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GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT SALUTING AMERICA'S BAND DIRECTORS CONFERENCE APPLICATIONS AROUND THE STATE DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 10
DISTRICT 6
DISTRICT 11
DISTRICT 7
DISTRICT 12
DISTRICT 8
DISTRICT 13
A MUSICAL JEWEL OF SOUTH GEORGIA YEAR OF RETIREMENT A CONFERENCEY SURVEY PS FROM THE PRESIDENT UPCOMING EVENTS
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NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
FROM THE FINE ARTS TEAM AT THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FROM THE GADOE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT Did you know that the Fine Arts Department at the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) offers a wide variety of opportunities for continued professional learning as a Fine Arts educator? Our goal is to provide content-specific professional development for Fine Arts educators across the state of Georgia geared toward a whole-child education for our students. We provide a multitude of FREE, supplemental Fine Arts Instructional Resources (over 4,000+!) for Fine Arts teachers to use as supportive tools in their teaching practice. These resources include curriculum maps, unit plans, lesson plans, lesson materials, presentations, and even some student manipulatives! There are sample resources for remote, blended, and in person teaching and learning! These resources are housed in the Teacher Resource Link (TRL) which can be found in your school district’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) platform or directly on our GaDOE Fine Arts Website under Instructional Resources as you scroll down the webpage. We offer FREE, content-specific, statewide professional development opportunities through live and pre-recorded webinars, self-paced online courses for music teachers, and an informative infographic on Digital Teaching and Learning in the Arts. Check out our GaDOE Fine Arts Website to register for these webinars. Some topics discussed in these webinars include: • • • • • • •
Bravo Behavior! Behavior Basics: De-Escalation Strategies for Fine Arts Educators It’s a Mystery! Making Mystery Music Lessons Digital Teaching and Learning in Music Instructional Planning for the Music Educator TKES in the Music Classroom Assessment in the Music Classroom
• • • • • • •
Differentiation in the Music Classroom Exceptional Children in the Music Classroom Ukulele 101 for the General Music Teacher Making Music Magic on a Shoestring Budget The Balancing Act: Re-Balancing Tech + Traditional Music Teaching Methods Using Social Media for Arts Advocacy Educating the Whole Child: Utilizing Title I, II, and IVA to Fund Arts Education
GADOE FINE ARTS WEBSITE
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NEWSLETTER |SEPTEMBER
VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES ON GADOE COMMUNITY Do you oftentimes feel lonely in your school building or district as a Music educator? Do you find it hard to feel supported as a music teacher or have administrators who don’t fully understand our specialized content areas? Do you wish there was a way to seek support, encouragement, and guidance from other music teachers and administrators across the state of Georgia? Do you crave collaboration and connection with other like-minded music teachers? Then we have the perfect place for you! In addition to all of these great opportunities, the Georgia Department of Education has launched a new, innovative platform called GaDOE Community! The goal of this platform is to provide content-specific, virtual professional learning communities (PLCs) for Fine Arts teachers, administrators, and GaDOE staff the opportunity to collaborate, connect, and share thoughts, strategies, resources, and encouragement all on a virtual platform. Georgia Music Teachers can join PLC groups such as Band, Chorus, General Music, Orchestra, and Music Technology. Be sure to check out our introductory video about this new, collaborative platform: GaDOE Community Commercial. Georgia Music teachers can join today for FREE by creating an account using your school district email account. We can’t wait to connect and collaborate with you in the future!
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FROM THE GADOE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT Did you know that the Fine Arts Department at the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) offers a wide variety of opportunities for continued professional learning as a Fine Arts educator? Our goal is to provide content-specific professional development for Fine Arts educators across the state of Georgia geared toward a whole-child education for our students. We provide a multitude of FREE, supplemental Fine Arts Instructional Resources (over 3,000+!) for Fine Arts teachers to use as supportive tools in their teaching practice. These resources include curriculum maps, unit plans, lesson plans, lesson materials, presentations, and even some student manipulatives! There are sample resources for remote, blended, and in person teaching and learning! These resources are housed in the Teacher Resource Link (TRL) which can be
FOLLOW GADOE FINE ARTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
THEORY TEACHERS We have moved to the 4th edition of the Clendinning/Marvin Musician's Guide materials and I have surplus (2-5) copies of various 3rd edition materials: textbook, aural skills book, sight singing book, and anthology. I also have a few Teacher's Editions of the workbook and aural skills books. If you use the 3rd edition of these materials and could use these, please contact me. (mcox5@emory.edu).
EMAIL NOW
SALUTIN
AMERICA'
BAND DIRECTO Four Georgia band directors marched in the 2022 Rose Parade as members of the 280 piece Band Directors Marching Band - Saluting America’s Band Directors. KAITLIN MERCK (FLUTE) - DISTRICT 14 SOCIAL CIRCLE HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL, SOCIAL CIRCLE JONATHAN CARMACK (MELLOPHONE) - DISTRICT 6 WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, STOCKBRIDGE GREG BURNS (TRUMPET) - DISTRICT 7 GLADDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL CHATSWORTH NEAL CRAWFORD (ALTO SAXOPHONE) - DISTRICT 7 GORDON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL CALHOUN
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NG
'S
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What is the Saluting America’s Band Directors project? This special appearance in the 2022 Rose Parade® is a way to recognize and salute the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors everywhere—public and private schools at all levels, colleges and universities, the military, community bands.
How was this accomplished? A spectacular animated float led approximately 270 band directors from all over the country forming the Band Directors Marching Band that played and marched in the 2022 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. The music for the New Year’s Day 5.5-mile parade route was directed by nationally-known music educator and innovative band director Jon Waters, who also directed performances in Pasadena.
Why the theme, “America's Band Directors: We teach music. We teach life.”? Ask almost any person who has been led by a band director and you will hear that their life was positively changed by a motivational leader who taught, inspired and mentored them, not only in music, but in life itself.
Who organized this effort? The MICHAEL D. SEWELL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, based in Pickerington, Ohio, spearheaded this effort. The Foundation was created to recognize and carry on the work of the late Pickerington band director Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the music programs in Pickerington and the Columbus/Central Ohio area for more than 38 years.
Are there noteworthy aspects of this entry? Yes! This is the first Rose Parade entry consisting of both a float and a marching band. Also, we have assembled the first known marching band in which all members are band directors.
What are some key numbers of the project? 270 current total number of directors; 48 number of states represented; 4,539 total years experience teaching and directing music; 16.5 average years music teaching experience; 46 number of directors with more than 30 years experience; 110 number of directors with less than 10 years experience; 8 Grammy Music Educator of the Year nominees (quarter finalists to finalists); 76 teacher of the year recipients (local, district, state or national); 181,000 number of students taught by our marching band directors (based on 40 new students for every year of teaching); 24 number of directors marching with a relative (married couple, father/son, mother/son, grandfather/grandson etc), or their former director; Director who is coming the farthest: Kelley Taylor—from Texas and teaches in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Second farthest: Andrew Goldie, who teaches children of military personnel in Germany.
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time you shou 2023 GMEA
IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE
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NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER || NOVEMBER SEPTEMBER
Begin again
uld take a bow APPLY TO PRESENT
APPLY TO PERFORM
t the very end
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NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER|||SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER SEPTEMBER DECEMBER
a t h e n s ,
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AROUND THE STATE EVENTS AND NEWS FROM GMEA'S 14 DISTRICTS
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NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
DISTRICT FOUR
and will be presenting at GMEA, TMEA (Texas), and National ASTA in the next few months. She will also be conducting the Buncombe County Middle School All-County Orchestra in March and the District 13 Honors Orchestra in April.
• Caroline Beson is the owner of Both Sides Now, and is a proud educator of adult clients before, during, and after childbirth, surrogacy, or infant adoption. As a board-certified music therapist, she focuses on teaching and facilitating the use of music tools for clients' emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual needs. Plus, she can help facilitate developmentally appropriate music bonding for newborns. She has a special interest in musician parents, since their musical lives are often extremely complex.
• The football players aren't the only champions around here; we are excited to share that first-year horn student Jacob Evarts has been selected as one of three orchestral winners for the 2021 National Young Composers Challenge (NYCC). The piece he wrote, entitled Wonder of the World, will be professionally recorded and performed in concert by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. The NYCC Composium will take place on April 10, 2022. Go Dawgs!
DISTRICT SIX • Coweta County is excited to welcome three new music teachers to the 2021-2022 school year. Jamarcus Berry has been selected to be the new music teacher at Atkinson Elementary School. Assistant Band Director Laney Bledsoe has joined the music department at Newnan High School. Lastly, Mary Kathryn Newton is the new Director of Bands at Smokey Road Middle School. All three of these teachers are graduates (in Jamarcus' case, soon to be a graduate) of the University of West Georgia, which is located nearby.
• Dr. Myra Rhoden was honored to receive two awards during this year's Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois: 1) Tau Beta Sigma Outstanding Service to Music Award, and 2) Women Band Directors International Golden Baton Award. She is also presenting both at GMEA and the Maryland MEA Student Leadership Summit this month. Kirk Weller retired from public school teaching (in District 1) and accepted the Director of Bands position at Creekside Christian Academy in Henry County.
• Fayette County recently held their All-County Orchestras January 21-22 under the direction of Natalie Colbert and Dr. Nancy Conley.
• The Newnan High School Band may not have any major concerts prepared, but we are excited to be up and running after the tornado thanks to so many GMEA members, schools, and programs that have supported us. As of today, all 130 of our musicians have an instrument to use and replacement equipment for the long term has been ordered. Thanks to Yamaha, Ken Stanton Music, and Marchmaster, our marching band was able to field a show. Many schools in District 6 and beyond chipped in to keep us going. We owe everyone an eternal debt of gratitude.
• Henry County had their first All County Orchestra November 6th, 2021 directed by Dr. Nathaniel Parker at the Fairview Performing Arts Center. • Kelsey Armstrong will be presenting a poster session at TMEA (Texas) titled Cultural Competence, Responsiveness, and Humility: Optimizing Classroom Experiences for All Students in February.The Dutchtown High School Wind Symphony will perform at the University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic in February. • Annalisa Chang recently presented at FMEA
• The Advanced Mixed Chorus from the Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts of Jonesboro, GA, with directors Dr. Jimmy Cheek and Mr. Vic9
NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
AROUND THE STATE orie Brown, provided the opening performance for the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders Conference on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at the Classic Center in Athens, GA. The group was honored to perform immediately following the morning address by Governor Brian Kemp. • We are excited to inform you that the Singing Brothers of Stilwell were selected from a review of over 70+ choirs that applied to perform at the American Choral Directors Association 2022 Southern Region Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Only three choral groups from the State of Georgia were selected for this prestigious opportunity, and they include the University Singers from Georgia State University, Orpheus Men’s Ensemble (a group comprised of professional choral directors), and the Singing Brothers of Stilwell from Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts. The Singing Brothers of Stilwell is an extra-curricular organization at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts, Jonesboro, Georgia. They have consistently received superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Large Group Performance Evaluation; performed for the National Association for Music Education’s National Conference, Grapevine, Texas (2018); the National School Board Association’s Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2019); the Georgia School Board Association
State Conference (2019); the Georgia Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association’s State Conference (2019); and a collaborative performance with the Morehouse Glee Club and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (2020). The group is directed by Dr. Jimmy Cheek, and is supported by Mr. Anthony Liggins, faculty advisor; Mr. Wendel Stephens, vocal coach; Mr. Breon Evans, vocal coach, and Mr. Vicorie Brown, collaborative pianist.
DISTRICT SEVEN • The Ridgeland High School Chorale were selected as a performing choir for the Georgia American Choral Directors Association Conference during the fall. Under the direction of Dr. Cody Goss, Chorale gave a performance during the conference in Bell Recital Hall at Berry College on Friday evening, October 22. Ridgeland High School is a part of the Walker County School District.
DISTRICT EIGHT
newly appointed Assistant Professor of Upper Strings and Orchestra Conductor at Georgia College and State University, directed the high school orchestra. The day concluded with performances by the middle and high school orchestras, followed by a performance by the Georgia College Orchestra and visiting guest artist, Dr. Christopher Luther, owner of Luther Strings, and founder of Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp.
• Albert Bussey is the founding director of the new band program at Scintilla Charter Academy in Valdosta, Georgia. • Camden County High School will be participating in the 80th Pearl Harbor Celebration. • The Wayne County School System has two new band directors. Jonathan Steltzer has joined Wayne County High School as the assistant band director. Desmond Tarplin has taken the job as band director at Arthur Williams Middle School. • Make sure to checkout "A Musical Jewel of South Georgia" by Deborah Bradley on page __.
DISTRICT TWELVE
DISTRICT TEN
• Christina Vehar, Director of Choral and Theatre Activities at Pearson Middle School in Marietta, was selected to participate in the Leadership Summit for the 2022 GMEA In-Service Conference. The Cobb County School District teacher has also been selected to present at the 2022 American Choral Directors Association Southern Region Conference and as the clinician for District 5’s Treble Honor Choir.
• The Davidson Chorale is honored to be among the invitees at this year’s ACDA Region Conference in Raleigh, NC. Literature includes Georgia on My Mind, arranged by former student/ Chorale member Tripp Carter, among others. The Davidson Chorale, of Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta, Georgia, is under the direction of Phillip Streetman.
DISTRICT ELEVEN • On October 22nd, 2021, District 11 held its third annual Honor Orchestra at Howard High School in Macon, Georgia. As a small district, with a limited number of schools offering orchestra programs, we are pleased to be able to continue to offer these opportunities to our students. Students from Howard High School (John Sweat), Central High School (Jaris Tolber), Miller Middle School (Kuei-Fan Chan), The Academy for Classical Education (Rachael Smith), and local private teachers also had students participating in the event. The middle school orchestra was directed by Sarah Ball, North Gwinnett Middle School, and Dr. Bryan Emmon Hall, the
DISTRICT THIRTEEN • Taniesha Pooser, a District 13 Middle School Orchestra Director, was named Gwinnett County Public School’s 2022 Middle School Teacher of the Year. She serves as one of the Lead Orchestra Teachers for the district and teaches at Berkmar Middle School in Lilburn.
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A MUSICAL JEWEL OF SOUTH GEORGIA THE AZALEA WINDS CLASSIC COMMUNITY BAND BY D E B O R A H B R A D L E Y A DISTRICT 8 ARTICLE
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NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER ||SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
A MUSICAL JEWEL
OF
SOUTH GEORGIA
When the band started about eight years ago, I had just retired from the Lowndes County Band programs. My mentor, Frank Butenschon, had ended his career at Cook Middle School. I can reflect back on the day my late lunch lasted a couple of hours with Susan and Frank Butenschon. We could remember the “olden days” when a band was playing “someplace in Valdosta” for about eighteen hours during the daytime period. Because of this legacy, there must be an enormous amount of former students and friends who had played music in the bands of South Georgia. My first stop was to ask Christina Huss if she would allow us to use the Valdosta Middle School Band room. VMS seemed to be the fitting place since all three band directors, Butenschon, Bradley, and Huss, had taught there for quite some period of their band career.
By October of 2014, we began an amazing journey with about 50 members at the first rehearsal. The band became a happy place for many citizens of the area, ranging in age from 16 to 80. Some members continue today though it means a long drive in from other area counties. We have a clarinet player driving approximately 100 miles one way just to be a part of this treasured 90 minutes of fun and fellowship. We decided it does not matter how much experience one has or where they came from, it was just enough to be a part of this band. There are myriad connections to past teachers and friends and many professions represented. We have a few band directors, active and retired teachers, military personnel, business owners, ministers, secretaries, doctors, nurses, high school students, farmers, funeral directors, a writer and a lawyer. No matter what age the performers are, we feel these rehearsals serve as a type of music therapy after an exhausting day at work. Band music can take us back into the mindset of the “good old high school days,” it can reduce anxiety, and even relax muscle tensions.
The success of the Azalea Winds has been due to the combined efforts of every member. As the lead conductor, I find working with the Azalea Winds an opportunity to highlight the talents of our members. We found that R. Alan Carter can write anything he is asked to compose. It was during one of our early seasons that Alan composed a march for the band
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NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
called Azalea City March. The march was listed as one of 2018’s top choice selections of band music by Band World Magazine. It was not long until the publishers caught up with Alan for national distribution. He has been featured in the Waycross Magazine for his excellent composition called Okefenokee-Land of Trembling Earth. We are also lucky when it comes to having an associate conductor who is also a superior composer of music. Christina Huss wrote a fitting tribute to the Senior Class of 2020 during Covid-19, knowing we were all overwhelmed with losses and emotions. Remember, there were no formal graduations and no normal way existed to share common traditions. Her composition, Forevermore, offers the listener a poignant melody that represents each of those students in memory of their final high school walk during a time we should never forget. Ms. Huss has recently become a featured composer of a national publisher for school bands.
Our 2021 concert featured a remarkable highly skilled original composition called Remembering Pearl Harbor. This piece is crafted to reflect the sounds of the day we will never forget, December 7, 1941. The music was composed by Christina Huss and Alan Carter. The 2022 Spring Concert will be called “Passports.” We will program music from special places around the world. Just watch and listen as we polish this jewel called the Azalea Winds. We can truly say we are the “musical jewel” of South Georgia.
Azalea Winds Deborah Bradley, Conductor Director of Bands Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA Christina Huss, Associate Conductor Band Director Lowndes County Schools-Valdosta R. Alan Carter, Composer Instrumental Chair, GMEA District 8 Kathy H. Cox, Scholarship Chair Band Director (retired), Ware County School Susan Butenschon, Founder Valdosta, GA
get all the details
https://www.gmea.org/marching-band
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NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER ||SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
YEAR OF RETIREMENT
DR. DOUGLAS HILL Dr. Douglas Hill will be retiring from Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music in June of 2022 after 34 years at the University as Director of Instrumental Ensembles and Director of Undergraduate Studies and 6 years teaching instrumental music in the Ohio public schools. Dr. Hill would like to thank his many students and colleagues for all the wonderful times together. He hopes all of them will continue to be positive role models to their young student musicians. His future plans include music arranging, contest adjudications, working in a winery, wood-working and of course, trout fishing in the North Georgia Mountains.
YEAR OF RETIREMENT
KEVIN HIBBARD Kevin Hibbard retired from the University of West Georgia in August 2020, after 41 years of teaching (32 at West Georgia). He continues as Music Director of Collegium Vocale community chorus.
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NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
YEAR OF RETIREMENT
LINDA RHODES Mrs. Linda Rhodes is finishing her 39th year as an orchestral director. She has taught in the Cobb County School District in Georgia, the Omaha Area School District in Nebraska, and the Arlington Independent School District in Texas. Mrs. Rhodes' most recent position was with the Lost Mountain Middle School Orchestra Program in Cobb County where she served as head orchestra director for 22 years. Under Mrs. Rhodes guidance, the Lost Mountain Orchestras have received Superior ratings at Large Group Festivals. The 8th Grade Chamber Orchestra was selected to perform at the 2011 and 2014 Georgia Music Educators Association Conference. For the past 18 years, the eighth-grade orchestras have been invited to perform at Disney World and the Georgia State Capitol.
From 1996 until 2000, Mrs. Rhodes was Director of Orchestras at Harrison High School in Cobb County. The Harrison Orchestras received consecutive Superior ratings at the state and regional festivals. In 1998, the Harrison Chamber Orchestra was chosen to perform at the Georgia Music Educators’ Association state conference. That same year, Mrs. Rhodes was selected as Who's Who Among America's Teachers and was presented the Cobb County Award of Excellence. During her 25 years of teaching in Cobb County, Mrs. Rhodes has served as Treasurer for the Georgia Music Educators’ Association District 12, High School Honors Orchestra Chairman, Middle School Honors Orchestra Chairman, Strings Jamboree Coordinator, and Middle/High School Large Group Orchestra Festival Chairman. Mrs. Rhodes has had the privilege to conduct and adjudicate numerous orchestra festivals and Honors programs throughout the state of Georgia. She is also on staff as conductor/violinist with the Encore Music camp and has conducted the Gwinnett and Henry County 6th grade Honors Orchestra Programs as well as the guest conductor for the Fayette County High School Honors Orchestra. In addition to teaching in the public-school systems, Mrs. Rhodes is a certified Suzuki Violin Specialist. She has taught Suzuki for the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, the Youth Orchestras of Greater Fort Worth and the University of Texas at Arlington.
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NEWSLETTER |SEPTEMBER
YEAR OF RETIREMENT
GINA ROYAL Mrs. Gina Royal graduated with honors from Fitzgerald High School in 1988. She received her Associate of Fine Arts from Young Harris College and her Bachelor of Music from Georgia Southern University. Mrs. Royal also has a Masters in Elementary Reading & Literacy and a Specialist in Teacher as Leader, both from Walden University, and certification in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Royal began her music-teaching career at Len Lastinger Elementary in Tifton, GA. After a year, she was hired in Ben Hill County, Fitzgerald, GA, where she has been ever since. This year marks her 30th year of teaching music
She has loved teaching at Ben Hill Primary. She worked for years to bring her music program into the national spotlight. BHP was the only Georgia school selected to appear on the 2011 World’s Largest Concert DVD. Her school was featured in both the February 2011 edition of Teaching Music magazine and Georgia Music News magazine. They were also chosen as candidates for the National GLEE “Give a Note” contest in 2012. She was Ben Hill Primary Teacher of the Year in 2013. She considers herself blessed to have lived and worked in a community that provides music education in the public school. Her administrators have always supported the music program in every aspect and continue to find ways to fund 21st century music curriculum and resources. She has loved nurturing eager and exceptional children as she has seen their journey begin from a traditional mind-set of cultural differences to a fulfilling bond of togetherness in musical concepts and performing on stage. She believes the joy in music education is undeniable in the unison of smiles she has seen over the years. Mrs. Royal is married to Andy Royal. They have four children: Emily, Brooks, Annlyn, and AJ. They are active members of Sturgeon Creek Primitive Baptist Church.
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NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
a conference survey a group of members were asked to answer 2 questions I F YO U C A M E TO T H E I N - S E R V I C E T H I S Y E A R (2 0 2 2), W H AT T H E B E S T PA R T O F T H E C O N F E R E N C E F O R YO U ? W H E R E I S YO U R FAV O R I T E P L AC E TO E AT O R D R I N K I N AT H E N S ? here is what they had to say 19
NEWSLETTER |SEPTEMBER
a conference survey ELAINE HARLOWE
CHORUS DIVISION FROM GRADY COUNTY SCHOOLS
I attended conference to see what’s new, hear new choral music, see Quaver in-person, and to see old friends and colleagues. The highlight of my 2022 GMEA In-Service was getting to meet Graham Hepburn (aka Quaver) and thank him for putting the curriculum together. I wish I had gotten to do more but I got sick with fever and had to stay in my hotel room on Friday. I was very disappointed because there were several sessions I was looking forward to attending.
SERGIO ARREGUIN
BAND, CHORUS DIVISIONS FROM BULLOCH COUNTY SCHOOLS
I was able to attend the leadership symposium on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. We listened to a presentation about leadership given by Dr. Peter Boonshaft. By far, this was my favorite session that I’ve ever attended at a GMEA conference.
JILL BARNOCKI
BAND DIVISION FROM COBB COUNTY SCHOOLS
My favorite part of the conference was seeing colleagues again and catching up. Hearing performances of outstanding groups in the Concert Hall was a highlight as well.
SAM LOWDER
ORCHESTRA DIVISION FROM HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS
The best thing for me was getting to be with my colleagues in person. Conference is always great for being inspired, motivated, and encouraged by attending the wonderful performances and insightful sessions. This year’s conference for me was very therapeutic and actually heart-healing! I’m so grateful to have been there.
MICHAEL OUBRE
BAND DIVISION FROM PICKENS COUNTY SCHOOL
I enjoyed the camaraderie of seeing my colleagues and that was the best part for me. I also enjoyed all of the concerts and clinics I attended. I thought the selection of clinics was good and the concerts were spectacular.
CARLOS FRANCO
BAND DIVISION FROM GWINNETT COUNTY SCHOOLS
I loved attending all the concerts! It was so refreshing. 20
NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
PAIGE DOBBINS
ELEMENTARY MUSIC DIVISION FROM COBB COUNTY SCHOOLS
I thoroughly enjoyed Chelsea Cook’s session. She had great fresh ideas to incorporate into your Orff ensemble that included playing, singing and dancing, I think students would love it! The Sequoyah High Singers’ diverse music, accompanied by what can only be described as tremendous musicianship, made their concert a particularly wonderful experience. I fully delighted in their entire program.
VANESSA FANNING
ORCHESTRA DIVISION FROM DEKALB COUNTY
As usual, the best part about attending the GMEA In-Service each year is catching up with colleagues and friends that you haven’t seen in a while. It is wonderful to make new connections with persons that you had not met previously who are in the trenches with you each and every day. It always a blessing to be able to have have conversations with such persons because they can identify and relate with the circumstances and ordeals that you navigate each week. Even after having taught for numerous years, there’s always more to learn. The clinicians may refresh or remind me to use tactics that I’m familiar with, as well as bring fresh, useful strategies that I may not have considered before.
ALAN FOWLER
BAND DIVISION FROM NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
The best part of the GMEA In-Service Conference this year was the people. While the music was great and the sessions I attended were inspiring, the people are what I will remember most. It had been so long since many of us had seen each other, it was simply wonderful to visit with friends and colleagues. I could go on and on about the many conversations, from catching up with younger music educators who at one time or another over the years taught band camps at Eastside, to sitting at a table over lunch or supper with band people I have known since my days as a student in Clayton County, to visiting with friends from across the country in the exhibit hall. While walking through the exhibit hall, I saw the masked face of a lady, one I did not immediately recognize until I saw her eyes! I immediately recognized her eyes; I have known them since I was in junior high. She was Elizabeth Rawls, a music teacher in Henry County. Elizabeth was actually Beth Ragsdale back at North Clayton High School when we were both students. Beth was one of the upperclassmen, along with Ken and Doug, Kathy and Mike, and Julie and Gina, who inspired me to make All-State. When I did not make All-State in 7th grade, their example inspired me to practice and improve. I made it the next five years, in part because I wanted to be like them. Elizabeth then introduced me to her son and son-in-law, and we talked about how special our time at North Clayton was and how blessed we are to have been a part of Mike Puckett and Bill Swor's bands. Since my first GMEA conference (All-State @ Jekyll Island, 1983), I have known that GMEA is special. My senior year in high school, the North Clayton Band performed at the convention in Columbus, by which point I knew I wanted to be a band director. The fact I get to return each January to the in-service conference is special. At Eastside High School, 31 years into this wonderful career, we continue to preach that each day is about learning, growing and developing. The convention is part of that. The concerts, the clinics, the exhibits, and the time visiting with colleagues are all part of that. My first in-service conference as a teacher was 1992 in Savannah, at which Mike Ryan introduced me to Frank Folds. Two months later Frank greeted me as I entered the Sightreading Room with the Stephens County Middle School and gave me, a first-year band director, some wonderful advice I continue to use to this day. This past January, I sat next to Frank at the President's Luncheon and realized how truly fortunate I am to get to go to Athens every January. 21
NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER ||SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
a conference survey JOSHUA BLOODWORTH BAND DIVISION FROM WALKER SCHOOLS
I thoroughly enjoyed the Opening Session with Dr. Boonshaft and all of the phenomenal band concerts that took place throughout the weekend. I particularly enjoyed the Woodland and Central-Carroll concerts, and I could not be happier for and more proud of the directors and students with those organizations!
JOSHUA BOYD
BAND DIVISION FROM COWETA COUNTY SCHOOLS
The best part of attending the GMEA conference is the opportunity to hear music produced at the highest level, and to celebrate our colleagues and the students making it. With each note played, I feel a sense of Hope about our world and it’s future.
TYLER EHRLICH
BAND DIVISION FROM CITY SCHOOLS OF DECATUR
My favorite thing about the conference, of course, is the camaraderie and fellowship in our profession. It's so wonderful to see dozens of folks I've met over the years together in the same place at the same time. Impromptu meals, drinks, conversations... I love it! The Kennesaw Mountain Wind Symphony concert was a unique and moving experience. Additionally, I loved hearing Joe Girard from CSU talk about saxophone pedagogy. I wrote "don't drop the jaw for pitch!" three times in my notebook.
DAVID METRIO
ORCHESTRA DIVISION FROM GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The GMEA conference is one of the highlights of my academic year. There are so many worth-while learning opportunities at the conference, that it is difficult to narrow down the best part of the conference. I think that for me, being back with our community of orchestra directors (after what felt like forever) was the best part of my conference experience and what made the conference so reinvigorating. Our job is so specific, and there are only a small number of people across our state that do exactly what we do. Through several years of collaborating and interacting with colleagues at things like GMEA conference, Allstate, and LGPE, you develop a relationship and a friendship with them. It was so heart-warming to see that all of my colleagues and friends came out of the pandemic and were still healthy, happy, and excited about our profession.
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NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
JON COTTON
BAND DIVISION FROM OCONEE COUNTY SCHOOLS
The band performance by Centrall-Carroll High School was a treat! Seeing some people for the first time in two years was awesome as well.
MICHAEL TOMPKINS
ORCHESTRA DIVISION FROM COBB COUNTY SCHOOLS
I really enjoyed Northwestern Middle School’s orchestra performance. I learned a lot from attending clinics by Sara Ball, Jeremy Woolstenhulme, and Charles Laux.
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P.S. from During our In-Service Conference in January, I spoke with several teachers who mentioned that they are busier than ever, including auditions, honor ensembles, competitions, and many other annual events. Although teachers are excited to return to these familiar activities, they are new to many students who are participating for the first time.
I have been fortunate to observe several honor events in multiple GMEA districts throughout February. These were joyous experiences as students made music together over the course of just a few hours or days. Interestingly, I noticed some behaviors that I had not seen at these types of events in previous years. For example, some very advanced student-musicians struggled to count simple rest patterns and enter at the correct time in the context of the full ensemble. Several first chair students preferred to play solos with others instead of by themselves. Some students appeared to be using the tuner app on their phone but were instead responding to texts and Instagram posts during rehearsal. There was even a student who texted a picture while on stage during an honor
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NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
m the President ensemble concert (in between selections, at least). As we return to annual activities and programs, we do so in a different world than just a few years ago. This is the case not only with our honor ensembles but also in every music classroom throughout Georgia.
Students want to know the “why” (the big picture). Now more than ever, this is crucial to fostering a culture of engagement and purpose in our music classes. Why is it important to balance and blend in an ensemble? Why is it important to be in your seat on time when class starts? Why is it important to sing and make music every class period? Why is it important to avoid using your phone during rehearsal?
Multiple research studies outside of music education contain results that indicate a decrease in our collective attention spans. There is no simple solution in music class, but perhaps focusing on proven practices might improve engagement overall. These practices include:
Explaining the “why” comes at a risk: the teacher talks too much! Students love to sing and play instruments. They generally do not enjoy teachers talking at them for extended periods of time. Look at your students if you aren’t sure if you are talking too much. Are your students making eye contact with you? Do their facial expressions indicate interest? Are they nodding their heads? Or are they staring at the ground (or their phones)?
• MAKE MUSIC EVERY CLASS. Begin & end each class or rehearsal with all students engaged in making music successfully. • PROHIBIT CELL PHONES IN MUSIC CLASS. This goes for the teacher as well! The students will only be as engaged as the teacher. If technology is needed for a specific educational goal, ensure it purposeful.
As we continue to reconnect with colleagues inperson, take time to chat about what is working in each other’s classes. Share solutions. Celebrate successes. We are all stronger together. Let’s continue to work towards the goal of positive and engaging music education for all students!
• INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTFOCUSED LESSONS. This might include small ensembles, student conductors, or other collaborative projects in which students are independently making music. Allow students to select music that speaks to their lived experiences.
Matt Koperniak
• OBSERVE ENGAGING AND AUTHENTIC
GMEA PRESIDENT
TEACHERS. Steal from the best! Students have so many choices when selecting their course schedule. The most important aspect of recruitment is the day-to-day experiences students have in our classes. Teachers must strive to avoid the appearance of being bored, tired, or uncaring.
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upcoming e ve n t s 3/15
2023 Conference
5/1
2023 Conference
5/14
Board Meeting
Applications Available NOW
Applications DEADLINE
n e w 2 0 2 2 - 2 0 2 3 s t a t e w i d e c al e n d a r
ava i l ab l e soon 27
NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER
Unde rne ath the bright, silverly light You' ll be feeling better so o n P ick up your hat and clo se up yo ur flat Ge t out and get under the mo o n
A ll you' v e go tta do , any o ld night W h e n you're feeling o ut o f tune P ick up your hat and clo se up yo ur flat Ge t ou t, get under the mo o n
N at King Cole