Shelby R. Chipman, PhD
President’sMessage
President Florida Music Education Association
Learning Through Uniting and Collaborating
G
reetings, colleagues! One of the greatest gifts in life
amazing opportunity for our music educators, all-state
ences. Music in our schools and education programs clear-
experience something special in Tampa, Florida. Our con-
is our ability to unite, collaborate, and share experi-
ly demonstrates how our openness to combining different cultures will possibly be manifested in the evolution of
new music, which will reflect the continually evolving
cultures of our communities. In many cases these new musics will become new “genres” within themselves. It
is our responsibility to ensure that music is provided in
urban and rural settings, where in some cases children are not receiving music instruction due to multiple problems. We must be reminded that working with students
with specialized communication needs must be fostered through positive interactions and musical development.
As I reflect on my mentors in the teaching field, I fre-
quently pause to say thank you to so many along the way for lifelong lessons that were taught through music. I often
hear the voices of my middle school band director and my high school band director, brothers who had college
degrees in music. They energized my spirit and shared
their pedagogical music skills, which
“The idea of music as a healing
motivated me in the right direction with-
in an all-Black inner-city school. It was
phenomenal! It is startling to wonder how
American culture
opment, technological advances, teaching music in
2022 and beyond, social and emotional strategies, building music communities, starting new programs, music therapy, student and emerging leader sessions, getting the students to believe in music, providing
unity and collaboration through FEMEA, FBA, FOA,
« And much more … FVA components
As music educators, we must strive to instill in stu-
tinue to advocate for music education on all levels within
sometimes with little resources, to pull out the best in us. I am eternally grateful
to each of them and know that music is one of the therapeutics in the realm of life. I can feel the excitement in the air,
and Plato.”
as our FMEA Professional Development
– American Music Therapy Association
This year’s conference is going to be an
4 F l o r i d a
« Inaugural parade, 5-K run downtown, health and wellness workout « FMEA Student Conference Experience « All-state ensembles, clinic sessions/professional devel-
remained focused, and worked tirelessly,
could affect health
writings of Aristotle
cian, composer, bandleader, educator, and advocate of
dents such motivation that will increase their likelihood
ibly dedicated to ensuring their students
least as old as the
« Wycliffe Gordon, trombonist extraordinaire, keynote speaker, General Session #1 « Mickey Smith, Jr., GRAMMY Educator of the Year, keynote speaker, General Session #2 « Virtual hello from Wynton Marsalis, acclaimed musi-
ference highlights include the following:
and why these educators were so incred-
influence which and behavior is as
participants, corporate partners, parents, and guests to
Conference is right around the corner.
Music Director
of valuing music as lifelong participants. We must conour communities, including district school boards, state
legislators, and national leaders. The return to in-person
instruction and social emotional learning offers a unique opportunity for music teachers to create more rewarding
and supportive school communities. More importantly, music provides an avenue for dealing with heavy emotions for one to feel safe again. Music bonds people and is
a powerful tool to express oneself in a healthy and creative setting.
