If I’m completely honest, I’ve had a difficult time thinking of what this article should cover. In normal years, this article would cover the great successes of our conference. We would all glow about the fantastic performances, the thought-provoking sessions, and the time shared with like-minded colleagues. However, this year is different. We are not left with fond memories, but merely our wonderings of what could’ve been.

Many of you know that I enjoy spending my limited free time in library archives researching the past. Learning about the past always gives me great comfort and clarity. I visited the Auburn University Archives the Sunday after we decided to cancel the conference to examine the Ala Breve from the early years of our Association. While there wasn’t a full set of every volume of the Ala Breve, I did gain an appreciation and perspective from our past.

The very first issue of Ala. breve (original spelling) was published in November 1955. The president of AMEA was Lamar Triplett. I will be honest; I was taken aback when I saw the first president’s column in the Ala. breve. You see, I have heard many stories about Mr. Triplett because Mr. Triplett was my Dad’s junior high school band director. Actually, Mr. Triplett is one of the people who encouraged my Dad to become a music educator. It was also Mr. Triplett who encouraged AMEA to host a conference. “To knit our organization closer, reach all phases of music education, a meeting of all music educator personnel, elementary through college level, with clinics for all levels, performing groups at all levels, and panels for discussion of all our mutual problems, would greatly increase our understanding of each other, and give administrators a better understanding of our values in the teaching of music and most of all the relationship of music to the overall educational curriculum in the state” (Triplett, 1956, p. 1).

During the early years of AMEA, the conference was held in conjunction with All-State. In fact, All-State was held for all the divisions during the same three days in March at the University of Alabama. All-State was the cornerstone of the AMEA conference. During the conference, there were meetings and clinics for all divisions and a Friday evening banquet with a dinner and dancing. Don’t worry – I’m not suggesting we bring back the Friday night dancing!

I continued thumbing through the old issues of Ala. breve. I smiled at the many pictures and columns from music education legends in AMEA’s history. I loved seeing pictures of Dr. Ed Cleino and Dr. Lacey Powell in their early years; they were both so kind to me as an early career music teacher. I laughed at the many impassioned pleas from the membership chairperson for people to join AMEA and MENC. It was fascinating to learn about the early stages and implementation of hosting the first conference. It’s important to note that AMEA existed for almost 8-10 years before a conference was hosted.

Sadly, the archives do not have a complete set of the Ala Breve. I also checked other university’s holdings – no university has a complete set of the Ala Breve. If you have issues of the Ala Breve from the 1960s-1990s, we would love to scan them and place them on AMEA’s new website that will launch this summer.

My journey into our Association’s past ended with the April 1960 issue. Of course, we can view the last 19 years of Ala Breve on the AMEA website. However, I would have loved to see more from the 60s-90s. I had more questions to be answered. I wanted to know when Ala. breve became Ala Breve. How did the Association handle canceling the conference in the early 90s? I would have loved to see the growth of our conference over the decades.

Although we often refer to AMEA as the three-day conference we attend in January, AMEA is more than just a conference. For me, AMEA is a collection of hard-working music educators, devoted music education supporters and advocates, and students eager to make music. AMEA is an organization made up of people. I agree with an editorial published in the second issue of the Ala. breve, “Clearly the only objective of A.M.E.A. is to advance the cause of music education through a cooperative organization of musicians and music educators…Come on in. We can rise to such lofty heights and make such beautiful music…TOGETHER”. (Ala breve, 1956, p. 5). For me, AMEA has always been about the people. I’m often asked why people should join AMEA and NAfME and my response has always stayed the same – the people. My life has been enriched because of the people I have met as a musician and music educator.

It would be disingenuous for me not to use this President’s Column to recognize the fabulous work our people have been doing. Even though we didn’t have a conference, so much work went into planning the conference. The AMEA staff – Dr. Rusty Logan, Garry Taylor, Pat Stegall, and David Raney completed countless hours of work before the decision was made to cancel the conference. In addition, they all have done countless hours of work after the decision was made to cancel the conference. In addition, Joey Harbison has been invaluable with our industry members and helping Rusty with the exhibitors. AMEA would not be as strong of an Association without our hardworking staff! Thank you, Rusty, Garry, Pat, and David for your dedication to AMEA.

I hope you will all take a moment to thank your division presidents. They spent hours planning a fantastic conference for all of you. They had to witness countless dreams and plans dissipate with one board motion and vote. Many of them have also had to deal with the herculean task of rescheduling All-States, honor groups, and performing ensembles to ensure the students still receive the benefit of AMEA performances. Thank you, Lori, Joe, Hilen, Alicia, Meghan, Carly, and Sarah for serving your divisions and AMEA with integrity.

In addition, Heather Holmes served all of us with grace and a calming presence. Thank you, Heather, for your gentle spirit, perspective, and kindness during this time.

I have been blessed to be friends with our President-elect for over 25 years. Phil has provided me with perspective, guidance, and friendship that is immeasurable. Thank you, Phil, for being the calm and reassuring voice throughout this experience. I am blessed by your friendship, and I know AMEA will be blessed by your leadership.

I want to thank all of you for your patience and understanding as we had to make difficult decisions and deal with the ramifications of our decisions. I’m thankful for the many calls, texts, and messages of support for the AMEA Board. Thank you to our clinicians who prepared fantastic sessions for all of us. Most of all, thank you to our directors and students who were set to perform at the conference. I know what a disappointment canceling the conference was for all of you, however, I have been so encouraged by your individual communities’ support. It has brought me great joy to see “AMEA Conference” concerts happening throughout our state. As I said earlier, AMEA is more than a conference – you brought AMEA to the people of Alabama. Thank you for ensuring that the music of the AMEA conference still happened.

Earlier, I said my Ala Breve archive hunt ended in 1960, but that’s not entirely true. While the archives did end in 1960, they picked back up in March of 2001. As I thumbed through the March 2001 issue of Ala Breve I saw a familiar face – mine. There on page 10, was a fresh-faced student teacher that had their final article as the cMENC state president. As I sat and stared at my picture in the Ala Breve, I couldn’t help but be humbled and grateful that I am part of this incredible organization. Although I may have some age on me and a lot of music-teaching battle scars, my words from 2001 still ring true in 2024.

“I am very appreciative and feel fortunate to have served you as President this year. You all have allowed me to spread my wings and see the music education world from a different perspective. I look forward to joining what I feel is the most noble profession, teaching. On top of that, teaching music. Through music, we have the opportunity to teach children how to create something intimate and self-rewarding. We must always look for ways to move on and ever upward towards excellence. Never settle for just sliding by, and never give up!” (Lyda, 2001, p. 10).

We must remember that AMEA is more than a conference. AMEA is an organization of impassioned people. We are people who work each day to provide and ensure the children of Alabama have access to music education. TOGETHER we can change the lives of students through the power of music. I’m eternally grateful for you and your work in our state. Thank you, friends, for allowing me to be part of AMEA’s journey in the past, the present, and into the future.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers!” To be honest, I’ve never read Anne of Green Gables, but I’ve always loved that quote. When I was a child, I thought October when the leaves change, and the weather is crisp and cool was mythical.  Growing up in the Panhandle of Florida, I never experienced a true Fall or October. The temperature would get cooler and there would be less humidity, Winn Dixie would put pumpkins in the produce section, and the pine needles would begin falling off the trees – all those things would signal Fall for the people of the Florida Panhandle.

I can still remember “the tree” that made me fall in love with Fall.  One late September or early October afternoon during my freshman year at Troy, I decided to take a back road to my travel trailer at Swindall’s RV Park after band practice. There in the distance on County Road 26 was the most beautiful orange-colored tree. I had seen pictures and movies of multicolored trees; in all honesty, I questioned if that was even real. I had never seen anything like it in person. I stopped my car and got out on the side of the road to admire the majestic splendor of Fall.

When I taught at Notasulga I enjoyed the trees on my morning commute in the Fall. I remember one particular Fall and one particular field of trees. Every tree was green, except one. The one tree had already changed to a vibrant red that appeared almost on fire compared to the other trees. I drove past that field for several weeks before the other trees decided to join in and change colors.

Every time I drove past the field and saw the red tree, it made me think about change. When to make a change? The fact that change is scary. Is collective change better than individual change? The person that changes, are they brave or foolish for changing early? Why do we need to change?

I finally settled on the idea that it takes one person or tree to change, to be brave enough to initiate change, and eventually others will change. I’ve been thinking about change a lot as we’ve been preparing for the 2024 AMEA Professional Development Conference. We are changing locations. We are offering new things. We are expanding our offerings to include more music educators, more ways to engage with students, and more types of music.

Let’s think for a minute about how much our organization has changed since I joined 26 years ago. We have a staff of four instead of one Executive Director. We meet in conference centers instead of on a university campus. Our membership has grown. We have a Hill Day. We added the Higher Education Division. AMEA and our divisions have held conferences or events in Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Montgomery, Mobile, Birmingham, and Huntsville. We have had three different sets of standards. We have weathered a global financial crisis, proration, and a global pandemic.  We have had to make changes and adjustments through the years and each time we have become stronger as an organization. Change has led our organization to be vibrant and better serve our members and their students.

The other reason why I love October is because of the conference issue of the Ala Breve! I love seeing what groups will be performing, who will be presenting, and planning to see friends. I know this conference brings a change in venue, but I can honestly say I am excited and welcome the opportunity to be in Huntsville!

Conference 2024

AMEA has never had the habit of giving a theme to our annual conference. However, if I were to give a theme to this year’s conference it would be – “Firsts in the Rocket City’. We will have three days of fabulous professional development sessions, soul-enriching concerts, eager exhibitors, fantastic food, and fellowship. I promise this year’s conference is one you will regret if you miss it.

Here are a few things you can look forward to experiencing at the conference.

This year we will feature our inaugural All-State Elementary Honor Choir as part of the Friday evening performances. Thank you to the elementary division and in particular, Melissa McIntrye, for their hard work and bringing this new All-State Honor Choir to fruition.

Thursday afternoon, in the Mars Music Hall, we will host our first Open Mic event for popular/commercial/industry music ensembles from 12:00-5:00. This event will allow k-12 and higher education groups a place to perform as part of the conference. Each group will be allowed to perform a 20-minute set of covers or original music. Space is limited and registration will open on November 1. The director of the ensemble must be a member of AMEA and register for the conference.

Our featured speaker for the leadership breakfast will be Dr. Rob Deemer from the State University of New York at Fredonia. Many of you may know Dr. Deemer’s work as the Founder and Director of the Institute for Composer Diversity. In addition, Dr. Deemer will present two sessions for our membership on teaching composition and Composer Diversity. I have known Rob for several years and he is a fantastic resource and I’m glad he will spend a few days with us in Alabama.

When I was a kid, my dad belonged to the Columbia CD club and we eagerly awaited new music each month arriving in the mail. I can still remember the month Take 6’s debut album arrived. Sorry, we don’t have Take 6 as our featured performer. We are having the ensemble that birthed Take 6 – The Aeolians of Oakwood University under the direction of Mr. Jeremy Jordan. I can’t wait for their performance during the General Session on Friday.

Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Scott Burstein, the Education Director of Music Will. Scott will be speaking about expanding music education to reach all students in our schools. His keynote will be a thought-provoking time and an interactive time of collaborative music-making.

Finally – the food! You will find a list of restaurants around Von Braun Center. In addition, we have asked the Von Braun Center to open a concession stand in the exhibit hall to serve food. There are also two restaurants on-site – Rhythm on Monroe and the CO/OP in the Embassy Suites. Click on the restaurant name to find menus for Rhythm on Monroe and CO/OP). We listened to your feedback and added 30 minutes to lunch on Thursday and Friday. You should have plenty of time to eat, relax, and get back to sessions!

Last April Phil Wilson, Rusty Logan, and I did a site visit of the Von Braun Center during ABA’s All-State Festival. The AMEA Governing Board completed another site visit in August. We have tried to think of everything to make your experience in Huntsville the best possible. We want you to have an amazing time of fellowship and learning at this year’s AMEA!

Music Will & Modern Band 101

This past summer I was asked to attend the Modern Band Summit in Fort Collins, CO as part of a delegation from NAfME. I love a good conference and trust me, the Modern Band Summit was a good conference. There is only one way I can describe the experience – Summer Camp for Music Teachers. I spent four days learning, connecting with music teachers from all over the country, and making music. The highlight of the trip for me was performing as part of the NAfME Rock Band – “Ralph and the Association”. I’m sure if you search hard enough you can find a video of me playing tambourine on “Can’t Hold Us” and ukulele on “I Want it That Way”.

It would be hard to replicate the experience of the Modern Band Summit at our conference, but we are going to try and replicate one facet. I’m pleased to announce that on Saturday of our conference from 10:30 – 4:30, we will offer Modern Band 101 with Dr. Scott Burstein. Here is a course description:

“This course covers the basic core values of Music Will: how we teach music-making, improvisation, and composition by getting our students into a comfort zone using student-centered instruction, approximation, and scaffolding. Participants are introduced to the instruments of modern band: guitar, keyboard, drums, vocals, bass, and technology, and learn basic playing skills and pedagogy for each. Participants will also use their new musical skills to compose and perform an original song in a collaborative setting.”

At the conclusion of Modern Band 101, participants will receive a certificate and be awarded an additional 6 hours of PD credit. Modern Band 101 is a free add-on to your conference registration. Registration is limited to 45 people. The registration link for Modern Band 101 will open on November 1, 2023. You must be registered for the conference to participate.

Capitol Tunes

Each Thursday in February and March the rotunda of the State Capitol is filled with music. AMEA is once again partnering with the Alabama State Department of Education to offer public school music groups the chance to perform in the rotunda of the State Capitol. A bonus is that groups selected for performance receive a stipend to help offset the cost of transportation to Montgomery. Please visit the AMEA website for ensemble guidelines and the application.

The Capitol Tunes program is a fabulous way to showcase your small ensembles and advocate for music education. Thank you to Andy Meadows, ALSDE Arts Education Specialist, for his support and advocacy for this program. Please consider applying! The deadline for performance applications is November 1, 2023.

I’m glad I live in a world with Octobers, AMEA, and you. Thank you for all you do day in and day out to bring music to our students.  I hope you all have a vibrant Fall full of pumpkin spice, yellows, reds, oranges, and crisp cool air. I can’t wait to see all of you in Huntsville!