President’s Message

WILLIAM McDEVITT 856-794-6800 x2539 billnjmea@aol.com Website: http://www.njmea.org

You will, I am sure, agree with me that . . . if page 534 only finds us in the second chapter, the length of the first one must have been really intolerable.

Arthur Conan Doyle

Some would consider a second chance a rarity, some a necessity. I on the other hand have found it to be an opportunity. There are only a few of us who have had the opportunity to hold this office twice and represent the music educators in the State of New Jersey. There are only a few of us who have had the opportunity to host an Eastern Division Conference. There are only a few of us who have had the opportunity to work so closely with an amazing group of individuals who want the best possible music education for the students in the State of New Jersey. I consider myself lucky and truly thankful for having been given that opportunity twice.

As I end my term, I have many people that I would like to thank for their contribution to our organization and the students in the state. I could not have done this without those that have gone before me and given me advice over the years. I would like to thank Joe Jacobs who most recently assumed that role. Joe has always been an excellent proofreader and has an amazing memory. I am so glad to have had him around to check my important emails and articles before I send them.

Six years ago, I thanked Debbie Sfraga for her organizational memory. There are few people that know the amount of work that Debbie has done to keep our organization legally safe and solvent. While the office of President changes every two years, she has been there for decades making sure that the daily business of the organization does not change so the music teachers in the state can have their needs met. Not only do I thank you for these things, I also thank you for saying “No” when it had to be said. There aren’t a lot of people that take the risks that you have taken to maintain cohesion in our organization.

I would like to thank my Board of Directors and their committees that have run every aspect of our organization. From the most visible All-State Ensembles to our Festivals, Conferences, and affiliate groups, you have all made me very proud of what we have accomplished. While I know that you are not thanked very often, I thank you and appreciate the time that you have volunteered for the students and teachers in our State.

I would finally like to thank you – the members of NJMEA – for what you do in the classroom every day for the students of New Jersey. We are in a much better place than we were six years ago, but I know that you are all still fighting to maintain what you have built. Don’t give up that fight. Your students are counting on you!

At the time of this writing, we are eagerly anticipating the Eastern Division Conference in Atlantic City. It is a project that has been four years in the making. I remember sitting at a table in the Sports Bar at the Hilton in East Brunswick and discussing the possibility with a few people. That discussion grew into a beast! There are a few individuals that need to be thanked for bringing this project together:

Keith Hodgson – You made the pitch to the Eastern Division Board and took over as BOCJ Chair.

Marie Malara – You took over the planning of the conference sessions/concerts/meetings that make up an Eastern Division Conference.

Debbie Sfraga – You took on the monumental task of managing the conference. This included executing all contracts, registering all participants, and all the fiduciary responsibilities.

I am extremely indebted to these individuals for their time and expertise in making this conference a success. I also thank the many individuals who had any role in the planning or implementation of this event. It truly consumed many aspects of our organization for the past year. It has brought about anxiety, frustration, and tension. I am also hoping that it will finish in happiness, satisfaction, and relief. I hope that those who come to Atlantic City from other states will leave revitalized and pleased over the success of the Conference.

Once again, I will state that two years go by very quickly. The big plans that started as ideas four years ago have morphed into manageable tasks – some of which were fulfilled and some of which were not. Your vote of confidence four years ago reopened a world of opportunities for me. I have traveled throughout the Northeast representing New Jersey. I have visited Washington, DC and spoken with Congressional Representatives and Staff about the value of music education in school curriculum. I have met some amazing, talented, committed, and consumed individuals with a passion for their art that I could never match. I have received (and appreciated) ideas and comments (positive and negative) from teachers and parents who truly care about their students and children.

I thank you all for the opportunity and look forward to watching the progress of our profession over the coming years.

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