Greetings!

Greetings from the Oregon Music Education Association!
This email contains details on All-State and conference 2024, contest results, and the NAfME June Newsletter.
OMEA Conference and All-State 2024
OMEA President-Elect Erika Lockwood Conference Chair Elizabeth Soper are hard at work on our 2024 conference, Seeking the Light Within.

Are you interested in presenting at the OMEA Conference? Would you like your ensemble to perform at the conference? We are now accepting applications for both session proposals and ensemble performances.

Preference will be given to applications submitted by June 30th.

You can apply for a session proposal here.
You can apply for your ensemble to perform here. You must be logged into the

OMEA website to access this link.
Questions? Feel free to email OMEAConferenceChair@gmail.com.

All-State audition and information has also been released. High school ensembles are using set C to align with WMEA. Please click here to access All State auditions and information.

Make sure your students have this information before they leave for summer break! Reach out to All-State Chair Kristi Stingle at allstatechair@gmail.com.
OMEA Award Nominations
We all have had influential people in our professional lives – those whose teaching, musicianship, work-ethic, and heart have inspired us to be better teachers ourselves.

We have colleagues who inspire us with their creativity and artful teaching strategies. We have colleagues who inspire us with the level of musicianship and passion exhibited by their students. We have colleagues who inspire us by their advocacy and support for music education. This is your time to acknowledge, thank, and honor them.

OMEA annually recognizes exemplary, influential, and inspiring educators at our annual banquet. I encourage you to take a moment to nominate an outstanding colleague or someone
who has supported you in your career.

Nominations are through the OMEA website.


1.    Complete online form.
2.    Provide a letter of support for the nominee addressing your relationship with the candidate, as well as the nominee’s career accomplishments and contributions to music education.
3.    Solicit additional letters of support from colleagues, administrators, and/or other relevant reviewers of the nominee’s work (at least 2 letters).

Outstanding Early Career Music Educator Award
This award is designed to recognize a teacher in the beginning of their career who is showing exemplary work with their students and in their communities. Ideal candidates for this award will be within the first 7 years of their teaching career, inspired exemplary musicianship in their students, been an active participant in OMEA events. Criteria:
·      Current member of OMEA
·      Within first seven years of teaching career
·      Currently teaching in Oregon
·      Demonstrates excellence in music education and teaching at the elementary level

Excellence in Elementary Music Education Award
This award recognizes commitment to elementary music education and remarkable achievement in focusing on teaching children through music. Criteria:
·      Current member of OMEA
·      Currently teaching in Oregon
·      Demonstrates excellence in music education and teaching at the elementary level

Outstanding Music Educator
In recognition of exemplary teaching in music education. Criteria:
·      Current member of OMEA
·      Currently teaching in Oregon
·      Exemplify outstanding achievement in the field of music education

Outstanding Middle School Music Educator Award
This award recognizes commitment to middle-school/junior high music education and remarkable achievement in focusing on teaching children through music. Additional Criteria:
·      Currently employed in Oregon education
·      Currently teaching in Oregon
·      Demonstrates excellence in teaching at the middle school/junior high level
·      Betterment of the music education profession through exemplary service, leadership, and advocacy
·      Professional accomplishments and recognition

Outstanding Administrator Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions to music education through administrative support. If possible, OMEA will recognize more than one administrator if their efforts were key toward saving music programs. Additional Criteria:
·      Currently employed in Oregon education.
·      Promotes good relationships with music faculty.
·      Support for community cultural events.

John C. McManus Distinguished Teacher Award
This award is to honor those with a lifetime of service to music education with a highly distinguished record of professional accomplishment. John C. McManus defined the standard of service for music educators through a life of selfless service to his students and colleagues. He inspired his students to achieve the highest of performance standards and a comprehensive music education teaching instrumental, vocal, and general music to students of all ages.

He served OMEA in positions including President, Historian, Directory Editor, Retired Newsletter Editor, and Chairman of the Retired Oregon Music Educators, as well as providing leadership to MENC at the regional and national level. John was awarded the Oregon Teacher of the Year award in 1965, the Distinguished Music Educator Award by the Northwest Bandmasters Association in 1966, the Distinguished Service award by OBDA in 1986, the OMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award in 1989, the MENC Distinguished Service award in 1989 and the OMEA Distinguished Service Award in 1996. Criteria:
·      A lifetime of exemplary service to Oregon music
·      education, characterized by the highest professional
·      standards.
·      A distinguished record of leadership and teaching.
·      Record of significant and notable honors and influence.

Exemplary Service to the Profession Award
In recognition of support and commitment to music education in Oregon. Criteria:
·      Individual, business, or organization that has contributed to music education in an extraordinary manner through service, leadership, or advocacy.
·      The recipient does not need to be a current member of OMEA.

Outstanding Contributor Award
In recognition of significant contributions to the Oregon Music Educators Association. Criteria:
·      Individual, business, or organization that has contributed to music education in an extraordinary manner through service, leadership, or advocacy through music business,
·      Arts organizations, or advocacy.
·      The recipient does not need to be a member of OMEA or NAfME and is typically not a professional music educator.

Contact Jeremy Zander if you have any questions regarding awards at jeremy_zander@beaverton.k12.or.us.
MIOSM and OMEA
What is Music In Our Schools Month®?

For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. 

The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages. You can read more about it here: Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®) - NAfME 

How will OMEA be involved in MIOSM®?

In the past, MIOSM® has been largely celebrated at individual school sites across Oregon. This year, OMEA will be piloting a state-wide MIOSM® Action Committee coordinated by the Advocacy chairs.  

Why should OMEA be involved in MIOSM®? 

MIOSM® is the largest nationally-coordinated music advocacy event. It is supported and championed by NAfME and their Advocacy Leadership Force. It is a chance for Oregon to be meaningfully involved in national-level advocacy and to harness the power of NAfME as we advocate for protecting and advancing music education.  

What are the goals of the MIOSM® Action Committee?

Designate at least one person per OMEA district as the MIOSM® Captain/Liaison 
Meet once every 5 or 6 weeks (virtually) for one hour to coordinate state-wide activities 

Create a month-by-month checklist to build up to March activities, including sharing lesson plans

Assign duties for committee members to spearhead activities during the month of March, including: 
Social Media Highlights
Creating shareable advocacy materials 
Toolkit for teachers and parents to share with stakeholders, including:
School administrators
District administrators (superintendents) and school board members
Local political leaders (city councils, mayors, State representatives, members of Congress) 

I want to be involved! How do I sign up? 

Fill out this quick GoogleForm, or reach out to Laura Arthur, Advocacy Co-chair, at larthur@pps.net. You do not need to commit to coming to meetings to be part of the committee. Thanks for considering! 
Spring Championship Results
Congratulations to the many students and directors who performed at championship events this spring!

Click on the following for masked results:
New OMEA Board Members
With elections now complete, we welcome the following board members serving from July 2023 - June 2025.

Kelly Moore, Director of Bands at Ridgeview High School, will be serving as the next 2nd Vice President succeeding Sean Williams of McNary High School.

Val Locke, Music Specialist at Gilbert Park Elementary School, will be serving as the next Elementary Chair succeeding KK Friar of Bonny Slope Elementary School.

Jessika Smith, Director of Bands at Parkrose Middle School, will be serving as the next Jazz Chair succeeding Dan Davey of Mt. Hood Community College.
Oregon Music Educator, Spring 2023 edition
The latest Oregon Music Educator was released at the end of April. Please click here to access OMEA publications. Issuu will now archive all OMEA publications dating back to 1948. These older editions will be posted as access becomes available for scanning.
NAfME Notes, June e-newsletter
2024 Fall Season Released
The NWAPA is very happy to announce our Fall 2024. Our May 21st meeting is right around the corner, visit www.nwapa.net for more information on this meeting and the fall season.

Sept 23
Linfield Tournament of Bands @ Linfield University, McMinnville OR

Sept 30
Pacific Coast Invitational @ Sprague HS, Salem OR

Oct 7
Kamiak Music in Motion @ Mariner HS, Everett WA
Liberty Marching Arts Challenge @ Hillsboro Stadium, Hillsboro OR

Oct 14
Pacific Northwest Marching Band Championships @ Union Stadium, Mead WA
Pride of the Northwest @ Grants Pass HS, Grants Pass OR
Century Showcase @ Hillsboro Stadium, Hillsboro OR

Oct 21
Sunset Classic @ Sunset HS, Portland OR

Oct 28
Festival of Bands NWAPA Championships @ Autzen Stadium, Eugene OR

Contact Julie Bounds if you have any questions at president@nwapa.net.
A Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter opens up a world of opportunities for students who have already shown themselves to be academically capable and musically gifted. Through performance and community service, they’ll develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, compassion, and a host of other leadership skills sure to serve them well in school and beyond.
OMEA Advocacy
Advocacy and Music Education Supports
 
We all know that music is an essential part of our students’ academic and social-emotional learning. As the music education expert in your building and district, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your leadership, be involved, and advocate for your students, your music colleagues, and yourself. Remind your administrators that music is part of a well-rounded education, as defined at the federal level by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Here are a number of resources for you:
 
·   National Association for Music Education 

·   NAfME Backpack

·   COVID-19 Resources 

·   Advocacy

·   NAfME Advocacy Resources

·   Virtual Learning Resources

·   Every Student Succeeds Act 

·   Amplify (NAfME community chat and discussions) 
 
·   National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Music Directors & Adjudicators
·   Articles on Performing Arts COVID-19 Guidance, COVID-19 Instrument Cleaning, Online Learning, Publishers Allowing Educational Use of Copyrighted Music, etc.
 
·   American Choral Directors Association 
·   Resource for Choral Professionals During the Pandemic https://acda.org/resources-for-choral-professionals-during-a-pandemic/
·   ChoralNet (ACDA’s community chat and discussions)  www.choralnet.org  
 
·   OMEA Advocacy Committee
·   If you find yourself needing more assistance,
contact Laura Arthur or Julie Bounds, our OMEA Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs.  

·   Laura Arthur larthur@pps.net
·   Julie Bounds bounds_j@4j.lane.edu

Oregon Music Education Association
560 NE F ST STE A PMB 732
Grants Pass, OR 97526
541-291-1149