Higher Education Division
Networking and Support for Music Faculty and the Future of Music in Alabama
Kimberly C. Walls, President, Higher Ed Division
Welcome back to fall semester. In all the additional duties fall brings-audi-
tion, orientations, faculty meetings, student interviews, and settling course enrollments-let's recall that music fac- ulty are all about improving the state of music in the state of Alabama. We do so by being role models, mentors, advisers, and, not least of all, music teachers for the col- lege students we are privileged to encounter each fall. A timely word of encouragement to a college student (as well as careful constructive criticism) can make all the dif- ference in his or her life and the lives of their future music students. One encounter with a student this fall may result in numbers of future music majors choosing to or choos- ing not to study music in college.
It is amazing to consider the impact music faculty can have on the supply and quality of professional school music teachers (and future higher education faculty). Although many school music teachers make the decision to teach when they are middle school or high school stu- dents, a large number of music teachers make that decision while they are in college. This fall look for students who have a passion for music or a passion for young people; they might be excellent school music teachers. Most of our students will not land symphony gigs or university posi- tions, but as music teachers they can pursue musical excel- lence and advance musical culture in our society. Tell them about the benefits of a career of teaching music and urge them to spend time in a school setting where the music teacher has a positive personality. (Let's keep our personalities positive too!)
Higher education music faculty need encouragement too. The purpose of the Higher Education Division is to provide professional development and networking opportunities for music instructors. We maintain an e-mail list of over 250 higher education members and we sponsor ses- sions at the annual conference. Many HED members present sessions at the conference for K-12 music teachers.
The Higher Education Division's focus this year is the role of applied music studies in the development of school music teachers. Although all HED members are musician- teachers, music majors often look to the applied instructor as the model musician-
26 August 2006
teacher and the curriculum depends on the applied studio to develop independent performers. A number of HED members will be presenting sessions and concerts relating to best practices in the applied studio. The intent is to net- work with colleagues across the state to consider learn what works for them in the preparation of future music teachers. We want to publish articles from our members related to this focus in Ala Breve. Please send articles to me for possible inclusion. The due dates are printed in the magazine.
Welcome to new faculty! If there are new faculty at your institution please send me their e-mail addresses and phone numbers so we can personally invite them to join HED. Ala Breve regularly publishes bios of new faculty, so please send that information to the magazine editor.
Best wishes to past-president Julie Skadsem in her new position at the University of Michigan. Thanks again to Julie for all she has done over the years to promote HED. For such a petite professor, Julie left some big shoes to fill. Please submit nominations for president-elect by September 15. Please send nominations to any of the offi- cers or if HED may be of assistance to you contact us: Kimberly C. Walls
kim.walls@auburn.edu (President) Jeannette Fresne
jfresne@usouthal.edu (Secretary- Treasurer)
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