of COVID. Please never forget that we are the healers in our classrooms, and

12 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates

April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2).

May 1—TMEA 2022–2023 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission.

May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award.

May 1–June 1—2023 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online.

June 30—All 2021–2022 TMEA memberships expire.

July 21–23—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.

it is a part of what we do.

So back to my initial statement—it was not just the students who needed each other but each of us as well. Never has that been more apparent than during the four-day Celebrating Music Together convention. In the convention survey, we received multiple comments that echoed that need, but none as deeply as the following: “I was ready to quit teaching music before I attended the convention . . . a few days away from my job attending TMEA changed my entire perspective. I am back in my classroom, enjoying my students, and making music!”

I do not believe any of us, including staff, who labored countless hours in partnership with the Board to produce it, predicted the gratification and healing that we too felt to get back together again. The challenges were many, from planning with our service providers who were understaffed, to creating a COVID protocol for attendees, to safely housing over 1,800 All-State students from across the state, to losing almost 500 hotel rooms after they had been reserved, to presenters and attendees withdrawing for COVID and other reasons, yet it all came together when we needed it the most.

14 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

I must congratulate the membership for the sacrifices you made to attend this convention. Despite COVID and struggles to obtain substitutes, we had almost 10,000 active member/teachers in attendance.

All-State student chaperons had additional responsibilities, and many directors and sponsors of 35 invited and 44 music showcase ensembles had limited rehearsal time to prepare. Finally, 513 companies and higher education institutions made the trip to San Antonio, occupying 1,257 booths in the exhibit hall, with the faith that the costs would be worth it financially.

The Executive Board and staff thank you all for your support!

This issue of Southwestern Musician is dedicated to remembrances of the 2022 Clinic/Convention. Enjoy!

These Are the Heroes I remember visiting with a member at the 2020 convention about an advocacy/ legislative policy issue, and I commented that we had materials in the office I could send him. His response caught me a bit off guard. He responded inquisitively, “TMEA has an office?” And I answered, “Yes, we do have an office in Austin as

well as a staff of nine dedicated, talented employees.” We laughed about it, and he was a bit embarrassed that he did not know that. Of course, it does take a staff to carry out the day-to-day operations of TMEA, not to mention planning an annual convention. Perhaps you have heard me say on occasion that our staff is TMEA’s greatest asset and that I am proud to say that every employee in the office now I had the privilege of hiring. It is my single greatest contribution to the past as well as the ongoing and future success of TMEA. The pandemic has taken its toll on our membership, and certainly the impact is the same for our staff. A short three weeks after our 2020 convention, where we celebrated TMEA’s Centennial, the world was put on hold. For the past 24 months, the never-ending challenges it brought continued at a rapid pace. We developed the new website, virtual audition processes, and a virtual convention. Then, just like teachers pivoting in their work, we found ourselves creating safety protocols that could support a return to in-person auditions, clinics/concerts, and our face-to-face convention that hopefully all attendees believe was truly a celebration of music together.

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Camps & Workshops* TCU VOCAL ARTS CAMP • MAY 20-22 COREY TRAHAN, JAMES RODRIGUEZ PERCUSSION CAMP • JUNE 8&9 BRIAN WEST SAXOPHONE WORKSHOP • TBA JOE ECKERT TCU BAND CAMPS • JUNE 12-18 BOBBY FRANCIS FLUTE WORKSHOP • JUNE 20&21 SHAUNA THOMPSON HARP WORKSHOP • JUNE 22-24 MALLORY MCHENRY ALL-STATE CHOIR CAMP • JULY 10-16 SHERI NEILL, CHRISTOPHER ASPAAS CLARINET WORKSHOP • JULY 18&19 COREY MACKEY STAR WARS AND THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS • JULY 18-21 PAUL CORTESE

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And by the way, this was all taking place while carrying out the daily operations of TMEA, providing member services, producing and editing the publication of Southwestern Musician, managing and protecting the integrity of the 18,500 member database, administering an almost $900,000 elementary grant, assisting the Executive Board members in all their responsibilities, supporting Region officers, continually improving technology for auditions and administrative needs, staying abreast of political challenges and planning for the next legislative session, and the list continues. Now layered on top of this is the planning of the 2023 convention that requires some level of decisionmaking practically every day year-round.

Thus, this section of my column is a tribute to our amazing staff. They pushed through the last two years with commitment, dedication, and fortitude in ways that I hope you will agree have served you as a member with grace, professionalism, and a high level of quality.

Join me in saluting the following staff members. I have listed their years of service as well as their primary job responsibilities (the list of all responsibilities would require many more pages!). You may find a more detailed list of responsibilities of each on the TMEA website: Susan Daugherty, Membership Manager (23 years): Manages our 18,500 member database and protects its integrity, oversees registration at convention, proofs Southwestern Musician and the convention program.

Frank Coachman, Deputy Director (22 years): Develops and manages the audition process, manages all phases of TMEA technology needs, coordinates the annual clinic/convention schedule, and assists with its planning.

Karen Cross, Communications Manager (15 years): Serves as Managing Editor of Southwestern Musician, produces all TMEA print publications and electronic communication, and develops advocacy materials.

Andrew Denman-Tidline, Information Technologist (15 years): Designs web-based applications, supports all staff technology needs, manages TMEA databases, assists with audition programs, and oversees technology for convention registration and All-State housing.

Kay Vanlandingham, Administrative Director (14 years): Serves as office manager,

supports Region and Area officers and the Executive Board, manages All-State student music, and oversees the scholarship, mentoring, and TFME programs.

Rita Ellinger, Administrative Assistant (10 years): Maintains the TMEA Job Board, Texas Music Scholars, and Distinguished Administrator recognition program and provides staff support, convention planning assistance, and sign design.

Cristin Gaffney, Financial Manager (3 years): Manages day-to-day financial operations of TMEA, maintains all general ledger accounts, coordinates the annual audit, and provides Region accounting assistance, IRS tax filings, and other staterequired financial reports.

Zachary Gersch, Exhibits and Advertising Manager (2 years): Manages all aspects of our convention exhibit show and College Night, advertising sales for Southwestern Musician and the convention program, and fills database orders.

When you ask a member what TMEA’s mission is, most respond that it is producing a convention and managing the AllRegion and All-State audition process.

Those charges are certainly the most visible of the tasks tackled on an annual basis. But as shared on the website, Southwestern Musician, and in TMEA News, our programs and services go far beyond these two, all developed by the staff in collaboration with the Executive Board. I encourage you to thank each of them individually as the opportunity presents itself. They indeed are the creative workforce who make TMEA the envy of every other music education association in the country!

Convention Minutes The minutes from the February 2022 TMEA State Board meetings and TMEA’s First and Second General sessions may be read at www.tmea.org/2022minutes.

0

Download the TMEA Anthem

During the First General Session, TMEA members sang our anthem, “It All Begins With Music,” led by members of the All-State Mixed Choir, Symphony Orchestra, and Symphonic Band. You can download several arrangements of this anthem written by Frank Ticheli at www.tmea.org/anthem.

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Instruments Accessories Rental Repair Southwestern Musician | April 2022 17

shaping the future

My middle school band director has had the biggest influence on me. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and she pushed me to be the best that I could be. Without her influence, I wouldn’t be the person I am today and I probably wouldn't have chosen to continue in high school band.

They have shown me what it’s like to give back to the world. I greatly appreciate all my music educators.

They supported me and allowed me the room to grow; they helped me learn when I didn’t think I could.

I honestly don’t think I’d be here without them.

They’ve always been strict and straight to the point, and that’s what allowed me to refine my playing, fix my mistakes, and become a better player overall.

While I knew early on I wouldn’t pursue a career in the arts, I enjoyed choir more than anything else, and my teachers believed in me. That’s all I’ve ever wanted or craved in my life. The validation, support, and encouragement of a part of myself I took so much pride in.

My directors have been the best and most influential people in my life. I appreciate everything they have done for me and have gone through to make me a better version of myself.

The directors who impacted me the most are my current high school choir directors. They have shown me unconditional love and support and have done everything they could to ensure my success throughout the TMEA process as one of the few blind All-Staters in history. They are also the reason I’ve continued with choir and why I want to become a music educator. Seeing the joy they bring to other kids (and myself) and the safe space, love and support they provide has made me realize I want to one day help other kids in that way and pay foreword the kindness and love they’ve shown me.

They have always pushed me to do my best and I thank them for that.

I’ve been in choir for seven years with only two music educators during that period. They’ve each had a huge influence on me, not only as a musician but also as a person. After only a short time, I had a strong desire to become one of them—a music educator.

I'm so lucky that my dad has been my director since I began playing, and having him there next to me the whole time has been such a fun thing! He has loved me, and pushed me to be the best musician I could be.

My directors have always encouraged me, shown me I’m loved, and helped me improve.

My former high school director who is now retired never let me doubt myself. He pushed me and always believed in me regardless of the hardships I endured.

My first teacher showed me that anyone can do anything, no matter race, age, background, or situation. My second teacher introduced me to numerous styles of music and the incredible vastness of music. My current professor taught me that you’re never done practicing—there is always something new to learn.

I wouldn’t be anything I am today without the guidance of my teachers. They taught me everything I know and have never stopped pushing me to be better.

My middle school director especially has this uniquely wonderful passion that made me want to grow, to learn, to do better. It was that passion that made me want to go into music education myself. I have grown so much and will continue to grow, in character and craft, all because of my directors.

18 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

The hundreds of submissions from 2022 All-State musicians reveal the deeply meaningful influence of all music educators. Take time to read through these statements of gratitude—they’re for you.

I can describe my music educators in two words:

dedicated, willing.

My middle school music educators helped me experience the joy of playing and develop a love of music.

My middle school directors influenced me to change my mind and stay in band when I was going to be in sports, I’m so glad they did because otherwise I wouldn’t have had these experiences.

My music educators have influenced me in numerous ways, but the most influential lesson I have learned is how to be a genuinely good person. Whether through lessons on integrity, leadership, timeliness, kindness, or preparation, everything I have learned from them enables me to go into the world and achieve a level of success that otherwise would be unattainable.

I am so much more responsible and organized because of them.

My directors have pushed me to try harder and use every opportunity to get better as a person and as a musician.

I am infinitely grateful for my music educators.

They’ve allowed me all the space I needed to grow, been true mentors and role models for my life who I admire, and have just made me feel loved and respected.

I didn’t have a private teacher, so from that first day of seventh grade to the end of my senior year, my success is owed to my director of six years. He has continually nurtured, supported, and pushed me in the best ways, and he has inspired me to become a music educator.

Every music educator has taught me to look beyond the problems, to see what I’m doing right, and start from there. I’ve been shown that I don’t need to over-criticize and critique myself to reach my goals.

I’ve taken private lessons with multiple educators since my sixth-grade year, and I still use techniques they provided me—they all help me improve my playing.

My music educators have supported me through learning music, but more than that, they have supported my growth as a person as I learn more about myself and what I want to do.

By teaching me the skills I needed to be a beautiful singer, they also gave me the tools to apply the same lessons to my life. It’s incredible how years of being asked to “look up” from my music also taught me to watch and appreciate the world around me.

They have helped cultivate my love of music and learning. My directors have done everything in their power to help me grow in a small music program. I’m sure it’s not easy to deal with me, but they always take time to listen to my music and help me improve.

Because of them, I am pursuing a degree in music education next year.

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 19

Submit a Proposal for the 2023 TMEA Clinic/Convention Why Submit?

What Topics?

The Purpose

Offering 300 professional development clinics is one of the most amazing aspects of the TMEA Clinic/ Convention! Convention attendees have spoken, and they want clinics offered by teachers who are in situations like theirs. They want to learn from those who teach the same grade levels and in similar environments. Share what you know and help colleagues across the state return home with new ideas and strategies!

In 2023, attendees want to learn about: • rehearsal techniques • teaching methods (EC–college) • instrument methods • recruiting and retention • classroom management • repertoire selection • technology integration • diversity, equity, inclusion, access • conducting techniques • advocacy/community support • and much more

Each division will host a diverse program of clinics to ensure every member has multiple offerings to foster their professional advancement and to help them in their personal support of all students through music education. Clinics will further TMEA’s commitment to music education for all: every student at every level deserves a well-balanced education that includes a comprehensive, highquality, sequential program of music taught by teachers who are certified in music education.

Learn about the updated process and get ready to apply!

www.tmea.org/proposals APPLY MAY 1 – JUNE 1 20 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

THIS IS YOUR MOMENT Instrumental Auditions November 19, 2021 February 5, 2022 March 5, 2022

Vocal Auditions November 19, 2021 February 19, 2022

March 26, 2022 April 9, 2022

March 5, 2022 April 2, 2022

Auditions are available in person, virtual livestream or video submission. acu.edu/music • 325-674-2199 • music@acu.edu

Degree Programs Bachelor of Arts in Music Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance Bachelor of Music (teacher certification)

Performance Opportunities A Cappella Chorus Big Purple Colorguard / Acuity Winterguard Big Purple Marching Band Concert Band Gospel Choir Jazz Combos Jazz Ensemble Opera Orchestra Percussion Ensemble Steel Drum Band University Chorale Wind Ensemble 220001-0122

2022 TMEA CLINIC/CONVENTION

22 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 23

o t d e s o p p u s Is it ! ? t a h t e k i l d n u o s

Come to Band Director Boot Camp where you will learn how to: Play all of the notes on oboe and bassoon.

Teach concepts and techniques.

Adjust oboe and bassoon reeds.

Jennifer Auerbach & Sally Bohls

Dallas: May 30 - June 1 Houston: June 20 - 22

TMEA Band Vice-President SHANE GOFORTH

Learning and Growing Together These invaluable experiences are what make our annual convention an engine of creativity, education, motivation, and self-improvement that continues to ignite growth and innovation in the music classrooms of Texas and beyond.

In Memoriam Mark Nalley, Jr. July 8, 1954–January 25, 2022 John Miller Trousdale January 22, 1946–January 28, 2022

MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates

April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2).

May 1—TMEA 2022–2023 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission.

May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award.

May 1–June 1—2023 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online.

June 30—All 2021–2022 TMEA memberships expire.

July 21–23—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.

O

n the Monday after our 2022 convention, I asked a group of students who were excited about having attended as TFME members to share their most influential or favorite experience from the convention. Their hands shot up, all hoping to speak, and the first student I called on exclaimed, “That low brass entrance in the last movement of the Pines of Rome at the UT concert!” His comment spawned a litany of conversations around musicality, tone production, articulation, vertical timing, practice habits, and career choices. The exchange motivated students who weren’t there to learn about the Pines of Rome so they might better understand what had ignited such a fire in the young man.

The thought that continued to resonate in my mind was how only a live performance, and one of that level, can affect minds, hearts, and souls in such an influential way. The combination of years of craft being expressed through artistic intent, realized in vibrations that are felt as much as they are heard by the audience is so powerful. It can bring profound joy to a room and even give direction to some who are present to witness it.

The experience of growing and learning together after so many months apart was truly inspirational. After being enlightened in the last of Judy Willis’s brain research clinics, I found myself standing in a circle composed of mentors and students, discussing how we could apply what we had just learned of dopamine release and game theory to our accountability practices to provide motivation, effectiveness, and efficiency for our students. Three generations of music educators passionately exchanged

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 25

ideas with the purpose of enhancing their students’ experiences—interrupting, interjecting, and infusing the conversation with great ideas, all while making our way to the next session.

These invaluable experiences are what make our annual convention an engine of creativity, education, motivation, and self-improvement that continues to ignite growth and innovation in the music classrooms of Texas and beyond. I am so grateful for those moments and appreciative of the volunteers who are instrumental in facilitating such awesome experiences every year. Please join me in thanking all those involved in the hard work of bringing our in-person convention to fruition.

As the Band Division, we offer a special thanks to Dana Pradervand for her incredible service and leadership in the past two years as our state Band Chair.

I am truly humbled and honored to have been elected to carry on the great legacy of leadership that has molded TMEA and the Band Division into the organization that it is today. I pledge to work alongside you, finding solutions to any challenges we might face as we continue to facilitate awesome educational experiences for the young musicians of Texas.

Honor Band By this printing, the March 1 Honor Band entry deadline will have passed, but if you entered the process, please make sure that you meet all the Region-level

deadlines as posted on your Honor Band entry page. I encourage all directors entering the Honor Band process to review the updated Rules and Entry page on the website as we put into practice our newly adopted processes and procedures for the first time (www.tmea.org/honorband).

Some of these changes are: • High school bands are limited to 35 minutes and middle school bands to 25 minutes of recorded music.

• The band’s UIL Region Concert and Sightreading performance is no longer a required submission.

• Four bands from each classification will advance from Region to Area.

• For 2C, 3C, 5A, and 6A, one band per every four bands in a classification at Area will advance to State.

• For 1C, 1A/2A, 3A, and 4A, up to eight bands per Area Listening Center per classification may advance from Area to State.

Area Listening Centers for 2022 • Areas A & B (Abilene/Abilene Christian Univ): Steven Dojahn, Chair • Areas C & D (Dallas/Duncanville HS): David Brandon, Chair • Areas F & H (Houston/Klein Oak HS): Todd Clearwater, Chair • Areas E & G (San Antonio/Alamo Heights HS): David Stephenson, Chair

Invited Jazz and Percussion Ensembles Please consider submitting an application and recording for your middle school jazz band, high school jazz band, or high school percussion ensemble to perform at the 2023 TMEA Clinic/Convention. The application process must be completed by June 1 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Go to www.tmea.org/invitedjazz and www.tmea.org/invitedpercussion to learn more and apply.

Spring Region Meetings I encourage you to attend your spring Region meeting in the coming months.

Your input and active participation is crucial to running successful Region organizations, and the decisions made at the Region level have a direct impact on your students. Please attend, voice your opinion, and consider volunteering for one of the many rewarding opportunities available each year. You can find information regarding Region meeting dates, times, and locations on page 2 of this issue and at www.tmea.org/regionmeeting.

2023 Convention Proposals While we begin to work toward our next convention based on what we learned at the 2022 event, it’s the perfect time to consider applying to present a clinic of your own. You can learn more about sharing your favorite pedagogical technique or educational strategy with your peers at www.tmea.org/proposals. Clinic proposals are accepted from May 1 to June 1, so organize your thoughts now to complete your application by the deadline. TMEA members consistently report that they appreciate clinics presented by their fellow Texas music educators the most. In our convention survey, the following are the top-rated clinic topics that Band Division members selected (in descending order of priority): • Rehearsal techniques • Instrument methods • Recruiting and retention • Technology integration • Repertoire selection • Classroom management • Teaching methods • Conducting techniques • Advocacy/Administrative support

26 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

• Urban or rural challenges & strategies

board, Lila Cockrell stage crew and the many volunteers,

TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE

WIND ENSEMBLE TMEA 2022

for helping to make our performance possible!

c i s u M

IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE! Located in the heart of East Texas, TJC offers a comprehensive music program in all areas of study!

To find out more about our exciting performance opportunities and competitive scholarships, scan the appropriate QR code below.

BAND

CHOIR

STRINGS AND PIANO

TJC.edu/music

Band Division Meeting Minutes February 10, 2022, 5:15 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Dana Pradervand, TMEA Band Division Vice-President.

Minutes: Shane Goforth moved to accept the minutes of the 2021 meeting as printed in the April 2021 issue of Southwestern Musician. There was a second from the floor and the motion passed by acclamation.

Band Division Chair Election: Support speeches were offered for the candidates for the 2022–2024 Band Division Chair and Vice-President: Kerry Taylor spoke for Shane Goforth, Steven Moore spoke for Eric Gray, and Andy Sealy spoke for Gerry Miller. Members then cast their votes.

Pradervand recognized the past Band Division Vice-Presidents in attendance.

Texas Bandmasters Association Report: Roland Sandoval, TBA President, updated the membership about the 75th Annual Convention, being held July 20–24, 2022, in San Antonio. The BBQ returns on Wednesday night; in-person High School Student Day is returning. The US Navy Band is the headline ensemble.

R 48TH YEA

UIL Update: Dr. Brad Kent updated the membership on UIL business.

Acknowledgements: Prader vand thanked Region and Area leadership.

Election Runoff: The members cast votes in a runoff election between Shane Goforth and Eric Gray.

Honor Band: Pradervand announced March 1 as the entry deadline and encouraged members to go to the website to ensure they understood and followed the new policies.

Invited Ensemble Development Committee: Pradervand announced that we are still working on this idea and coming up with proposals for the future of the Invited Band Process.

Members were reminded to pick up any submissions and they were requested to provide feedback on the following to their Region Chairs: • Online All-State ensemble seating and Wednesday night process.

• How the last Region alignment has affected your Region (not apportionment).

Shane Goforth was announced as the next Band Division Vice-President.

The meeting was adjourned by Dana Pradervand at 5:56 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Tom Harrington, Region 27 Band Division Chair.

0

Attend Your TMEA Region Meeting!

Stay updated and get involved in the future of your association. See page 2 for the schedule.

ajor s: Drum M • Color Guard ck a tr ll a ber s for Band Mem is the focu her Leadership r / Squad Leader • • Beginning Marc r e he ad Section Le Intermediate Marc struction n • n arching In nducting Instructio io s M s • d Percu n a o B C z z • a J n Band • Instructio Marching adership Full Camp ds Pedagogy • Le y • Master Classes Win Part Marching • Aquatic Center s re! e m a G ign many mo Mega : Drill Des Development and e d u cl in directors to Guard Design and Clinics for • t Planning Retiremen muter, ponsor, 1, 2022 ns March er or $290 per com – Band Director/S e p o n o ti 0 Registra ime camp ear), $34 0 per full-t Member (Current Y ending students 9 3 $ t: s o C tt d amp State Ban ith 10 or a adershipc le d $290 – All Director/Sponsor w n a b / u nd .hputx.ed $250 – Ba visit www e s a le p , n atio lete inform F o r c o mp rsity yne Unive Arts a P rd a w Ho Fine 715 Music and X 76801-2 School of eet, Brownwood, T Str 1000 Fisk 2 50 325-649-8

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 29

UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS THE ART OF BAND CONDUCTING AND REHEARSING WORKSHOP June 12-16, 2022 University of Texas faculty in addition to Craig Kirchhoff & Richard Floyd, Guest Clinicians Featured Repertoire: Katahj Copley – Serenade for Wind Nonet Franz Krommer – Octet-Partita in F, Op. 57 Wolfgang Mozart – Serenade No. 11 in F-flat Elizabeth Raum – Suite from Carmen, The Passion for WW Octet Richard Strauss – Serenade in E-flat, Op. 7 Igor Stravinsky – Octet for Wind Instruments Additional activities: Mindfulness Meditation Panel Discussions Lecture Sessions One-on-one feedback Celebration Dinner Cruise

TEXASBANDS.ORG

2022 TMEA Scholarship Recipients Five-Year Undergraduate Scholarships

BILL CORMACK Victoria Reed Hondo HS, Hondo ISD

PAST-PRESIDENTS

PAST-PRESIDENTS MEMORIAL

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Julia Johnson Liberty HS, Frisco ISD

David Flores King HS, Kingsville ISD

Elizabeth Wolfe Anna HS, Anna ISD

One-Year Undergraduate—$2,500 Abigail Bahng, Katy HS Reed Beishir, Langham Creek HS Soraya Brown, Denison Sr HS Chase Cano, Weiss HS Veronica Flores, Palmer HS

Caleb Haffner, West Rusk HS Kayla Hinton, Seguin HS Seth Meason, Amarillo HS Gracie Miller, Little Elm HS Marimar Ortiz, Hidalgo EC HS

James Stephenson, MacArthur HS Colby Stone, Barbers Hill HS James Sugg, Henderson HS Karen Valdez, Nixon HS Maryn West, Conroe HS

COLLEGE DIVISION One-Year Undergraduate—$2,500

Ashley Adams, Baylor Univ McKenna Babcock, Baylor Univ Eric Boatman, Texas Tech Univ Amber Bowen, Texas Christian Univ Brandon Lippert, Univ of Texas Permian Basin Charli Martin, Texas Tech Univ Kaylee Smith, Baylor Univ Makenna Weatherby, Baylor Univ Isabel Alvarado, Univ of Texas San Antonio Alexandria Cantu, Texas A&M Univ-Corpus Christi Audrey Cascarelli, Baylor Univ April Hull, Baylor Univ Brigit Johnson, Texas Tech Univ Alexandra Nepomnyashy, Baylor Univ Marshall Oman, Stephen F. Austin State Univ Glenna Stalcup, Texas A&M Univ-Commerce

One-Semester Student Teacher—$2,500 Lauren Allen, Texas Tech Univ Benjamin Bowman, Univ of Houston Hannah Brayfield, Univ of North Texas Daniel Cavazos, Texas State Univ Celeste Collette, Univ of Texas El Paso Joshua Crawford, Texas Tech Univ Alaina Galt, Texas Tech Univ Rebecca Garcia, Univ of Texas at Arlington Juan Guardiola, Sam Houston State Univ

Haley Guerra, Univ of Texas Rio Grande Valley Ashley Flood, Univ of Houston Anna Kim, Texas Tech Univ Kaylee Knafelz, Texas Tech Univ Abby Losos, Texas Tech Univ Andrew Marks, Univ of Texas at Austin Gabrielle McCullough, Univ of Houston Rodolfo Mireles-Manzano, Univ of North Texas Marshall Mixon, Texas Tech Univ Jennifer Mountz, Texas State Univ Kevin Perez, Texas A&M Univ-Kingsville Courtnie Smith, Tarleton State Univ Parker Twilligear, Texas Tech Univ Patrick Vu, Texas Christian Univ Misa Womack, Texas Tech Univ

One-Year Graduate Study—$2,500

TMEA is awarding $205,000 in scholarship funds for students who will be working toward careers in music education or furthering their current careers with additional studies.

Julissa Chapa, Garfield ES Sylvia Garza, Magnolia West HS/Texas Tech Univ Antionette Harris, Wagner HS/ Texas Tech Univ William McLean, Univ of North Texas Lisa Tatum, Texas Tech Univ Kimberley Ahrens, Robinson MS/Univ of North Texas Thomas Rinn, Univ of North Texas Lauren Robertson, Univ of North Texas Kenneth Sieloff, Permian HS Lindsey Spitsberg, Lubbock HS

Support the Scholarship Fund:

tmea.org/donate

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 31

Meet your

MENTORS

at Texas State University music.txstate.edu brass

Keith Winking, trumpet* Robert Cannon, trumpet Andrew Cheetham, trumpet Martin G. McCain, Jr., trombone Raúl I. Rodríguez, euphonium/tuba Caroline Steiger, horn Ron Wilkins, trombone

composition Michael Ippolito* Richard Hall, electronic Jack Wilds

jazz

Utah Hamrick, bass/ensemble* Andrew Cheetham, trumpet/ensemble Russell Haight, saxophone Hank Hehmsoth, piano/composition Arthur Latin II, drum set/ensemble Brian Pardo, guitar/combos Ron Wilkins, trombone Keith Winking, trumpet

keyboard

Jason Kwak, piano* Daria Rabotkina, piano John Schmidt, organ

latin music studies

Juan Rosaly, Salsa* Michelle Quintero, Mariachi Voice Miguel Guzmán, Mariachi Instruments Rene Gonzalez, Latin Percussion

percussion Genaro Gonzalez* Kari Klier Robert A. Lopez

Texas State University, to the extent not in conflict with federal or state law, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Texas State University is a tobacco-free campus.

• Nationally/internationally renowned performers, recording artists, research-scholars • Fulbright Scholars and Specialists • Grammy Award Winners

• Global Music Award Winners • Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition Winners • San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows • American Prize Winners • American Protégé Award Winners

strings

Ames Asbell, viola* Mark Cruz, guitar Utah Hamrick, bass Karla Hamelin, cello Lynn F. Ledbetter, violin

voice

Ron Ulen, baritone* Daveda Karanas, mezzo-soprano Richard Novak, tenor Timothy O’Brien, baritone Cheryl Parrish, soprano Suzanne Ramo, soprano Myra Vassian, soprano

woodwind

Adah Toland Jones, flute* Ian Davidson, oboe Daris Word Hale, bassoon Todd Oxford, saxophone Vanguel Tangarov, clarinet Brian Trittin, saxophone *area coordinator

Congratulations, Four-Year All-State Musicians The following musicians qualified for membership in Texas All-State ensembles four consecutive years. Our congratulations go to these incredible students and their families and teachers for this most impressive accomplishment!

Diego Arias, Rivera HS Michael Arizmendi, Veterans Memorial HS Andrew Ash, CenTex Christian Academy Lindsey Austin, Clear Springs HS Matthew Averyt, Saint Mary’s Hall Caroline Baird, Dekalb HS Serenity Booth, Iowa Park HS George Cardozo, Hebron HS Cadence Carpio, Harlingen HS Tanav Chachad, Plano West Sr HS Leeah Chang, Seven Lakes HS Irene Chao, Richardson HS Bryan Chen, Allen HS Ivy Chen, Plano Sr HS Jacob Choi, Liberty HS Pari Dhawan, Elkins HS Grace Droge, Allen HS

Zach Dyess, Canton HS April Feng, Seven Lakes HS Timothy Feng, Dulles HS Grace Flanakin, Lumberton HS Finlay Gaskins, Washington HS Grace Gum, Bowie HS Sophia Gutierrez, Sonora HS Julie Killgore, McGregor HS Christine Kim, Plano West Sr HS Aidan Knight, Clear Springs HS Ryan Lederer, Wylie HS Christian Luevano, Guyer HS Nicholas Mathew, Shadow Creek HS Nicolas McDowell, Southcrest Christian School Matthew Morgan, Washington HS Avery Nicks, Canton HS Marimar Ortiz, Hidalgo HS

Samantha Pape, Kinder HSPVA Adam Parham, Arlington Heights HS Emily Park, Hebron HS Paul Park, Centennial HS Yangli Peng, Ranchview HS Arissa Perez, Veterans Memorial HS Orlando Perez, Veterans Memorial HS Edwin Pompa Gallegos, Littlefield HS Chaya Ranganatha, Centennial HS Brandon Reyes, Brazosport HS Brandon Sanchez, Pace HS Jamie Smith, McGregor HS Blake Usleton, Canyon HS Maanas Varma, Flower Mound HS Ellie Wolfe, Anna HS Jenny Xun, Tompkins HS Tommy Yu, Dulles HS

Nominate Your Students for the Texas Music Scholar Award The TMEA Music Scholar Award recognizes students in high school music programs who exemplify attributes of meritorious performance in the areas of scholarship, musicianship, and citizenship. Designation is attained by TMEA Active Member recommendation of students in grades 9–12 who have met the following criteria during the current school year: • Is a viable member of the school’s parent musical organization for the entire school year.

• Maintains in all cumulative coursework an overall “A” average as defined by the local school district for the current school year.

• Maintains academic eligibility for the entire school year.

• Participates in all scheduled events of the parent organization.

• Attends, as an audience member, two director-approved concert events at the high school, collegiate, or professional level during the school year.

• Has auditioned for, been selected to, and participated as required in a TMEA or ATSSB organization (band, orchestra, or choir).

• Performs a UIL Prescribed Music List Class 1 solo for a competition or public performance.

• Consistently exhibits behavior that brings honor to the parent organization, school, and community.

Go to www.tmea.org/texas-music-scholar to complete and print the application.

The printed form must be signed by the appropriate school officials and must be postmarked by May 1 to qualify.

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 33

Lessons

Attendees shared the following concepts and ideas they learned during the

The fewer preparatory beats I give, the fewer chances students have for entering early or not together.

I learned that some west Africans move up instead of down on the strong beats, particularly beat 1. I also learned some handy ways to avoid physical contact when folk dancing, such as using scarves.

While learning new music, one stand partner counts while the other plays. I tried this with my beginners and it really helped.

Relationships are the key to success—at all levels and in all ways. Students, parents, administrators, and support staff contribute to the success of any organization.

Waiting to add musical expression until all notes and rhythms are mastered is like breaking your arm, placing it in a cast for six weeks, and then setting the bones.

Plan every activity you want them to do, or they will plan their own.

Using the word pause instead of freeze or stop results in a less abrupt cease of motion.

It is time to challenge the way we talk about and select composers to study. We need to access the already diverse multitude of composers from all time periods, races, genders, cultures, and backgrounds.

I learned about how to sit correctly playing the bass with a stool and a yoga block. Have the right foot on the floor and left foot on the yoga block. Be able to touch the bridge with both hands to determine the height of the end pin.

For beginner clarinetists with small hands, a neck strap can be helpful as they continue to grow.

Self-care is not to improve productivity,

it’s to remind you there is something more important than productivity.

In Google docs, there is an add-on called Flat for Docs that has one or two staves and you can click and add notes and rests to the staff for rhythm and melody. I’ve written accompaniments to two songs already!

Vibrato can be taught many ways. Students should realize the thumb is a longer finger than they may realize. It has movement almost to the wrist. To release tension, students should tap the left thumb against the neck before playing to check for tension.

34 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

Good balance protects voices from being covered and allows music to speak more clearly.

I can’t compare the results of my program with the results of a program with different resources. I must celebrate successes that are specific to my program.

I started a playlist of hip hop and other music that is relevant to my students to play as they enter the room and during stretching time. My kids have loved it.

Learned

convention and that they have already put into practice with success.

My biggest takeaway was that conducting is a highly intricate, delicate, and physical task. Stretch your arms and shoulders prior to rehearsing to increase blood flow and enhance fine motor skills used in the details of good conducting technique.

Shorter practice sessions multiple times a day helps us improve because that’s how our brains learn information best.

Have singers snap up high when they release or rest. The accuracy improves, and the visual of seeing their awareness of where to place the consonant is a great instant assessment tool.

Longer hours don’t translate to greater productivity.

Your main job as a teacher is about caring for your student as a whole person. You use the instrument and music as a tool to do that.

When asking questions, get student buy-in by asking them to silently commit to an answer (write it down, hold up a finger behind their hand, find the fingering on their instrument, use an online polling app, etc.). Do this before revealing the answer or having one student answer aloud. Anticipating the answer is part of stimulating the brain for learning.

Make warmups meaningful by associating them with what you need to accomplish that day and monitor for understanding.

Telling students how you feel can be beneficial. Starting sentences with “I feel frustrated when” can take the blame off of them while still getting the point across.

Shifting our perspective from “at-risk” students to students with “potential for success” is a subtle change that demonstrates more respect for the student and encourages them and you to aim higher.

I learned a new way to teach rhythms and incorporate relationship-building. Teach a few two-measure rhythm examples from the music they are about to learn. After performing each rhythm, students choose their favorite.

While walking around the room, each student sings their favorite rhythm with text or on a neutral syllable, trying to find other students with the same rhythm.

Use descriptive words Help your students refresh during class on a deeper rather than musical level by using breathing. terms to convey Have students stand up your intent, such as and breathe in all their “eerie,” “thoughtful,” frustrations, hold for a four or “gentle,” instead count, and then exhale all their gratitude. Repeat this of “softer,” or “piano.” a few times to help your Choose terms that students stay grounded. speak to the intent of the dynamics “We Will Rock You” is a great song rather than the to use in middle school to determine voicing. It has the range of a fourth, literal directive.

Accept mistakes, learn from them, and move on.

with repetitive notes. It can be taught quickly. You can have all sing together and determine voice parts quickly.

I learned about being genuinely more inclusive for all cultures in your classroom. Some educators can have pure intentions of being inclusive for their Latino/a/x students, yet they won’t research what the inclusion should entail musically. Some assume forming a mariachi or salsa ensemble is enough, but that doesn’t include all Latin American cultures. It’s important to be aware of your students’ backgrounds to know what being inclusive should mean.

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 35

TMEA Orchestra Vice-President ANN G. SMITH

Focus on the Joy of the Experience The value of joy in our experience is priceless. Focusing on joy can have an immeasurable impact on our career and life.

T

he TMEA 2022 Clinic/Convention was amazing! The energy and inspiration that permeated the entire convention could not be missed. Each Invited Ensemble brought a high level of performance and musicianship. The exceptional skill development was evident through all invited groups—middle and high school orchestras and high school mariachi ensemble. The clinics and sessions that were presented were full of helpful information and strategies that helped those in attendance walk away from convention as better teachers, directors, conductors, and mentors.

The General Sessions were moving and inspiring. Celebrating Music Together during the first session brought me to tears and touched my soul. The All-State Conductors were inspirational for us and our students who had the privilege of performing under their batons. The AllState performances were magnificent and life-changing.

I approached the 2022 convention from a different perspective, and I learned many things. At the start of the convention, my stress levels were beyond anything I have ever experienced. The greatest lesson I learned during this convention occurred to me Thursday morning. I realized I had a choice to make between allowing the stress to color my convention experience or to enjoy the experience and let it lift me up. I chose to enjoy it.

As educators and as musicians we often find ourselves in situations that bring extreme levels of stress. This can be even more true as we navigate our way back to normalcy while still encountering many obstacles in our path. It has been difficult to manage everything, from trying to make up for loss of learning, to improving recruitment and retention, and dealing with the high level of student absences, missed school days, and higher professional expectations. That doesn’t even account

36 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

In Memoriam Sherrill Calvert November 9, 1955–January 17, 2022 Ron Wells June 8, 1941–March 13, 2022

MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates

April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2).

May 1—TMEA 2022–2023 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission.

May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award.

May 1–June 1—2023 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online.

June 30—All 2021–2022 TMEA memberships expire.

July 21–23—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.

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for the stressors experienced outside our classrooms.

How often do we allow the stress of our situation to rob us of the joy of the experience? In my opinion, this is happening now more than ever. I repeatedly hear colleagues dwelling on stressful situations. What do we get from focusing on the stressors we encounter? What is the value of stress versus the value of the joy of the experience?

I believe there is no positive value in stress. On the other hand, the value of joy in our experience is priceless. Focusing on joy can have an immeasurable impact on our career and life.

I have no doubt that how we react to stress affects our students. It doesn’t matter how good we are at hiding or keeping our stress away from the classroom, it will always have a negative impact on them. We have all heard the saying, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” In this case we are the mamas of our programs, and if we aren’t happy, healthy, and strong, our students and programs can’t be either.

There is no doubt that we all encounter stressful situations, but do we also try to find restorative time each day? Do we work

toward having mindful moments to help lower stress levels and have a good mindset? This quote credited to Ashton Kutcher really brings this point home for me, “Don’t settle for what life gives you. Make life better and build something.” Whatever we encounter, do we make things better, build something, and walk away better for it?

Many of us would categorize ourselves as Type A personalities. We want to have control and be in control of everything that comes our way. This can be a good quality to have. It is a quality that helps us achieve many high-level musical experiences. But we need to realize we can’t control many of the things we encounter. We need to focus on what we can control in the various situations. A good example of this is the inclement weather we have experienced during our UIL preparation season.

We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we react to it and the situation it puts us in. Work to find the benefits and focus on those benefits rather than the negative aspects of the situation.

My last thought about enjoying the experience is the realization that we are all in the same situation. We all have students

who are out of school due to illness. We are all out for the inclement weather days.

We all have missed rehearsals. Everyone has students who for some reason can’t perform. I could go on. Whatever our situation, do we let it work against us or do we seek ways to take advantage of it?

Enjoying the experience doesn’t come naturally for many people. I know it doesn’t for me. Every day I choose to work toward the joy of experience and every day I get better at it. I don’t want stress to rob me of the joy I have teaching and making music. It just isn’t worth it for me or for my students. I want to encourage and challenge all orchestra directors to turn the page on stress; that new page needs to read: “Joy in the experience!” It will get easier and become more second nature the more we do it, and we as well as our students will be the beneficiaries. It’s what all our students deserve!

2023 Convention Proposals Now is the time to prepare to propose a clinic or music showcase for the next TMEA convention. For details, go to www.tmea.org/proposals. Online entry is May 1–June 1. As you prepare, know

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38 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

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Photo credit: Michal Novak

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that through the convention survey, the following were the top-rated clinic topics by those in the Orchestra Division (in descending order of priority): • Rehearsal techniques • Instrument methods • Recruiting and retention • Conducting techniques • Repertoire selection • Technology integration • Classroom management • Teaching methods • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access • Advocacy/Administrative support • Music theory Honor Orchestra As you will read about in the Division meeting minutes, the Honor Orchestra competition will be in place for the 2023 Clinic/Convention. Here are just a few reminders regarding the competition.

The purpose of the Honor Orchestra Competition is to identify the best ensemble in the high school, middle school, full orchestra, and string orchestra categories through a competitive adjudication process, with the top ensemble in each category performing at the TMEA Clinic/ Convention in February. Middle School String and Full Orchestra and High School Full Orchestra competitions are held in the spring prior to the convention performance. The High School String Orchestra Competition takes place in the fall prior to the convention performance.

For the spring competitions directors need to complete Part A no later than May 1. Parts B and C, along with recordings, are submitted by June 1. High School String must complete Part A by September 15. Parts B and C, along with recordings, are submitted by October 15.

For details and rules go to www.tmea.org/ honororchestra. The Orchestra Division is looking forward to the return of this competition and the performances that will take place in February 2023!

Orchestra Division Meeting Minutes February 10, 5:15 p.m.

After the meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. by Orchestra Division VicePresident Ann G. Smith, several items of importance were discussed. The member-

ship was encouraged to attend the clinics presented by Orchestra Division Featured Clinician Margaret Selby and the All-State ensemble rehearsals and performances.

Creston Herron presented the Texas Orchestra Directors Association report, sharing that the 2022 TODA Convention will be in person July 21–23, in San Antonio. Headliner guests will be Jeremy Woolstenhum, Jacob Susayta, and Michael Hopkins.

Gabe Musella presented the UIL report, announcing that COVID protocols are still in place for the remainder of the school year. UIL is excited to report that the UIL State Chamber Ensemble Festival will be taking place this spring. The last item presented is that the UIL website has been updated; please check for these updates.

In old business, feedback was requested and provided regarding the virtual AllState seating auditions. Most stated the virtual auditions were a positive change.

Potential areas for improvement include adjustment of the timeline, moving the auditions closer to convention to allow continued practice of music. Another area of adjustment is clarifying the parameters and process for recording of the virtual

auditions. The Division requested an examination of the Wednesday night sectionals to give the conductors the option to lead this rehearsal.

Members expressed some concern with the past Region alignment, wanting the Board to examine the health and vitality of Regions to ensure positive experiences for students. The alignment of a few Regions do not provide long-term stability for the Orchestra Division.

In new business, the Honor Orchestra competition will resume as it was prior to the suspension due to COVID. Honor Middle School String and Full Orchestra and High School Full Orchestra competitions will occur in the spring of 2022, and High School String Honor Orchestra competition will be in the fall of 2022. Honor Orchestra performances will be during the 2023 TMEA Clinic/Convention. A steering committee has been formed to study and develop an Invited Orchestra Program, in addition to the Honor Orchestra competitions.

With no other new business or announcements, the Orchestra Division meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Meeting minutes submitted by Joe Sipzner.

0

Prepare to Propose Go to www.tmea.org/proposals to learn about the clinic and music showcase proposal process so you are ready to apply starting May 1.

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Southwestern Musician | April 2022 41

Where Students Find Themselves

by Kari Zamora

A

s I waited in the funeral home receiving line, I was overwhelmed. I searched my mind for the right words.

What do I say to these parents who unexpectedly lost their 14-year-old son? What words could I possibly string together that would adequately acknowledge the depth of their loss?

Then it was time. I stood face to face with the father. But before I could speak, he caught me off guard, reaching out to hug me and thank me profusely for everything I had done for his son. The tears began to flow. He looked me in the eyes and explained how orchestra class helped bring out his son’s personality—he found himself and learned who he was through playing his instrument. Finally, the father said, “Never forget that what you do is important.” I wept for our loss, but I also found solace in the magnitude of his words in that moment.

As music educators, we passionately believe we are saving the lives of students. What we teach isn’t extra or just for fun. We strive to meet each student’s needs—helping them find a place where they belong and can develop musical skills. We aren’t in the business of creating professional musicians; our goal, instead, is to influence those we teach to become better human beings. For some, that might be noticed in their pride of playing a scale in tune with all the right notes, while for others it may be in excelling on a concerto. For others still, it’s simply knowing they played their best while keeping up with the class on a piece of music.

We see the impact music education has on our students every day. Students who act up in other classes, students with poor grades, students with pages of accommodations, students who are withdrawn and isolated, and students who don’t speak English all find a place to belong in music class. In our classes, they become successful, focused, and driven to succeed. Many begin by doubting themselves and their abilities, but every student can succeed in music.

A student moved in mid-year from another country and spoke no English. She had played violin before but couldn’t read music.

We couldn’t verbally communicate, but she knew what to do when I placed a violin in her hands. After a few months, she had mastered reading several notes and could play with the class. She was

42 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

successful playing in our spring concert and the smile on her face at the end of the evening told the story.

A student’s family fled their home country with nothing but a suitcase, leaving behind their violins. The student enrolled before the start of sixth grade. Again, we could not communicate verbally, but I pointed to a note on the page, and he put down his fingers to show how to play that note. How glorious it is that music is a universal language! This student is now a highly successful violinist in one of our high school orchestra programs.

A student was failing all their classes except orchestra. The student felt chronically depressed and told counselors that the only thing that brought her joy or anything positive was knowing she was good at playing her instrument. After three years in orchestra, that student is passing all her classes for the first time.

Countless students who feel as if they don’t fit in anywhere else discover their strengths through music. A mother told me she feared her child would have committed suicide had it not been for the identity they found in orchestra.

Each of these stories has convinced me we are indeed in the business of saving lives. These are not isolated events or unique to the students I teach—they happen everywhere, every day. We teach students how to manage stress and deal with adversity. We teach grit and determination. I repeatedly tell our students that about two percent of them might become professional musicians.

So why should they study music? It’s not just because it’s fun. Fun fades. They should study music to become better people. Through studying music, they will develop the life skills that lay a solid foundation for success in any field. They will have the grit and perseverance to handle whatever life throws at them.

Music. It is critical, indispensable, vital, and fundamental. As music educators who have been teaching in such difficult and challenging times, we must draw on the lessons we have taught our students about grit, determination, and perseverance. Perhaps, by teaching music, we are also saving ourselves.

Kari Zamora is Faubion MS Head Orchestra Director (McKinney ISD).

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Southwestern Musician | April 2022 45

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TMEA Vocal Vice-President JESSE CANNON II

Of Our New Day Begun We are in a pivotal time in education, and in this new day, we must continue to stay grounded in our purpose of providing quality music education for all students.

In Memoriam Wendy Sharpless February 24, 1971–February 5, 2022

W

MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates

April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2).

May 1—TMEA 2022–2023 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission.

May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award.

May 1–June 1—2023 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online.

June 30—All 2021–2022 TMEA memberships expire.

July 21–23—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.

eeks after our 2022 TMEA Clinic/ Convention, I still struggle to put the impact of this year’s event into words.

Months of preparation by the TMEA staff and Executive Board led to us Celebrating Music Together! The clinics, invited ensemble performances, and repertoire presented this year were intentionally selected to restore colleagues’ sense of belonging and revive Texas music educators. It is always so energizing to see colleagues attending clinics and concerts and filling the exhibit hall throughout the convention. Overflowing rooms are a testament to our desire to be lifelong learners and seek new methods that will help us and our students. There is something to be said about the excitement surrounding our return to San Antonio, that even Mother Nature wanted to participate in the All-State Choir concerts!

As I reflect on the varied events of the convention, one moment continues to resonate with me. During the First General Session production, several members offered how music shaped their life, and they shared inspirational stories about what led them to the field of music education. Ren Robertson’s segment was captivating from start to finish. Ren replayed scenes from her life and how in times of adversity, she found refuge in the choir room and with her director. Robertson pointed out that the student-teacher relationship wasn’t strengthened by contest success but through a series of organic conversations and relationship building. Take a moment and read Ren’s powerful story on page 56.

How many of us can relate to this? Do you remember when you knew

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 49

you wanted to teach music? Who was the teacher who cemented your desire to mold young minds?

Throughout that production, I repeatedly envisioned my students who share similar stories and in those moments was moved to tears. We’ve been called to one of the most rewarding professions, and each day we get to inspire and instill hope in the next generation. For many of our students, we are the only positive adult influence they have. Your classroom climate can change the trajectory of a student’s life.

We are in a pivotal time in education, and in this new day, we must continue to stay grounded in our purpose of providing quality music education for all students.

I wish each of you the very best and conclude my thoughts with the stirring words that James Weldon Johnson wrote over a century ago: Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won.

2023 Convention Proposals While this issue is a review of this year’s convention, it’s already time to begin thinking about proposing a clinic or music showcase for our 2023 TMEA Clinic/Convention. Proposals are accepted

®

May 1–June 1 online at www.tmea.org/ proposals. When viewing that page you will learn what you’ll need to be able to submit.

Consider the following top-rated clinic topics selected by members in the Vocal Division in the 2022 convention survey (in descending order of priority): • Rehearsal techniques • Repertoire selection • Recruiting and retention • Classroom management • Teaching methods • Conducting techniques • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access • Urban or rural challenges & strategies • Technology integration • Special-needs instruction

on the happenings of TMEA and possible information regarding realignment. See page 2 for details.

TMEA Vocal Division Business Meeting Minutes February 10, 5:15 p.m.

The TMEA Vocal Division Business Meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m.

by Vocal Division Vice-President Jesse Cannon II. The 2021 Vocal Division meeting minutes published in the April 2021 issue of the Southwestern Musician were approved.

Old Business: Announcements were made as follows: 1. TMEA exhibitors were thanked and members were asked to visit and thank them for their presence.

2. TMEA awarded over $200,000 in scholarships last year.

Invited Choir Application It’s not too early to begin planning to apply for your ensemble to perform during the 2023 Clinic/Convention. The Invited Choir online application opened March 1, and the entry deadline is May 1.

Go to www.tmea.org/invitedchoir for more information regarding dates, supplemental materials requested, and requirements.

3. Applications for TMEA Music Scholars are available on March 1 and due May 1.

Region Meetings Please place your spring Region meeting on your calendar so you can stay updated

6. The First General Session production performing groups were recognized.

4. Members were encouraged to get involved in the TMEA Mentoring Network.

5. CPE credit will be processed as it has in the past from TMEA’s website, www.tmea.org/cpe.

7. Audition numbers for SSC All-State: 2,139; LSC All-State: 10,178.

8. The 2022 All-State Conductors and teams were recognized.

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50 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

New Business: ACDA Middle School Repertoire & Resource Chair Clinton Hardy delivered information from American Choral Directors Association regarding an initiative to get more middle school directors involved and serving in various capacities.

TCDA President Carolyn Cruse was invited to give an update on the state of TCDA and the TCDA Convention.

Nominations for TCDA officers were announced and a call for other nominations was given. It was announced that award nominations were available as well as scholarship information with MS/ Elementary Honor Choir groups this summer.

Jesse Cannon II proceeded to comment on the TMEA convention. He thanked the TMEA Executive Board, the TMEA staff,

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clinicians, and clinic moderators for their work. He congratulated the TMEA invited choirs and conductors. Cannon also mentioned new initiatives this year with the Clinic Review Committee and the Invited Performing Group Committee. The membership was encouraged to attend final sessions and performances of the convention.

Cannon recognized and thanked Region Chairs, Area Chairs, Region MS/ JH Coordinators, and SSC Coordinators.

The Vocal Division team was recognized, including Clorese Porter, Vocal Division Clinic Coordinator, Jennifer Gallagher and Lauren Knebel, Ballroom Managers, and Andre Clark, Facilities Manager.

A moment of silence was offered for choral directors who had passed away during the past year.

Cannon encouraged the Vocal Division members to no longer be silent on things that frustrated them about the Vocal Division and voice concerns to their Region Chairs. He adjourned the Business Meeting at 4:49 p.m. and Bob Horton conducted the singing of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Minutes submitted by Kay Owens. 0

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Nominate your outstanding campus or district upper-level school administrator by completing an online nomination.

www.tmea.org/adminaward

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 53

Like Coming Home

Attendees described the personal and professional impact of the 2022 TMEA Clinic/Convention.

My 2022 TMEA experience renewed my commitment to remain in music education until retirement.

This was my first TMEA experience, and it was life-changing in how I perceive myself as an educator, my students as artists, and my colleagues as fellow musicians, not just coworkers.

I teach in Colombia, where education is very different. I gained so many resources, experiences, and strategies for my students and I confirmed that music is the way to learn and change the world!

I met with multiple directors in the Houston area, and these talks resulted in a job offer in less than a week!

I am the only director in my 1A district, so learning from other musicians in person is always pivotal for me. I came home energized and with new ideas and reinforcement.

As a college student, being fully immersed in the environment that TMEA creates was so incredibly comforting and encouraging. To know that I am going into a field full of people who have a passion and a drive to continue growing within the profession is very exciting.

This convention gave me new insight about and encouragement to become a band director. It made me realize just how many people were passionate about performing and teaching music.

LIVE MUSIC!

The last few days there I spent being a helicopter parent—taking pictures, recording my kids, telling them how proud of them I am, crying at their rehearsals and performances—I never used to be that person! Since 2020, I stopped taking for granted the time I get to create and be expressive with my students. This year’s convention was special. We celebrated making music together, but we also celebrated being together.

There was an overwhelming celebratory spirit! You could feel it in the clinics, the performances, and even the exhibit hall. It was great to converse with the exhibitors in person and trade stories about experiences of the past two years, and it was therapeutic to sit alongside fellow teachers!

I didn’t realize how much stress and tension I had been physically holding onto in my body. We started singing during a clinic,and in that moment, a weight was lifted and I felt joy! Music is such a powerfully healing tool!

I usually am anxious about seeing so many people at once. This year, I was filled with so much gratitude that I don’t think my brain or body had enough room for the anxiety!

Being at the convention reignited my excitement for my future teaching career. It made me more appreciative of the role of a music educator.

54 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

It’s rare and valuable to have so many like-minded yet diverse individuals meet together to share their ideas and stories. The inspiration and drive I receive from so many at this convention pushes me to continue doing what I do and to continue growing!

My soul is refreshed!

Being surrounded by musicians who share the common goals of music education is an incredible feeling—a place of belonging. For a younger musician, I’m inspired to see people who share my passion and who are further down the career path. It really opens up the opportunity to join the community and thrive in a positive environment.

I have been experiencing a level of burnout and breakdown previously unknown to me. In many ways this convention saved me from giving in to the exhaustion. It provided me great perspective that allowed me to return home, excited to continue making music with others.

I enjoyed the busiest TMEA of my life! I had the opportunity to volunteer, meet new people, express ideas, and distribute information! It led me to think about how I may want to serve in the future.

From walking through the convention center doors, to strolling through the exhibits, to eating at Shilo’s, it was

like coming home.

I believe this was the most positive I have ever seen people at the convention. There was much less judgement and way more encouragement of performers, presenters, and attendees!

In some ways, just being together was the most important part of this year’s convention. It’s always inspiring to see the wonderful performances and attend the amazing workshops, but being in fellowship with music teacher colleagues fed my soul like nothing else has in the last two years.

Overwhelming joy!

This is the first TMEA convention I attended as an orchestra teacher, having previously attended as a college student. It was a completely different experience being able to take these great ideas and have students to apply them to. It was great to be among colleagues.

Five years ago I was in the All-State Small School Choir and sat next to a boy on the second day of rehearsals. After leaving San Antonio, we kept contact despite living in opposite ends of the state.

I moved close to him after graduating high school and we started dating. This year at the convention, he proposed to me in the room where we first met!

I am about to graduate with a degree in performance. I always had a desire to teach, but that drive has grown so much lately, and TMEA helped me realize that it is truly where I want to be.

When I left San Antonio, I knew it was time to take my certification exams and look for a teaching position!

It was so empowering to be around so many musicians, especially in my field, again for the first time in a while. It felt like home.

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 55

What You Do

Matters

by Ren Robertson

I

t is difficult to describe why I became a choir teacher without dusting off a few anecdotes. Undoubtedly, performing music has had a special place in my life and was a key part of my self-confidence growing up. The head-swelling smugness of being a junior high switch-hitter—bouncing between alto and soprano—was certainly intoxicating. But while I loved singing in choir, it was the relationships with my teachers that led me to this profession.

My Journey I remember with perfect clarity the morning my siblings and I woke up to find my mother had left us. My brothers and sister anxiously watched me as I hastily prepared everyone’s lunches, brushed my sister’s hair, and dodged our stepfather, who was sitting in the dark living room, drinking from a bottle before the sun came up. I later learned that on this occasion, he had broken my mom’s arm and that’s why she had fled in the night.

A week later, she returned, taking my siblings and me, and we moved into a one-bedroom apartment. She got a job. And then a second one. And then a third. While I was only 12, I tried to rise to the occasion to help her take care of my siblings but quickly realized I didn’t have the skill set.

While trying to survive this dark reality, I became surly and mean. I made decent grades and didn’t interact with my teachers 56 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

or peers, so I went unnoticed—by most. Unlike the others, however, my choir teacher truly saw me. She watched me morph from an overeager teacher’s pet in seventh grade to an angry teen in the ninth. She reached out almost daily, offering me tasks, assignments, conversations, challenges—anything to keep me anchored to school and away from home.

As my favorite, most-trusted teacher, I put this poor woman through the ringer. One afternoon, in the throes of a particularly sassy back-and-forth, I remember exclaiming that I would quit choir and that would show her! She remained calm, held my shoulder, looked into my eyes, and said, “You can do whatever you want to do, but are you going to be the kind of person who is cruel to the people who care about you?”

I was embarrassed. I’m still embarrassed. As a 30-year-old woman, I can still hear her voice when I feel my temper bubbling close to the surface. Are you going to be cruel to the people who love you, who need you?

In high school, my temper cooled to an apathetic malaise. I withdrew even more, not reaching out or making friends. Yet, I adored my choir teachers. I essentially lived at school, helping with every choir event.

During my senior year, my mother lost her job, and as a result, we were evicted from our home. Between my teen attitude and her explosive temper, we got into an argument that resulted in

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her kicking me out of the house. For two weeks, I lived in a sort of liminal state, split between sleeping in my car or on my biological dad’s couch.

When she allowed me to return on Christmas morning, I found she had given away my mattress in a fit of rage, so I fell asleep on the floor of my closet, resting my head on a garbage bag full of my clothes. It was a feeling of hollowness and isolation that I am still reluctant to recall.

After winter break, I told my choir director about what happened, and he was clearly distressed. I remember him pausing to consider his words, being careful to not speak poorly of my mother. Finally, he told me that this wasn’t about me and said, “This isn’t your fault.” He paused, looked uncharacteristically fierce, and continued, “You didn’t deserve this.” I remember looking away, but he was resolute as he explained, “I need you to understand that.

You are somebody who deserves love and kindness. You did not do anything wrong.

Will you say that back to me?” Through tears, I repeated, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

He swept me into a hug, and I knew there was more he wanted to say, but

instead, he changed course. He coached me through finishing my senior year and auditioning for colleges—schools far away from my home of Euless, Texas.

What You Do Matters I share the specifics of my story because I am acutely aware that I was a high-risk, high-needs student. I consistently asked more of my music teachers than they were prepared to give. And I know every music educator teaches students like me at some point.

I don’t remember the moment when I knew I had to be a choir teacher. Maybe it was on one of the mornings, lunches, or afternoons I spent in the choir room. I’m quite certain, however, that it wasn’t a UIL trophy that did it.

At some point, I realized I needed to create the same kind of space I experienced for others. I would teach them a love of music, certainly. Teamwork, reliability, punctuality—all the typical talking points—would be part of their experience. But I wanted to teach them what my choir teachers taught me—how to cope with pain, how to navigate anxiety, how to develop a kind self-image.

Trauma does not define my story, but it does inform it. My passion for learning about mental health, trauma-informed music classrooms, and social and emotional learning stems directly from the love and care poured into me as a music student in Texas. The gift that each educator gives to the children of this state is incalculable and invaluable.

What you do matters.

There is a kid in your school who can’t wait for you to reach out to them. I know firsthand that even though you may not see it every day, the work you do and the love you extend to your students have lasting effects that will guide them through the rest of their lives.

0 Ren Robertson is the choir director at Caney Creek HS (Conroe ISD). She shared her story during the First General Session of the 2022 TMEA Clinic/Convention, and we thank her for allowing us to offer it here.

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TMEA Elementary Vice-President KATHERINE JOHNS

What You Do Is What Your Students Need When you can, share how your students grow through their music education and that while it is inherently fun, it’s also much more than that.

I

had planned to write this column about the Elementary Division’s presence at the 2022 Clinic/Convention, but I’m going to wait and do that next month. A week after convention, I sent a survey to the Elementary Region Chairs, asking them to forward it to their members. I have seen a few responses, but not enough to evaluate changes that were made to this year’s convention for our Division—the time for visiting the exhibits and changes to the business meeting and sessions after the meeting. If you did not receive the survey, please email me at kjohns@fisd.us and I will send it your way.

I will say that I learned a lot from this convention experience. I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was going in. Now I look forward to making some improvements to the 2023 Clinic/Convention. Stay tuned.

This month, I’m focusing on something I saw on Facebook a month before our convention. The following statement was posted January 19

by Kaundria Gay, Region 23 Elementary Chair (she offered her permission to share it here): Soooo I’m in grad school right now, and a topic that comes up very often is the lack of respect classroom teachers give to “specials” teachers, specifically music and art. This isn’t just a Houston or Texas issue, it’s an issue all over this country according to my classmates.

This honestly breaks my heart, and I wish classroom teachers would show more respect to us. My professor shared a story about how a

60 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates

April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2).

May 1—TMEA 2022–2023 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission.

May 1–June 1—2023 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online.

June 30—All 2021–2022 TMEA memberships expire.

July 21–23—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.

teacher came up to her and said, “It must be nice to just sing and play all day.” I have even had a coworker say this exact statement to me as well.

Music teachers don’t just sit and play all day. Instead we do a lot of theory, listening, and analyzing. Please think twice about what you say and just know a lot of planning went into the singing and playing that you might have observed.

After reading her post, I read many comments on it and saw it being shared by others. It was so discouraging to read about the many elementary music teachers who feel like they are not respected by fellow teachers at their schools. I have two

thoughts about this.

Don’t take comments or attitudes personally. Some of the negative attitudes are not about us; they’re about the person’s prior experiences. Whether it was their music teacher growing up or a music teacher they worked with previously, they formed an opinion of what we do in the music room that may not be accurate.

Some of these colleagues may be so tunnel-visioned and overwhelmed by their own work that they are not even aware of the wonderful things happening in your classroom. My husband is a fifth-grade English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher. He is required to do trainings and attend meetings that are not required

Attend Your TMEA Region Meeting!

Stay updated and get involved in the future of your association. See page 2 for the schedule.

of me. When he drops his class off, he is often running to a meeting and barely has time to greet me. When he returns to pick them up, sometimes he is discouraged and beaten down from whatever meeting he just attended. I imagine many other classroom teachers experience the same issues.

So, let’s remember that their comments may not really be about us or what we do.

Invite teachers in. My classes last 45 minutes. I set an alarm for two minutes before the end to allow me time to wrap up what we are doing and get students lined up so they can have a quick transition.

Recently, one of my classes was involved in an activity creating rhythm. It wasn’t that exciting, but they were having a blast.

Instead of stopping them, I walked to the back of the room, propped open my door, and waited for the teacher. When she arrived, I quietly invited her in to watch her students, and I explained what they were doing. She had no idea these are the kinds of things we do in music class. While I can’t do this every time, when I can, I have found it has been eye opening for the other teachers. Perhaps a little respect can grow from these moments.

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Teaching is challenging right now, and we don’t need to fall victim to friendly fire.

It might not be intentional. So, keep doing what you’re doing because you know it’s what your students need. When you can, share how your students grow through their music education and that while it is inherently fun, it’s also much more than that.

Attend Your Region Meeting Region meetings will be held across the state in May, and all divisions in the Region are invited. Elementary Region Chairs are seeking ways to encourage more elementary member participation with other activities, so your attendance will not just be about attending a meeting.

Watch for emails from your Region Chair.

Convention Proposals Due June 1 The Elementary Division was so blessed to have many proposals from which to choose for the 2022 Clinic/Convention.

If you submitted last year and were not selected, please do not hesitate to submit again. The proposals are evaluated by a diverse group of elementary educators, and they look forward to your submissions.

Consider the following top-rated clinic topics by members in the Elementary Division who answered the 2022 convention survey (in descending order of priority):

George Jacob with American Drum offered remarks about Brian Halverson, past TMEA Elementary Division VicePresident, who died last February.

Johns acknowledged Rhythm Band Instruments, West Music, and Peripole as room sponsors.

Sarah Holland offered greetings from TCDA. She made announcements regarding upcoming TCDA elections.

Candidates for Elementary Vice-President were announced: Jackson Hill, Fort Worth Academy, and Phillip Sammons, St. John’s School, Houston. The floor was opened for additional nominations. There being none, nominations were closed. Holland informed attendees that anyone interested

in serving should contact the TCDA nominations committee. Holland shared additional TCDA news and information about the upcoming convention.

Johns introduced Thom Borden and Karen Howard, TMEA Elementary Division Featured Clinicians, and each were invited to share remarks.

Johns spoke about the TMEA Mentoring Network and encouraged all to either become mentors or mentees.

Becky Compton, Traci Finch, and the door prize committee gave away door prizes.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:09 p.m.

by Johns. Minutes submitted by Abigail Hawes.

0

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHT Students teaching teachers.

• Teaching methods • Classroom management • Special-needs instruction • Rehearsal techniques • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access • Technology integration • Repertoire selection • Instrument methods • Assessment • Music theory Elementary Division Business Meeting February 10, 2022, 5:15 p.m.

Vice-President Katherine Johns called the meeting to order at 5:18 p.m.

The minutes from the 2021 business meeting as published in the April 2021 issue of Southwestern Musician were approved. Then Johns acknowledged past TMEA Elementary Division VicePresidents in attendance.

Does it get any better than this?

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 65

2022 TMEA CLINIC/CONVENTION

66 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 67

Survey Says . . .

Over 2,500 TMEA members and out-of-state attendees completed the post-convention survey. This information is based on those survey responses. We appreciate your feedback and we look forward to using it as we continue to look for ways to improve this event.

WHO ATTENDED? Attendee Age 18–24

TMEA Division Band

13%

25–34

Orchestra

21%

35–44

24%

45–54

20%

55–64 7%

65–74 75+

1%

0%

7%

Vocal

13%

Elementary

13%

College Faculty College Students Admin/ Other

14%

35%

TMEA welcomed 555 attendees and exhibitors from 42 other states and 13 other countries.

The states with the most making the trip:

3% 25% 4%

0%

25%

30%

See page 70 for a multiyear membership and attendee report.

Years as a Member <1

Conventions Attended

9%

1–5

1–3 18%

4–10

23% 26%

17%

6–10 11–20

10–19

24%

21+

32%

0%

30%

20+ 0%

Worldwide Attendance

New Mexico:

56

Louisiana:

38

California:

38

Florida:

32

Oklahoma:

27

Ohio:

21

New Jersey:

19

New York:

19

Tennessee:

19

International attendees came from:

25% 26% 30%

Over 9,500 active music teachers attended our convention!

Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom.

I have never attended this convention before, so it blew me away to see so many musicians, clinicians, and vendors in one space! —First-time attendee 68 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

4 DAYS: 453 EVENTS

Top Clinic Topics: The top five clinic topics identified through the survey:

• 270 Clinics • 125 Performances • 1,257 Exhibit Booths

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

EVENT QUALITY Attendees report great value and satisfaction attending the TMEA Clinic/Convention:

Overall Experience Very Good

Good Avg

Very Good: 57% Good: 32% Average: 9% Poor+Very Poor: 2%

Poor+ Very Poor

Value for the Cost Very Good

Good Avg

Very Good: 62% Good: 28% Average: 8% Poor+Very Poor: 2%

Poor+ Very Poor

Quality of Clinics Very Good

Good Avg

Poor+ Very Poor

Very Good: 52% Good: 38% Average: 9% Poor+Very Poor: 1%

The App

Throughout the four days, 381 events qualified for continuing professional education credit.

Rehearsal techniques Teaching methods Instrument methods Recruiting and Retention Classroom Management

To learn how members in your TMEA division ranked clinic topics, read your Vice-President’s column in this issue.

General Info

TMEA 2022

The convention app was downloaded to 13,960+ devices.

Combined time all users spent in the app.

587 Days!

WHO PAID YOUR WAY? REGISTRATION FEE MY NAME IS

49% I Paid 47% My School/District 4% Other

CONVENTION HOTEL 42% I Paid 47% My School/District 11% Other

TRAVEL EXPENSES 58% I Paid 38% My School/District 4% Other

69% of attendees registered before the fee increased on January 20.

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 69

TMEA Membership and Convention Report Membership Active Retired Institutional College Students Sustaining Total

Convention Attendees Active Retired Institutional

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

11,979

12,739

13,137

13,404

13,421

13,839

11,980

13,719

748

875

904

954

1,007

1,086

796

958

66

65

59

98

58

57

30

59

3,835

4,232

4,328

4,423

4,636

4,510

1,308

3,968

571

582

717

535

615

629

229

512

17,199

18,493

19,145

19,414

19,737

20,121

14,343

19,216

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

9,680

10,259

10,457

10,333

10,642

10,911

7,038

9,631

525

576

568

559

592

649

311

449

50

50

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

College Students

3,535

3,796

3,830

3,921

4,119

4,069

807

3,509

Exhibitors/Sustaining

2,509

2,819

2,727

2,971

2,922

3,076

867

2,307

Texas Future Music Educators

661

795

1,014

1,022

1,277

967

93

639

All-State Students

1,748

1,750

1,778

1,783

1,795

1,790

1,107

1,831

Participants

2,559

2,776

2,818

2,810

2,522

3,069

611

2,713

292

310

290

338

335

433

166

276

Out-of-State Attendees Visitors/Family/Chaperons Total

70 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

5,197

6,150

6,141

6,021

6,179

6,596

24

4,904

26,756

29,281

29,623

29,758

30,383

31,560

11,024

26,259

2023 TMEA CLINIC/CONVENTION Februar y 8 –11 • San Antonio

Southwestern Musician | April 2022 71

TMEA College Vice-President MATTHEW MCINTURF

The Convention Reflected Our Commitment As we move into the next year, building bridges across the divisions, with educators at all levels, and with concerned constituents, is going to be critical as we address the problems from the pandemic.

I

t was wonderful to be back together in San Antonio for the TMEA Clinic/Convention!

Sharing the joy of music and celebrating the accomplishments of our colleagues and students was exciting and satisfying. To be fair, we may have done some hard-earned commiserating about our pandemic journey, but I don’t believe that was the predominant characteristic of our shared experience.

Artists are idealists and optimists by nature, and I believe this year’s convention reflected our continuing commitment to our profession and our students. We thrive on communication, are invigorated by learning, and are edified by artistic performance. The 2022 TMEA Clinic/Convention provided all these nourishing and uplifting opportunities.

Personally, I was inspired at both general sessions by the speakers and the student performers. Our need to process the unprecedented stress, for us and students, was acknowledged and informed suggestions were provided. The student performances, reflecting all the disciplines supported by TMEA, were vibrant and engaging. Seeing the generous investment TMEA makes in the future by supporting student scholarships, as well as engaging in the legislative and regulatory process, reminds us all how important the work of the organization is to the health of our profession.

The return to an in-person convention revealed the excellent work the TMEA Executive Board has done to preserve the quality and professionalism required to create such a dynamic event. Working hand in hand with the professional staff, ably led by Robert Floyd, they navigated one of the most arduous journeys in TMEA’s century of existence. I

72 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates

April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2).

May 1—TMEA 2022–2023 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission.

May 1–June 1—2023 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online.

June 30—All 2021–2022 TMEA memberships expire.

July 21–23—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.

am especially grateful to Paul Sikes, who was called upon to invest more time and creative energy than any previous College Division Vice-President. His visionary leadership has positioned the College Division to thrive in the coming years and continue making important contributions to our common life and work.

Leadership is crucial in the best of times, but it is essential in uncertain times.

We are indeed fortunate to have leaders who accepted the challenge of difficult and demanding circumstances with commitment and generosity. Our convention clearly demonstrated that TMEA is up to the challenges for arts education in the coming years.

The College Division The strength of TMEA is found in the partnership of its disciplines. Although the College Division is the smallest numerically, we uniquely encompass all disciplines of music education and serve our own constituency of higher education, both faculty and students. At the convention I spoke with researchers, applied faculty, conductors, and administrators, all of

whom are invested in the success of music education.

The outstanding College Division clinics reflected this commitment to quality and service. Our excellent invited speakers eloquently addressed serious concerns revealed by the pandemic and our responses. The poster session was again a highlight, displaying a strength of the College Division to the whole community of learning. Leading sessions on DEIA, SEL, technology, and fundamental teaching brought the larger perspective of education to all TMEA members.

This broad perspective is important for music education and TMEA’s mission.

As we move into the next year, building bridges across the divisions, with educators at all levels, and with concerned constituents, is going to be critical as we address the problems from the pandemic.

Looking ahead, I encourage us all to continue to be actively involved in TMEA. Here are several important opportunities: • Submit a proposal for a clinic presentation at the 2023 Clinic/Convention.

The online submission portal will be open from May 1 to June 1, 2022.

• Volunteer to serve on a committee.

The College Division depends on the good work of committees, and we actively encourage your participation.

If you have questions or would like to serve, email a committee chair or me.

• TMEA continues to offer research grants to members. Please see the website for information about the grants and the application process (www.tmea.org/researchgrant).

• Please support your Region Chair, and if the position is vacant, consider serving. I have been a Region College Chair for 18 years, and the time commitment is not burdensome. However, the Region College Chair position is vital to bringing concerns and suggestions to the Executive Board, and critical for the success of the division.

2023 Convention Proposals As you consider submitting a clinic proposal, review the following top-requested clinic topics by College Division members who took the 2022 convention survey (in descending order of priority). Then go to

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www.tmea.org/proposals to learn more about submitting online May 1–June 1.

Faculty: • Teaching methods • Rehearsal techniques • Recruiting and retention • Instrument methods • Repertoire selection • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access • Private lesson strategies • Urban or rural challenges & solutions • Technology integration • Research methods and results Students: • Classroom management • Teaching methods • Rehearsal techniques • Instrument methods • Private lesson strategies • Repertoire selection • Conducting techniques • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access • Music theory • Certification/career planning

College Division Business Meeting As you can see from the minutes below, we had a productive business meeting. I want to thank the membership for giving me the opportunity to serve as the College Division Vice-President, and I look forward to working closely with you in the next two years.

The discussion revealed a shared concern for successfully bringing new teachers into the profession. This is always important, but there is no doubt that the pandemic has accelerated and exacerbated the teacher shortage. In higher education, we have a critical role to play in this concern, and TMEA must serve as a resource to help develop and disseminate solutions.

There is a nearly universal concern about the implementation of edTPA in the certification process. Robert Floyd contributed significant information about the regulatory process and TMEA’s role in monitoring it. It appears we will have more clarity on this soon. This is critical because if implemented, it could be an impediment to creating more access for teachers. If you are involved in this at your institution, please share your perspective with your College of Education colleagues.

Thank you to everyone who was able to come to the business meeting.

Have a Story to Share?

Throughout each volume of Southwestern Musician, TMEA is proud to publish feature articles written by TMEA members.

Members are encouraged to submit articles on topics of interest to the general readership. Content of articles may focus on band, choir, orchestra, general music, or research, but the information should be relevant for a majority of our members.

In addition to full-length features, we publish shorter articles that offer quick and practical strategies in our “It Works for Me” series.

Learn more about submitting an article at www.tmea.org/magazine.

76 Southwestern Musician | April 2022

TMEA.ORG/MAGAZINE

College Division Business Meeting Minutes February 10, 2022 Paul Sikes called the meeting to order at 5:16 p.m. Individuals were introduced, and Sikes addressed the attendees.

Curtis Tredway moved to approve the minutes from the meeting on October 15, 2021, Sheri Neill seconded, and the membership approved.

In Old Business, the Collegiate Music Educator Award deadline is March 15; TMEA’s Research Grant provides opportunities for $1,200 grant dollars for research, with a rolling deadline; Sikes acknowledged Featured Clinicians Dr. Connie McKoy and Dr. Judy Willis; and he announced College Night is Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall, with College Reunions 9:30–11:30 p.m.

Friday. Sikes promoted TMEA’s volunteer opportunities.

Robert Floyd spoke about the Texas Arts Education Campaign.

An edTPA update was given and discussed by members, with Robert Floyd offering a review of where we are in the process. Sikes encouraged the membership to have a plan moving forward.

Sikes discussed the College Student Orchestra Feasibility Committee that is evaluating the possibility of forming a college student orchestra to support the Vocal Division’s All-State concerts. This group will meet through the spring and early summer and make recommendations to the Executive Board.

In New Business, Sikes encouraged members to run for Region Chair positions.

Committees were encouraged to meet in the spring.

In the College Division Vice-President election, Sara Allen nominated Matthew McInturf and the nomination was seconded by Andy McMahan. Nominations closed and Curtis Tredway moved to accept the nomination by acclamation (seconded by Alan Harkey). After no discussion, the membership voted to elect Matthew McInturf as the next College Division Vice-President.

After final thanks, Sikes adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Minutes submitted by Carter Biggers.

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

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