President's Message

Casey Cropp

I’ve been informed recently that school has started. Since I’ve been retired for 12 years, I don’t seem to have the ticking clock mentality I once did when I was under contract. However, I still miss interacting with students, especially during the daily rehearsals, and observing their musical growth! I admire each of you who continue investing in enriching young people's lives across Colorado.

Our leadership has been exemplary in planning the 2025 CMEA Conference in January! Their work and dedication over the past several months have been a joy to observe! To say they’ve been deliberate, responsive, and professional in creating a phenomenal schedule for the conference is a monumental understatement. I believe this January will be an event that will enhance your teaching career exponentially! I hope you are planning on reconnecting with your family or colleagues.

I am thrilled to announce that my friend, Dr. Tim Lautzenhauser, will be our Keynote Speaker for the opening session on Thursday. In keeping with the theme for the 2025 Conference - “Cultivating Excellence! Appreciate, Inspire, Support & Guide” – Dr. Tim will share his thoughts on “Building a Culture of Excellence!” Whether you’ve experienced Dr. Tim dozens of times, or his insights have never blessed you, I know you will be rewarded by attending this session! An added premium to the opening session will be the performance by an exceptional ensemble, the Mariachi Halcones de Skyline! I highly recommend you attend and experience this wonderful group!

It is an honor to serve you as a Colorado Music Educators Association member. Please continue communicating your needs to me or anyone in your council leadership. We want and need your voice to be heard!

My best thoughts and hopes for a genuinely remarkable year of making music with your students and friends!!

Casey

PresidentCMEA@cmeaonline.org

President-Elect Message

Leila Heil

Call for nominations!

Have you or another music educator you know been wondering how to get more involved in CMEA, perhaps even in CMEA leadership? Here is the perfect opportunity!

The General, Vocal, and Instrumental Councils seek candidates for the January 2025 CMEA State Assembly election ballot. Serving in the CMEA State Assembly is a great way to get involved and share ideas/suggestions about current and future CMEA initiatives and activities.

The following offices are up for election this year:

• Chair-Elect- General Music Council
• Chair-Elect- Vocal Music Council
• Chair-Elect- Instrumental Music Council
• Council Secretary- Vocal Music Council
• General Music Representatives- District 1, District 3, District 5, District 7
• Vocal Music Representatives- District 1, District 3, District 5, District 7
• Instrumental Music Representatives- District 1, District 3, District 5, District 7

To be eligible to run for office, a candidate must be a current active or retired member of CMEA. Council Chairs must wait one election cycle before running for the same office.

Elections will take place via electronic ballot in the first two weeks of January 2025, and results will be announced during the opening session at the CMEA conference. The term for each office is two years, beginning on February 1 following the election. For more information about the structure of these leadership positions and the election process, please see the CMEA Bylaws at https://cmeaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMEA-By-laws-Adopted-1-24-2024.pdf

If you know someone interested in serving as an officer or would like to nominate yourself, please send names and contact information to the current Chair-Elect (listed below) associated with the open position before October 1^st.

CHAIR-ELECT – GENERAL MUSIC COUNCIL – Paul Maley

paulmaleymusic@gmail.com

CHAIR-ELECT – INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC COUNCIL – Chuck Stephen

cntstephen@gmail.com

CHAIR-ELECT – VOCAL MUSIC COUNCIL – Bryan Kettlewell

bryan.kettlewell@gmail.com

Thank you, and have a wonderful fall!

PresidentelectCMEA@cmeaonline.org

Greetings, Fellow General Music Educators!

Kalinda Theobold, Chair

We just had our final CMEA scheduling meeting this past weekend, and your General Music Council is beyond excited about what we have in store for the 2025 Clinic/Conference. Our schedule is packed full of incredible sessions from our headliners and in-state clinicians. There’s going to be something for everyone! 

Here is just a taste of what is coming…

• David Rowe will be presenting, hosted by RMC-AOSA
• Mary Claxton of Music Will is returning with some amazing sessions
• John Jacobson will be joining us with some fun and exciting material
• Andy Beck will be bringing the latest and greatest music from Alfred Publishing
• We have an abundance of Colorado clinicians who will be sharing their expertise

Our clinics will cover topics from ukulele to handbells, from bucket drumming to a percussion party! We will hear about children’s literature, improv, movement, critical thinking, generative A.I., manipulatives, and more! We will have a black light party and see clinics highlighting different cultures from Japan to Latin America and beyond. 

It is safe to say that your General Music Council is looking forward to this year’s conference, and we hope you are as well! Early bird registration is OPEN, so make sure you register now for CMEA 2025. If you ever have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to your district rep or to email me at cmea.gmc@gmail.com

Hope to see you all soon!

GeneralMusicCouncilChairCMEA@cmeaonline.org

Instrumental Council News

Tim Libby, Chair

Dear colleagues,

We hope this message finds you in high spirits as we gear up for another exciting semester of musical exploration and growth. As we embrace the new academic year, the Instrumental Music Council is thrilled to welcome you all back and share some exciting updates!

1. 2025 Conference Registration is Now Open!

Mark your calendars and clear your schedules because registration for the 2025 Conference is now open! This is the perfect opportunity to unite, share ideas, and cultivate excellence! Our website has more details on registration and conference dates.

2. Finalizing the Conference Schedule - Prepare for a Spectacular Lineup!

Each council is diligently working on finalizing the conference schedule, and we are excited about the incredible lineup of performances and clinics. We've gathered diverse offerings across the state, ensuring something valuable for everyone.

3. Gratitude to everyone who submitted to perform or present!

We are grateful to everyone who submitted their performance and clinic proposals. Your efforts are truly appreciated.

Thank you for being a part of our vibrant musical community. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the 2025 Conference, and we hope you have a rewarding and fulfilling semester!

P.S. Remember to follow us on social media for the latest news and updates about the conference and other exciting musical endeavors!

InstrumentalMusicCouncilChairCMEA@cmeaonline.org

Greetings from Tri-M

Michelle Ewer, Chair

I hope you had a wonderful break and are back in full swing. Of course, being back includes Tri-M How did your chapter help start the year? Did they help with setting up your room or greeting incoming students? Perhaps you have decided it is time to start a chapter at your school. There are many possibilities, and no right or wrong answer exists.

Save the date of January 29^th, 2025! Tri-M Day is going to be amazing. Many great sessions are planned, from wellness strategies to military bands to composing and conducting. Students will create their own Mini-Conference with three sessions relevant to their needs. Our keynote speaker this year is Peter Boonshaft, a great motivational speaker. The cost per student is $35. $40 for late registration. Our day runs from 9:00-4:00. Plan on arriving by 8:30 to get settled in. Lunch is on your own. Please note that all directors and Co-Directors must be registered for the convention to bring your students to Tri-M Day. For some, this may involve purchasing a 1-day attendance badge. Chaperones who are not music directors may attend for free. Registration will open in November. Please watch for it. Join CMEA on Facebook and Instagram, where you will also see updates. 

If you are new to Tri-M, we end our day in song. Please bring your instrument and a music stand. Several sessions involve playing, and you will want to participate in the finale. Tri-M has a new email address: TriMChairCMEA@cmeaonline.org. Please make a note of it.

I look forward to a great year ahead, and I am always happy to answer questions as they arise. Have a terrific September!

CMEA 2025 Conference

“Cultivating Excellence”

Registration is now open



Registration for the 2025 CMEA Clinic/Conference is now open. We are excited to offer this year’s CMEA Conference, “Cultivating Excellence.” Individuals may register and pay by credit card or mail a payment by check only. All credit card payments must be made online. Schools or school districts registering more than one teacher at a time must use the Group Registration Form.

Reservations for

The Broadmoor Hotel

are now open

Reservations for the CMEA Room block at The Broadmoor Hotel, the official hotel of the CMEA Conference, can be made beginning on August 1, 2024, using the Passkey booking link below.

Reservations can also be made by calling the Hotel Reservations Center at 719-577-5775. When you call to book your reservations, make sure to tell them you are attending the CMEA Conference so you receive the CMEA hotel room rate.

If you are booking for a school group with a block of rooms, you need to contact the CMEA Room Reservation Manager at The Broadmoor Hotel, Candice Gilmore, at ((719)- 387 6695 or by emailing her at CGILMORE@broadmoor.com.

CMEA Board Policy- Membership

CMEA Board policy states that for students to participate in Elementary, Middle, or High School All-State Choir, High School All-State Jazz Choir, All-State High School Band, and High School All-State Orchestra, directors must be an active member of CMEA at the time your student(s) both audition and participate in CMEA sponsored All-States Ensembles.

In order to register for the conference as a CMEA/NAfME member, your membership must not be expired or expire before 6/30/2025. (If your membership expires between 1/1/25 and 6/30/25, you must renew it prior to registering for the conference.) To check on the status of your membership, you may contact NAfME at 1-800-336-3768.

If you select the option to pay your membership renewal through CMEA through conference registration, your membership renewal will NOT be forwarded to NAfME until April 30 for renewal. If you pay your membership to CMEA and it expires after 6/30/2025, you need to contact CMEA for a refund of this money. CMEA will not forward this money to NAfME as membership dues increase on July 1 of each year. 

Please note: If you wish to vote in the January election, you must renew your membership directly with NAfME by December 15, 2024.

From Cynthia Eversole, CMEA Past President

Nominations for CMEA Honor Awards are Open

The Colorado Music Educators Association recognizes individuals for their contributions to music education in the categories listed below. Nominations for the 2025 CMEA Conference will follow the timeline outlined below. 

• Submission form open on Thursday, August 1, 2024
• Forms close on Friday, October 4, 2024
• Committee meets by October 25, 2024
• Award Recipients notified by the CMEA Past-President by Friday, November 1, 2024

PastPresidentCMEA@cmeaonline.org

Process to Order Music Awards

The Colorado Music Educators Association is proud to partner with Western Awards and Recognition for the purchase of All-State Medals and Perpetual Plaques, CHSSA Large Festival Plaques, CMEA Conference Honor Performing Group Medals and Patches, and Solo and Ensemble Medals. Click on the link below to obtain an order form and either email or mail this Western Awards and Recognition. Western Awards and Recognition can also be reached at (303)-699-5691 or through email at westernawards@comcast.net .

Click HERE to download the awards order form.

Support our 2024 CMEA Exhibitors

Click HERE to see the exhibitor listings