Happy New Year!! 2026 is here -

I’m not sure I’m prepared for everything it will bring. Personally, we are welcoming a new grandchild into our family this month. We just sold our home and have a contract for a new build, which means moving at least twice before July, and we are anticipating the upcoming gathering at the Broadmoor at the end of the month.

I’ve mentioned this before, but this holiday season is my favorite time of year, and it always culminates at the conference in January. I invite each of you to attend this very special yearly event! This conference will be exceptional, with offerings planned to support your teaching endeavors.

If I may highlight a few to pique your interest… For the first time, we will welcome the Athena Brass to Colorado. This is an all-female brass ensemble that will be performing and sharing some amazing clinics. We’ll also have our Keynote Speaker, Ray Cramer, sharing a session I highly recommend – “Building a Legacy in the Pursuit of Excellence,” which is intended to meet the needs of each area and council in Colorado. The list of great clinics is too long to highlight here, but know that our Councils have all outdone themselves in putting this conference together! Not to be outdone, the performing ensembles scheduled will not disappoint, and I’m really looking forward to hearing several ensembles that are making their first appearance at this conference.



The most significant opportunity we offer to the CMEA membership is to gather a community of like-minded music educators to share experiences and ideas with our colleagues. This is a unique and life-changing experience! I cannot imagine any other curricular area at a conference that would share, enjoy, laugh, reconnect, help, and inspire each other in the way I’ve observed over the past 46 years.

Please join me in sharing the joy and inspiration that I can only get when I’m at the Broadmoor with all of you! Thank you for all that you do to make music memorable for all Colorado students!!!

See you soon!

Casey