Presidential Farewell

Dear Alabama cNAfME Members,

My time as the Alabama cNAfME President has come to a close in a much different fashion than I imagined it. I am sad that I did not get to say a formal goodbye at the conference, so I would like to take a moment to do so. Serving as the ALcNAfME President was one of the greatest honors of my lifetime. I learned more than I ever imagined I would, did more than I thought I could and even traveled further than I thought I might. My time on the state board will define my career as a music educator. I have learned the importance of advocacy, the inner workings of our wonderful state organization, what it means to be a true leader, and so much more.  I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for this experience. Thank you to the rest of the AMEA Governing Board for teaching me and letting me be a voice in our organization. Thank you to cNAfME for allowing me to learn how to lead. Thank you to Dr. Merciers for guiding me and for building me up. Thank you to my fellow executive board members for helping me make my crazy dreams come true. I am proud to say I served on the ALcNAfME board and cannot wait to see what the future holds for me. Once again, thank all of you so very much!

-Sarah Hicks

Virtual Winter Summit

Even though AMEA was canceled this year, we have another opportunity to meet. The Alabama cNAfME State Executive Board will host a virtual summit on Zoom on February 17, 2024, at 2 p.m. Distinguished and experienced educators Will Panter and Dr. Mary Land will present “The Mentorship Continuum: Continuing Growth in Students & Self,” and Dr. Sarah Burns and Blair Callaway will share their expertise in “Professional Collaboration between Cooperating Teachers and Student Interns.” This will be an excellent opportunity for extra time with a few of our clinicians selected from the AMEA Conference.

We will also be having our General Business Meeting and holding elections for the Alabama cNAfME State Executive Board. It is time to choose a new President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. This is a great way to serve and experience a leadership role at the state level. If you are interested in running, please attend the Summit. Stay tuned for the Zoom invite on Instagram @cnafme_al.

University of Alabama Service Project

In spring 2023, the University of Alabama cNAfME Executive Board became aware of a need at University Place Elementary School. In most Tuscaloosa City Schools, music teachers use Quaver Ed, a technology-based curriculum, to guide instruction. University Place Elementary School’s music teacher teaches Quaver’s ukulele unit instead of recorder. Due to underfunding, only about half of the class can hold an instrument during instructional time. The other students use cardboard with hot-glued toothpicks affixed to them instead of actual instruments.

When the UA cNAfME chapter learned of this inequity, they made it their annual goal to raise the funds to buy University Place a complete classroom set of instruments. The chapter planned and hosted a formal dance for the School of Music to accomplish this goal. Executive Board members secured several community sponsors who provided food, decorations, and lighting for the event. Students in every area of the music building, including choir, orchestra, marching band, music therapy, music education, and music performance, bought tickets to attend the event and support the cause. On September 29, 2023, over 100 students filled the band hall to celebrate and support University Place Elementary School.

The UA chapter raised over $2,000 to support Tuscaloosa-area elementary school music programs. Due to the event’s success, they not only purchased ukuleles for University Place Elementary School but also plan to support Walker Elementary, which desperately needs classroom instruments, too. The ALcNAfME State Executive Board is proud of the University of Alabama chapter and the contributions made to their community. They are a great example of collegiate chapters’ work all over the state.

The Alabama cNAfME State Executive Board is eager to announce our 2023 Collegiate Summit theme – Try Everything! We have been working diligently since early May to bring this Summit to life, so we wanted to share a little about it.

What is the Collegiate Summit?

The AL cNAfME Collegiate Summit is an annual event designed by collegiates for collegiates. This event has been held for several years, serving as an opportunity for pre-service music educators to learn, make connections, and ask experts questions about what it is like to enter the field of music education. The Collegiate Summit is typically held in the fall semester, and the event’s location rotates throughout different universities in the state of Alabama.

Where will it be? 

AL cNAfME Officers Matthew Suit (President-Elect) and Kensley Fuller (Secretary) are excited to host the 2023 Collegiate Summit at their home university, Troy University. In fact, the entire State Executive Board is enthusiastic about the collaboration with the Troy University Chapter.

When will it be held?

The Summit will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Registration will begin at noon, and the Summit will kick off with a featured performance by the Troy Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

Who is invited?

Though this event is specifically geared toward college students, all music educators are welcome! In fact, this event is entirely free! The AMEA Governing Board supports collegiate students by providing funds for this event, including a pizza dinner! Please follow us on Instagram @cnafme_al for information about how to register for the Summit.

What should I expect?

We are delighted to bring a new format and concept to our annual Summit for its 2023 edition. As music educators, we are called to push the boundary of what is considered traditional music, exploring music that might be outside of our comfort zone to innovate and progress in our field. This year, we will primarily learn about Modern Band through lectures and interactive performances. Modern Band typically entails teaching instruments such as guitar, drum set, keyboard, and vocals. We will learn the basics of teaching and performing at the Collegiate Summit with these instruments.