The week of the AMEA conference is typically filled with a flurry of activities in preparation for the hundreds of music educators who will soon arrive for their professional learning opportunities. Zoom meetings occur to ensure everyone has their specific job responsibilities ready to leap into action, while phone calls and in-depth conversations with various speakers ensue. One of many final checks of your personal schedule happens to resolve potential conflicts that may hinder you from hearing the performing ensemble you want to hear or attending the sessions you so desperately need to participate in. Conference preparation is a flurry of activity, but this year, a different flurry took place.
As I sat gazing out of my window at the light snow beginning to fall and collect on the ground the day before the conference, a panic began to rush over me. What if this year is a repeat of last year and at the last minute, we would have to make the call to cancel the conference? What if all the money that had already been spent went to waste with no means of recouping? What if my phone started buzzing with phone calls and text messages from members who were asking my opinion on what they should do regarding the conference? What if? With hope in my heart, I started packing my bag and getting myself ready for a conference I was not sure was going to take place. I lay in bed and hoped sleep would find me.
The next morning, I woke to a winter wonderland outside my door, which is not typical for the Auburn/Opelika area. Icicles hung from the eaves of my house, while a blanket of white snow hid my dormant grass causing more gloom as I realized I may not make it to the conference. Suddenly a gleam of sunlight caught my eye, and I turned in its direction. That sunlight was my hope becoming reality. Here comes more sun! As I watched the sun melt the ice and snow off my driveway, I realized I may be able to make it out after all. When I felt safe, I packed the car, put the car in reverse, and made my way, uneventfully, to Birmingham for the conference. Man was I glad to be there!
As I reflect on the events of the conference, I am thankful for the sunny dispositions I encountered during the week as I passed familiar and new faces. I am grateful for the array of badges that littered the tables in the registration area signaling a record number of members attending AMEA despite the weather. Some of them for the very first time, and some for over 60 years. I am thankful for the AMEA staff, Dr. Rusty Logan, David Raney, Pat and Mary Ann Stegall, and Garry Taylor who are pros at what they do, finding new ways to make the conference run more smoothly than years prior. I am thankful for a governing board who listens intently, brings challenging, but relevant issues before the board, and runs their divisions as the professionals they are. Thank you, Lori Hart, Jordan K. Ford, Amanda Slay, Dr. Stephen Foster, Alicia Luttrell, JP Aufdemorte, Dr. Meghan Merciers, Joey Harbison, and Andy Meadows for your work in assembling a team of dynamic speakers, performers, and opportunities outside of the conference. I am particularly thankful for the rays of President-elect Dr. Travis Bender, Past President Dr. Rob Lyda, and Recording Secretary Heather Holmes, for helping to keep me grounded and aware of my duties.
I don’t know about you, but I am still basking in the glow of Dr. Tim’s inspirational keynote reminding us of who we are, what we do, and most importantly, why we do what we do. The Aeolians of Oakwood University in Huntsville opened the heavens and shined beautiful sounds among us. I’m still trying to get rid of the chills from their concert! Every session and concert I was able to pop into was filled with joyous smiles and active learning. All-in-all, the same sunshine that melted the ice, snow, doom, and gloom from my driveway appeared in Birmingham and presided over a successful 2025 conference! A special thanks to you who continue to make the Alabama Music Educators Association the best in the South!
Our annual conference can only be as good as our members make it. We encourage you to consider submitting session proposals and performing ensembles to be considered for the 2026 conference in Birmingham.
Professional Development
The East Alabama Regional Inservice Center (EARIC) has agreed to award professional development (PD)credit to those members who attended the AMEA conference. Please check the eNewsletter, coming out at the beginning of February, for the link to sign up to receive PD credit. If your system requires a certificate instead of Powerschools credit, please email
president@myamea.org or executive_director@myamea.org and one will be emailed to you.
Wellness
Each year around the same time, I begin to feel the same way; voice hoarse and exhausted from day-to-day teaching, my mind becomes a mental fog, not COVID-related, and I can’t always garner the energy to complete tasks. If
this is you too, please know that many, if not all, music teachers feel the same way. In the early spring, I would like to host a wellness town hall to address some of these issues. We will have an expert briefly share with us what we can do to physically and mentally help us stay well. Know that this town hall is not a prescription for what may be more seriously happening in your body, but instead guidelines/suggestions.
MIOSM
This year is the 40th Music in Our Schools Month! The theme is United Through Music. Dr. MIOSM chair Dr. Becky Halliday and her committee will be rolling out some fun simple ways we can celebrate the music of our schools and community. Stay tuned.
I hope that your post-conference days are filled with sunshine, music-making, and fun. If I, or any of the AMEA governing board can ever be of assistance to you, please let us know.
It has been the honor of my career to serve you as AMEA President!
Keep your place in the sun…
Phil R. Wilson, President