News of Note

August 2023

Mikayla Murphy, First-year Elementary Music Teacher, New Hope ES in Locust Grove

Happy Back to School!

Welcome back! I hope everyone is having a great start to the 2023-2024 school year! I want to send out a special welcome and congratulations to all of our new music educators in Georgia. We want your first year in Georgia to be successful, and we encourage you to reach out to us if we can be of any assistance to you. The start of a new school year is always an exciting time as we get to see our returning students and meet the new ones coming into our classrooms for the first time. It’s also a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. As you start the year, I want to encourage you and your programs to be the reason students want to come to school, to give their best efforts, and to be kind to others. Be the one who reaches out to a colleague to offer your help or a word of encouragement. And be the one that positively changes lives.

We are very blessed to have one of the strongest MEAs in the country because of you. Music educators are special people with special talents who serve their programs, schools, and communities like no others. Thank you for making the future of students our priority. Have a terrific year and thank you for all that you do!

Sincerely,

Upcoming SEPTEMBER Deadlines - Please plan ahead!

..1..Fall Georgia Music News Submissions

15..ISC Research Poster & Session Application

19..All-State Jazz Ensemble Registration

19..All-State Orchestra Registration

19..All-State Reading Chorus Registration

19..All-State Chorus Registration

26..Fall Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluation Registration

Also, be thinking about 6th Grade and Statewide Honor Chorus Nominations.

Music Technology

We are thrilled to offer a new section on our website for all of the many teachers across the state who are teaching Music Technology, as well as those interested in Music Tech.

Please take a look and fill out the survey to help us serve you better.

Advocacy for All

We are excited to announce that GMEA was awarded $22,950 from the Georgia Council of the Arts in fulfillment of the 2024 Bridge Grant!

Greenbrier HS, Georgia

Tri-M Chapter of the Year!

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) announces the 2022–2023

Tri-M® Music Honor Society

Chapters of the Year.

The National Chapter of the Year Program is designed to motivate and reward chapters that perform service projects, encourage Chapter Officers to perform their duties properly, and increase awareness and interest in what other Tri-M® chapters are doing.

Congratulations to Greenbrier HS and advisor, Rutledge Boykin, for being selected as the Georgia

Tri-M Chapter of the Year!

Sharon Tran, NAfME Scholarship Recipient

University of North Georgia student, Sharon Tran, was awarded the Shannon Kelley Kane Scholarship from NAfME. Sharon has been an active member of the UNG NAfME Collegiate chapter since her first year and has served in leadership for three consecutive years.

Sharon is currently the president of UNG's CNAfME chapter. Sharon “not only attends every UNG NAfME Collegiate-sponsored event, but she also takes lead on most events coordinating workflows, presentations, and professional development opportunities at UNG,” shared Dr. Marie Graham, UNG Assistant Professor of Music.

Congratulations, Griffin High!

Congratulations to the Griffin High School Band, winners of $10,000 in a local “Greater Atlanta Band Challenge.” The bands had to enter a 5-minute video and then ask the public to vote. The Griffin Band was active on social media, asking people to vote, and it paid off!

Congratulations to Daniel Goodman and the Griffin High School Band!

Music Educator Spotlight

This month we spoke to Travis Kimber, Director of Bands at Valdosta High School in the Valdosta City Schools. Mr. Kimber is entering his 27th year as an educator, and his 5th at Valdosta High. The Valdosta High School Band received the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award in 2023, and the students in the band program have received over $500,000 in music scholarships. The Valdosta Jazz Ensemble will be a guest performer at this year's GMEA conference on Friday, January 26th, at 10:00am. Mr. Kimber attended Florida A&M University and Anderson University in South Carolina.

What advice do you have for educators who want to start a jazz program at their school?

"Make a list of artists you want your students to listen to. Listening is the number one way to develop jazz instrumentation."

What advice do you have for young educators?

"Say what you mean and mean what you say."

What's the biggest difference between teaching in metro Atlanta and teaching in a school in south Georgia?

"Anything we do attached to the football program garners a lot of extra attention. But, there are similarities too! The schools in south Georgia take their band programs very, very seriously."

What advice do you have for students who want to attend an HBCU music program?

"Work tirelessly to become well-rounded."

Who influenced you the most in your career?

"Definitely my high school band director, Mr. Don Roberts. Also, Marvin Pryor, Lorenzo Moore, Bill Thomas, and Melvin Hodges."

Thank you so much, Mr. Kimber and congratulations on your many accomplishments!

Don't miss the chance to submit content for the Fall issue of the Georgia Music News.

You can do that by clicking HERE.

Best wishes for an amazing year!

Update, update, update!

Please be sure to update your information in Opus and with NAfME! This will help the GMEA staff know where you are teaching and the best ways to contact you.