music in our schools month
be able to come and perform or can you make time for a Capitol tour or a visit to one or more of Madison’s educational opportunities?
Maybe you choose to partner with another curricular field? Would your social stud- ies or history class want to come and be a part of your audience and tour the Capitol and Veteran’s Museum with your group? Perhaps an art class joins you and your schedule includes a stop at the beautiful Overture Center and the Madison Art Museum.
Once your timeline is set, make your transportation arrangements. School buses are the norm but one of our performing groups this year arrived in coaches with the support of a proud and generous school district. Breakfast/lunch arrangements will need some thought (we can help with this) as well as making sure you contact and schedule any tours/visits you want to include. Plan your program. Use music you’ve already performed this year and selections you might be preparing for the future. Maybe you work with themes – partnering with a social studies class and patriotic American music. Perhaps you might choose to feature ensembles from within your group. (Larger special groups i.e. jazz ensembles, woodwind choirs, etc. will work acoustically while smaller en- sembles and soloists are difficult to hear.) You may want to begin with the “Star Spangled Banner.” And “On Wisconsin” is always an audience favorite. As you prepare your students for this once-in-a- lifetime opportunity, communicate student expectations, invite helpful chaperones, prepare equipment lists, set itineraries and on and on, you also…
Promote, PROMOTE, PROMOTE! Tell your administration and school board. Get an article (and maybe some rehearsal pictures?) into your local newspaper. Let your entire music department and school district know. Invite parents and siblings, grandparents, friends and former students to come hear you. “Word of mouth” – now defined by email, text, Twitter, Facebook, etc. – can let the world know you’d like
Wisconsin School Musician
“My principal came with us and was truly moved by our students and how proudly they sang… It was one of those forever memories.”
them to come hear you. Contact your local community and government leaders and let your state representatives and senators know you will be there representing your district and promoting the importance of music education. (WMEA will also invite them to your performance and many took the opportunity this past year to stop by, listen, talk with students and directors and take promotional pictures.)
WHEW!
Sounds like a lot of work. Maybe. But here’s what one of the directors shared about their performance this year…
“I had my students write thank you notes but the idea was theirs. They were so impressed with this opportunity and we really had a lot of fun. I can’t imagine the planning for this. Everything was ready for us when we arrived. Quite a few parents drove down. My principal came with us and was truly moved by our students and how proudly they sang. Again – thank you for this opportunity. It was one of those forever memories.”
As a music teacher you’re already used to giving more than is expected and provid- ing enriching experiences for students. Let WMEA provide you with a venue to help inspire your students with memories that will encourage a lifetime filled with music.
Linda Meier was the choral director at DeForest High School for 35 years retiring in 2009. She is currently the organization representative for Music In Our Schools Month. Email:
lmeier@wsmamusic.org
Perform at the
State Capitol! Once again WMEA will be sponsoring concerts in the state capitol during the months of March and April.
Criteria for Selection
To best showcase music education in Wisconsin the following selection criteria is used:
• The groups chosen will portray a wide variety of types of performing organizations.
• Schools from all areas of the state will be represented.
• In order for as many students as possible to have the opportunity to participate, schools that have not performed at the capitol in the past will be considered first.
• Groups are selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
Procedures
WMEA will request preferred dates from the capitol.
• Request forms will be available at
www.wmeamusic.org by Oct. 1 and the WMEA booth at conference.
• Download and complete the request forms. Then send the completed forms to WMEA State Chair Linda Meier*.
• Requests must be submitted by December 1, 2013.
• Dates listed are tentative and subject to change by the capitol.
• Capitol will confirm in January.
• If selected you will be notified by January 15.
* Requests must be made through the State Chair! Contact
information will be found on forms.
Questions:
Contact Linda Meier at
lmeier@wsmamusic.org or 608-850-3566
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