One goal for this year’s state cNAfME board is to connect with as many college and university chapters as we can, and to feature all of the great work that they are doing in advocacy of music education. This quarter’s featured chapters are from the University of North Alabama, in Florence, and the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa. We encourage our chapter presidents to reach out to us at @cNAfME_al to highlight your chapter in a future issue!
The University of North Alabama’s cNAfME chapter has had a tremendous year. Stepping into his new role as UNA chapter president, Clay Ramsey asked himself, “What can we do?” The goal was clear: meaningful community engagement through the university’s chapter activities. Some of these events included a Mock Director Day, an All-State Prep Clinic, and 1A Band Day.
In December 2025, UNA hosted an All-State Prep Clinic to give high school students a financially affordable way to prepare for Alabama All-State auditions. At this clinic, students were split into sectionals and worked closely with college students and faculty, focusing on scales, lyrical playing, and technical etudes required for auditions. More than just preparation, the clinic emphasized confidence. Students were encouraged not to be intimidated by the All-State process, but instead to see it as an achievable goal. Several participants from the clinic went on to successfully earn spots in All-State ensembles, reinforcing the impact of accessible, high-quality instruction. At the same time, the event provided college students with teaching experience, enabling them to step into leadership roles and connect with younger musicians.
Another event, Mock Director Day, focused on preparing collegiate members for their future careers. Through activities like Praxis-style trivia nights and error-detection exercises, students were challenged to think critically about teaching. Guest speakers, including a choir professor, a percussion instructor, and an elementary principal with a background in band, offered practical advice on interviews, career paths, and leadership. The event helped students realize that they were more prepared than they thought, while also giving them tools to continue growing.
In Spring 2026, building on the success of these initiatives, UNA hosted its first-ever 1A Band Day – an event designed specifically for smaller band programs. The idea emerged in December, alongside planning for the All-State clinic. While there was some initial concern about stretching the chapter too thin with events, the leadership recognized that one more community-centered event could make a lasting impact.
1A Band Day brought together eight different 1A bands, totaling around 140 students, including approximately 30 percussionists. For many of these students, this was their first opportunity to perform in a large ensemble setting. Coming from programs that often consist of only ten to fifteen musicians, the experience of playing in a bigger band setting introduced them to a new level of musical communication and ensemble awareness.
The day followed an honor band style, with rehearsals, sectionals, and culminating in a concert performance. Directors from participating schools had the opportunity to lead the ensemble, giving them a platform to teach on a larger scale than they might typically experience. UNA students played alongside the participants in a side-by-side concert, creating a collaborative musical environment.
One of the most impactful aspects of 1A Band Day was its accessibility. The event was free for students, ensuring that financial limitations would not prevent participation. Directors paid a small fee, but the focus remained on providing a high-quality experience for everyone involved. As Ramsey emphasized, if students were going to take time out of their day, the event needed to be meaningful, not just another rehearsal, but something truly valuable.
Behind the scenes, cNAfME members handled much of the logistical work, from organizing schedules to assisting with rehearsals. This gave collegiate members hands-on experience in planning and executing a large-scale event. It also highlighted the unique challenges faced by 1A programs, including funding limitations and student engagement, fostering a deeper appreciation among future educators.
The success of these events was made possible through strong leadership and collaboration. The UNA cNAfME leadership team, including President Clay Ramsey, President-Elect Gannon McNees, Treasurer Katherine Jones, Historian Maddie Henslee, Secretary Briley Wise, and Chapter Sponsor Mr. Pat Stegall, worked together to bring these ideas to life. Support from faculty, guest clinicians, and community members further strengthened each initiative.
Ramsey credits much of the chapter’s success to careful planning and a strong support system. From summer planning sessions to ongoing collaboration with faculty and organizations like Tau Beta Sigma, every detail was approached with intention. When challenges arose, the chapter leaned on its network of mentors and peers to find solutions. At its core, UNA’s cNAfME chapter has focused on making its work about people: its members, its students, and its community. By creating opportunities for engagement, education, and growth, the chapter has set a strong example for others to follow.
For Ramsey, the takeaway is simple: make it about community and music education. Plan thoroughly, create meaningful experiences, and give members a platform to be heard. With this mindset, the future of music education is not only promising—it is already in motion.
On the other side of the state, at the University of Alabama, community outreach has also been a key point in the 2026 school year. The cNAfME chapter at UA hosted a formal to raise funds for the Hale County High School band program. Ms. Sarah Hicks is the band director at Hale County and also an Alabama alum and former member of the Million Dollar Band. Proceeds from the tickets went directly to HCHS, and there was also a prize that gave students the opportunity to donate more. The formal was a great success with nearly 80 tickets sold. The event was hosted in the Moody Music Building on UA’s campus. It was decorated as a “City of Stars” with themes from the movie LaLa Land. Credits for this event go to the UA President, Mary Cole Kinney, with help from the rest of the board.
On March 27th, 2026, UA’s chapter hosted a music advocacy event. The goal of this event was also to raise funds for the Hale County High School band program. With the help of UA’s KKPsi, Sarah Beth Black hosted “Music Advocation” in the central part of UA’s campus. Sarah Beth is one of the drum majors of the Million Dollar Band and also the current board President of the Alabama State Chapter of cNAfME. To draw the attention of people walking to and from class, there was a live band, a thrift sale, board games, and much more. The goal of the event was not only to raise funds, but also to give UA students the chance to reach out to state representatives in support of music education. There was an informational table set up to spread awareness about how title funds work both federally and statewide in Alabama and why it’s so important to continue funding the arts. The event was a success, raising close to $600 for Hale County.
Please follow us on Instagram @cNAfME_al and send us information about what your chapters are doing so we can highlightthe great work of the Collegiates across our great state!