Imagine preparing over 1000 badges for the 2024 AMEA Professional Development Conference only to face the force of Mother Nature. As the Registrar for AMEA, it is my job to make sure all attendees are registered, paid, and have the appropriate membership. We were through with the pre-registered, FAME, All-State Jazz Band members and Vendor’s badges by 4 pm. on Tuesday, January 16th. The snow and ice were not cooperative, but we were ready to head to Huntsville just in case. Even though it was disappointing to have to box the materials and store them away, I was proud of the decision the AMEA board made in consideration for the safety of our conference attendees and performers.  At this time, I have sent refunds to those schools that paid by check, and we are working to assure anyone who used PayPal will be issued a credit back to the card they used. I thank those who donated their fees and encourage those who can do so to consider donating to support the financial well-being of AMEA. I look forward to next year, and I hope that you do, too! PS

Registration for the January 18-20, 2024 AMEA conference in Huntsville will begin October 1st, 2023.  Please take a few minutes and pre-register online at the lower pre-registration price.  This will save you time and money going into the conference!  Being proactive is very important and your attention to getting registered for the conference is one of the ways you can speed up the process of getting your badges, etc.  I encourage you to remind your colleagues to get their registration completed as soon as possible.  Invite new music teachers and ask the inactive music teachers to join NAfME/AMEA and attend the conference.  Our young teachers need your encouragement so tell them how important the conference is to you and ask them to be present! Let’s achieve the goal of making the AMEA Professional Development Conference in Huntsville, the most highly attended AMEA Conference in our 78-year history!

Remember that a pre-requisite to registering for the conference is to join/renew NAfME at www.nafme.org.  Joining NAfME secures your membership in AMEA and your division.

You can pre-register now for the 2024 in-service conference at www.myamea.org.  Do it now and you will save time and money! Join me and your colleagues from all over the state in January at the Von Braun Conference Center in Huntsville for our wonderful Alabama Music Educators Association Conference!

Pat Stegall, Registrar