Another successful AMEA conference is in the books for our association and the AOA. We had a great group of string educators come together for a weekend of good food, conversation, and learning. The AOA experience at AMEA recharges us all, especially as teachers who rarely have another string teacher in their building. It is one of the few times a year we all get together to discuss what’s going on in our classrooms and lives outside of school!
Our conference began with Kate Francis (Madison City Schools) demonstrating how anyone and everyone can start a violin program in an elementary school in 9 weeks! We hope this encourages many to implement this program in their own schools! Thursday’s conference sessions also included two fabulous sessions by one of our newest string colleagues in Alabama, Dr. Letitia Jap. Recently hired by Samford University as Assistant Professor of Violin, Dr. Jap showed us how to help our students find their sound on their string instrument, as well as reminding us all how to practice. One of the highlights of the conference was Keith Brandenburg (Jefferson County) and the Pinson Valley High School Mariachi, Alabama’s first mariachi program. Mr. Brandenburg showed us the steps to starting and building mariachi programs and how they only add to the opportunities students in Alabama deserve to be offered. Most special was the performance by the group, showcasing how students from any situation can come together to make something beautiful.
Friday’s AOA sessions were all led by the fabulous Dr. Angela Ammerman (Professor of Music Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville). We squeezed in as many sessions as we could with her before the winter weather took her home to Tennessee. Dr. Ammerman brought her expertise in both classroom management and working with our English Language Learners and shared tips and procedures for us to apply in our own classrooms. She also held sessions on recruitment, retention, and rehearsal strategies for string programs. We will be able to take lessons learned in those sessions directly back to our schools and students. More than anything, Dr. Ammerman was able to bring together the string teachers of Alabama for collaboration, education, and fun.
It was an honor to have the Alabama Symphony Orchestra as this year’s featured performance at the AMEA Conference. In a state with few representations of orchestral music, it is so important for our profession to hear what a professional symphony sounds like and how it can impact our teaching. The ASO played two of the most important orchestral pieces in classical repertoire: Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Haydn’s Farewell Symphony. These two pieces clearly represented two entirely different eras of composition while highlighting the talents of our state’s orchestra.
We concluded our conference with our General Business Meeting and crowd favorite sight reading session, sponsored by J.W. Pepper. It’s always an excellent time playing together with friends and discovering new pieces to perform with our students! AOA is so grateful for all of our members’ participation all weekend long, whether that be by presenting, attending, or participating!
In January, AOA held both the North and South Region Orchestra events. These events were held at Huntsville High School and Greenville High School, hosting over 200 student musicians. David Metrio (Symphony) and Dr. Ashley Gresko (Strings) conducted the North Region orchestras; Joe Lee (Symphony) and Rachel Sherrod (Strings) conducted the South Region orchestras. AOA is so honored to be able to provide this additional orchestral experience in our state.
All-State Orchestra is next on the AOA calendar! This year, All-State Orchestra is being held at the University of Alabama School of Music on February 12-15. We are looking forward to Dr. Mark Laycock, Andrew Gekoskie, and Annalisa Chang leading our three ensembles and all of the music making that will occur! AOA is thankful for the support from across the state in assisting students prepare for their auditions and ensembles. AOA invites you to the final concert on Sunday, February 15. Come help us celebrate our students!
The final event on this year’s calendar is Orchestra Music Performance Assessment. This event will take place on April 10, 2026 at Thompson High School, Alabaster, AL. If you have an ensemble that would benefit from participating, please find more information on the AOA website!