President’s Message

President’sMessage

President Florida Music Education Association

Learning Through Uniting and Collaborating

Greetings, colleagues! One of the greatest gifts in life is our ability to unite, collaborate, and share experiences. Music in our schools and education programs clearly 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 frequently 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 motivated me in the right direction within an all-Black inner-city school. It was phenomenal! It is startling to wonder how and why these educators were so incredibly dedicated to ensuring their students remained focused, and worked tirelessly, 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, as our FMEA Professional Development Conference is right around the corner. This year’s conference is going to be an

amazing opportunity for our music educators, all-state participants, corporate partners, parents, and guests to experience something special in Tampa, Florida. Our conference highlights include the following: « 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 musician, composer, bandleader, educator, and advocate of « American culture Inaugural parade, 5-K run downtown, health and « « wellness workout FMEA Student Conference Experience All-state ensembles, clinic sessions/professional development, 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, “The idea of « FVA components And much more … As music educators, we must strive to instill in stumusic as a healing dents such motivation that will increase their likelihood influence which of valuing music as lifelong participants. We must continue to advocate for music education on all levels within could affect health our communities, including district school boards, state and behavior is as legislators, and national leaders. The return to in-person instruction and social emotional learning offers a unique least as old as the opportunity for music teachers to create more rewarding and supportive school communities. More importantly, writings of Aristotle music provides an avenue for dealing with heavy emoand Plato.” tions for one to feel safe again. Music bonds people and is a powerful tool to express oneself in a healthy and creative setting.

– American Music Therapy Association