Best instructional practices remain the absolute priority of CMEA and our DEIA Task Force. Change takes time as we adapt and evolve to bring an equitable hand to the table of the organization we know as CMEA. Together, we are beginning to see some of these changes in action throughout our organization and professional conference.
Recognizing programs throughout the state and various genres is valued by our membership. Our CMEA conference performance ensembles include schools from the Front Range, Western Slope, and Summit County. Some ensembles are from large schools while others are rural. Some are considered “traditional” school ensembles while others represent their communities and values. I suggest that members become audiences to something new that will open the possibilities for our students and their potential.
Be sure to check out the pre-opening session performance by Eagle Valley High School Chamber Wind Ensemble under the leadership of Pat Sheehy. They are small and mighty. This is a great chance to ask Mr. Sheehy questions about how he elevates musicianship in a small and somewhat remote school program. Clearly, size does not limit their potential as you enjoy this concert.
Also, I hope you will attend a performance by a traditional ensemble and take in the Mariachi performance at the exhibit opening reception. Skyline High School’s own Mariachi Halcones will be serenading members under the direction, Brian Crim. You may want to ask Mr. Crim how this ensemble evolved and what support he sought to bring it to life regardless of rural or urban environments.
A “first” for CMEA’s Clinic/Conference is the selection of a talkback session/performance by the Polaris Expeditionary Learning School Songwriters under the direction of Jasmine Faulkner. This is the first time a songwriting class has been invited via submission to share the performance outcome of modern music instruction. It will be a great opportunity for music teachers to inquire about alternative means of instruction and implementation of such a course.
The conference performance submission process has evolved the past couple years. Your board members are listening to ensembles with a keen ear for what best represents music education in Colorado. Programs and directors are always encouraged to submit recordings in the spring for the coming conference. The unmentioned ensembles are the ones that have not taken the time to submit and be heard. I encourage each member to submit and take the risk to be heard and represent your community’s music program.
College-University Music Council News
Sean Flanigan
Happy Holidays, Everyone!
I want to tell everyone how excited I am about our upcoming Clinic-Conference in January. The new conference spaces in the Broadmoor are wonderful and have allowed us to expand the offerings of presentations and vendor space. The College-University Council is very pleased with our lineup of clinic sessions. Topics include creativity and improvisation, wellness, inclusion, fundraising and career development. I am also very impressed with the guests that have been invited by the other Councils. I hope everyone will be able to join us this coming January 25-28, 2023 for an excellent event. See you there!
Sean Flanigan
Chair, College-University Council
General Music Council News
Cathy Keller
General Music Teachers! The 2023 Colorado Music Educators’ Association Conference is nearing. If you haven’t registered for the Conference, here are several sessions to influence your thinking:
ARTIE ALMEIDA IS BACK presenting seven sessions, including our opening session on Wednesday night entitled, “Jammin’ in January with Artie.”
WEST MUSIC IS BACK in the exhibits hall!!!
The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (RMC-AOSA) along with the General Music Council (GMC) are co-sponsoring two amazing clinicians: Joshi Marshall and Sam Heminger. They will present three amazing sessions on Thursday and Friday: “K-5 Elemental Jazz,” “Body Music & the West African Connection,” and “The Blues.”
The Regional Organization of Colorado Kodaly Educators (ROCKE) and the GMC are sponsoring Dr. Rachel Gibson for two amazing sessions entitled “Living Traditions - Songs and Singing Games from Guatemala and Nicaragua” and another of the same title from Spain.
Dr. Darla Meek, sponsored by the Colorado Elementary All-State Choir, returns with two exciting sessions: “Movement with Masterworks,” and “Let’s Start at the Very Beginning: The Kodaly Sequence for Teaching Melodic Music Reading.”
New elementary choral music sessions will occur thanks to Andy Beck with Alfred Publishing and Greg Gilpin!
Music Will’s (formerly known as Little Kids Rock) own Scott Burstein to present an all-day event on Wednesday: Modern Band 101.
***Please note: this session is by registration only in order to receive the instrumentation.***
Many of our own Colorado teachers are presenting high-interest level sessions:
Kris Emmanuel’s session “SEL for Music Educators”
Dr. Martina Miranda’s session “Colorado Music Teacher Roundtable”
Amy Martinson, Edwina Lucero, Melissa Grundy, Megan Stacey and Libby Dubose present “Writing Inclusive/Adapted Music Units for Students with Special Needs.”
Kathy Ward’s session “A Fine Arts Fiesta”
AND SO MANY MORE!!!
THREE AMAZING CONCERTS!
A Musical presented by the Cedar Ridge Elementary School choir, conducted by Julie Kuhlman
The Prospect Ridge Academy Choir, conducted by Krista Hwang
THE SATURDAY RETURN OF THE COLORADO ELEMENTARY ALL-STATE CHOIR!!!
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. You can reach me at cmea.gmc@gmail.com.
Warmly,
Cathy
Instrumental Music Council News
Pete Toews
The end of first semester is in sight! You have been working hard, and now it is time to look forward to recharging your battery and getting ready for the second semester. The Instrumental Music Council has been busy putting together a great lineup for this year’s clinic/conference that we hope will do just that.
We are excited to have as our headliners this year: Dr. Richard Mayne, Doug Akey, Scott Laird, and Randy Greenwell. I want to say thank you to Colorado ASTA and the Colorado Bandmasters Association for their partnerships in bringing Scott and Randy to Colorado. Don’t forget… all of the great offerings on Wednesday are included in your registration for the conference - Doug Akey and Scott Laird will each present a rehearsal lab, and Tia Fuller will be delivering a clinic for the Instrumental Music Council that evening.
Let us know how the IMC can support you and Strengthen our Connections!
We are ALL CMEA!
Pete Toews
Instrumental Music Council Chair
Vocal Music Council News
Tanner Oharah
Oh what a beautiful morning my friends,
As I sit on this bus headed for Pueblo I’m filled with thoughts of gratitude towards the music communities I am able to interact with.
I had a student make an all-state jazz choir audition tape and was able to go to the callbacks and the execution of that event was so fun! I think about all those teachers on the board that prepare their students as well as all of the logistics. I received my high school all-state choir results yesterday and I am so grateful to the hours of energy spent creating and adjusting such an amazing event. Now as I go to CSU Pueblo honor choir I’m thinking of all of the Pueblo directors that set up an all-city honor choir and then turn right around and show up to make CSU Pueblo successful.
The craziest part is that this is the list of collective music events I was a part of in the last few weeks and it doesn’t ever touch the surface of what is going on across the state. I am so impressed by and grateful for all of you.
To the musical modelers of collective efficacy,
To the people who take care of people,
To you,
Thanks,
Tanner Oharah
Tri-M News
Michelle Ewer
Greetings from Tri-M,
The Holidays are near and I am sure chapters are in full swing. What activities are on your agenda? Concerts, caroling, holiday grams? Tri-M is the perfect group to take on all of the activities listed. Our chapter is going to see a musical at the Arvada Center. Tri-M is getting together as a group, have a movie night, have a cookie exchange. Enjoy each other.
January 25th is the day we have been waiting for. Tri-M day is almost here. I appreciate your patience as we get the registration page up and running. I am hopeful by the time this reaches you the site will be live. Please continue to check www.cmeaonline.org and click on the Tri-M tab. The cost is $35. Please refer to www.cmeaonline.org for additional details. Chaperones are free. If your chapter chooses to spend the night, your students may attend the convention and visit exhibits as well.
Tia Fuller, Andy Beck, Stanley Curtis, Kevin Padworski, Drew Leslie, Margaret Miller, Joe Andries, Paul Romaine, Andrew Dutch, Graeme Winder, Meghan Taylor, James Divine, Kathryn Ward, Michael Linert, Erik Johnson, Nick Hinman, Nick Newman, Scott Burstein , Zachariah Smith, Julia Wirth are all eager and excited to present. Your students are able to choose 3 sessions to attend for the day. Tia is our keynote. The full list of sessions and presenters will be listed on the CMEA website. Registration deadline is January 16th. You will need to pay in advance so please plan ahead.
I look forward to seeing you in January. Please reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Michelle Ewer
Colorado Tri-M Chair
National Advisory Board
Technology News
Michael Paulez
We are very excited to see you at this year's CMEA Clinic-Conference at the beautiful Broadmoor! This year, we have some very exciting tech sessions, and we are continuing with different levels of immersion utilizing educational technology in offering throughout your experience this year. Whether you are looking for opportunities to utilize technology in your performing ensembles or want to find new and creative ways to teach your students in general music classes, we've got you covered! We are very excited to announce that Rebekah Romberg from Colorado Public Radio and other creators of the famed "Music Blocks" podcast will be joining us to present ideas for introducing comprehensive musicianship in all of our classrooms!
