Life isn’t a line, but a circle. The ending of each year brings with it a new beginning. We should always be striving to make our program better than the year before. Think back on the school year. What went well; what did not go as well? Which lesson did you knock out of the park; which lesson was a total flop? What amazing things did you accomplish; what did you not? This circle is ending, but a new one will soon begin.

We had our first Music Education Hill Day this past March. The choirs from Hillcrest and Rucker Boulevard Elementary performed at the Capitol. State Senator Josh Carnley said, “It was so special for me to see the future of our town and nation stand with confidence as they performed.” Remember to advocate for your program. The best advocate for your program is you! Use #ala4musiced when you post to social media about your program.

As we move forward into 2023, I am excited for music education in Alabama. As you know, my two-year term as Elementary Division President is coming to an end. It has been a pleasure serving you. You have elected a wonderful slate of officers who stand poised and ready to take the helm in June.

Your newly elected Elementary Board is as follows: President: Alicia Luttrell
President-Elect: Jason Jackson
Secretary: Melissa Galanopolous

Treasurer: Devin Lacy
Past President: Sarah McLendon Festival Director: Melissa McIntyre

We have started planning our annual AMEA Professional Development Conference. Our 2024 conference will be in Huntsville, on January 18 – 20, 2024. Some of you may not know how items are selected for Conference. We love to showcase the talent from around the state! This year we are going to add an Elementary All-State Choir. Check your email this fall for more information. Please consider applying for your choral or instrumental group to perform at the conference. It is a lot of extra work, but it is so worth it. Your students would love to be on that stage. The board goes through the applications and listens to the recordings to select the performances for the year.

We would also love for you to be a presenter. What are you passionate about? Some of our best interest sessions have come from our fellow Alabama music teachers. Please consider sharing your wonderful ideas with us. We can only pick from what has been submitted; if no one submits, then there is nothing from whichtochoose.Weusuallyhaveagreatvarietyofsubmissions,butwouldlovetohavemore! Wewould love for you to share with us!

Both conference applications can be found on the myamea.org webpage https://myamea.org/conference- apply/. The deadline to apply is June 1st.

Rucker Rhythms – What did performing at AMEA mean to you?

“Performing at AMEA showed me that even though I’m young and little, I can make a big impact on people’s lives.” – Ania Lloyd, 6th grade

“What it means to me is that whatever happens, somebody’s there for you.” – DeKadra Richardson, 6th grade

“It means a lot because performing for other people means you can succeed in life.” – Natalia Crislip, 5th grade

“It was amazing. It meant the world to me.” – Kate Delgado Gomez, 4th grade

“I am grateful for the opportunity performing at AMEA afforded my students. We have an important message to share, and are thankful for AMEA providing a platform to do just that.” – Andrea Marsh, Rucker Rhythms director

Holly Seales – “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to come back to AMEA after missing it the past 3 years. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the sessions with John Jacobson (I’m a huge fan) and Sandy & Gretchen! I also enjoyed meeting and chatting with NAfME President-Elect Deb Confredo and listening to many featured performers. All this combined with fellowship among colleagues and reuniting with old friends has inspired me! Our AMEA leadership did a fabulous job this year and I cannot wait to come back in 2024!”

Rhonda Tucker – “ What an amazing time I had singing, playing, dancing, and learning with my Alabama colleagues after being away for 15 years. Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg’s sessions incorporated activities involving recorder, ukuleles, barred and unpitched instruments. Their children’s literature connections were my favorite. John Jacobson introduced the JJ and Me Experience with fun movement activities and performance pieces for the entire school year. His energy is infectious! Tiffany Strickland showed this old dog innovative ways to incorporate visuals and props using Kodaly. I learned so much, but the best part of this conference was being home with my Alabama Elementary Music Teacher family. I treasure these times to connect with my friends and to make new ones. Thank you AMEA Elementary Board for planning a wonderful conference! Can’t wait for AMEA 2024!”

Anna Kelley – “As a new teacher, I always love going to the AMEA conference! It always had wonderful workshops with amazing ideas that I can use in my classroom. It also is a great place to meet new people and visit with friends from the music education community.”

Kristen MacQueen – “Every January I look forward to AMEA. It’s a time to collaborate, visit, and enjoy wonderfully talented educators and their performances with their students. Elementary music teachers are a different breed and we embrace all the crazy. We love what we do as educators and hope we pass that love on to our students. Dance, sing, and play isn’t just in the classroom, it’s life!”

“I loved singing in our performance because it made me feel like I don’t have to worry about anything going on in my life.” – Harper Rainbolt, 5th grade

“When I stood up there on the stage, I left proud. I felt a wave of sound move through my body. My heart bursts with joy. I see my parents clapping for me. I sang like I meant it. When we were done singing, I felt like I accomplished my goal.” – Maadhev Karthikeyan, 5th grade

“Performing at AMEA was a wonderful experience for both me and my students. Preparing made us push ourselves, and ultimately made us very proud of the hard work it took to get there.” – Lisa Latham, Trace Singers, director

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this a wonderful conference! Your Elementary/General officers did a great job preparing everything. If you were unable to attend, you can still view the handouts in the Guidebook app.

As we begin to plan for next year, we would love to have you present a session. What are you passionate about? What would you love to share with others? What do you do in your classroom that would be helpful to others? We would also love to have an elementary group perform. Do you have an Orff ensemble or choir? Bucket drummers or recorder ensemble?

Huntsville 2024, here we come!

“A sound of hope. A sound of love. Music builds a bridge, a sound of peace, it can tear down a wall. A sound that celebrates. Music is a language that can speak to one and all! And speaks what we believe. This is why we sing, a sound so strong. Why we lift our voice. It’s amazing what is given why we stand as one in harmony. When we share a song….

This is why we sing, why we lift our voice. Soothe a soul, mend a heart. Take my hand and sing with me. Bring together lives that have been torn apart. This is why we sing!” Share the joy, find a friend. It’s a never ending gift that circles back again…

We have been teaching through some of the toughest days in recent history. We will continue to teach in times of contentment along with times that require deliberate perseverance.

But why? Why do we keep doing our jobs? What keeps you in the classroom? What motivates you to walk into the building every day? Do you know the answer to your “Whys?”

To me, it is watching my students grow as musicians. It is the smiles on their faces when they finally grasp a concept. It’s the laughter as they folk dance around the room. It’s the joyful sounds of songs coming together. It’s the scarves floating through the air to the music. It’s watching a production slowly come to fruition. It’s the audience’s reaction as we finish a performance. It’s going to performances at the secondary schools and seeing my former students on the stage. It’s hearing from former students as they recount their favorite stories from my class.

This summer as you relax and recharge, use that time to reflect on your “whys.” Take time to discover why you sing and why you lift your voice. In doing so, you will identify the foundational purposes of why you chose the field of music. Music education is more than an occupation. It is a calling. Let us start the new year with a recharged passion.

It is time to renew your NAfME membership. Do so quickly so that you will not miss any fun!

PD sessions and conferences

We want to stay in touch with you and reach out to those who are not members of AMEA. Please email us at elementaryamea@gmail.com to update your information and please share this address with those who you know are not members.

Upcoming Dates

Elementary Music Festival

Joint Fall Workshop sponsored by Elementary/General Division of AMEA, AOSA, and SHAKE

Saturday, October 15th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Metropolitan Church of God

NAfME In-Service Conference

Nov 2-6, 2022, National Harbor, Maryland

American Orff-Schulwerk Association, National Professional Development Conference

November 2-5, 2022, Kansas City. Missouri

2023 AMEA Professional Development Conference

January 19 – 21, 2023, BJCC Birmingham, AL

Submitted by Sarah McClendon

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” ~ African proverb

Do you ever find yourself jealous of classroom teachers? I do all of the time! They have a “tribe” in their hallway. They can collaborate daily. They can walk next door to ask a question about their subject. The lesson didn’t work the way they wanted……what worked for you?

We are on an island. Most of us are the only music educators in our building. Some are the only music educators in the system. Some of us are lucky to be in a larger system and have people in town with whom we can bounce around ideas.

We have started yet another year unlike any year in the past. However, we are all in the same boat. We all have children who may have lost singing skills due to the lack of singing. We have children who have missed out on playing the recorder. (My students are begging to be able to play this year!) Do not let the challenges of the year discourage you!

We need to form our “tribes.” We need to support each other. Share ideas. Ask questions. Give answers without being condescending. Form a text group. Share ideas on social media. Write articles for the Ala Breve.

Those of us veterans have it better than novice teachers. We have years of experience from which to draw. Are you a veteran teacher with a new teacher in your district? Become a mentor! You have a wealth of knowledge to share. Are you a beginning teacher and need some guidance? Reach out and we can put you in touch with someone who can help you!

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