John Baker, President
Alabama Music Educators Association My Summer “On the Road”
For many educators, summer has become an extension of our teaching year. Gone are the days of sleeping in, going to the beach and visiting family members. Instead we spend our days “On the Road,” attending music camps and conventions or taking classes. My summer “On the Road” began by taking students from Enterprise High School to Show Choir Camps of America in Decatur, Illinois on the campus of Milikin University. While at camp I saw stu- dents from all over the country excited to be spending a week of their summer singing and learning from leaders in the field of choral music. I also saw teachers working together, reading new music and learning from each other. The teachers that attend SCA have the unique opportunity to participate as performers with fellow teachers. What a valuable tool - to require of ourselves the same things we ask of our students!
I flew from Decatur, Illinois to Orlando, Florida to attend the MENC Centennial Congress and National Leadership Conference. I was joined in Orlando by our Executive Director Garry Taylor and his wife, who were celebrating their anniversary during the conference. During the week we looked back at the tremendous progress we have made over our first 100 years and we began to chart a course for the next 100 years. Our keynote speaker for the week was Mike Huckabee, who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007. In a May 2007 speech, Huckabee said that musical instru- ments can be “weapons of mass INSTRUCTION” and schools should not be allowed to cut music and art educa- tion classes. As governor, he backed a plan which ulti- mately forced every public school in Arkansas to offer music and art education classes taught by a trained instruc- tor. Mr. Huckabee has a passion for music!
I drove from Orlando to Panama City Beach, Florida where I was able to spend a few days with my family before flying to Ohio to teach at another Show Choir camp. While in Ohio I met the business manager and sound engineer for the Manhattan Transfer. I men- tioned that one of my students from Enterprise was inter- ested in that side of the music business. Much to my sur-
ala breve
prise this gentleman informed me that he was going to be in Montgomery, Alabama doing some recording for the Chicago Children’s Chorus Civil Rights Tour and suggest- ed I bring my student to meet him for the afternoon. This student had no idea who the Manhattan Transfer was but couldn’t believe that a professional in the music field from Chicago would take the time to meet with a 17 year old from Alabama. It was a great afternoon for all of us!
From Ohio I traveled again to Orlando to attend
the Florida Vocal Associations Pre-School Music Reading Conference. There were several teachers from Alabama in attendance and we enjoyed the music and each others company.
In all, I was away for 32 days. I really missed being home but was fortunate to meet so many new peo- ple and learn so many new things. My Summer “On The Road” helped me see that people are still passionate about music and education and that we have a bright future in our country because of that passion!
On behalf of the students, teachers and administrators at Enterprise High School we would like to thank the mem- bership of AMEA for your support after the tragedy of March 1st in Enterprise. I wish we could name every school and community that helped or sent donations or prayed for us but there is simply not enough room in this issue of the Ala Breve! The support was and is truly unbe- lievable! The help and support we received from the music community was something that we will never for- get. Thank you for your physical help and presence, your donations but most of all your prayers!
Thank you, Charlton Ford
Jason Smith John Baker
Director of Bands
Assistant Director of Bands Choral Director
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From the President...
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