CJMEA
Central Jersey Music Educators Association cjmea.org
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elcome back to another school year! I hope you had a relaxing summer and feel invigorated to start fresh. September always brings change and challenges for us as we begin to navigate our new year. In my 17th year of teaching, I still get those first day jitters and feelings of apprehension. This year, I also have the opportunity to begin my tenure as CJMEA President. I’m grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me and look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence in Region II. I’d like to thank our Past-President, Adam Warshafsky, for all he has done over the past two years. Adam started our Professional Development Grant Program as well as our Senior Scholarship Program. Information regarding both of those programs is available on the CJMEA website. I’d also like to welcome and congratulate our President-Elect, Wayne Mallette. Wayne brings a great deal of experience to our Board and I look forward to working with him.
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We have some changes and additions to the CJMEA board. First, I’d like to welcome our new High School Choir Chairperson, Julianna LoBiondo. Julianna is the choir director at Hillsborough High School and is excited to begin her work on the Board. I’d like to thank Hillary Colton for her many years of service on the CJMEA board, both as a past-president and as HS Choir Chairperson. Our Intermediate Band Division has a new co-chairperson, Sandy Olson. Sandy is the band director at Crossroads North Middle School and has graciously filled the vacancy left by Seth Davis’ move out of state. I’d like to thank Seth for his years of service on the CJMEA board and wish him all the best in his new endeavors. We also have a new Intermediate Choir co-chairperson, Rebekah Hamilton. Rebekah is the choir director at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and has some great new ideas for our elementary and middle school choir division. Penny Martin, our Intermediate Orchestra Chairperson, resigned effective June 2017. Penny has done great work for the Region serving as a chairperson and conductor. Unfortunately, we have not found a replacement for her. The CJMEA Board is looking for a teacher who is willing to serve in this capacity. It’s important that the new chairperson has been active as a sending teacher during the past few school years. If we don’t find a qualified chairperson soon, our Intermediate Orchestra events will be in danger of not running during the 2017-2018 school year. We understand that everyone is extremely busy with his or her own orchestra programs, but we’re hopeful that the right person will step up to fill this vacancy on our Board soon.
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Please remember to check the CJMEA website at www.cjmea.org frequently. We post information regarding concerts, audition requirements, application deadlines, and other important information as soon as it becomes available. Also, please feel free to reach out to me or any other Board member if you have any questions or concerns. The contact information for every Board member is also available on the website. We are here to promote a spirit of cooperation and fellowship among the music educators of this region and are always happy to hear from you. I look forward to seeing and meeting you at our auditions and concerts throughout the year. David Westawski CJMEA President dwestawski@cjmea.org
NJSMA
North Jersey School Music Association njsma.com
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reetings to my colleagues in Region I and around the state! On behalf of the entire NJSMA Executive Board, I am excited to welcome everyone to another exciting school year. It is with great optimism and enthusiasm that I begin my 2 years as President. In that same sentiment, I would also like to take a moment to thank now Past President, Russ Batsch, for his service to our organization and welcome President-Elect, Anna D’Achille. Please take a few moments to read over all the exciting happenings from our divisions around the region! Regards, Joseph Spina, President NJSMA
OCTOBER 2017
