Springs always brings a busy calendar of concerts/programs, recitals, festivals, trips, and countless celebrations to culminate the work that music educators and students have invested in.
In my home, we are celebrating the next steps for our children. It is indeed a bit nerve-wracking with big decisions on everyone’s mind and our kids’ intent to pursue music and music education. It brings to light what defines a fine musician and a fine music educator that our kids set their own sights on becoming. We often spend dinner dissecting the journey to becoming a music teacher or performer.
All of us are currently on this journey that my family discusses. Our journeys are different and have various influences. I hope the professional journey is embraced as we aspire to be like others and others aspire to be like us. Today’s education climate of funding challenges us to recognize what we have instead of comparing ourselves or our programs…the haves and have-nots.
It is my reflection that the human arts experience is not to be compared. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” I encourage all music educators to be who they are regardless of where they graduated from, how long they have taught, where they teach, or what building resources exist. Don’t let comparison steal your joy or allow ratings to define you or your program. Are we too consumed by keeping up with our perceived rivals? Ego is a valuable thread in the performing arts but always keep the sphere of influence around you focused on musical growth. This is what makes our hearts most happy for when the festivals are gone, what we have left is the music.
My hope is for young music education students to inspire the circle around them, engage in the expression of music, and know that they make a difference regardless of any comparison, foster growth, and celebrate achievements. Accept the pat on the back and humbly return to the journey with new goals. Embrace the journey and know you are not alone.
Vocal Music Council News
Alyssa A. Miller, Vocal Music Council Chair
As the new chair of the Vocal Music Council, it is with great pleasure that I write to you today. First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the outgoing vocal music chair, Tanner Oharah, for his dedicated service and invaluable contributions to the VMC. His tireless efforts have left a lasting impact on our organization, and we are grateful for his leadership and commitment to excellence. I would also like to thank the outgoing district representatives, Bryan Kettlewell - District 3, and André Wilkins - District 6, for their dedication and hard work to ensure CMEA was a success over the last two years. Finally, we welcome the incoming district representatives, Kris Pierce - District 3 and Ethan Smith - District 6, and rising Chair-Elect, Bryan Kettlewell, to the VMC. I am eager to work alongside you all over the next two years!
As we embark on this new journey together, I am excited to continue building on the successes of the past while also exploring new and innovative ideas to advance the field of vocal music in Colorado. To do this, I would like to invite all members of our community to share their thoughts and suggestions for the upcoming year. What new initiatives can we pursue to foster growth and creativity in vocal music? How can we better support our members and encourage collaboration and exploration? What challenges do we face, and how can we work together to overcome them?
I believe that by working together and embracing a spirit of openness and curiosity, we can achieve great things. Whether you are a performer, a composer, a conductor, a teacher, or simply someone who loves vocal music, your voice and your ideas are important to us. So please, don't hesitate to reach out and share your thoughts with us. We are eager to hear from you and to work together to make the upcoming year one of the most exciting and impactful yet.
Thank you again to the outgoing Vocal Music Council members, and to all of you for your dedication to vocal music education. I look forward to working with you in the coming year and beyond.
Greetings from General Music Council
Kalinda Theobold, General Music Council Chair
It is an honor to address you for the first time as the new General Music Council Chair for the Colorado Music Educators Association. I would like to start with a big THANK YOU to Cathy Keller, who has been our GMC Chair for the past two years. She has done a remarkable job of growing our organization and helping to rebuild the conference in the midst of the pandemic. I look forward to stepping into this role in a way that honors and continues her legacy.
We had a great conference at the Broadmoor in January with many outstanding clinicians. We had knowledge bestowed upon us by clinicians like Artie Almeida, Rachel Gibson, Darla Meek, Joshi Marshall and Sam Heminger. We were blessed with incredible reading sessions from Andy Beck and Greg Gilpin, as well as a Modern Band 101 class with Scott Burstein from Music Will. Not to mention the line-up of in-state clinicians who shared their time and talents with all of their fellow educators. We learn the best from each other! I would like to encourage each and every one of you to consider submitting a session for CMEA 2024. We all have something to offer, and your fellow educators want to hear from you. The session proposal window will be opening at the beginning of May.
As your General Music Council looks toward planning for next year's conference, there are many opportunities for professional development throughout the school year. Be on the lookout for workshops from our local organizations and chapters! The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association will HOST events this year, which can be found on their website! Check out ROCKE’s (Regional Organization for Colorado Kodaly Educators) calendar HERE, including their upcoming Hybrid Workshop at Young Voices of Colorado on April 15th.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, suggestions, or just to say hi! You can reach me at cmea.gmc@gmail.com.
News from Instrumental Music Council
Tim Libby, Instrumental Music Council Chair
Greetings to you all, and I hope you are having a great semester as we approach the end of the school year. Congratulations on surviving what I call “The Februaries” – the most dreaded month of the school year for music educators. Thanks to everyone who attended the Clinic/Conference last January! It was a pleasure to see a record number of teachers sharing in the friendship, inspiration, and rejuvenation that the conference provides. If you were unable to attend this year, I hope that you are planning to join us next year, January 24-27, 2024.
Congratulations to all of the honor performing ensembles this year. It was inspiring to witness the culmination of the hard work and preparation that the students and directors put into their performances. I encourage every CMEA member to consider submitting an audition to perform at the 2024 clinic/conference. Remember you are doing amazing work with your students, and each of us have something unique and valuable to share with colleagues around the state. The Instrumental Council is committed to celebrating the musical accomplishments from all CMEA Districts and we need everyone’s participation to make that happen. Please consider applying and encourage your colleagues in your district to do the same.
If you are not considering an application to perform at CMEA, please consider presenting a clinic or encouraging a colleague to present. Nearly all clinics presented at the conference are by Colorado music educators! There is a vast amount of expertise across all of our districts, and our community grows stronger when we share our experiences with each other.
I would like to congratulate our newly elected council members:
Instrumental Council Chair-Elect Chuck Stephen
District 1 Representative Darren DeLaup
District 3 Representative Loni Obluda
District 5 Representative Tom Chapman
District 7 Representative Andrew Bruington
I also want to thank Andrew Holcombe and Katie Schrichte for their work as district representatives, and a special thank you to Pete Toews for his outstanding leadership and dedication as our instrumental council chair these past two years. I cannot say enough about the work that they have done and we are grateful for their contributions to CMEA.
CMEA Conference Planning 2024
Timeline for Call for Proposals- Honor Performing Groups- Honor Awards Timeline
Call for Proposals for Conference Presentations
Proposal form opens on Monday, May 1, 2023
Form closes on Friday, June 2, 2023
Proposals considered at the State Assembly meeting on June 10, 2023
Proposals finalized by June 23, 2023
Presenters notified by Margie Camp of acceptance by June 30, 2023
Call for submissions- Conference Honor Performing Groups
Submission form opens on Monday, May 1, 2023
Form closes on Friday, June 2, 2023
Groups selected on June 9, 2023
CMEA President notifies those groups selected by June 16, 2023
CMEA Honor Award Nominations
Submission form opens on Monday, July 31, 2023
Forms close on Friday, September 29, 2023
Committee meets by October 13, 2023
Award Recipients notified by CMEA Past-President by Tuesday, October 31, 2023
All-State and Clinic/Conference Medals and
Solo/Ensemble Festival Medals
Did you know that you can purchase CMEA Solo and Ensemble Awards even if you did not attend a CHSAA Solo and Ensemble Festival? If you hosted a regional Solo and Ensemble Festival or a county or district festival you can still order CMEA Solo and Ensemble medals.
Have you participated in a CHSAA Large Group Festival and put off ordering the award plaque? You can still order plaques for past festivals.
Did you have students in All-State Jazz Band, All-State Jazz Choir, All-State Orchestra, or the Elementary, Middle School, or High School All-State Choirs? If you did this might be a great time to honor these students with an All-State Medal. You can order these medals for your students and have them shipped directly to your home address. This is a great way to recognize your students for their accomplishments.
Have you thought about stocking up on Solo and Ensemble Medals, All-State Medals, or Clinic/Conference Performing Group medals? This might be a good time to spend remaining budget dollars to stock up on these medals before your funds run out.
All award orders can be placed by Clicking Here. All transactions can be completed online, including credit card payments.
Do you have questions regarding CMEA awards? You can direct those questions to CMEA Awards Manager- Ken Anderson at awardscmeaonline@gmail.com
