This past month, I had the opportunity to attend the NAfME Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit. There, I learned about the importance of our community of music educators and the need for us to advocate for music education. For many of us, cNAfME is a club at our school that may host monthly meetings, bring in guest speakers, or organize social events. However, it has the potential to be so much more because it is our professional organization. The people we meet through our chapter or at conferences are our future colleagues in the profession. As we move through our careers, these are the people we will lean on in times of need and collaborate with when we need new ideas. Thus, it is essential that our individual chapters plan frequent events and that we, as individuals, attend events such as the Collegiate Summit or the AMEA Professional Development Conference to supplement our education. Chapters can also find ways to engage and serve the community, and looking for these opportunities will elevate individual chapters to new heights.
At the Summit, I also learned of the importance of advocating for music education. We are choosing to pursue this profession because we have seen the profound impact that music can have on the lives of young people. For the next generation to get the best opportunities possible, we must fight for music to get the resources students deserve. One way to advocate is to use our stories and passion to inspire administrators and leaders in the community. Our voices could have a positive impact on the next generation.
In conclusion, let us seize every opportunity that comes our way as future music educators, starting with the upcoming AMEA Collegiate Summit. Titled “We Are…”, it’s set to take place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Auburn University, starting at 1 PM. The sessions will delve into the many roles we play as music educators, covering topics such as Music in the Community, Music Technology and Composition, Storytelling through Programming, and we will end with a panel discussion about Advocacy for Music Education. The day will culminate with dinner at 5 PM. We can’t wait to see you there! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @cnafme_al for updates leading up to the Summit, including our speakers, the final schedule, and registration details.