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On February 17, 2015, the musical Hamilton premiered in an Off-Broadway theater. Within a few short months, it transitioned to Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. This contemporary portrayal of the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton captivated audiences with its powerful narrative and innovative blend of musical styles.

October is here. The excitement of a brand-new school year has started to fade, the “back-to-school” energy is long gone, and the reality of daily rehearsals, football games, sectionals, and concert prep is in full swing. For many of us, this time of year feels like the longest stretch of the school calendar.

Every school year seems to go by a little faster than the last. I can’t believe we are halfway through the first semester. The beginning of the year is a whirlwind of new students, establishing new routines, new parents, new policies, scheduling issues, new repertoire, and on and on the list goes.

Happy fall, music educators! I hope everyone had a successful back-to-school season and is settling into their school years nicely. We are excited to get into our 2025-2026 events and celebrate orchestral music in our state! AOA is looking forward to an excellent year of learning and music-making.

I hope by now everyone is settling into a new school year. It’s hard to believe that conference season is right around the corner! Our AMEA Professional Development Conference has always been a highlight of the year for me, and I know many of you feel the same way.