AMEA February Newsletter
Arizona Music Educators Association
AMEA board members with NAfME President Denese Odegaard
AMEA's groundbreaking clinic for administrators with panelists Lynn Tuttle, Bruce DuPlanty and Theresa Hulihan
Conference Reflections from the Presidents
FROM AMEA PRESIDENT JENNIFER HAMILTON:
We appreciate your attendance at this year’s 2017 AMEA conference! It is always meaningful to connect with colleagues, and it was truly an honor to see so many of our teachers and advocates of music honored at our hall of fame luncheon. It makes me grateful for our thriving musical network in Arizona. Special thanks to the AMEA, ABODA, ACE and AZsGM Boards for all of their help in making the conference a success!
We heard a lot of positive feedback about our NEW CONFERENCE APP, and it could not have been done without countless hours of work from Bill Richardson. We will continue this innovation at future conferences, and hopefully explore more of its additional features.
This was also the first year that we piloted a SESSION FOR ADMINISTRATORS on how to evaluate music teachers. We were elated to see over 30 administrators in attendance, with many staying to enjoy our hall of fame luncheon. Many commented on the quality and relevance of the session, and we hope to expand this administrator track in the future.
The OPEN FORUM SESSIONS this year were a big hit. It was inspiring to see the amazing knowledge offered by our panelists, and encouraging to listen to the dialogue and discussions happening in these clinics.
One of my goals for AMEA has been forming a COLLECTIVE VISION for the organization, with an increased effort on collaboration and communication. This year our vision was expanded by the inclusion of administrators in our conference, the implementation of a conference app at your suggestion, and the continuation of innovative open forum sessions for the second year. We hope that you found some inspiration and please know that we are always looking for ways to make your experience even better. Thank you for being a part of AMEA’s collective vision!
FROM ABODA PRESIDENT BILL HUMBERT:
The AMEA Conference takes over downtown Mesa for three days of sessions, clinics and concerts scheduled in the Phoenix/Mesa Marriot Convention Center, Hotel, and Mesa Arts Center.
Hundreds of music educators that teach K-12 as well as at the college/university level were in attendance and participate in this amazing weekend. We were entertained, trained, and motivated by the many amazing clinics and workshops presented throughout the conference. Our Arizona All-Sate Jazz Bands performed magnificently at the MAC to kick off our weekend. This was a truly inspiring concert, and is a reflection of the fine teaching that is happening in our state. Special thanks to Adam Risch, ABODA VP of Jazz Activities, for all of his many hours of work throughout the all-state process. The honors ensembles that auditioned and were selected to perform this year also entertained us. Amazing concerts were given by the following groups: Mountain View HS Chamber Orchestra from Mesa, Mountain Ridge and Deer Valley HS Wind Ensembles from Glendale, and the Stapley and Poston JHS Concert Bands from Mesa. These ensembles showcased the best in band, and orchestra music education in our state.
Clinics and workshops were presented that amazed and educated. I am amazed and humbled as to the many outstanding presenters that took the time to share their expertise with us. It is a great feeling to know that there are so many fine teachers in our state willing to share what they know in order to help us all be better educators. Sessions from adjudication to rehearsal techniques, instrument tips to assist in teaching, literature, programming, communication, program and school administration, marching band, listening games and techniques…wow…the list is endless. There were so many great opportunities to learn and be inspired.
Special thanks goes out to the members of our ABODA Board of Directors for all of their efforts to bring you the best conference possible. This group of dedicated educators has put in countless hours to help your conference be meaningful and worthwhile. Also, a big thanks goes out to Eric Haenfler, our ABODA Conference Coordinator. Eric, along with Bill Richardson, took care of all of the nuts and bolts in order to provide you a great weekend of learning.
I am already looking forward to our In Service Conference 2018…I am sure that it will be another fantastic weekend. You should really be there too.
FROM ACE PRESIDENT DARIN SHRYOCK:
Greetings from ACE. I would like to thank you all for your attendance at the 2017 AMEA Conference. If you were unable to attend, we hope you’ll be able to join us in 2018. ACE spent a great deal of time and resources in bringing guests from around the country to share insights, strategies, repertoire and expertise with Arizona’s choral educators.
We were thrilled to welcome Charlene Archibeque back to Arizona. Her session with Debra Glaze on “Brain Friendly” rehearsal strategies was well received. And special thanks to Patricia Ubrig for thoughtfully preparing/under-preparing the demonstration choir from Mesquite High School. It can be intimidating to be asked to “under-prepare” while still ensuring that your singers can meet the demands of the music without being “fixed” in their performance. Well done!!!
Jean Applonie (BYU) proved to be a valuable resource with her expertise in vocal pedagogy as well as insight into the audition process. Steve Hankle (Penn State) provided a wealth of information from repertoire to sight-singing resources.
We had a great deal of “local” talent on display, with performances from Highland High School (Gilbert), Mountain View High School (Mesa), Stapley Junior High (Mesa), Boulder Creek HS (Deer Valley) and the Tucson Girls Chorus. In addition to the talent on stage, a number of Arizona Choral Educators shared their expertise in a wide range of sessions.
The constituent lunch gathering was a great opportunity to roll out recommendations from the All-State Audition Committee. Information will be posted on the ACE website for your perusal. Please provide thoughtful feedback as the committee works to provide the best experience for your students.
If you didn’t find a session that met your needs, please consider sharing a topic, a possible clinician or even consider presenting a session yourself so others can benefit from your insight.
We hope you found the conference app “Guidebook” a useful tool. The feedback has been positive, but please take time to share what worked for you and what could use some improvement.
Thank you again for joining us. We hope to see you again. Your feedback, your knowledge, your passion and your love for choral music challenges those who serve you to provide the best experience possible.
FROM AZsGM PRESIDENT ANNEKA BERGSTRAND:
I hope you are all well and recovered from the 2017 AMEA conference, talk about two days of wonderful events for Arizona's music teachers! AzSGM had some amazing sessions that were very helpful and applicable to the needs of general music teachers from around the state. These presentations include, but are not limited to: Karl Balandovich's session on boomwhackers, Gloria Day and Etna Thompson's help and advice for low or no budget folks, Joshua Block wowed us with two sessions on recorder, and rock/paper/scissors games, and Sylvia Munsen presented two sessions with loads of various material. We drummed on buckets, listened to hip-hop, strummed guitars and ukuleles, downloaded apps, and learned from Richard Maxwell about the diverse needs of the students we teach. Our conference guest, NAfME President Denese Odegaard gave a lovely keynote address, as well as co-presented a session with Lynn Tuttle on the importance of music educators knowing about ESSA. Please visit the NAfME website for more information regarding this topic.
The guidebook app was a new addition to the conference this year and I, personally, enjoyed having the resource at my fingertips. It was easy to create a custom, conference schedule, as well as give feedback on the presenters and conference as a whole. AMEA looks forward to using this feature again in the future, and will certainly be making improvements to any glitches we experienced this year.
In addition to our already popular "make and take" workshops, AzSGM is looking forward to implementing some new technology related workshops in the future. Please email President Anneka Bergstrand to be added to our email list for more information: annekabergstrand@gmail.com. Have a great rest of the school year!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2017 HALL OF FAME WINNERS!
2017 Music Educator of the Year Darin Shryock
O.M. Hartsell Excellence In Teaching Award Recipient
Dan Bradstreet
O.M. Hartsell Excellence In Teaching Award Recipient
Cindy Durazo
O.M. Hartsell Excellence In Teaching Award Recipient
Cheryl Fortier
O.M. Hartsell Excellence In Teaching Award Recipient
Jeff Marchant
O.M. Hartsell Excellence In Teaching Award Recipient
James O'Halloran
William E. Richardson Retired Member Service Award Recipient Bill Patterson
George C. Wilson Leadership and Service Award Recipient
Jim DeBusk
George C. Wilson Leadership and Service Award Recipient
Sarah Ross
Raymond G. Van Diest Arts Advocacy Award Recipient
Theresa Hulihan
Outstanding Administrator Award Recipient
Steven Holmes
Outstanding Administrator Award Recipient
David Marks
Outstanding Administrator Award Recipient
Stacie Zanzucchi
Raymond G. Van Diest Arts Advocacy Award Recipient
Theresa Hulihan
John C. Faris Honored Music Educator Legacy Award Recipients Henry Keterer (posthumous), Clorinda Graziano (posthumous) & Cleta Hayward Sagramoso, accepted by Ken Jaeger
Open Forum Vibrant and Creative Solutions to Market Your Secondary Program with panelists George Hattendorf, Kirk Douglas and Bill Bitter (Antonio Lozano, moderator)
Open Forum Wind Instrument Tips that Click with panelists Rob Lubbers, Michael Warner and Milas Yoes (Julie Trent, moderator)
Open Forum Hidden Gems for the Grade 3 & 4 Band and Orchestra with panelists Walt Temme & Dave Kuhns
ACE ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH CHORAL FESTIVAL
The Arizona Choral Educator’s Elementary and Junior High Choral Festival will be held on April 1st at Taylor Junior High, 705 South 32nd Street, Mesa, Arizona 85204-3943. Christopher Meade is our host school’s director for the event.
Registration is now open on the AMEA website. Please have 2-3 songs prepared. Each clinician will need an original copy with measures numbered. The festival will run throughout most of the day until around 5:00 p.m. All participating schools will receive a plaque with their school’s choral name and respective rating. A digital recording of the performance will also be provided via Google Drive.
We are pleased to have three wonderful judges for this year’s choir program’s building experience. They will be J.J. Rafferty, Director of Choirs at Greenway High School, Kirk Douglas, Director of Choirs at Boulder Creek High School and Jeffery Yoder, Director of Life Church of the Northwest Valley. Please contact the VP of Elementary and Junior High Activities, Anna Backstrom via anna.backstrom@dvusd.org if you have any questions or concerns about the festival. We are looking forward to another great event this year for students to learn and grow musically!
UPCOMING AMEA EVENTS & DEADLINES
ABODA Deadlines
- All-State Audition Registration Deadline 2/22
- ABODA State Concert Festival Registration Deadline 3/17
- ABODA State Jazz Festival Registration Deadline 3/17
ACE Deadlines
- Elem / Junior High Spring Choral Festival Registration Deadline 2/24
- All-State Participation Registration Deadline 3/17
AMEA ELEM / JUNIOR HIGH Deadlines
- Last Day to Add Alternates Elem / Junior High All-State Choir & Orchestra 2/23
- Northern AZ Middle School Band / Choir / Orchestra Festival Participation Deadline 3/10
- Elem / Middle School State Band Festival Registration Deadline 4/7
AMEA HIGH SCHOOL Events & Deadlines
- High School Solo & Ensemble Festival Tier 2 Online Submission Deadline 2/28
- All-State Auditions at Desert Vista High School 3/3 & 3/4
- All-State Participation Registration Deadline 3/17
- All-State Festival at ASU 4/6 & 4/7
Arizona Musicfest Scholarship Opportunity
Arizona Musicfest provides $2,500 (renewable for up to 4 years) to a graduating high school senior who will pursue a music degree at a college or university. More information about the scholarship can be found here: http://azmusicfest.org/educationandyouth/scholarship/