From Elem/Gen... Sara Womack, President, Elementary/General Division Movin' On Up


As I begin to plan for the new school year, I look back on what we have accomplished as a Division in the past year. Many hardships and successes have come our way. First, our struggle with leadership issues after Melissa Thomason's resignation as President due to her son's cancer diagnosis. I am continuously amazed with the elementary music teachers in Alabama. We truly have caring, talented, and generous teachers in our Division who are willing to step up and take initiative when needed.


Another development in our Division is an updated version of the bylaws, which had not been revised for over ten years. The officer structure and election procedures were improved to include the best possible candidates for office. Our incoming officers, Sharon August as President-Elect, Beth Davis


as Treasurer, and Karla Hodges as Secretary, will bring a refreshing energy to our Division, while building upon the success of the outgoing officers.


The Elementary Music Festival, instituted last year, brought nearly 200 students from across the state to a fabulous performance venue under the direction of clinician Vicki Portis. The first year was a complete success. Students made memories that will last a lifetime and inspire them to continue their music education in middle school and high school. This year, over 300 students will participate in the Festival, which will be held September 28 at the Wright Center at Samford University. The clinician is Julie Scott of Texas, President of the American Orff- Schulwerk Association (AOSA). She has chosen an incredibly rich and varied repertoire of music for our students to perform.


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the Idea Resource Book were sold. The book, two years in the making, included lesson plans and ideas from teachers across the state. In addition, groups from three elementary schools performed in the Concert Hall. This year's In-Service will be sure to include great ideas and clinicians, as well as performances.


A joint fall workshop between the Elementary/General Division AMEA and the Alabama Chapter of AOSA will be instituted this year to better serve the members of both organizations. The increasing complexity of our lives has led to this merger. This year's clinician will be Melissa Berke of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Past-President of the Great Plains Chapter of AOSA. The workshop, focusing on musical adaptations of children's literature, will be held on September 15 from 9:00- 3:00 at Greystone Elementary School in Hoover.


The Elementary/General Division continues to serve as an energizing and innovative branch of AMEA, which impacts the lifelong music education of students, parents, administration, and teachers. If you have any ideas for clinicians or programs, please e-mail me with your suggestions at sara@music.org.


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