As my time as MMEA president comes to an end, I note that we have gone through an interesting period and that there has been a lot of growth and change—in our state organization, in our national organization, and in the relationships that we have with other organizations. While there have been trying times in the last two years, we, as an organization, have accomplished a lot.
Nationally, we have re-branded and are upgrading our technology to better serve our members and music education as a whole. The resources available from NAfME promise to grow and the advocacy tools, including and especially “Groundswell,” on the NAfME website are extremely beneficial to us as members and to the music education community as a whole.
At home, MMEA has done a bit of our own “re-branding” by bringing on a new logo and updating our governing documents. We have also been lucky to experience growth in various aspects of our organization during this period, including adding an Executive Administrator position to our organization which was made possible by the work of Past-President Betty Anne Younker. The work the Cory Micheel-Mays has done in this position has been outstanding and MMEA has benefited greatly from what he has done to establish this new position. We have also grown in our technological presence by becoming part of FaceBook, by using e-mail and electronic surveys more effectively, and by making major upgrades to our website thanks to the tireless work of Diane Mehringer. And, we made a major change in how we approach our official publication by establishing a full-fledged Editorial Board for the Michigan Music Educator led with great vision by our new Editor Joe Shively. This change would not have been possible without the work of many people, but I want to especially thank Barbara O’Hagin who kept the journal going well past the date that she intended to leave the position of Editor to be involved in MMEA in other ways.
MMEA has also reached out beyond ourselves to increase our presence and service to all music educators in Michigan through greater involvement and new offerings at MMC. Cory Micheel-Mays took on the job of coordinating SB-CEUs. Terese Tuohey established a new Pre-Conference Research Symposium and Christina Hornbach established a new Elementary Music Pre-Conference event, both of which have been extremely successful. And, our Honors Composition Concert has continued to grow and be a great success at MMC. In addition to MMC growth, we have had success with our Elementary Choral Festival.
I have mentioned only a few of the many things that MMEA has done in the last two years. Unfortunately, there is not enough column space to mention every contribution. So, to those that I have left out, I ask that you please forgive me. No slight was or is intended. I am truly grateful for all the work that has been done and for all that has been accomplished. Our MMEA Board members are active and working hard to move our profession forward and to make music education thrive in Michigan. They are a dedicated group of people who are passionate about music education. I offer my sincere THANK YOU to them for their service and all that they have made possible.
As you know, it is an election year for our MMEA officers. Dan Steele, our Acting-Past- President oversaw the election process, as is our custom. Thank You, Dan. I am happy to announce that our new President-Elect is Kelli Salisbury and our new Treasurer is Lisa DuPrey. Lindsey Micheel-Mays will continue as our Secretary. CONGRATULATIONS to them and Thank You to our outgoing Treasurer, Ellizar Abalos.
So, as I become Past-President of MMEA, I ask you to warmly welcome your new President, Christina Hornbach. She has vision and drive and will do a great job of guiding MMEA into the future . . . a bright future for MMEA and music education!
I hope you are having a GREAT Summer! n
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President’s message
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