CMEA 2025 Conference Attendance Certificates

If you purchased an attendance certificate by the February 7 deadline, you should have received the certificate in your email on Wednesday, February 19. Please check your junk mailbox if you don't see it in your mailbox.

Greetings from Tri-M

Michelle Ewer, Chair

We are almost through the dark months of winter, and thoughts of spring are starting to appear. It was so nice to see friends at CMEA, even though it may have only been a smile or a wave.

I want to thank all the directors and students who attended Tri-M Day. We increased our attendance from last year, and I am thrilled. A few glitches came up, and I appreciate your patience working through them. I hope your students walked away with some ideas to help them as musicians and help your leadership in your Tri-M chapter.  Huge thanks to Kevin Padworski for conducting America the Beautiful. He did a fantastic job. Our final concert has always been a highlight for me, and this year did not disappoint. Thanks to those who stepped up to lead a sectional or set up chairs. I appreciate all of you so very much.

Heartfelt thanks to our clinicians: David Pope, Erik Johnson, Rebecca Jonas, Cayla Bellamy, Margaret Miller, Jennifer Grice, Sean Flanigan, Sarah Off, Lyndsey Fulcher, Krissie Weimer, Kathryn Ward, Leila Heil, Michael Windham, Kajsa Shea, Clelyn Chapin, Kelsie McCallum, Kevin Padworski, Erik, Applegate, Dana Landry, Jim White, and Steve Kovalcheck. I appreciate you taking the time to travel to Colorado Springs to inspire our future leaders. Peter Boonshaft, our keynote speaker, is always a delight to listen to. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom with us, Peter.

I hope Tri-M Day gave you ideas for the future and ways to create meaningful rehearsals and engage your students in new dialogue. I am always open to new ideas. What would you like to see next year? What are your students asking for? I am here to support you, so please reach out.

Sincerely,

Michelle Ewer

Colorado Tri-M Chair

TriMChairCMEA@cmeaonline.org

Greetings, Retired CMEA Membership!

Kirk Vogel, Chair

Another CMEA Conference has come and gone. How many have you attended? Where will you be January 28-31, 2026? I hope you will join us at the Broadmoor for another CMEA Conference.

One of the many important events and awards at the annual conference is the induction of honored members into the CMEA Hall of Fame. Let’s welcome our newest members to the CMEA Hall of Fame, Raleigh “Butch” Eversole and Janice Vlachos. Both of these outstanding educators have amazing write-ups in the conference programs. A short synopsis follows here.

Raleigh "Butch" Eversole

An exceptional teacher and performer, Butch taught instrumental music at Palmer Ridge HS, Lewis-Palmer High School, Manitou Springs High School and Manitou Springs Middle School. One of the quotes in his Hall of Fame bio states, “Butch’s humble dedication to the success of others is one of his most inspiring qualities. One simply needs to walk into his rehearsal to see deep engagement in and excitement for the material at hand by student and director alike.”

Janice Vlachos

Janice Vlachos taught vocal music at Lyons Junior/Senior High School, Wheat Ridge High School, Chatfield High School, and Fairview High School, excelling in the total range of styles and genres of high school choral performing. One of the quotes in her Hall of Fame bio states, “She is equally effective with the most gifted of students to the most challenged, making all of her students feel not only accepted, but worthy and valued, and truly capable of accomplishing and succeeding.”

As you read their bios in the conference program, you realize how exceptional these two inductees are and how extraordinary CMEA Hall of Fame members are. There are many Hall of Fame members still active in CMEA, have you met any of them? Are there questions you would like to ask them? Each Hall of Fame member has a ribbon on their convention badge. Next year, ask them a question or sit and talk with them. There is much to learn from the Hall of Fame members and we welcome Butch Eversole and Janice Vlachos to this outstanding group of educators.

From the Slopes and in a Music Room,

Kirk Vogel

CMEA Retired Membership Chair

retiredmembershipcmea@cmeaonline.org

Welcome to Spring!

Martina Miranda, Chair

I want to extend my thanks to each council member for their support and involvement in our 2025 CMEA event. We were pleased to sponsor a variety of topics for all collegiate students and K-12 teachers. I want to highlight the wonderful contributions of the Collegiate NAfME officers and thank each one for their support and participation. As we look ahead to 2026, we invite session proposals that will continue to meet the needs of future educators, along with addressing current challenges facing K-12 educators.

Martina Miranda

College and University Council Chair

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.