President's Message

Casey Cropp

After my last article in the November CMEA Newsletter, I received a few responses that I must only listen to country music since I have referenced Tim McGraw a couple of times. My association with country music comes from my sons, who have always been fans of that style. My second son selected the song I referenced as the piece he wanted for Groom and Mother dance at his wedding, so it has stuck with me as a very special memory that we will all cherish.

In thinking what other popular artists might have lyrics that fit the focus of reaching out to your colleagues and offering help, I struggled as I really don’t listen to contemporary music a great deal, except at the grocery store or the mall, and I can honestly say that I’m not impressed with what I’ve heard there. So, I did a quick online search of a few contemporary musicians and their themes and lyrics. It wasn’t a deep dive, honestly, but I really didn’t see what I was looking for. 

I learned about: “Mario, Luigi, and a Donkey Kong too… A thousand troops of Koopas couldn't keep me from you.” - Justin Bieber.      

Not helpful!!!

I learned: I wasn’t able to quote anything from Dr. Dre.     

Not surprising!

And then I finally found a couple that seemed a bit more encouraging…

“You're here to make a statement - You're place you're here to claim it - You know just what your name is…” - Alicia Keys                     

So… maybe…!

“Honestly, what I really mean, Is I want to be a little more like you. Yeah, I want to be a little more like you, like you. Yeah, I want to be a little more like you.” – Taylor Swift   

…again, it could work…

But I’m not sure even those hold up when you look at the entire song context, so I think I’ll stick with the artists that my boys enjoy…



So, what about you? Are you looking for opportunities to seek out help? Might you be able to guide a few other music teachers in their efforts? I encourage all of you to attend our CMEA Conference for opportunities to give and to get! It has always been one of the best events of each year of my teaching career. The CMEA Board and Councils wish to give you that gift as well!! Please make plans to join us.

Casey

PresidentCMEA@cmeaonline.org

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Plan on Attending These Performances!

Retired Member News

The deadline for retired members to register for the conference and secure their Retired Luncheon ticket(s) is December 23, 2024. If you don’t register by this date, you can still attend the conference, but luncheon tickets will no longer be available. The hotel requires CMEA to finalize retired member attendance early in January to ensure accurate meal counts. If you’re bringing a guest, they must also be registered as a conference guest.

Instrumental Council News

The Instrumental Music Council is excited to announce three Wednesday evening sessions.

• 5:30pm - Peter Boonshaft - “How We Teach Is As Important As What We Teach: Ways to energize your rehearsals”

• 5:30pm - Colorado ASTA will present a rehearsal lab featuring Gail Barnes and the Erie High School Orchestra.



• 7:30pm - Performance by the critically acclaimed Colorado Wind Ensemble under the direction of David Kish.

These sessions will be truly inspiring so plan to include Wednesday evening as part of your conference!

Tri-M Day Registration Deadline

December 20^th is the early registration deadline for Tri-M Ay 2025. $35 per student. December 21^st-January 14^th it is $40 per student. Save money and register today at www.cmeaonline.org  It is going to be a great day!

Technology Sessions at this year’s conference will give you fresh ideas for your classroom and/or make “all of the extra stuff” easier. 

Diving into the realm of “AI” we have- 

• A.I.-Based Tools for the Music Classroom, presented by Seth Pendergast. 
• Blueprint: Engineering a Music Classroom with AI, Robots, & Footballs! Presented by Chad Lemons. 

Exploring different approaches to music education than traditional ensembles we have-

• The Teacher Production Station: Make beats, film scores, soundscapes, and more with your students, presented by Peter Stoltzman.

Plus our previously advertised sessions on live audio including-

• Live Audio for Beginners, presented by Ryan Unangst.
• Making the Best of Your Digital Mixer, presented by Ryan Unangst.
• A Practical Guide to Making Great Recordings, presented by Ben Justus.

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.

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.