SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN
APRIL 2023
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VOLUME 91 ■ ISSUE 8 APRIL 2023
CONTENTS FEATURES
Music Educators Change Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Enjoy reading excerpts from the inspiring message Kevin Brown delivered during TMEA’s General Session.
Here to Inspire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 by chad dempsey
Learn how this music educator turned a shocking diagnosis into a calling to inspire others.
Texans Win Back-to-Back Grammy Music Educator Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 TMEA congratulates two Texas music educators on being honored with the Grammy Music Educator Award.
UPDATES & CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS Attend Your Spring Region Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Welcome, 2023–2024 TMEA Executive Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Post-Convention Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 2023 Clinic/Convention Images. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 36, 54
18 COLUMNS President Dana Pradervand-Sedatole . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Executive Director Robert Floyd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Band Vice-President Shane Goforth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Orchestra Vice-President Jennifer Martin . . . . . . . . 38
Congratulations, Four-Year All-Staters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Vocal Vice-President Joshua McGuire . . . . . . . . . . .48
Nominate Your Students for the Texas Music Scholar Award . . . 27
Elementary Vice-President Christopher Giles . . .56
Lessons Learned During the 2023 Clinic/Convention . . . . . . . . . . 28
College Vice-President Matthew McInturf . . . . . . .64
Submit a Proposal for the TMEA Clinic/Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 2023 TMEA Scholarship Recipients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 2023 All-State Student Reflections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Energized & Inspired: Convention Attendee Reflections. . . . . . . . 62 Convention Survey Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Membership and Convention Attendance Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
ON THE COVER: Lydia Kang (a junior, cello) and Allison Kim (a senior, viola) perform with the Tompkins HS Sinfonia during the 2023 TMEA Clinic/ Convention. Photo by Karen Cross.
Southwestern Musician | April 2023
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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
Editor-in-Chief: Robert Floyd
rfloyd@tmea.org | 512-452-0710, ext. 101
Managing Editor: Karen Cross
kcross@tmea.org | 512-452-0710, ext. 107
TMEA Executive Board President: Dana Pradervand-Sedatole, University of Houston president@tmea.org | 713-743-3627 3606 Glenwood Springs Dr., Kingwood, 77345
President-Elect: Jesse Cannon II, Fort Worth ISD
presidentelect@tmea.org | 817-814-2635 1407 I.M. Terrell Circle South, Suite 2203-Room 02, Fort Worth, 76102
Past-President: Michael Stringer, Mesquite ISD
pastpresident@tmea.org | 972-882-7300 3511 Lake Champlain Drive, Arlington, 76016
Band Vice-President: Shane Goforth, North Shore Senior HS bandvp@tmea.org | 713-516-7158 14122 Wadebridge Way, Houston, 77015
Attend Your Spring Region Meeting Region Date 1
May 6
Time
Location
10:00 a.m. mtg,
Amarillo HS Cafeteria
9:30 a.m. food
2
May 13
10:00 a.m.
Denton HS
3
May 20
10:00 a.m.
Sachse HS
4
May 12
5:30 p.m.
Region 8 ESC, Pittsburg
5
May 13
9:00 a.m.
Mansfield ISD PAC
6
April 22
1:00 p.m.
Permian HS
7
April 22
10:00 a.m.
Graham HS
8
May 6
10:00 a.m.
Midway PAC
9
May 6
9:00 a.m.
Grand Oaks HS
10
May 1
6:30 p.m.
Lamar Univ Music Bldg
11
May 6
12:00 p.m.
Medina Valley HS
12
May 7
2:30 p.m.
Madison HS
13
May 6
10:00 a.m.
Foster HS, LCISD
14
May 6
9:00 a.m.
Del Mar College
orchestravp@tmea.org | 817-814-2640 4207 Crossgate Ct., Arlington, 76016
15
April 30
2:00 p.m.
Pioneer HS
16
May 1
10:00 a.m.
Frenship PAC
Vocal Vice-President: Joshua McGuire, Rock Hill HS
17
May 6
10:00 a.m. mtg,
Shadow Creek HS
Orchestra Vice-President: Jennifer Martin, Fort Worth ISD
vocalvp@tmea.org | 429-219-2300 x 81201 16061 Coit Rd, Frisco, 75035
Elementary Vice-President: Christopher Giles, Mireles Elementary elementaryvp@tmea.org | 210-394-0289 12260 Rockwall Mill, San Antonio, 78254
College Vice-President: Matthew McInturf, Sam Houston State University collegevp@tmea.org | 832-515-8724 17 Hornsilver Place, The Woodlands, 77381
TMEA Staff
9:30 a.m. food
18
April 15
10:00 a.m.
Austin HS
19
May 6
10:00 a.m.
Sam Rayburn HS
9:30 a.m. food
20
May 6
9:00 a.m.
Berkner HS
21
May 6
10:00 a.m.
Tyler HS
22
May 15
6:00 p.m.
UTEP
23
May 13
9:00 a.m.
Kerr HS
8:30 a.m. food
Executive Director: Robert Floyd | rfloyd@tmea.org
24
May 13
10:00 a.m.
Reedy HS
Deputy Director: Frank Coachman | fcoachman@tmea.org
25
May 20
10:00 a.m.
Allen HS
Administrative Director: Kay Vanlandingham | kvanlandingham@tmea.org
26
April 25
6:00 p.m.
McNeil HS
27
May 13
9:00 a.m.
Cy-Fair HS
28
May 13
10:00 a.m
Harlingen CISD PAC
Advertising/Exhibits Manager: Zachary Gersch | zgersch@tmea.org Membership Manager: Susan Daugherty | susand@tmea.org Communications Manager: Karen Cross | kcross@tmea.org Financial Manager: Cristin Gaffney | cgaffney@tmea.org Information Technologist: Andrew Denman-Tidline | adenman@tmea.org Administrative Assistant: Rita Ellinger | rellinger@tmea.org
TMEA Office Mailing Address: P.O. Box 140465, Austin, 78714-0465 Physical Address: 7900 Centre Park Drive, Austin, 78754 Website: www.tmea.org | Phone: 512-452-0710 Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a .m.– 4:30 p.m.
29
May 13
10:00 a.m.
Sotomayor HS
30
May 13
10:00 a.m.
Saginaw HS
31
May 13
10:00 a.m.
Grapevine HS
32
May 13
6:00 p.m.
Vista Ridge HS
33
May 6
10:00 a.m.
Summer Creek HS
www.tmea.org/regionmeetings
Southwestern Musician (ISSN 0162-380X) (USPS 508-340) is published monthly except March, June, and July by Texas Music Educators Association, 7900 Centre Park Drive, Austin, TX 78754. Subscription rates: One Year – $20; Single copies $3.00. Periodical postage paid at Austin, TX, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Southwestern Musician, P.O. Box 140465, Austin, TX 78714-0465. Southwestern Musician was founded in 1915 by A.L. Harper. Renamed in 1934 and published by Dr. Clyde Jay Garrett. Published 1941–47 by Dr. Stella Owsley. Incorporated in 1948 as National by Harlan-Bell P ublishers, Inc. Published 1947–54 by Dr. H. Grady Harlan. Purchased in 1954 by D.O. Wiley. Texas Music Educator was founded in 1936 by Richard J. Dunn and given to the Texas Music Educators Association, whose official publication it has been since 1938. In 1954, the two magazines were merged using the name Southwestern Musician combined with the Texas Music Educator under the editorship of D.O. Wiley, who continued to serve as editor until his retirement in 1963. At that time ownership of both magazines was assumed by TMEA. In August 2004 the TMEA Executive Board changed the name of the publication to Southwestern Musician.
2
Southwestern Musician | April 2023
STUDY
MUSIC at Programs in
Church Music Music Education Music Business Worship Technology Performance
Music Scholarships Available up to
FULL TUITION 2023 auditions January 28 | February 25 April 1 | April 22
For more information music@umhb.edu | umhb.edu/music
TMEA President DANA PRADERVAND-SEDATOLE
Inspired, Motivated, and Validated The energy and excitement throughout the four days of convention never subsided, and I returned home feeling inspired, motivated, validated, and with a renewed sense of purpose.
R
eflection is such a powerful learning tool. It allows us the opportunity to give serious thought to something that transpired and consider the impact to our lives. I have been reflecting on the recent TMEA Clinic/ Convention, and several memorable moments that have stayed with me. My first thought after the convention was how there seemed to be something quite different and special about this 2023 event. Perhaps it had to do with the fact there were more people in attendance. Maybe it was rooted in a feeling of finally coming through the pandemic. Or it could have just been the beautiful weather! Whatever the reason, there was a renewed energy and excitement to this convention. Wednesday morning of the TMEA Clinic/Convention I was standing outside the TMEA convention office on the second floor of the center. It was the calm before the storm. Convention center personnel and TMEA staff were completing final preparations on signage and registration. Exhibitors were setting up their booths, and the lobby was strangely empty. I had a sense of anticipation for the events that were soon to begin. Slowly but steadily, All-State students and directors arrived for their 4:45 p.m. student meeting, the lobby of the convention center became busier with people arriving to pick up their badge, and I could feel the energy and excitement of convention rising! By 6 p.m., the convention center lobby was getting louder, and the energy intensified as students filed into their rehearsal rooms to begin their experience as Texas AllStaters! Later that evening, we were treated to an outstanding President’s
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Southwestern Musician | April 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates
April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2). May 1—TMEA 2023–2024 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission. May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award. May 1–June 1—2024 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online. June 30—All 2022–2023 TMEA memberships expire. July 20–22—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.
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June 18-22
Marching Arts Director Symposium
June 19-21
Summer Percussion Camps & Director Symposium
June 25-29
All State Choir Camp
July 5-8
Blast of Brass
July 10-15
Camp Granada - Elementary Music Day Camp
July 10-14
Online registration now open: tamuc.edu/music
@TAMUCMusic | @TAMUCBands | @TAMUCChoirs
Concert by the United States Air Force Band Singing Sergeants! The convention had officially begun, and the energy and excitement were palpable! This electric feeling continued to intensify at Thursday’s General Session, with the moving performance of the combined All-State groups. This is always a great reminder of the high-level musicianship of our Texas students. I was proud and inspired by the testimonial offered by our keynote speaker, Kevin Brown, Executive Director of Texas Association of School Administrators. It was wonderful to hear how his life and the lives of his children have been positively affected by music teachers. There was a constant hustle and bustle in the exhibit hall as members visited with industry representatives. The College Fair was packed with students seeking to learn more about institutions where they might further their musical pursuits. From our Elementary to College Divisions, our VicePresidents created a menu of clinics and performances that fed our membership pedagogically, musically, and emotionally. Additionally, it was wonderful to again hear performances by the selected Honor
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Southwestern Musician | April 2023
and Invited Ensembles, as well as enjoy 50 groups on our four showcase stages throughout the center. All this energy culminated in amazing performances by our All-State ensembles led by incredible conductors in our profession. The energy and excitement throughout the four days of convention never subsided, and I returned home feeling inspired, motivated, validated, and with a renewed sense of purpose. My second takeaway from the convention is a quote that was offered during a casual conversation with a colleague while attending a clinic. “Beware of the side effects of music education!” This comes from Bruce Adolphe’s book Of Mozart, Parrots, Cherry Blossoms in the Wind! and it so wonderfully describes the impactful influence that music education has: • on our convention • on our profession • on us as educators • on our students • on our communities • and perhaps most importantly, on humanity itself!
This so beautifully sums up 2023 TMEA Clinic/Convention, and it is a perfect reminder of why we do what we do! I hope you continue to feel inspired, motivated, and validated and have a renewed sense of purpose as we finish the 2023 school year! Thanks, Goodbyes, and Welcomes The TMEA convention ends with an Executive Board meeting to wrap up the convention business and to begin our work for the upcoming year. It is a bittersweet meeting because we say goodbye to Board members who have completed their service while welcoming those newly elected. I hope you will join me in thanking Michael Stringer for his leadership and support of our members, our students, and our music industry partners through his service as President this past year. Additionally, I invite you to take time to send a note of appreciation to the division VicePresidents who orchestrated an incredible lineup of clinics and concerts that were as inspiring as they were informative. Past-President John Carroll served TMEA as an Executive Board member for five years with incredible leadership,
compassion, and kindness. While he will be missed, the impact of his service will continue. Also completing their Board service were Vice-Presidents Katherine Johns (Elementary) and Ann G. Smith (Orchestra). Thanks go to each of them for their outstanding contribution and service to TMEA. It is my honor to congratulate and welcome the newly elected members to the Executive Board: President-Elect Jesse Cannon II and Vice-Presidents Jennifer Martin (Orchestra), Joshua McGuire (Vocal), and Christopher Giles (Elementary). They bring a wealth of experience to the Executive Board, and I hope
you find ways to volunteer your time to support them in their leadership of our organization. Gratitude for the TMEA Staff and Exhibitors There are not enough ways to express our appreciation for the dedicated work the TMEA staff does, not only in preparation for the convention but also in the daily operations of our association. They are integral to the success of our annual convention and examples of their incredible work include the effortless online and onsite registration process, the easy to follow convention signage, the increased
Thank You for Attending!
Enjoy this convention review issue, and if you weren’t able to attend this year, be sure to make plans for the 2024 Clinic/Convention, February 7–10. 8
Southwestern Musician | April 2023
number of exhibitors, and the new TMEA convention app! I hope you will extend your personal appreciation to each (www.tmea.org/contact). On behalf of the Executive Board and all members, I express TMEA’s gratitude to our music industry partners and the colleges and universities that exhibited at the convention. The convention floor was busier than ever, and it was good to see so many of our exhibitors return after two tumultuous years. We appreciate your continued support of the Texas music educators and students! Attend Your Region Meeting Please remember to attend your spring Region meeting. You can get information on the time and location on page 2 and at www.tmea.org/regionmeetings. Region meetings offer you opportunities to network and to give input on Region and state issues. TMEA Clinic Proposals Open May 1 Our members have wonderful ideas and experience to share that always result in fantastic clinic presentations. If you have a great idea, teaching practice, or curriculum strategy, please consider applying to present at the 2024 TMEA Clinic/ Convention. The time is now to begin working on the details of a clinic or music showcase proposal. The online proposal period is May 1 to June 1. More information about submitting can be found on page 34 and at www.tmea.org/proposals. As you consider proposing (or encouraging a colleague to do so), review the clinic topics that this year’s convention attendees ranked as their top interest for clinics next year. Each TMEA division column in this issue includes a valuable report of that information, filtered by responses submitted from attendees in that division. Finally, with only a few weeks left in the school year, please remember that what you do as a music educator is so important, incredibly valued, and essential to the lives of all those in your classroom and school 0 communities!
Welcome, 2023–2024 TMEA Executive Board
President Dana Pradervand-Sedatole
D IV IS IO N
Band Shane Goforth
President-Elect Jesse Cannon II
Past-President Michael Stringer
V ICE- PR ES ID E NTS
Orchestra Jennifer Martin
Vocal Joshua McGuire
Elementary Christopher Giles
College Matthew McInturf
Post-Convention Opportunities Continuing Professional Education Continuing Professional Education credit is available only to TMEA active members and outof-state registrants who attended the convention. Attendees with family or visitor badges and retired or student members do not have access to create CPE records. 1. Go to www.tmea.org/cpe and log in. 2. Select events you attended in their entirety.
Clinic Handouts If provided by the clinician, handouts are available through the CPE search/Personal Schedule or the convention app. If the clinician provided handout files, a link will be above the ‘Show/Hide’ details button on the personal schedule event record.
Clinic Audio Files If you purchased access, go to www.tmea.org/convention. Follow the link to log in and download these files. If you attended but didn’t purchase this access, you can call Susan Daugherty at 888-318-8632, ext. 105, to purchase access via credit card payment ($10) by April 30.
3. Save your CPE selections. 4. Print your CPE record and submit it to your administrator. Keep a copy for your records.
Performance Recordings
At www.tmea.org/convention, you will find a link to the online store for concert recordings. Southwestern Musician | April 2023
9
TMEA Executive Director ROBERT FLOYD
TMEA Is My Happy Place I believe the convention vibe was a reflection that we are coming out on the other side of the last three years that challenged our commitment to and the future of our programs and our service to Texas schoolchildren through music.
O
ne year ago, in this column I wrote about the joy of returning to a live convention despite wearing masks and an overriding fear of a major COVID outbreak prior to the convention start. While we were forced to focus on precautions to safely house 1,800 AllState students and deal with the loss of almost 500 hotel rooms in December due to hotel renovations, the 2022 convention was still a resounding success. Fast forward to 2023, with COVID concerns significantly diminishing, and what I noticed about this gathering was its electrifying vibe. The buzz and excitement throughout the convention center and Grand Hyatt was infectious, and it was evident simply by the smiles on the maskless faces. I encourage you to review the convention survey report on page 70 and note that the attendee responses to every question related to quality of overall experience and event value received a 90+ percent approval rating of good to very good. While such a survey was valuable and it was reassuring to learn that much of what the convention offered was well received, the most important value is understanding where improvements can be made. As a staff, we learn from the ratings given an activity or convention component, but we gain even more from the individual comments you took the time to share. My favorite of the survey responses were from the 822 teachers who shared their thoughts on how being surrounded by those with a similar passion for music education affected them. It was also moving to
10 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates
April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2). May 1—TMEA 2023–2024 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission. May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award. May 1–June 1—2024 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online. June 30—All 2022–2023 TMEA memberships expire. July 20–22—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.
read comments by 768 All-State musicians who shared how the All-State experience changed their lives. Throughout this Southwestern Musician are quotes on these topics and more that were selected from over 2,900 who completed our surveys. Below are a few of my favorites: From Teachers and College Students: • It reinvented my love for music. I wanted to push myself harder to become one of the ensembles performing at the convention. • TMEA is a safe place where I can learn from other like-minded music educators who light the fire inside of me to continue providing the best music education experience I can for my students. • It was great to be around so many talented music students and teachers. It really reminded me why I am studying music. • I’d begun to feel burned out, but at TMEA I had my passion for music sparked again. I’m just as excited about music now as I was the day I
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12 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
started playing. • It’s encouraging to know that other teachers share some of the same issues you are experiencing. • I am that retired guy now. While I still look for learning opportunities and music to inspire my soul, I also love the lifelong friendships that renew each time I arrive at the convention! • Being able to share my successes and struggles with other directors made me feel so much lighter and made me feel like I’m not alone. • The vibe tends to rub off on you. If you’re feeling bummed or burned out from a rough year, being around other music educators lifts you up. This can happen anywhere—from the convention center to the Riverwalk to just talking shop around your hotel lobby. • TMEA is my happy place! From All-State students: • After months of competition, the camaraderie of the All-State experience was rewarding and uplifting. We became sectionmates instead of
competitors. The boundaries of our backgrounds faded away and the common passion for music that united us overcame all. • The best thing about my four years of All-State was getting to meet and become friends with so many wonderful people across Texas who share the same passion for music. Although every moment can feel fleeting at TMEA, the friendships are powerful and lasting, and they can transcend whatever physical distance there is. • As a senior not planning to pursue music in college, this experience inspired me to continue finding ways to perform and share my song with the world. I will continue to seek outlets for musical collaboration and joy. • The All-State experience really put my love for music in perspective and made me realize I want to continue pursuing music in the future. Why force myself into something such as biology or the medical field that I know I won’t enjoy as much as music. I had such an amazing time at this convention, and I want to continue expanding my education in music as well as performing.
In addition to the survey data reported in this issue, we surveyed clinicians, conin preparing K-12 students for the ductors, invited group directors, and global workforce and in exhibitors, all to determine how we might better serve convention participants at addressing the social and emotional needs of students, even every level. The common thread of music and the more important during these joy it brings was evident throughout the pandemic times. Please digitally survey comments. Responses were both emotional and uplifting for me personally, but the highlight of my convention was when two young elementary teachers stopped me and with tears in their eyes, thanked TMEA for supporting them and being so inspirational and encouraging throughout these last three years. Those two young teachers, as well as the 822 comments, epitomize the amazing convention vibe. I believe that vibe was a reflection that we are coming out on the Twitter: @TxArtsEd other side of the last three years that challenged our commitment to and the future Facebook: txartsed of our programs and our service to Texas Instagram: @txartsed schoolchildren through music. As evidence of this success, TMEA www.txartsed.org set a record surpassing even our 2020 Centennial year, with 13,869 current active members. In addition, convention
TEXAS ARTS EDUCATION importance of CAMPAIGN fine arts education
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attendance surpassed every preceding year except 2020, with 30,670 attendees receiving a badge to attend and participate. That data for all membership categories can be found on page 72. In my May 2020 column, as the harsh reality of the COVID-19 pandemic was setting in, I quoted a podcast host who had shared that no one knew where the pandemic would take us, but that for sure, everything that matters will last. That is us, and I personally thank you for keeping up the fight and staying the course. Our students both need and deserve the experience you give them in your classrooms every day. TMEA Constitution Revised During the general session at the recent convention the primary business action taken by the membership was adopting revisions to the TMEA constitution. The last update was adopted in 2016, and the primary charge given that constitutional review committee was to create a plan to select the President-Elect electronically. That change has proven successful, allowing those not attending the convention to participate in the election process. Based on the success of that change, the Executive Board began a dialogue to expand such a plan to include the election of division Vice-Presidents. However, combined with the planning of the centennial celebration, followed by the onset of the pandemic, tackling another constitution revision so soon was put on hold. In the summer of 2022 a committee was appointed, and the review began. The charge to the new constitutional review committee by the Executive Board was to refine and update the constitution for the current times as well as to prepare for the future, allowing greater use of technology to conduct business of the association. An additional goal was to eliminate duplication and utilize clearer language while protecting and expanding the opportunity for the membership to be involved in shaping the policy and direction of the association moving forward. To assist in guiding this process, the Executive Board contracted with Kirk Overbey, a highly regarded parliamentarian who has considerable experience working with private associations in board and policy management as well as constitution revision.
The newly adopted constitution is on the TMEA website. Several highlights include the following: • While not a change, any person serving on the Executive Board must continue to be an active member and be employed full-time in an administrative or teaching capacity in the field of music in the state of Texas. • Vice-Presidents will be electronically elected in a similar manner as we have elected the President-Elect since 2017. Members will identify a primary division in which they choose to vote when they join or renew. • The constitution may now be amended through an electronic vote by the members at the request of the appropriate governing body. • Though the agenda box and agenda committee at the convention have been eliminated, the membership will have increased opportunity to continue to provide input to TMEA policy through the State Board Region Report process. • Duties of the State Board, Executive Board, and Executive Director have not been modified but clarified. • In future conventions there is a requirement for only one general session, allowing up to seventeen more clinics to be scheduled, but the Executive Board may choose to
schedule an additional general session at their discretion. On the advice of the parliamentarian, some procedural language has been relocated to policies and procedures documents that will be posted on the website. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the updated constitution. On the recommendation of the review committee, there will be training for the Region officers this summer as well as ongoing communication to the membership about how they may impact policy through the State Board Region Report process. Overbey applauded the efforts of TMEA leadership, stating that rewriting a constitution is like filing a bill at the capitol. You continue to refine by filing substitutes during each hearing. With our opportunity to amend with an electronic vote, such editing does not have to be delayed until a convention to make such adjustments and edits. Our thanks go to the following committee members for their efforts: Andy Sealy, chair, JD Janda, Janwin Overstreet-Goode, Robert Horton, Desiree Overree, Michele Henry, Corey Graves, Abigail Bilocura, and Matt Knight. Convention Minutes Minutes of the February 2023 TMEA State Board meetings and TMEA’s General Session may be read online at www.tmea.org/2023minutes. 0
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Music Educators Change Lives TMEA was proud to welcome Texas Association of School Administrators Executive Director Kevin Brown to the convention to offer a keynote address during our General Session. Brown’s first experiences at our convention were in 1983–1985, when he qualified three times as an All-State trumpet player. What follows are excerpts from his inspiring message to Texas music educators:
T
MEA has been a big part of my life—the experiences I had here literally transformed me as a person, and even though I didn’t become a band director or a music performer, what I learned from those experiences allowed me to be an excellent teacher, principal, and superintendent. And I know I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for people like you who inspired me every step of the way. So, I thank you for that. One of the reasons I decided to be a school administrator is that I didn’t feel like I got the support as a kid that I probably deserved from my administrators at the time, but I certainly did from my teachers, and most definitely those in music. Band and choir were safe places for me. When I went through music in elementary, middle school, high school, and then into college, all those experiences were incredible. I found my identity with friends and with peers who gave me confidence and from directors who believed in me, encouraged me, and inspired me along the way. You as teachers teach us so much about how to be adults. It’s not just what you do to instill the love of music that’s incredible. It’s that you also teach us inspiration, you teach us to appreciate beauty, you teach us to work in teams to collaborate—to work really hard to know when it’s time to be serious and when it’s time to have fun. You help us build relationships and be part of something bigger than ourselves. What makes a great teacher? Is it the relationships you build with the students you are the role model for? You’re teaching them so much more than just music itself. Yes—you’re teaching them
to love music, and there’s something incredibly profound about losing yourself to a song, whether you’re singing or playing. In that moment, you go someplace that I don’t know how to describe except to say that it’s a spiritual place for me. You just lose yourself, it’s beautiful, and it’s amazing and you’re in that incredible moment with others in your group. Then you have that inspiration, even if you don’t stay in music through your career. Every day I listen to music—all kinds of music—and it enriches my life beyond words. What’s the point of living if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing and if you can’t find meaning and beauty in everything you do, and you provide this and so much more for your students. You’re designing experiences for your classroom that will have an impact forever, and your students may not be around to thank you, so I’m saying it on their behalf. You can’t fully imagine what you’ve done for them and what you are doing for them. It’s incredible work! But it’s more than just a score at contest. You can earn a one and you can get a sweepstakes award. You can win the state championship, but if the kids are miserable and don’t like music anymore, what’s the point? So why do we do what we do? I would submit three reasons. One is to protect our democracy. We can easily forget that public schools were set up to allow every American to have a shot at the American Dream. That’s what we’re about. Our state constitution, Article 7 Section 1, says that this being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature to establish and make suitable provision for the
You help us build relationships and be part of something bigger than ourselves.
14 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
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support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools. It’s essential to democracy.
The second reason we do what we do is because we make a difference in the lives of each student we serve. There are 5.5 mil-
TMEA Distinguished Administrator Award Through this recognition program, TMEA has the opportunity at the state level to thank these individuals for their dedication and support. At the local level, this offers you another opportunity to share your success story with the community. Nominate your outstanding campus or district upper-level school administrator by completing an online nomination.
www.tmea.org/adminaward
lion children in Texas public schools. Each day miracles happen in classrooms that go unreported. Whether it’s a student learning to read or completing a math equation or mastering an etude, the miracles are happening. You change lives. And your students’ parents and our communities appreciate that. They depend on it. So, I believe every time you step onto your school campus, you are doing both an act of patriotism in service to your country and an act of humanity. It’s both of those things. Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you’re less than or that what you do doesn’t matter—it matters and you matter. The third and final thing is this: music makes life more meaningful. It connects us all through a universal language. It teaches about love, and it teaches us about the human experience—about what’s good in it and what’s tragic. All kinds of stories are told through music. And I want to thank you for being those people who enrich the lives of our students and make their lives better and teach them that there’s much more to life than just a score. 0
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■ 16 ensembles, with national and international ensemble touring opportunities ■ Degrees in music education, performance, and composition ■ Master of Arts in Teaching, a 5th year program with a full year of student teaching and 100% job placement (25 consecutive years) ■ Located in culturally vibrant San Antonio ■ Study Abroad opportunities
trinity.edu/music The Trinity University Music Department is recognized as an ALL-STEINWAY SCHOOL by Steinway and Sons, for its commitment to excellence
16 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
Summer 2023 Graduate Studies in Music Education Intensive Music Education Courses as Brief as Two Weeks (plus online components) Application & Class Registration Now Open for New Students
Summer Session I
June 5 - June 30, 2023
Summer Choir - MUEN 5101 - Dr. Alan Zabriskie (TR) 6:00 PM - 8:00PM (L) Applied Choral Music Literature - MUAP 5302 - Dr. Alan Zabriskie (M-F) 8:00 AM - 9:50 AM (L) Choral Conducting Techniques/Analysis - MUAP 5306 - Dr. Alan Zabriskie (M-F) 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM (L) Applications of Technology in Music - MUSI 5342 - Dr. Keith Dye (O-A) Foundations of Music Education - MUED 5340 - Dr. Jacqueline Henninger (O-A)
June 5 – June 16, 2023
Styles in Wind Literature - MUTH 5305 - Dr. Peter Martens (M-F) 8:00 AM - 11:50 AM (L, O-S) Teaching Music in Urban Settings - MUED 5344 - Dr. Jacqueline Henninger (M-F) 1:00 PM - 4:50 PM (L, O-S)
June 12 – June 24, 2023
West Texas Kodaly Initiative - Dr. Susan Brumfield (M-F) 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (L)
June 19 - June 30, 2023
Band Conducting Methods I/II/III - MUAP 5310- Dr. Eric Allen (M-F) 8:00 AM -11:50 AM (O-S) Learning and Music - MUED 5332 - Dr. Joel Pagan (M-F) 1:00 PM – 4:50 PM (L, O-S)
July 3 - July 14, 2023
Tests, Measurements, and Evaluation - MUED 5333 - Dr. John Parsons (M-F) 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (L, O-S) Pedagogy of Music Theory - MUTH 5306 - Dr. David Forrest (M-F) 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (L, O-S) Classroom and Rehearsal Behavior Management - MUED 5344 (Instructor and Schedule TBD) Class offerings, schedules, and instructional modalities are subject to change based on enrollment.
Modalities
(L) = Face to Face, (O-S) = Online/Synchronous, (O-A) = Online/Asynchronous
Early enrollment is encouraged to ensure eligibility for anticipated summer scholarships. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the following individuals:
Dr. Jacqueline Henninger
Associate Director for Teaching and Learning and Chair of Music Education jacqueline.henninger@ttu.edu
Dr. Andrew Stetson
Interim Director, School of Music andrew.stetson@ttu.edu
Ms. Kimberly Calvert-Gibson
School of Music Graduate Admissions and Lead Academic Advisor kimberly.calvert@ttu.edu
ttu.edu/music | schoolofmusic@ttu.edu | 806.742.2270
Summer Session II
July 3 - August 3, 2023
Music for Students with Exceptionalities - MUSI 5306 - Prof. Jenny Dees (O-A) Graduate Music History Survey - MUHL 5300 - Dr. Sarai Brinker (O-A) Harmony/Voice Leading - MUTH 5300 - Dr. Peter Fischer (O-A)
2023 TMEA CLINIC/CONVENTION
18 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
Southwestern Musician | April 2023 19
S E RV I N G O U R N AT I O N W I T H T H E WO R L D AS O U R STAG E Marine Musicians represent the Corps and create the sound of freedom for all the world to hear. As a Marine in the Music Enlistment Option Program, you can proudly use your passion for music to inspire our entire Nation. Do you belong among our ranks?
Scan QR code to schedule an audition
TMEA Band Vice-President SHANE GOFORTH
Find Your Voice I believe it would have been impossible to attend the incredible performances of this year’s convention and not have your personal musical voice be nurtured, educated, and emboldened.
I
MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates
April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2). May 1—TMEA 2023–2024 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission. May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award. May 1–June 1—2024 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online. June 1—Invited MS/HS Jazz and HS Percussion application deadline. June 30—All 2022–2023 TMEA memberships expire. July 20–22—TBA convention in San Antonio.
was recently speaking with a young teacher about some of the frustrations they faced in the classroom. After discussing the essential topics of planning, procedure, and pedagogy, I realized that the core issue was that they had not yet found their teaching voice. They were still searching for that method of communication successful teachers use to captivate and motivate their students. Both verbal and nonverbal, our teaching voice allows us to execute a plan, initiate a procedure, and deliver essential pedagogy. My colleague and I spoke for a while about methods for developing their voice, and I soon found myself asking if they were going to the TMEA convention. I explained that the most efficient way to become a master teacher, musician, or pedagogue is to be around, observe, and listen to master teachers, musicians, and pedagogues, and I shared that there is no better place for that than a TMEA Clinic/Convention. As I prepared to travel to our convention, I spent a lot of time thinking about the voices I might hear and how I could develop my own and help others to further develop theirs. At the first event I attended, UT El Paso Jazz Ensemble’s concert, I was particularly moved by the improvisation. One student after another stood at the microphone playing solos that were clearly educated by the jazz tradition but that also reflected each student’s unique musical journey. I heard in their music the voices of their teachers, their favorite players, their heritage, and their personal journey. As I continued to attend concerts, I was overwhelmed by the quality, originality, and passion in the many voices I heard. How I wish this magazine column allowed the space to write about every performance I was so privileged to experience! My ears were particularly
Southwestern Musician | April 2023 21
captivated as I walked backstage at the Lila Cockrell Theatre for the North Texas Wind Symphony performance. UNT students were beginning to set up, and their special guests, the Barcelona Clarinet Players (BCP), were backstage working on a particularly difficult passage of their repertoire—passionately pursuing perfection with every remaining second. My Spanish is limited, but I had no problem understanding the full musical intent of every instruction given by their leader as they shaped every phrase and refined their ensemble’s voice. After what could only be described as a tour de force performance, BCP’s members crowded in the small viewing space offstage, eyes and ears transfixed on Evelyn Glennie (guest artist and world-renowned percussionist), who has miraculously shared such a unique musical voice with the world. Without the ability to hear her voice in the way so many of us take for granted, she speaks with beauty and clarity. I believe it would have been impossible to attend the incredible performances of this year’s convention and not have your personal musical voice be nurtured, educated, and emboldened.
22 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
As I left the concerts and made my way into our clinic rooms, I was astounded at the quality and variety of presentations and the professionals offering them. Sought-after pedagogues delivered insights into developing tone quality—the continuous expression of our musical soul and voice—at every stage of student development. Acclaimed experts spoke about communicating with your students to create a culture of excellence and camaraderie in your program. Master teachers educated us on the importance of effective planning, classroom instruction, and accountability through individual and group evaluation. The list could go on, but I was particularly impressed by the ensemble clinics where some of our finest music educators and conductors spoke so eloquently and specifically about using your teaching voice to develop the musical voice of your ensemble. In clinics with demonstration ensembles, we witnessed the power of a clinician’s voice as, within an hour, the ensemble’s sound matured and their phrases grew ever more musical. Their words worked in profound ways to create rehearsal environments and performances that will change
the lives of both the performers and audience members. As I attended these clinics and marveled at the incredible voices, I hoped that my young colleague was in the room, and I wondered if their teacher voice was being nurtured and developed by the experience (as I know mine was). During this convention, I found myself in the unfamiliar position of walking from one end of the convention center to the other to announce a concert or begin a meeting in my role as State Band Chair. Traditionally, this time has been filled with conversations with friends, reveling in the tips we picked up in the last clinic or a musical moment that was particularly moving in a performance and what we looked forward to in the next clinic or concert. This year, however, my solitude allowed me the opportunity to overhear a variety of conversations. While I promise I was not intentionally eavesdropping, the enthusiastic discourse is simply too hard to ignore. The conversations that caught my ear were those between committed and passionate music educators debating the content of the clinics and concerts presented. They discussed how they used much of a concept presented in their
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classroom, yet in a slightly different manner, or how the method described might work in the clinician’s program but might not be as effective in their situation. Was it the quality of the players in the last concert or the decisions of the conductor that contributed more to the ensemble’s overall sound and effect the performance had on the audience? I could go on, but I realized what I overheard in those conversations were teaching voices being developed and refined. It was their analysis and synthesis of the ideas and practices presented with a goal of teaching better every day to facilitate a more incredible experience for their students. In reflecting on the convention and the impact it had on those in attendance, my gratitude to those who made it happen continues to grow exponentially. I would like to extend a huge thank-you to the hundreds of volunteers who served in essential roles that are too numerous to list but that are all instrumental in hosting a successful convention. Our gratitude also goes to our Honor and Invited Ensemble directors and our clinicians for their work in preparation and presentation that touched us all in such moving ways.
R 49TH YEA
24 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
The strength of TMEA is our membership, and I hope you will consider contributing to our 2024 convention. So many of you have an idea or practice that, when shared, can be a turning point or the missing piece of another educator’s puzzle. Please take that novel idea or the concept you wished that you had heard sooner and turn it into a clinic proposal. We need to hear your voice. As you review the details on proposing at www.tmea.org/proposals, know that attendees from our division indicated that the following are the topics of highest interest for clinics in 2024: • Rehearsal techniques • Instrument methods • Recruiting/retention • Repertoire selection • Classroom management • Small school strategies • Technology integration • Mental health and wellness • Advocacy/administrative support • Teaching methods Also consider submitting a recording of your outstanding ensemble for one of the
many performance opportunities at the convention—from chamber groups in our Music Showcases to concerts by Invited Percussion and Jazz Ensembles and Honor Bands, to our new Invited Band opportunities, there are so many ways to share your voice! Volunteer for one of many opportunities at the convention, interact with our awesome members, and see TMEA from a whole new perspective. You are essential to our organization, and we need to hear your voice. Invited Program Spotlight I am excited to announce the Invited Program Spotlight is an initiative to showcase amazing teaching and outstanding work by educators and students from incredibly diverse programs across the state. This offering will be different in that the process is not designed to invite an ensemble to perform a concert at the convention. It rather seeks to invite a program, through an application-based process, to deliver a clinic that will feature student performance. The process is open to all schools from 1C to 6A and there will be more
ajor s: Drum M • Color Guard ck a tr ll a ber s for Band Mem is the focu her Leadership r / Squad Leader • • Beginning Marc r e he ad Section Le Intermediate Marc struction n • n arching In nducting Instructio io s M s • d Percu n a o B C z z • a J n Band • Instructio Marching adership Full Camp ds Pedagogy • Le y • Master Classes Win Part Marching • Aquatic Center s re! e m a G ign many mo Mega : Drill Des Development and e d u cl in directors to Guard Design and Clinics for • t Planning Retiremen muter, ponsor, 1, 2023 ns March er or $300 per com – Band Director/S e p o n o ti 5 Registra ime camp ear), $37 0 per full-t Member (Current Y ending students 2 4 $ t: s o C tt d amp State Ban ith 10 or a adershipc le d $300 – All Director/Sponsor w n a b / u nd .hputx.ed $275 – Ba visit www e s a le p , n atio lete inform F o r c o mp rsity yne Unive Arts a P rd a w Ho Fine 715 Music and X 76801-2 School of eet, Brownwood, T Str 1000 Fisk 2 50 325-649-8
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information on the TMEA website by April 1 about applying. We will be receiving applications from May 1 to June 1, and I hope you will consider completing an application to have your outstanding program featured at our 2024 convention. Honor Band Thanks to all who have entered the Honor Band competition! With the initial entry deadline behind us, ensure you continue meeting the remaining deadlines as posted on the Honor Band entry page, and review the updated Rules and Entry
page on the website as we put into practice our newly adopted financial processes and procedures for the first time.
rewarding opportunities. See page 2 or www.tmea.org/regionmeetings for schedule details.
Spring Region Meetings Region meetings will be held across the state in April and May. Please attend as your input and active participation is crucial to running successful Region organizations, and decisions made at this level have a direct impact on your students. Attend, voice your opinion, and consider volunteering for one of the many
TMEA Band Division Meeting February 9, 2023, 5:15 p.m. The Band Division business meeting was called to order by Shane Goforth, TMEA Band Division Vice-President at 5:15 p.m. Danny Allen moved to accept the minutes of the 2022 meeting as printed in the April 2022 issue of Southwestern Musician, Michael Tenaglio seconded, and the motion passed. Texas Bandmasters Association Report: Danny Allen, TBA President, updated the membership about the 76th Annual Convention, being held July 20–22, 2023, in San Antonio. Dr. Wayne Oquin, Band Division Featured Clinician, offered a keynote address to the membership. UIL Update: Dr. Brad Kent updated the membership on UIL business. All UIL processes have returned to prepandemic standards. He recognized PML Committee members and announced that the 2022–2023 PML Committee has finished their work. He also highlighted that UIL is actively pursuing composers from underrepresented communities. Kent discussed the state mariachi festival, state instrumental chamber music competition, and state marching championships that will now be held every year for every class, and he thanked TMAA for their work coordinating with UIL on training marching band judges in their new format. Acknowledgements: Goforth acknowledged Region and Area leadership for their service and recognized Honor Band Finalists and Winners. Old Business: Goforth reviewed the Honor Band deadlines, submission process, and advancement rules. New Business: Goforth announced a new Invited Band Spotlight program, intended to feature high-quality Texas bands from a diversity of schools. Applications for this new invitation will be accepted online May 1–June 1. More details will be posted online soon. At 5:55 p.m., Christine Cumberledge moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Brandon Laird and the motion carried. Minutes submitted by Tom Harrington. 0
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26 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
Congratulations, Four-Year All-State Musicians The following musicians qualified for membership in Texas All-State ensembles four consecutive years. Our congratulations go to these incredible students and their families and teachers for this most impressive accomplishment!
Roy Brown, Menard HS
Andy Jiang, Austin HS
Akash Shah, Vandegrift HS
Reagan Burnett, Bremond HS
Seva Joshi, Churchill HS
Kavi Shah, Elkins HS
Luke Chambers, Legacy Christian Academy
Lindsey Kim, Allen HS
Audrey Shin, Hebron HS
Ian Chen, Plano West Sr HS
Kaci Simonsen, Reagan HS
Joshua Cheng, Bellaire HS
Kaylynn Langham, Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy
Madeline Chun, The Hockaday School
Edwin Martinez, Hanks HS
Elijah Swiger, Chapel Hill HS
Mason Clarkson, Magnolia West HS
Isai Martinez, Pace HS
Amaan Syed, Vandegrift HS
Cameron Duggins, Reagan HS
Alexander Nguyen, Clements HS
James Trevino, Goliad HS
Brooklyn Freeman, Northland Christian School
Katelyn Nguyen, Pearland HS
Zavier Vega-Yu, Hebron HS
Levi Pabst, Argyle HS
Sophia Wang, Plano West Sr HS
Daniela Garcia, Rio Grande City HS
Gabriel Paredes, Westwood HS
Jayna Yoon, Liberty HS
Derek He, Plano West Sr HS
Saul Perez, Lux Venit Choral Academy
Ray Zhang, Brandeis HS
Alexa Hearn, Junction HS
Sebastian Ruiz, Marcus HS
Alice Zhong, Clements HS
Rose Jaramillo, Anna HS
Denniel Santos, Sachse HS
Gabriel Sweet, Klein HS
Nominate Your Students for the Texas Music Scholar Award The TMEA Music Scholar Award recognizes students in high school music programs who exemplify attributes of meritorious performance in the areas of scholarship, musicianship, and citizenship. Designation is attained by TMEA Active Member recommendation of students in grades 9–12 who have met the following criteria during the current school year: • Is a viable member of the school’s parent musical organization for the entire school year. • Maintains in all cumulative coursework an overall “A” average as defined by the local school district for the current school year. • Maintains academic eligibility for the entire school year. • Participates in all scheduled events of the parent organization. • Attends, as an audience member, two director-approved concert events at the high school, collegiate, or professional level during the school year. • Has auditioned for, been selected to, and participated as required in a TMEA or ATSSB organization (band, orchestra, or choir). • Performs a UIL Prescribed Music List Class 1 solo for a competition or public performance. • Consistently exhibits behavior that brings honor to the parent organization, school, and community.
Go to www.tmea.org/tms to complete and print the application. The printed form must be signed by the appropriate school officials and must be postmarked by May 1 to qualify. Southwestern Musician | April 2023 27
Lessons
Attendees shared the following tips they learned during the
Make eye contact with every student in your choir, not just the ones who are consistently affirming you. Rounds and refrains can be used as a no-pressure warmup that encourages community and singing for pure fun.
Wooden skewers work well for rhythm activities with groups.
Use “silence” or “wait” when referring to rests. The word rest implies you get to chill out when you should be just as focused and thinking about what you are doing.
“Listen louder than you play.” Utilizing picture books can be effective in teaching younger students. I am so excited to use stories to teach rhythms, incorporate movement, and encourage creativity in making up actions to go with parts of the story!
Approach crescendos and decrescendos like climbing. Depending on the dynamic marking, sometimes it’s a huge mountain and sometimes it’s just a small hill. Have students listen to a recording of themselves two weeks prior to a concert and list what they should fix. The students write the lesson plan for you while developing a sense of ownership over their learning experience!
Ask students for a quick response to check for understanding: Thumbs up = good Thumbs middle = confused Thumbs down = totally lost
“Girls compete with one another, women empower one another.” Survey students to rate their musical knowledge and instrumental/ vocal skills. This provides insight into how students see themselves as musicians and it helps me plan lessons, understanding student strengths and weaknesses. 28 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
The phrase “use your information” can be effective when leading students to an answer. It fosters more critical thinking and tells them they already have the information somewhere.
Acknowledging and including social emotional learning strategies in the music classroom isn’t another thing on a teacher’s plate—it is the plate. Before we pile more things on for students to learn, we need to make sure they have a strong enough plate for it all.
Have students plan and lead sectionals during class time.
Pass off everything, starting with the most basic things like sitting in your chair correctly.
Project full scores on a screen for students to see the “whole picture” rather than only their own part.
“Rote” should not be considered a bad word in the choir room as students can learn many things by rote and still be very musically literate.
Learned
convention and that they have already put into practice with success.
If you aren’t having fun, your students aren’t having fun! Regardless of how the performance goes, the true experience happens in rehearsal.
In teaching a song to students, the teacher sings a line and then waits for students to sing it with their internal voice; then they have them sing the repeat.
Keep the kids moving.
Our students need to see us enjoying music at least once a day, such as listening to high-quality music when students walk in. I have already implemented this in my classes, and the students love it! Find ways to promote student choice in every aspect of the program. I already tried flipping a rehearsal since returning and it was astounding. A student asked, “What if you pretended to be a student and played with us?” I learned what it felt like to be in my band, and it changed the way I think about how I want to run rehearsals!
You don’t sing to impress, you sing to inspire. Have students place their choir folders horizontally between their feet to help achieve best posture.
I learned to use drone tones during warmups as they can be very beneficial for orchestra, not just band.
I learned to remember why I started in the first place. Some days I walk out of the building feeling so defeated, but now I feel rejuvenated. The joy on my students’ faces when we learn a new song or play a new instrument is my why.
Stop worrying about what they are missing and just get started. Students causing the most disruption are usually the ones who need the most love and attention. Connect with them outside class.
For uniformity and resonance on notes followed by rests, encourage students to play them as if they were saying “tone.”
Choose a student to play an example, and have the rest of the class echo back. Using soloists allows you to hear issues each student is having rather than listening to a group problem and just moving on.
Plan your concert literature with the final concert in mind. Make sure earlier pieces teach the concepts you need for more difficult pieces you’ll play later in the year.
Utilize the percussion section to provide an improvised drum cadence for a more interesting metronome when working on tougher rhythmic passages. This made an aspect of rehearsal that could be tedious fun, while also providing work for the percussion students, who often feels neglected in a full orchestra setting. Southwestern Musician | April 2023 29
Here to Inspire — by Chad Dempsey —
A
s music educators, our jobs will always be challenging, but even in the most difficult times, we can still radiate positivity. And while there’s no simple path to achieve it, we do get to control our response and we always have the chance to go forward. In the same way, we have the honor and privilege of helping our students move forward. We get to inspire them to improve and grow, bit by bit, one percent at a time—each day, in each class. While this has been my educator philosophy, on July 2, 2022, it all came into much clearer focus. On that date, I was diagnosed with a grade 4, glioblastoma brain cancer. In a brutal, yet understandable way, the hospital social worker spoke to us about recovery and rehabilitation options that would follow a brain surgery to remove as much of my fast-growing tumor as possible. Surgery would be in just two days. I should expect 1–2 weeks in the hospital, and following that, I would move to another facility for rehab that might take up to two months. On that July 2, I was told I had 40 days until chemotherapy and radiation would begin. So, off to work we went to live this life as fully as possible! Sunflowers and smiles became my calling card. Despite the predictions, only two and a half days after brain surgery, I was well enough to be released to our home. While I have little memory of the countless times I had walked through our front door before, I’ll never forget what it felt like that day. It was deeply powerful and motivational, and I sensed I was being given a message: I am supposed to have this cancer and use it to inspire everyone around me. Eight days after surgery, my wonderful wife, Sonia, asked if I
was okay with a drive-by parade of family and friends who wanted to show their support for me and our family. Over 40 cars drove by, passengers waving, blowing kisses, and dropping off care baskets. Then came the band! Even though it was the middle of summer, 30 students marched and played for me. Every note resonated more deeply than ever before. It meant the world to me. As word quickly spread of my diagnosis, my priority was for students to hear directly from me on the first day of band camp, so I surprised them with a visit. The band hall was filled with new faces (freshmen), familiar voices, and the smell of sunblock. We laughed and we cried, and students showed resilience in their understanding of what was happening. Knowing that this marching season would be like no other, I promised them I would fight this battle and that it would not stop me from inspiring everyone in my path, and I encouraged them to do the same. It was one of those moments when my music educator heart was filled with pride.
I am supposed to have this cancer and use it to inspire everyone around me.
30 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
Music Is Healing
On July 12—the day before my first oncology visit—I read a post online by Dr. Thomas Bough, conductor and composer from Northern Illinois University, about a new work he was writing. Beginning his own journey to fight cancer, he titled the composition Ring the Bell, based on a tradition of cancer patients ringing a bell when they complete their final chemo or radiation treatment. A few days later, he messaged me, and we learned we were “Phamily,” each of us having marched with Phantom Regiment Drum Corps, although in different eras.
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steal who you are deserves a standing ovation. After conducting Ring the Bell in Lila Cockrell Theatre this February, I was fortunate to experience just that. Taking the podium with the UTRGV Wind Ensemble on February 9 was a mountain I set out to move back in July, and no words can express my feeling of triumph over cancer I experienced in that moment. Memories of the support from family, friends, colleagues and students, and their families flashed before me during that performance. Music truly has been my life therapy.
Living for Today
On September 27, 2022, Dempsey proudly rang the bell after completing his final treatment.
Then just three days later, music continued to resound in my journey as I found myself in conversation with Dr. Saul Torres, Director of Bands at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. We talked about my cancer and about how the UTRGV Wind Ensemble program had been invited to perform at TMEA 2023. I mentioned Ring the Bell, and we quickly messaged Tom our idea of premiering his piece on their convention performance. The planning began, and Saul asked if I would guest-conduct the premiere. What
an honor this would be for Tom, me, or anyone else in this club that no one wants to join. Nothing could have felt more right. Starting in mid-August, I experienced a six-week cycle of five days of radiation followed by seven days of chemo pills. We made it through by taking one day at a time, and I am stronger because of it. My daily reminder I share with others is that our minds keep us moving forward. Some days are easier than others, but nevertheless, we must keep moving! Anyone battling a disease that tries to
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I am frequently asked about my reaction to my diagnosis, and my answer is a simple one. I smile, I work to inspire others, and in return, I watch the ripple effect of that choice. I have been at work every day since October 28—brain tumor and all. Why? In my experience, teaching students how to smile and how to be appreciative and kind add up to a greater purpose and are the best lessons I can offer them. We must live life for today! Since my return to the classroom, I’ve had enough energy to go about four hours, then I recharge and start over for another four throughout a full day. I give my all and am grateful to work for a school that has supported me as I work while I heal. While everyone’s journey is unique, for me, returning to the classroom was crucial in my battle with cancer. While surgery and chemo-radiation were the first steps, music and teaching continue to heal me now, nine months since my diagnosis. Whatever our struggle, we can always find a way to use it to help our students grow. By always moving forward, we can help them be one percent better every day in every class. When we do this, we will see exponential growth in the individuals and in our programs. And while we always strive to make our programs great, most importantly, we must remember that each student is unique and special and deserves our focus today as we inspire them on their journeys of discovering their true selves. 0 Chad Dempsey is Head Band Director and Assistant Fine Arts Director at Edinburg North HS.
Southwestern Musician | April 2023 33
Submit a Proposal for the Why Submit?
What Topics?
The Purpose
Offering 300 professional development clinics is one of the most amazing aspects of the TMEA Clinic/ Convention! Convention attendees have spoken, and they want clinics offered by teachers who are in situations like theirs. They want to learn from those who teach the same grade levels and in similar environments. Share what you know and help colleagues across the state return home with new ideas and strategies!
In 2024, attendees want to learn about: • rehearsal techniques • teaching methods (EC–college) • repertoire selection • recruiting and retention • classroom management • instrument methods • technology integration • mental health and wellness • conducting techniques • diversity, equity, inclusion, access • small school strategies • advocacy/administrative support • and much more
Each division will host a diverse program of clinics to ensure every member has multiple offerings to foster their professional advancement and to help them in their personal support of all students through music education. Clinics will further TMEA’s commitment to music education for all: every student at every level deserves a well-balanced education that includes a comprehensive, highquality, sequential program of music taught by teachers who are certified in music education.
CLINICS
Learn about the process and get ready to apply!
www.tmea.org/proposals APPLY MAY 1 – JUNE 1 34 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
The 2023 Clinic/Convention featured 50 Music Showcases, held in open areas throughout the convention center. Showcases included steel drum bands, brass and woodwind ensembles, show choirs, and more. These 30-minute performances offer smaller ensembles the opportunity to share music with thousands of convention attendees. Music Showcases are a vital component of our convention, displaying the amazing results of quality music education throughout all areas of the center. Learn more about the process and get ready to apply at www.tmea.org/musicshowcase.
MUSIC SHOWCASES
TMEA Clinic/Convention
Southwestern Musician | April 2023 35
2023 TMEA CLINIC/CONVENTION
36 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
Southwestern Musician | April 2023 37
TMEA Orchestra Vice-President JENNIFER MARTIN
Responsibility, Influence, Culture The nuts and bolts of my teaching approach did not change. I was already using sound pedagogical methods. It was the influence of my outlook on the class that made all the difference.
T
he TMEA convention was filled with special excitement and energy this year! From the thrilling performance by the combined All-State groups at the General Session to the final notes of the All-State Symphony Orchestra concert, I enjoyed every minute. I attended informative sessions, amazing performances, and enjoyed meaningful conversation with colleagues old and new. I am excited, honored, and humbled to serve as Orchestra Division Vice-President. Thank you for your support and your trust. I do not take this honor lightly, and I will give all I can through my service. One thing that stood out to me during the convention this year was the incredible impact and influence a director has on their students. I witnessed the boundless energy, leadership, and musicianship of our All-State conductors in rehearsal. It was infectious, and the smiles of joy from the students in rehearsal and on break were so obvious. I took in many clinics that showcased students blossoming in a variety of ways because of their director’s influence. These clinicians had a variety of personalities and approaches, but they were consistent in the drive, love, passion, and energy they bring to their rehearsals. As the musical leader in an ensemble, we set the primary tone for culture and climate of the rehearsal and of the ensemble. Be the most positive and enthusiastic person in the room! That said, we must understand this will look different for everyone. Some directors have a quiet influence that draws in the ensemble, while others have a more boisterous
38 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates
April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2). May 1—TMEA 2023–2024 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission. May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award. May 1—Honor Orchestra Part A deadline (HS Full, JH/MS Full, and JH/MS String). May 1–June 1—2024 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online. June 1—Honor Orchestra Parts B&C and recording deadline (HS Full, JH/MS Full, and JH/MS String). June 1—Invited HS Mariachi application deadline. June 30—All 2022–2023 TMEA memberships expire. July 20–22—TODA convention in San Antonio.
approach—each being equally effective. Just like dynamics in music, energy and passion can be loud/soft or big/small. Music has pulse and energy as its lifeblood, and this is not unlike a healthy ensemble. Having this influence on your ensemble is a big responsibility and that can be daunting at times. Can we really bring energy and positivity to rehearsal every day? We are only human, we’re imperfect, and yet I believe the answer is still yes. There are many stressors in running a successful program while balancing it with personal and family time. There have been times in my career when I let these get out of balance in my head and that got me down. In one such case, I heard and saw that my beginners weren’t where they traditionally would be in their progress. The path to building them up seemed insurmountable, and I began to doubt my teaching ability. During class one day it became clear that while I thought I had been putting on a good front for the kids, they were seeing right through it. It was a humbling realization! A previous colleague would remind me that sometimes you have to make your own fun. With that in mind, I gave myself a break from worrying about how far behind I thought we were. I met the students where they were and made opportunities for us to have fun as we worked. I wish I could say that their focus issues and playing skills resolved themselves fully in a couple of classes, but they didn’t. However, the whole atmosphere of the class changed, and we progressed much more quickly. The nuts and bolts of my teaching approach did not change. I was already using sound pedagogical methods. It was the influence of my outlook on the class that made all the difference. We often encourage our students to leave the stresses of school and life at the door and give themselves a break to make music. Don’t forget to do that for yourself! This won’t solve the world’s problems, but it will leave you healthier and happier to lead your students well and take on problems more effectively. Convention Proposals It is already time to start planning convention sessions and music showcase proposals. The window of time to submit a proposal online is May 1–June 1. The wealth of knowledge, talent, experience,
and perspective in the Orchestra Division membership make our conventions so valuable and educational. I look forward to another year of great clinics from our membership. For more information, go to www.tmea.org/proposals. As you consider proposing, know that Orchestra Division members indicated the following as the clinic topics of highest interest: • Rehearsal techniques • Instrument methods • Conducting techniques
• Repertoire selection • Recruiting/retention • Teaching methods • Classroom management • Technology integration • Mental health and wellness • Advocacy/administrative support Honor and Invited Ensembles This year’s performances were so amazing, and I’m already looking forward to what’s in store for 2024!
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JUNE 11-14
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JUNE 11-15
Orchestra Camp
All State Choir Camp
REGISTER TODAY!
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REFINE YOUR PASSION Summer Music Camps 2023 JUNE 4-10 String Festival at Baylor University
JUNE 11-17 High School Band Camp JUNE 18-24 Middle School Band and Orchestra Camp
JUNE 18-24 Summer Piano Institute
REGISTER ONLINE: baylor.edu/busmc 254.710.1162 for Band and Orchestra 254.710.1193 for Choir 254.710.1417 for Piano
J U LY 1 1 - 1 5 All-State Choir Camp
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Part A of HS Full, JH/MS Full, and JH/ MS String Honors Orchestras is due May 1. Parts B & C and recordings are due June 1. Check the TMEA website for details on the Invited Orchestra process. The timeline will follow that of Honor Orchestra. Applications and recordings for Invited High School Mariachi must be submitted online by June 1. Spring Region Meeting Now is the time to be part of the future of TMEA. The 33 Regions across Texas provide all members the opportunity to be heard and to serve. Please put your spring Region meeting on your calendar and make plans to attend. Your attendance, input, and participation are vitally important to the strength of the Regions and of TMEA. There are many ways to get involved in your Region. Consider serving in one of the many volunteer opportunities that are available. You can find details on the date, location, and time of the Region meetings on page 2 of this issue and at www.tmea.org/regionmeetings.
Orchestra Division Meeting February 9, 2023, 5:15 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Ann G. Smith, TMEA Orchestra VicePresident. Gabe Musella gave the UIL report, explaining that the Band/Orchestra Sightreading pilot period expanded to include all Regions being surveyed for feedback and inviting all to the Sightreading Pilot clinic being held at the convention. UIL Sightreading commissions are being sought to include lesser-known and more diverse composers. Musella urged attendees to make sure your Region Advisory Committee is represented at the MAC summer convention meetings. Vice-President Election: With no nominations from the floor, Danielle Prontka spoke on behalf of Jennifer Martin and David Irish spoke on behalf of Joshua Taylor. After the vote, Martin was announced as the Orchestra Division Vice-President. TODA Report: Aryc Lane, TODA President, reported there were two sites for HS Student Day with over 200 students in attendance. TODA Winter
clinics expanded this year to include UT Arlington, UT Austin, and Texas State Univ. TODA was involved in “Diversity in the Classroom” and will be sending out the session recording to membership shortly. Old Business: Smith reported that preArea and Area judging is in person this year. TMEA will continue to examine the judging zones to adjust for travel. New Business: The Invited Orchestra process is moving forward for 2024. This is not an honor competition, but an avenue that highlights the high-quality teaching and performance throughout our state. Penny Meitz requested that TMEA consider returning to live auditions on Wednesday of the TMEA convention. Smith reported she would bring the request to the State Board. Danielle Prontka recommended a standing committee for the auditions so that the process can continue to be evaluated as our organization continues to grow and change. Smith thanked the division for their support and expressed her pleasure to have served on the Board. The meeting was adjourned at 5:47 p.m. Minutes submitted by Margaret Brown. 0
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Southwestern Musician | April 2023 41
TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC
SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS Scholarships are available for both music and non-music majors. These awards are intended to provide recognition for scholarship and talent in the study of music.
SCHOOL OF MUSIC DEPARTMENT HEADS
Elizabeth Lee Asst. Professor, Cello
Douglas R. Boyer Director, School of Music and Director of Choral Activities dboyer@tlu.edu 830-372-6869 or 800-771-8521
Ingram Lee, IV Instructor, Trombone & Euphonium
Eric Daub Director of Piano Studies edaub@tlu.edu
SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION DATES: Saturday, April 15, 2023 | 1 - 3 p.m.
Liliana Guerrero Director of Vocal Studies lguerrero@tlu.edu Richard Herrera Interim Director of Bands riherrera@tlu.edu Eliza Jeffords Director of Strings ejeffords@tlu.edu
Individual audition dates may be requested if necessary.
www.tlu.edu/music-scholarships. BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN ALL-LEVEL MUSIC EDUCATION BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN PERFORMANCE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC
Scott McDonald Instructor, Saxophone, Jazz Band & Music Education Carla McElhaney Asst. Professor, General Music David Milburn Instructor, Double Bass Angela Moretti Instructor, Bassoon Nicole Narboni Asst. Professor, Piano Daniel Orban Instructor, Trumpet Sung-Eun Park Asst. Professor, Collaborative Pianist
FACULTY Adam Bedell Instructor, Percussion Carol Brittin Chambers Composer in Residence & Composition
For specific qualifications for each award, visit
Deborah Mayes Choral Accompanist
Keith Robinson Instructor, Tuba & Music Education
Jill Rodriguez Instructor, General Music William Hayter Eric Siu Asst. Professor, Clarinet & Music Asst. Professor, Violin Education Yu-Hsin Teng Sean Holmes Asst. Professor, Collaborative Asst. Professor, Horn & Music Pianist History Shareen Vader Hilary Janysek Instructor, Piano & Music Education Asst. Professor, Flute & Music Mika Valenzuela History Instructor, Oboe Michael Keplinger Yvonne Vasquez Instructor, Guitar Instructor, Mariachi
www.tlu.edu/music
2023 TMEA Scholarship Recipients Five-Year Scholarships for High School Seniors
BILL CORMACK
PAST-PRESIDENTS
PAST-PRESIDENTS MEMORIAL
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Isabela Elizondo-Collado
Kayla Butler
Bella Zitzelberger
Abigail Jimenez
Ridge Point HS, Fort Bend ISD
Mansfield HS, Mansfield ISD
Sachse HS, Garland ISD
Amon Carter-Riverside HS, Fort Worth ISD
One-Year Scholarships for High School Seniors—$2,500 Korbin Cole, Pampa HS Jaret Cole, Stephen F. Austin HS Amy Elliott, A.C. Jones HS Madeline Greener, Midway HS
Jordan Lage, Arlington HS Kaylynn Langham, Grand Prairie Fine Arts Acad. Aaron LaVohn, Kinder HSPVA Denniel Santos, Sachse HS
Samuel Savanich, Clear Falls HS Olivia Smith, Angleton HS Kennedy Surface, Keller HS Tory Trahern, Sunray Collegiate HS Julia Wilson, Little Elm HS
Scholarships for College Students One-Year Undergraduate—$2,500
Ashley Adams, Baylor Univ McKenna Babcock, Baylor Univ Reed Beishir, Univ of Houston Amber Bowen, Texas Christian Univ Zachary Brabston, Univ of Houston Andrew Couch, Texas Tech Univ Klint Fabian, Univ of Texas at San Antonio Stefany Flota, Texas Woman’s Univ Roberto Gaitan, Sam Houston State Univ Emma Madsen, Baylor Univ Spencer Owens, West Texas A&M Univ Abigail Powell, Baylor Univ Julissa Ramirez, Trinity Univ Alex Reichert, Baylor Univ Manuel Rocha, Texas A&M Univ–Kingsville Jessica Rowe, Texas Christian Univ Harmony Rutherford, Texas A&M Univ–Commerce Makenna Weatherby, Baylor Univ Kaitin Werner, Texas Tech Univ Maryn West, Univ of North Texas Shelby Zeka, Texas Woman’s Univ
One-Semester Student Teacher—$2,500 Eric Boatman, Texas Tech Univ Emily Brinsfield, Baylor Univ Audrey Cascarelli, Baylor Univ Victoria Corona, Texas A&M Univ–Kingsville
Sayjah Davis, Sam Houston State Univ Sterling French, Texas Tech Univ Andres Garcia, Sam Houston State Univ Halle Goodman, Univ of Houston CJ Goodyear, Texas Tech Univ Jessica Green, Baylor Univ Jazmin Hinojosa, Texas A&M Univ–Kingsville Brigit Johnson, Texas Tech Univ Hyunjung Kim, Univ of Texas in Arlington Erika Lopez, Texas A&M Univ–Kingsville Paige Martin, Texas Tech Univ Ryan Montemayor, Texas Tech Univ Amy Nguyen, Baylor Univ Melody Ozaki, Sam Houston State Univ Logan Parker, Texas Tech Univ Alisson Pasaol, Texas State Univ Sierra Richardson, Texas Tech Univ Meaghan Rodriguez, Texas A&M Univ–Kingsville Maria Pia Santocono, UT Arlington Kaylee Webb, Texas Tech Univ Zalea Wilson, Sam Houston State Univ
One-Year Graduate Study—$2,500
TMEA is awarding $207,000 in scholarship funds for students who will be working toward careers in music education or furthering their current careers with additional studies.
Support the Scholarship Fund:
tmea.org/donate
Johnathan Alvarez, Sam Houston State Univ Michael Dick, Irons JH Eduardo Garcia, Sam Houston State Univ Gabriella Guest, Dieterich MS/Texas Tech Univ Debbie Seitter, Texas Christian Univ Emma Wade, Morton Ranch HS/Texas Tech Univ Southwestern Musician | April 2023 43
Texans Win Back-to-Back Grammy Music Educator Awards
I
n April 2022, Texans proudly congratulated music educator Stephen Cox as our state’s first recipient of the Grammy Music Educator Award. Just one year later, we are doubly excited to announce that our state is the first to boast back-to-back recipients, with Pamela Dawson being honored with this award in February. Now director of bands at Fox Technical HS in San Antonio ISD, Cox was director of bands at Eastland HS when he received this award. Dawson is Director of Choral Activities at DeSoto HS. We asked Stephen and Pamela to share what influenced them to this profession and what it means to be recognized in this way. We thank them for their responses and especially for their dedication and devotion to all their students. Stephen Cox, 2022 Winner I was raised in Early, Texas, a small rural town. Growing up, my grandfather would mail me mix tapes and I fell in love with jazz. Wonderful music educators came into my life through my rural public school education and were encouraging to me. My junior year, I made the ATSSB AllState Band. The experience of coming to the convention and performing with that group changed the trajectory of my life. Everyone I met there was just so wonderful and I knew I wanted to spend all my time with music and musicians. I didn’t initially want to be a teacher, and some people in my life told me it was a bad idea. However, as I began education classes anyway, I fell in love with it. I knew the public education system was a mess, yet it had also changed my life for the better. My teachers changed my life. I wanted to be a part of making public education even better for students, teachers, and society. I wanted to change the system for the better. When I started teaching, I realized I had no idea what I was doing. Over time, I grew
into the job and I’m so proud of the things my students have been able to accomplish. Receiving this recognition at this time in my career is giving me the opportunity to get back to my original ideals—making education better for everyone. This is what consumes most of my thoughts now.
Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum. Each recipient is an educator who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the music education field and demonstrates a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. Winners are awarded a $10,000 honorarium, finalists receive a $1,000 honorarium, and semifinalists receive a $500 honorarium. All honorariums are accompanied by a matching school grant. 0
Pamela Dawson, 2023 Winner Starting from a young age, I was always a musician. I began studying music at the age of seven on the piano, taught by my father, and I continued in music throughout my education. I was greatly influenced by my godsister, Dorothy Ashby, a well renowned jazz harpist. While I majored in music, my father discouraged me from a career in music, stating that there was no money in it, and he led me toward business. After working in the corporate world for 10 years, someone who would become a future colleague knew I was a musician and offered me a job at a high school teaching business, working with PEIMS, and starting a choir at that school. I accepted the offer, and on the first Stephen Cox, 2022 winner, with David Sears (then Viceday of teaching, I said, “Wow! I President of Grammy in the Schools) and Jeffrey Murdock almost missed my calling—I should (2021 award winner). have been doing this all the time.” I have dedicated 27 years to teaching, never looking critically at what I was doing, but teaching music because of my passion and love for it. Going through the Grammy process of instructional videos and student testimonials opened my eyes to how much of an impact I have had not only on students’ lives but also on others over the past years. Being recognized feels like I am getting my flowers while I am yet alive. It motivates me to give even more. The Music Educator Grammy Pamela Dawson, 2023 winner, with Grammy Museum Award is presented at a ceremony President/CEO Michael Sticka (left) and Harvey Mason Jr, during Grammy Week by the CEO of the Recording Academy (right).
Southwestern Musician | April 2023 45
2023 All-State All-State musicians answered a question about how this experience will affect their future. Enjoy this sample of their reflections.
All-State taught me how powerful and moving music can be. Music can bring thousands of people together despite our differences and we will support others we barely know. I know that no matter what happens in my future, I can remind myself that music really can change the world.
My All-State experience showed me a community where I felt safe to be me and to make mistakes. Creating music with these talented musicians made me as happy as I could ever be.
Seeing someone who looks like me in a position of leadership in the music world empowered me to continue pushing toward a successful career in music education.
Being a part of a choir with more kids in it than my whole high school was incrediBle!
I have gained so much courage over these years. At first, playing for hundreds of music-loving people was a scary thought, but having grown comfortable with that now will positively affect the rest of my life. As a senior not planning to pursue music in college, this experience inspired me to continue finding ways to perform and share my song with the world. I will continue to seek outlets for musical collaboration and joy.
My future will be dedicated to making students feel the same way I did during this process.
It’s shown me how closely knit the world of music education is—so many directors and musicians know each other and are happy to experience the convention together, even if it’s only for a few days. In my journey to become a music educator, it gives me a lot of joy to envision being a part of that one day.
My All-State experience exposed me to how good musicians are in Texas. Because I want to be around them, I am going to work harder to remain at their level.
i will cherish the memories i made, always be proud of my accomplishment, and forever be changed by the music!
This is my high school senior year, and I participated in auditions all four years and finally made it this year. The All-State process has tested my resilience, my stamina, and my determination. These are skills I will take with me into the future, and I will never forget how hard work pays off in the end.
My experiences at All-State taught me how to persevere through tough projects—a life skill I will carry into all my life experiences.
Self-accountability is what I learned most that week. Almost everything was an independent choice I had to make. I had to choose where to get food, find my rehearsal space beforehand so that I didn’t get lost, wake up on time, meet directors when they needed me to, and handle the whole day alone. That change of pace was what will prepare me the most. 46 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
The process taught me that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. I will use that knowledge to push myself to face any future challenges.
Sitting through six hours of rehearsal a day taught me to make the most of the moment I am in. I think for me this experience really shaped my character and improved my discipline for later in life.
Reflections
It helped me realize I should have a higher expectation of myself. Being around the best brings out the best in ourselves and that definitely took place at TMEA. My All-State experience has shown me the beauty of true connections that are formed between individuals who share a passion for creativity. The memories of the moments we shared will always be my reminder of the greatness that can be accomplished when you’re doing something you truly love with others.
It opened my mind. As a senior I have been struggling to find my path and what I want to do with my life, but after going to All-State, meeting all these wonderful people and composers and playing with other great musicians has changed my view and opened up the possibility of music as a career.
I trust myself and my abilities more now; I think this experience really validated me.
Being among such talented and caring people is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with music. My All-State experience simply fueled my passion to continue to pursue music throughout college and into my future career.
this was simply the best experience of my entire life, and i am already pushing myself to be back next year! Preparing for All-State taught As someone who wants to pursue music after high school, the many hours of rehearsal crammed into four days allowed me to understand that level of dedication, and the joy I got from it all has encouraged me to get even more involved.
me how to motivate and discipline myself while still having fun. Trying to find meaning and enjoyment in everything I do is something I’ve applied not only to practicing music, but also to school and my life in general.
It made me realize I want to pursue music as a career. It has definitely taught me the value of hard work and perseverance and how to become a good competitor while respecting the abilities of others rather than envying them.
Traveling and staying in such a large city compared to my hometown makes me realize I really want to live near a larger city center!
My All-State experience will impact my life moving forward because I will always strive to find a group of people, either in music or something else, who want to always improve and work hard.
Being exposed to so many different people helped me understand how to interact better with everyone.
It’s brought me motivation and confidence to pursue a future in recording engineering when I previously was on the fence about pursuing music professionally.
I believe it made me a more outgoing person. Before the first rehearsal, I was afraid everything would be awkward because nobody knew each other. So when I got to the first rehearsal, I did something I had never done before. I took the initiative to shake hands with everyone and introduce myself. Doing this helped the tension in the room dissipate. One of the other students even thanked me for having the courage to do that. Southwestern Musician | April 2023 47
TMEA Vocal Vice-President
JOSHUA MCGUIRE
Back to the Basics Return to the basics. Invest in programs and ensembles that are sustainable.
I
t is shocking to think that it has already been almost two months since the 2023 TMEA Clinic/Convention. What an inspiring and energizing four days of presentations and performances we enjoyed! I’ve been attending the annual convention for almost 20 years, and I’m still amazed by the expertise and energy I witness from our membership. Music education is alive and flourishing in Texas. Our division can’t thank the TMEA staff and Executive Board enough for their vision and execution of the 2023 event. My sincerest appreciation to Jesse Cannon II for his leadership of the Vocal Division over the past two years. He and the Board have captained our organization and paved a way for our students and teachers to be successful as music programs in Texas continue to move forward. It is humbling to have the opportunity to serve with such innovative leaders in our state. Attending the convention, I was reminded that the level of excellence displayed by the showcase performers, honor bands and orchestras, invited choirs, and All-State ensembles is a product manifested through diligent preparation, work, and execution. Do you ever find yourself watching one of these performances and thinking, “How did the choir pull off that performance?” Serving as the Ballroom Manager in February was eye-opening. I watched students who could be in any of our programs enter the Stars at Night Ballroom, take the stage, and present transformative experiences during each concert session. I had so much admiration for my colleagues as they ran through their final rehearsals on the stage. Remember, only a week prior, many of these directors and their ensembles had school canceled due to weather and changed their preconvention plans. The performances were outstanding. You couldn’t tell that any of these groups had
48 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
In Memoriam Beth Jagielski 1965–2022 Virginia Collier 1939–2023 Dan Wood 1944–2023
MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates
April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2). May 1—TMEA 2023–2024 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission. May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award. May 1–June 1—2024 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online. May 1—Invited MS/HS Choir application deadline. June 30—All 2022–2023 TMEA memberships expire. July 20–22—TCDA convention in San Antonio.
Texas Woman's University
PIONEER ALL-STATE CHOIR CAMP A 3-day immersive camp for singers in grades 9-12, focusing on the Texas All-State Choir music. Participate in group rehearsals, sectionals, individual coaching sessions, and more. Friends and family are invited to attend end-of-camp concerts on July 26 and July 29. July 24-26 Small School Camp July 26 Area Workshop July 27-29 Large School Camp
Register Now! pioneerchoircamp.twu.edu
twu.edu/music 940-898-2500 music@twu.edu
lost four days of school just a week earlier. I believe that at the root of these quality performances is that the students know the basics. Directors have returned to the very core of instruction to supply their students with the tools to prepare them for the rigor required to perform at this level. If you are like me, you are sometimes struggling to get back to these basics because you are too focused on keeping up with your colleagues and their student successes showcased on social media. I find myself trying to reach the illusion of success that I think I had pre-pandemic. We all want to return to what was normal before, but our students, and we as teachers, might be lacking the basics. For my Prosper ISD colleagues and me, this school year began with a convocation in which we were inspired by motivational speaker and author Rick Rigsby. He spoke about his father and the lessons he learned from childhood into his adult years. In Rigsby’s book Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout, he highlights seven basic life lessons learned from his father. Be kind, help others, and follow through on the job, just to name a few. Rigsby focused on the basics as a means to being a better teacher,
a better school, and a better community. As I listened to Rigsby, I thought about my choir room. Was I incorporating the basics? More than just the normal rituals of breathing, vocalizing, and a rehearsal format that my students expect, do I purposefully focus on specific basics that my students aren’t mastering? Am I able to guide them from their middle school experience through their senior year in a choral program that aligns with gradelevel TEKS? Do the students who enter the choir room at Rock Hill HS arrive with the foundational knowledge that began in their elementary school? As we near the end of the 2022–2023 school year and plan for the next, the basics of our students’ music education must be our focus. Whether you are new to the profession or a seasoned veteran, we are at a moment none of us has before experienced. It seems that our students aren’t retaining basic instruction like they did in the past. Some aren’t up to the rigor that our concerts and evaluations demand. It’s not our fault, but it’s up to each of us to acknowledge the gaps, devise a plan to address them, and execute with intention for the future of our programs.
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My husband and I recently rescued a three-month old beagle-pit mix that we named Sammie. We’d been thinking of adopting since December so that Sophie, our Shih Tzu-Maltese mix, had a companion. We questioned if we are really up to the challenge of raising a puppy given our busy lives. She bites. She has accidents. She puts everything in her mouth that she finds on the ground from leaves to shoes and books. After all, she is a puppy and needs correction. The bigger challenge may be our older dog. I can tell each morning that she is frustrated having to put up with this puppy for another day. She’s stopped sitting on the couch next to me and favors hanging out on the bed because the puppy hasn’t realized that’s where she hides. The dynamic between these dogs is similar to what I observe in our varsity mixed choir. Senior choir members with highly focused middle school and ninth grade choral experiences are now mixed with freshmen and sophomore students who experienced their formative years online or behind masks. For the younger choir members, their foundation was more about social emotional learning and less about music literacy. Whether at home or
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Southwestern Musician | April 2023 51
in the choir room, the challenge is allowing those who are older with more experience to continue to grow and experience their joy, while guiding those who are younger to the same opportunity by expanding their foundation. The investment in both must be made to allow students to maximize their potential. As you navigate through UIL assessment season, acknowledge the basic skills your students are missing, and pause to consider how you might plan lessons moving forward to address that deficit. All of us—elementary specialists, middle school directors, high school directors, and even college/university conductors—are dealing with gaps caused by the pandemic. Return to the basics. Invest in programs and ensembles that are sustainable. Convention Proposals Open May 1 As you prepare to apply, learn more about the proposal and review process at www.tmea.org/proposals. Online proposals for clinics and music showcases will be accepted May 1–June 1. As you consider proposing a clinic (or encouraging a colleague to do so), keep in mind the following top-rated clinic topics as identified by Vocal Division convention attendees: • Rehearsal techniques • Repertoire selection • Recruiting/retention • Classroom management • Teaching methods • Music theory • Mental health and wellness • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access • Urban or rural challenges and solutions • Technology integration
52 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
Vocal Division Invited Choirs The online application for Invited Choirs opened March 1. Please note that deadlines have changed. College/ University applications and recordings must be submitted online by April 1, and Middle School/High School applications and recordings must be submitted online by May 1. For eligibility, requirements, and the information on the selection process go to www.tmea.org/invitedchoirs. Texas Music Scholar Nominations Complete the application process by May 1 to nominate your students who exemplify attributes of meritorious performance in the areas of scholarship, musicianship, and citizenship for the Texas Music Scholar award. Learn more and nominate at www.tmea.org/tms. Spring Region Meeting TMEA’s 33 Regions provide members the opportunity to be heard and to serve. Please make plans to attend your Region meeting. Your participation is key to the strength and effectiveness of our association. There are many ways to get involved in your Region. Consider serving in one of the many volunteer opportunities that are available. You can find details on the date, location, and time of the Region meetings on page 2 of this issue and at www.tmea.org/regionmeetings. Vocal Division Business Meeting February 9, 2023, 5:15 p.m. The TMEA Vocal Division Business Meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. by Vice-President Jesse Cannon II. The 2022 Vocal Division meeting minutes published in the April 2022 issue of Southwestern Musician were approved. Old Business: Announcements were
made as follows: TMEA awarded over $205,000 in scholarships last year. Cannon thanked TMEA exhibitors and asked members to visit the exhibits and thank our music industry partners for their presence. Applications for TMEA Music Scholars are due May 1. New Business: The Clinic Review and Invited Choir Committees were recognized and thanked. Over 100 ensembles entered the Invited Choir process (35 middle school, 76 high school, 7 college/university). The Invited Choir application for the 2024 TMEA Clinic/Convention opens on March 1. Applications and recordings must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. April 1 for colleges and universities, and May 1 for middle and high schools. A moment of silence was offered for choral directors who had passed away during the past year. Nathan Dame, ACDA National Repertoire and Resources Chair for Senior High Choirs, delivered information regarding the upcoming ACDA convention, including the significant Texas representation. Carolyn Cruse, TCDA President, announced that elections for board positions will open May 1 via an online ballot. Video performance submission deadline is May 1. Summer convention registration opens February 20. TCDA Scholarship applications and TCDA Award nominations are due April 30. A special announcement was shared by Cruse. TCDA is undergoing a full-scope strategic planning process with a communications firm. Ryan Forkner spoke in support of Joshua McGuire for TMEA Vice-President and State Vocal Chair, and McGuire was elected by acclamation. Region Chairs, Small School Coordinators, MS/JH Coordinators, Area Chairs, and Area audition hosts were recognized. The Vocal Division Team was recognized. All-State Conductors and teams were thanked, and members were encouraged to attend rehearsals. Cannon encouraged TMEA members to become involved in volunteer opportunities, as well as Region and state leadership. Cannon thanked TMEA for the opportunity to serve as Vice-President and State Vocal Chair. He adjourned the business meeting at 6:02 p.m. and Jo ScurlockDillard conducted the singing of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Minutes submitted by Brianna Fernandez. 0
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54 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
Southwestern Musician | April 2023 55
TMEA Elementary Vice-President CHRISTOPHER GILES
Bridging the Gap The growth created from building this bridge not only helped my students be successful in the middle school program, but it also eased that transition.
I
am so honored to serve as your new TMEA Elementary Vice-President. The 2023 Clinic/ Convention was my 20th, and each year it continues to grow and undoubtedly gets better and better. This improvement is based in the hard work of my predecessors and the amazing volunteers over the years who have dedicated their time, talent, and muscles to ensure each event is a stellar success. Our industry partners work tirelessly to fill ballrooms with the equipment needed for each session they sponsor, are eager and willing to answer questions in the exhibit hall, and generously donate door prizes throughout the convention. I hope you will join me in extending thanks to our outgoing Elementary Vice-President, Katherine Johns. Her leadership has brought extraordinary featured clinicians, diverse sessions, and phenomenal performing groups. I hope you were able to leave with many takeaways, including strategies for honing your pedagogical skills, suggestions for classroom management, new books, games, or activities to share with your students, and some new pieces to share with an ensemble at your campus. During one of the many sessions I attended, a clinician took an informal poll as to which rhythm syllables our members use with their students. This reminded me that across the state each elementary educator does their best to prepare their students in the area of music literacy and there are many ways to accomplish this. Some teachers use a Ta Ti-Ti system, some use Takadimi, others use numbers—the options are limitless! No matter the system, consistency is key in shaping our students’ music education experience. In addition to utilizing your own counting system, I encourage you to reach out to the directors of the middle schools or junior highs where your students will attend. Taking the time to do this helped facilitate healthy dialogue for me, and I adjusted my teaching methods based
56 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates
April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2). May 1—TMEA 2023–2024 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission. May 1–June 1—2024 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online. June 15—Application deadline for Elementary Division Invited Choirs and Ensembles. June 30—All 2022–2023 TMEA memberships expire. July 20–22—TCDA convention in San Antonio.
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on some feedback I received from them. The directors commented that my students were beat competent and sang in tune but were deficient in rhythm. For a moment, I was taken aback by the comments. Then I felt offended. And, ultimately, I was curious. Why did they think that way? What happened over the summer to make my students forget everything? What could I do to fix it? As these questions raced through my head one final query bubbled to the surface. I asked them what counting system they use. Their response? Numbers. As soon as I heard them say that, I instantly understood the disconnect. The conversation that followed opened our eyes for the better. The director let me know that the reason they preferred the number system was because it aids students with knowing where they are within the measure. I told them that I start iconic notation in kindergarten and standard notation with my students in first grade. At first they were incredulous. I shared that my emergent readers regularly flip letters like b and d, so to remove a layer of complexity we assign sounds such as ta to our music notes. It can be confusing
to tell a six-year-old that a quarter note, that always looks like a quarter note, can have several different number names, and the reality of a six-day rotation schedule adds to that difficulty. After telling them about the Takadimi system we agreed that it would be fairly easy for us both to bridge that gap for our students. In the spring semester I started to transition my students to the number system used by the middle school. We started with simple quarter-note and eighth-note patterns and progressed to more challenging rhythms for the remainder of the year. The middle school director started the subsequent school year with the Takadimi system. We checked in with each other regularly to see the progress of my former students and their new students. The growth created from building this bridge not only helped my students be successful in the middle school program, but it also eased that transition because they were able to find comfort with the balance of the Takadimi system and number system. Having open and honest conversations can be difficult sometimes. In the long run, the purpose of those conversations is to benefit the students. Understanding where
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58 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
teachers come from and collaborating to find common ground is paramount to a transition like this. No matter the system, consistency is key in shaping our students’ music education experience. My new consistency involves transitioning my students to a system that will be used in middle school. I would like to challenge you to build bridges between your program and the middle school or junior high your students will attend. Attend Your Region Meeting Region meetings will be held across the state in April and May and all divisions in the Region are invited. Watch for emails from your Region Chair and make time to attend, voice your concerns, and explore ways you can become more involved in the future of your association. Online Convention Proposals Now is the time to begin building your ideas for a clinic proposal for the 2024 TMEA Clinic/Convention. If you aren’t ready to propose a clinic but you know a colleague who would offer a great session, encourage them! As you consider this opportunity to share your experience, take
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note of the highest-ranked clinic topics by Elementary Division convention attendees. These are important areas that elementary music educators have designated, and they will be taken into consideration during the proposal review. • Teaching methods • Classroom management • Special-needs instruction • Technology integration • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access • Repertoire selection
• Rehearsal techniques • Instrument methods • Mental health and wellness • Urban or rural challenges and solutions To learn more and prepare to submit a proposal, go to www.tmea.org/proposals. Elementary Invited Ensembles This is also the time to finalize your plans to apply for your ensemble to perform at the 2024 TMEA Clinic/ Convention. Our online application for
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60 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
choirs and instrumental ensembles from elementary schools, grades 6 or lower, is open May 1–June 15. Learn more now and prepare to apply at www.tmea.org/ elementaryensembles. Elementary Division Business Meeting February 9, 2023, 5:15 p.m. Vice-President Katherine Johns called the meeting to order at 5:17 p.m. The minutes from the 2022 business meeting as published in the April 2022 issue of Southwestern Musician were approved. Christopher Giles was acknowledged as candidate for the next Elementary Division Vice-President, and the floor was opened for additional nominations. There being none, nominations were closed. Judy Hudson spoke on behalf of Giles. After no additional discussion, Giles was elected by acclamation. Johns offered thanks to TMEA staff, fellow Executive Board members, and Region Chairs and recognized past TMEA Elementary Division Vice-Presidents in attendance. Johns thanked Elementary Division Invited clinicians, Patrick Ware and Loneka Wilkinson Battiste, as well as ballroom equipment sponsors West Music, Peripole, and Rhythm Band Instruments. Jackson Hill, TCDA Elementary VicePresident, offered greetings on behalf of TCDA and shared updates on TCDA initiatives. Johns requested that any members from the 1 p.m. session “Sticks and Stones” who might have mistakenly taken the Firestix lighted drumsticks afterwards, please return them to the Elementary Division office. Becky Compton, Traci Finch, and the door prize committee awarded door prizes. The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Minutes submitted by Abigail Bilocura. 0
Energized & Inspired
Attendees answered how being surrounded by so many who share their passion affected them.
As an elementary music teacher, mine is a oneperson job and it gets pretty lonesome and even discouraging at times. Once at TMEA though, you remember that is not the case.
It always energizes me to become a better teacher. When I return, my students say, “Oh she has been to TMEA . . . here we go!”
There are few places where really great ideas can come to you in a brief conversation with someone you just happen to run into. It happens consistently when I attend TMEA.
Being around so many incredible musicians helped me reignite my passion for composition and inspired me to start writing again.
This is definitely a burnout year for me. Spending two days with other music educators filled me with hope that it’s not just me and that I can get past this strange year and make strides with my students.
After living in another state for many years, it was wonderful to come back to TMEA and remember how much support is offered to music educators in Texas.
Uplifting and inspiring! This is the first time I’ve seen the convention through teacher-eyes rather than student-eyes. I’ve always enjoyed the convention, knowing everyone around me is there because they love music, but this year it was more. Everyone around me is there to learn, share knowledge, connect with new people, reconnect with previous colleagues, and support growing students through music. Something I’ve been told a lot this semester is that I’m not alone, and TMEA is a huge reminder of that.
As a college student, it is inspiring to be around so many educators when what I read about online is teachers leaving the industry. It is refreshing to see that there are in fact many educators left and to realize that I can do this!
A lot of teachers are quitting or are unhappy with the profession at the moment. Being at TMEA made me realize that it is okay for me to like teaching and want to continue to be in education.
I was proud to be surrounded by so many diverse music educators, and it inspired me to come back to school and represent such a wonderful organization on my campus. Although I am a retired music educator, I continue to enjoy the sessions, concerts, and interaction between other music educators, both retired and active teachers. I especially enjoy spending time with my long-time roommates. We’ve shared a room at TMEA for many years, and we make the most of our time together! Many serious conversations and much laughter!
As I currently fight stage IV metastatic breast cancer I enjoyed being around other like-minded individuals to sing, dance, play, and enjoy our time at TMEA. It was so nice to be with each other again like last year and to celebrate each other’s successes. It was wonderful for me, spiritually, to come together for our love of teaching and music and not focus on what I’m going through personally. 62 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
TMEA Convention has always had the special power to fill my tank right when I feel like I’m running on fumes. I’m always amazed by the number of music educators who flock to our musical mecca year after year, seeking to become more effective in our classrooms and to be inspired by sitting shoulder to shoulder with people sharing our life’s mission. TMEA is medicine for the music educator’s soul!
There’s nothing like being with your people, especially when you are the only music teacher at your school! It’s incredible!
It made me feel better and know that I’m not alone.
I’m not from Texas, and it was so refreshing to be in a place where music education felt alive and well. I came home with a renewed sense of hope, inspired to tackle the rest of the school year and begin planning for 2023–2024. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity!
There’s no feeling like hearing a work of beauty and understanding the effort that it takes to achieve it.
Having moved out of the music classroom and into the instructional technology department in my district, I have learned what a beautiful and rare gift the music community has been in my life. Attending TMEA this year was like coming home. TMEA will continue to be a priority for me in the future as I blend my love of music education and supporting teachers through instructional technology.
You know when people walk around saying “Happy TMEA!” like we say “Merry Christmas!” that it’s pretty amazing. I came to TMEA on the verge of submitting my resignation. While I love my students, I was burned out. Seeing and hearing new music and ideas inspired me to return and get back to making music with my students. The members of TMEA inspire on the stage, in the classroom, and even on the escalators between sessions. Thank you for saving me from myself!
The professionals who presented during the clinics left me in awe at the knowledge they shared, as well as their reminder that it’s not been easy. It gave me motivation and hope to Each year, TMEA comes at exactly the right time to keep sharpening my craft for my students. reenergize my passion and reinvigorate my teaching.
How many hugs did we see each day? How many hugs did we receive each day? TMEA—it’s priceless!
The conference can be intimidating, with so many excellent educators and music programs being showcased, but it makes me want to be better. Being here is special to me because I am from northern Canada, and I am never sure when I’ll be able to make it back to Texas or if this might be my last time attending. Southwestern Musician | April 2023 63
TMEA College Vice-President MATTHEW MCINTURF
An Inspiring Experience The sessions I attended were excellent and appreciated by our membership. TMEA is unique in its scope, offering more opportunities for professional development than any other meeting of its type.
T
he TMEA Clinic/Convention was, once again, an inspiring and rejuvenating time for professionals and aspiring teachers alike. It was wonderful to have so many from the College Division attending, and especially to have over 3,800 College Student members present. I’m grateful to everyone who shared their professional work with us as presenters. The sessions I attended were excellent and appreciated by our membership. TMEA is unique in its scope, offering more opportunities for professional development than any other meeting of its type. It is invaluable for professionals and an excellent introduction to the field for music education students. A significant outcome of this meeting was the approval by the membership of a constitutional revision. This will bring our election process into the digital age for all divisions and reduce redundancies in our governing document. This is significant for the College Division since it will empower us to nominate a Vice-Presidential candidate during our Fall Conference. Previously, official nominations occurred only at the Region meeting, where the College Division is underrepresented. The new language still provides for official nominations to come from the fall Region meeting. However, the revision allows additional candidates to be submitted in writing at least four weeks prior to the convention (rather than from the floor during the convention business meeting), so this allows attendees to utilize the Fall Conference for this purpose.
64 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDAR check www.tmea .org for updates
April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2). May 1—TMEA 2023–2024 membership year opens for online and mail/email submission. May 1—Deadline to nominate students for a Texas Music Scholar award. May 1–June 1—2024 Clinic/Convention proposals accepted online. June 30—All 2022–2023 TMEA memberships expire. July 20–22—TBA, TCDA, TODA conventions in San Antonio.
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Camps & Workshops* TCU STRINGS FESTIVAL • MAY 30 - JUNE 4 JULIETTE HERLIN, LIZ LEE PERCUSSION CAMP • JUNE 6&7 BRIAN WEST, JEFF HODGE TCU BAND CAMPS • JUNE 11-17 BOBBY FRANCIS, BRIAN YOUNGBLOOD FLUTE WORKSHOP • JUNE 21&22 SHAUNA THOMPSON SAXOPHONE WORKSHOP • JUNE 21&22 TB A HARP WORKSHOP • JULY 5-7 KELA WALTON ALL-STATE CHOIR CAMP • JULY 9-15 CHRISTOPHER ASPAAS, MARLA RINGEL CLARINET WORKSHOP • JULY 18&19 COREY MACKEY STAR WARS AND THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS • JULY 17-20 PAUL CORTESE
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2023 College Fall Conference Our 2023 Fall Conference will be Friday, October 13. It will be held at the TMEA office in Austin, as in the past. We typically begin at about 9 a.m. and finish around 3 p.m. A catered lunch will be included, and there is no cost to attend. Please save this date on your calendar as you make plans for the fall semester. I have been attending this event for nearly 20 years, and it is always beneficial. I especially enjoy interacting with our vibrant and committed colleagues from institutions around the state. The hospitality of the TMEA staff makes the event informative and enjoyable. Student Essay Contest The Executive Board, at the recommendation of the College Division’s Article Review Committee, has approved reinstating the Student Essay Contest. There will be a $2,000 award for an undergraduate and a graduate winner. The final details will be approved at the Executive Board Meeting in June, and the submission deadline will be mid-December. The purpose is to encourage scholarly writing on topics related to music education. There will be more information in the September Southwestern Musician, so please encourage your students to consider submitting an essay.
In the past year, several people have stepped into Region Chair positions for their first time. This is an important leadership role in TMEA, and we still have several vacancies to fill. If your Region does not have a College Division Chair, and you are interested in serving TMEA in that capacity, please let me know. We had an informative and productive Region Chair meeting at the convention, and I look forward to having more people involved in this important work. Convention Proposals Please consider submitting a clinic proposal for the 2024 TMEA Clinic/ Convention. The submission portal on our website will be open from May 1 to June 1. The review process will begin immediately after the closing date. These are the top ten topics of interest identified by College Division faculty and student members in the post-convention survey. Be especially mindful of this topic interest as it is considered within our proposal review. College faculty: • Teaching methods • Recruiting/retention • Mental health and wellness • Private-lesson strategies • Instrument methods
Have a Story to Share? Throughout each volume of Southwestern Musician, TMEA is proud to publish feature articles written by TMEA members. Members are encouraged to submit articles on topics of interest to the general readership. Content of articles may focus on band, choir, orchestra, general music, or research, but the information should be relevant for a majority of our members. In addition to full-length features, we publish shorter articles that offer quick and practical strategies in our “It Works for Me” series. Learn more about submitting an article at www.tmea.org/magazine. 66 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
TMEA.ORG/MAGAZINE
• Rehearsal techniques • Technology integration • Research methods and results • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access • Philosophical priorities of music-making College students: • Rehearsal techniques • Teaching methods • Classroom management • Mental health and wellness • Repertoire selection • Conducting techniques • Private-lesson strategies • Music theory • Instrument methods • Diversity, equity, inclusion, access College Division Meeting February 9, 2023, 5:15 p.m. College Division Vice-President Matthew McInturf called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. and gave welcomes and introductions. Old Business: Michele Henry offered an EdTPA update. EdTPA was discussed at the 2022 Fall Conference, and it was reported that it was unanimously dismissed by the SBOE. Henry and Amy Simmons testified before SBEC against utilizing EdTPA, yet funds were still allocated toward EdTPA and other assessments. Henry previously sent emails to each SBOE member stating the issues with EdTPA. One concern is that there are six new members elected to SBOE. McInturf added the testimony and question answering of Henry and Simmons to SBEC were incredibly valuable. The College Division must continue to express concern. Robert Floyd is doubtful that EdTPA will ever be supported by the SBOE. TEA/Legislative Update: Robert Floyd offered that SBEC meets on February 9. Floyd has heard that the meeting will be only a continued discussion of EdTPA. The staff at TEA was going to separate fine arts educator certification from other academic subject. Arts educators insisted they want to be treated the same as other core subjects. Floyd reported there is currently no fine arts staff member at TEA after a year of vacancy. The job is posted. The position is not limited to fine arts. It is advertised as “Enrichment Coordinator.” There are
Meet your
MENTORS
at Texas State University
music.txst.edu
Nationally and internationally renowned performers, recording artists, researchscholars, Fulbright scholars and specialists
brass
Martin G. McCain, Jr., trombone* Robert Cannon, trumpet Andrew Cheetham, trumpet Raúl I. Rodríguez, euphonium/tuba Caroline Steiger, horn Jett Walker, trombone Keith Winking, trumpet
composition Michael Ippolito* Richard Hall, electronic Jack Wilds
jazz
Utah Hamrick, bass/ensemble* Andrew Cheetham, trumpet/ensemble Russell Haight, saxophone Hank Hehmsoth, piano/composition Arthur Latin II, drum set/ensemble Brian Pardo, guitar/combos Keith Winking, trumpet Randy Zimmerman, trombone
keyboard
Jason Kwak, piano* Daria Rabotkina, piano
Winners of: Grammy Awards American Prize American Protégé Award Global Music Award Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition San Francisco Opera Adler Fellowship
latin music studies
Adolfo Estrada, Mariachi instruments* Rene Gonzalez, Latin percussion Miguel Guzmán, Mariachi instruments Michelle Quintero, Mariachi voice Juan Rosaly, salsa
percussion Genaro Gonzalez* Kari Klier Robert A. Lopez
strings
Ames Asbell, viola* Mark Cruz, guitar Karla Hamelin, cello Utah Hamrick, bass Lynn F. Ledbetter, violin
voice
Ron Ulen, baritone* Christopher Besch, bass-baritone Giuseppe Filianoti, tenor Daveda Karanas, mezzo-soprano Timothy O’Brien, baritone Suzanne Ramo-Gechter, soprano Myra Vassian, soprano
woodwind
Adah Toland Jones, flute* Ian Davidson, oboe Daris Word Hale, bassoon Todd Oxford, saxophone Vanguel Tangarov, clarinet Brian Trittin, saxophone Texas State University, to the extent not in conflict with federal or state law, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Texas State University is a tobacco-free campus.
*area coordinator
three applicants; two of the three are fine arts knowledgeable, and one is not. He also reported that higher education is rolled in with public education this legislative session. It is now one committee. Floyd encourages educators to remain vigilant. He mentioned that TMEA will monitor the voucher situation and keep members informed and encouraged participation in the Texas Arts Education Campaign. Collegiate Music Educator Award: McInturf announced the deadline for spring submissions is March 15. Committees: McInturf thanked and commended committee members’ work. It was announced that Elizabeth Chappell has stepped down from the DEIA committee. The Executive Board will address the vacancy. 2023 Fall Conference: McInturf announced this conference will be held on Friday, October 13, in Austin and encouraged members to add it to their calendar. Constitutional Revision: The purpose of the revision that was approved during the General Session was to improve the electoral process and implement electronic voting across the divisions. Many redundancies were eliminated and legal safe-
68 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
guards were strengthened. New Business: Julie Scott, Article Review Committee Chair, announced that their committee proposed the reinstatement and update of the college student essay contest and the Executive Board approved. The committee seeks to add four additional members. The purpose of the essay contest is to encourage scholarly writing for students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Winning essays may be published on the TMEA website at the discretion of the Board and College Division. Essays may be printed at the discretion of the editors of the Southwestern Musician. Details will be announced by the fall. McInturf expressed appreciation, reiterating that the Board has approved the funds and framework. Final guidelines will be approved at the June Executive Board Meeting. Region Chair Work: McInturf explained that the structure of TMEA is driven at the Region level. That does not work as well for the College Division. However, Region Chairs are important in administering grant opportunities and communication. They also serve as an advisory committee to the Executive
Board. There are many vacant college Region Chairs. All Region Chair information is on the website. Where Chairs are vacant, consider filling a spot or encouraging others to fill spots. Election Procedures: Because the revised constitution allows for additional candidates to be submitted in writing at least four weeks before the convention (rather than on the floor of the business meeting), the College Division can decide to nominate officer candidates at the Fall Conference. If only one candidate is nominated by the deadline for official and additional candidates, they are declared elected by acclamation. The constitution now provides for electronic elections. Other New Business: A college student forum has been added to the schedule of the convention to allow these members the opportunity to provide feedback that can help shape our goals as they relate to college students. The college student forum was led by Ogechi Ukazu and Mike Howard and moderated by Matthew McInturf. The meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m. Minutes submitted by Darla McBryde. 0
Survey Says . . . Over 2,100 TMEA members and out-of-state attendees completed the post-convention survey. Most of the following information is based on those survey responses. We appreciate your feedback and we look forward to using it as we continue to look for ways to improve this event.
WHO ATTENDED? Attendee Age 18–24
TMEA Division Band
16%
36%
25–34
22%
Orchestra
35–44
23%
Vocal
13%
Elementary
14%
45–54
20%
55–64
College Faculty College Students Admin/ Other
12%
65–74
6%
75+
1%
7%
0%
TMEA welcomed 400+ attendees and exhibitors from 44 other states and 13 other countries. The states with the most making the journey were:
3% 25% 2%
0%
25%
30%
See page 72 for a multiyear membership and attendee report.
Years as a Member <1
Conventions Attended
12%
1–5
1–3 20%
4–10
24% 26%
17%
6–10 11–20
10–19
23%
21+
20+
28%
0%
30%
0%
Worldwide Attendance
23%
Louisiana:
55
New Mexico:
49
California:
23
Alabama:
17
Utah:
16
Oklahoma:
15
Arkansas:
13
Tennessee:
11
New Jersey:
11
Indiana:
11
International attendees came from:
27% 30%
Over 10,450 active music teachers attended our convention!
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
As an out-of-state attendee, I love how big and inspiring TMEA is! Even after 20+ years of teaching, there are always sessions I’m interested in. I look forward to the next convention! 70 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
4 DAYS: 492 EVENTS
Top Clinic Topics: The top five clinic topics identified through the survey:
• 297 Clinics • 100 Performances • 1,459 Exhibit Booths
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
EVENT QUALITY Attendees report great value and satisfaction attending the TMEA Clinic/Convention:
Overall Experience Very Good
Good Avg
Very Good: 61% Good: 31% Average: 7% Poor+Very Poor: 1%
Poor+ Very Poor
Value for the Cost Very Good
Good Avg
Very Good: 65% Good: 26% Average: 8% Poor+Very Poor: 1%
Poor+ Very Poor
Quality of Clinics Very Good
Good Avg
Poor+ Very Poor
Very Good: 57% Good: 35% Average: 7% Poor+Very Poor: 1%
The App
Throughout the four days, 412 events qualified for continuing professional education credit.
Rehearsal techniques Teaching methods Recruiting and retention Repertoire selection Classroom management
To learn how members in your TMEA division ranked clinic topics, read your Vice-President’s column in this issue.
Our app was downloaded to 22,650 devices. TMEA
Clinic/Convention
• 1.54 million app event views • 395,600 bookmarks • 70,790 downloads of handouts • Top-viewed event: Region Meetings
WHO PAID YOUR WAY? REGISTRATION FEE MY NAME IS
47% I Paid 50% My School/District 3% Other
CONVENTION HOUSING 40% I Paid 51% My School/District 9% Other
TRAVEL EXPENSES 56% I Paid 41% My School/District 3% Other
67% of attendees registered before the fee increased on January 20. Southwestern Musician | April 2023 71
TMEA Membership and Convention Attendance Report Membership
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Active
12,739
13,137
13,404
13,421
13,839
11,980
13,719
13,869
Retired
875
904
954
1,007
1,086
796
958
1,086
Institutional College Students Sustaining
65
59
98
58
57
30
59
60
4,232
4,328
4,423
4,636
4,510
1,308
3,968
4,203
582
717
535
615
629
229
512
576
Total
18,493
19,145
19,414
19,737
20,121
14,343
19,216
19,794
Convention Attendees
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Active
10,259
10,457
10,333
10,642
10,911
7,038
9,631
10,454
Retired
576
568
559
592
649
311
449
560
50
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
College Students
Institutional
3,796
3,830
3,921
4,119
4,069
807
3,509
3,801
Exhibitors/Sustaining
2,819
2,727
2,971
2,922
3,076
867
2,307
3,007
Texas Future Music Educators
795
1,014
1,022
1,277
967
93
639
744
All-State Students
1,750
1,778
1,783
1,795
1,790
1,107
1,831
1,844
Participants/Performers
2,776
2,818
2,810
2,522
3,069
611
2,713
2,643
Out-of-State Attendees
310
290
338
335
433
166
276
390
Visitors/Family/Chaperons
6,150
6,141
6,021
6,179
6,596
24
4,904
7,227
Total
29,281
29,623
29,758
30,383
31,560
11,024
26,259
30,670
! e t a D Save the 2024 TMEA Clinic/Convention February 7–10 • San Antonio 72 Southwestern Musician | April 2023
2023 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS ALL-STATE CHOIR CAMP
KRISTINA CASWELL MACMULLEN Mixed Choir Conductor
JULY 5-8 ASSOCIATE CAMP DIRECTORS:
Brian Murray and Cody Alarcón
ALLEN HIGHTOWER Soprano/Alto & Tenor/Bass Choir Conductor
ASSISTANT CAMP DIRECTOR: Nicholas Standish
SECTION LEADERS: Derrick Brookins Evan Brown Cathy Koziatek Tara Sikon
PIANISTS:
JESSICA NÁPOLES Camp Director
Kelly Pfaffenberger Nathan Ratliff Andrew Steffen Hank Tharpe Kathryn Zetterstrom
CHOIRCAMP.MUSIC.UNT.EDU
SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN
APRIL 2023
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