The start of this fall has definitely brought a great amount of joy as we all return to a typical school year. We have the chance to see student faces again, hear those beautiful voices, listen to those melodies in the orchestra, or hold students’ hands to make a circle. We are all digging deep to engage with students in meaningful ways after a year that made us all sit back and re-evaluate our priorities. Should we really aim to return to a typical year? As music educators, we are constantly reminding ourselves that our students really haven't experienced a traditional year for two years. Six months of seventh grade band should mean the new freshmen have their scales down. Right? They are as baffled as we are. It seems that we are all investing in the long haul from now to the new typical. We maintain COVID mitigation per district and county guidance and yet, it seems so much better than last year. It is a huge celebration to know we can look into our students’ eyes without a computer screen between us.
As we all morph into this new definition of a typical school year, we strive to maintain experiences that are comfortable and assuring to us as music educators and our students. We plan for routine and with that, CMEA could use your help. I encourage you to consider submitting your ensemble’s recordings for performance at the 2022 Clinic/Conference. The truth is that we are all in the same boat of hesitancy as we return with students in person this year. Inspiration and support is found among us all when considering this endeavor and we all feel like we are the only one that is hesitant. Taking the risk of submitting your recordings is one that we can only grow from. We don’t know if we don’t try and I don’t know a soul that hasn’t grown with students as a result of the endeavor. The window for performance ensembles closes on November 5th and the form may be found on our website.
Also vital to our profession is the acknowledgement of peers that inspire us to do our best, take risks, and grow. CMEA is looking for the best of the best when it comes to our Hall of Fame, Young Educators, Administrators, Exemplary Service, Advocacy, and (don’t forget!) our 25 Year celebrations. CMEA exists to serve our teachers but also, to celebrate. Help us give a party that is sure to be the best of 2022 as we return to a new normal. Together, let’s define excellence in teaching when we gather at the 2022 Clinic/Conference. I invite you to energize the positive cycle of recognition and assurance that what you do for a living makes a difference. The window for honors submissions closes on October 15th.
CMEA President-Elect Candidates
Casey B. Cropp
Mr. Cropp graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He began his teaching career in Haxtun, Colorado, teaching grades 5-12 band and 9-12 choir. Two years later he was hired to teach band at Blevins Junior High in Fort Collins and enjoyed five years there. In 1987 Mr. Cropp was selected to teach band at Rocky Mountain High School where he spent 26 years directing concert band, jazz band, marching band, dixieland band, chamber ensembles, and also held the position of Performing Arts Department Chair for 20 years. He earned a master’s degree in “Multiple Intelligences and the Creative Arts in Education” in 2001.
Under his direction, Rocky Mountain High School ensembles performed at the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic/Conference, as well as festivals in Denver, Colorado Springs, Longmont, Loveland, and Greeley; nationally in Washington, D.C. for the Memorial Day Weekend commemorating the World War II Memorial Dedication, and in Paris, France and London, England for the New Year’s Day celebrations in 1994, 1997 and 2000. In the summer of 2008, Rocky Mountain High School Bands were selected to participate in a festival of concerts leading up to the Summer Olympics in Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, China.
Sean Flanigan is starting his 37th year as a music educator, first as a long-time middle school band director and most recently as Director of Music Entrepreneurship Studies at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. He is very active as a clinician, adjudicator and trombone artist throughout Colorado as well as internationally. In addition to his regular teaching responsibilities, Dr. Flanigan is the founder and Artistic Director of MusicSpark, an El Sistema-inspired after-school music program for underserved youth in Grand Junction. He has developed partnerships with institutions and organizations everywhere he has served and knows the value of leveraging the particular strengths of individuals and professional groups.
He has represented CMU on the College/University Council for a decade, serving as Council Chair twice. With his healthy respect for building on tradition, Dr. Flanigan is committed to preparing the next generation of music education professionals for the challenges they will face in this rapidly changing world. With his experience in the public schools, he understands the needs and challenges faced by today’s teaching professionals. Dr. Flanigan has given presentations on a wide range of topics to organizations such as CMEA, the College Music Society, Self-Employment in the Arts and the Iowa Bandmasters Association. He freely gives of his time to serve as clinician and guest teacher at schools throughout Colorado.
Greetings to all of you masterful makers of music, I assume you have all stepped into whatever the full swing of this year's schooling looks like for you and that you have made your first steps into the muck and mire of trying to reboot your realm of vocal performance. Whatever your world looks like right now, thank you for your dedication and perseverance. There are a couple things I am extremely excited to share with you. *Cue Vocal Percussion Drum Roll* Colorado ACDA has partnered with the CMEA Vocal Council in order to bring Dr. Anthony and Melanie Trecek-King to our 2022 conference! We are so excited to have them and for the partnership with CoACDA. We are also excited to announce Brian Winnie as our Vocal Council Headliner. He will be bringing insights on the voice through the Estill Voice method and I hope and expect to have my mind blown several times that week. Those are not the only people you should be excited to see at this year's conference but I won’t give it all away now. Don’t forget to do the early bird registration to save money and also make sure your CMEA membership is current to have your students be eligible for the All State Choirs. I am so looking forward to reconnecting and challenging my thinking and teaching with all of you wonderful people.
Thanks for being you, Tanner Oharah
Technology News
Michael Paulez, Chair
I’m very excited about our technology offerings this year. In the last 18 months, we have all learned more than we could have imagined concerning educational technology. Most of this learning has been out of necessity (while holding on as though we were about to be thrown from a carousel), but some of it for fun!
Throughout this conference, you’ll notice discipline-specific technology offerings that are hosted by their respective councils. Additionally, there are six great sessions that we are excited to host that are more broad-based and will apply to almost every music education situation.
We have technology experts from all over the country that will be sharing their expertise with you, and whether you're looking to organize things digitally to simplify your life, or you're looking for ways to improve your teaching through integrating technology in your performing ensembles, you will be able to leave the conference with strategies to implement on your first day back!
We look forward to seeing you at this year's IN PERSON CMEA Clinic-Conference!
Michael Paulez
CMEA Technology Chair
CMEA CONFERENCE PERFORMING GROUP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
The window is now opened to submit your applications and sound files to be considered and selected as an honor performing group for the 2022 CMEA Conference. The conference will be held in person only at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs from January 26- 29, 2022. Applications close on November 5, 2021.
Do not miss the opportunity to take advantage of the early bird CMEA Conference registration rates. Early bird registration rates end on October 15, 2021. Conference Pre-registration rates begin on October 16, 2021.
Described as "elegant, beautiful, sophisticated, intense, and crystal clear in emotional intent," the music of Omar Thomas continues to move listeners everywhere it is performed. Born to Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, Omar studied Music Education at James Madison University and received a Master of Music in Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory. He has studied under Ken Schaphorst, Frank Carlberg, and composer/bandleader Maria Schneider. His music has been performed by such diverse groups as the Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, the San Francisco and Boston Gay Mens' Choruses, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
Hailed by Herbie Hancock as showing "great promise," Omar has also created music in the contemporary jazz ensemble idiom. His first album "I AM" debuted at #1 on iTunes Jazz Charts and peaked at #13 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Albums Chart. His second release, "We Will Know: An LGBT Civil Rights Piece in Four Movements,” earned him a 2014 Lavender Rhino Award by The History Project, acknowledging his work as an activist in the Boston LGBTQ community.
Omar has served on the faculties of Berklee College of Music and The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. He is currently Assistant Professor of Composition at The University of Texas at Austin.
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 of 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 accomplishment.
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 remain 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 on-line, including credit card payment.
Do you have questions regarding CMEA awards? You can direct those questions to CMEA Awards Manager- Ken Anderson at awardscmeaonline@gmail.com
