In addition, a Past Presidents Committee has been established to utilize the expertise found within those who have served at the helm of AMEA. At the conference, a group of eight Past Presidents assembled for the first time to establish committee procedures and responsibilities. Immediate Past President Steve McLendon will act as chair and the committee responsibilities include serving as a resource for the Governing Board and recommending inductees into the AMEA Hall of Fame.


To strengthen relationships with current members, President-Elect Dr. Carl Hancock has piloted a survey to be distributed across the state. The data obtained from this survey will detail the needs and wants of the membership and assist in the formulation of the AMEA strategic plan, as well as the strategic advocacy plan. The survey will be distributed to the membership via email within the next few months.


Another goalpost to strengthen the relationship with current members is to offer innovative, engaging, and relevant professional development. The 2013 In- Service Conference was successful, but


improvements can always be made. On page 42, President-Elect Dr. Carl Hancock gives a detailed overview of the conference feedback, which was received through the Guidebook app and traditional conference evaluations. We appreciate everyone who shared their thoughts regarding the sessions and the overall conference.


Additionally, updating our procedures and planning for the future will strengthen the relationship to current members. Recent bylaw changes aligned our practices with our guiding documents and plans for updating the strategic plan are underway. The outdated officer and committee chair handbook will also be revised in the near future.


To intensify our advocacy efforts, the AMEA leadership has participated in two meetings of the Alabama Arts Advocacy Coalition (AAAC), which includes delegates from each of the arts education organizations in the state. Two areas of focus are the change in the graduation requirement for fine arts and the upcoming revision for the music course of study. At the upcoming AAAC meeting in late February, Superintendent of Education Dr.


A Letter from Curt Long Executive Director, Alabama Symphony Orchestra Dear Alabama Music Educators,


Despite many shortcomings, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra was honored to be invited to perform in Montgomery for the 2013 AMEA conference, and we were especially pleased to be able to bring one of our nationally recognized “Classical Edge” performances to musicians, teachers and students who share a passion for the art form and its growth. As invited by AMEA organizers, the concert’s guest artist – and the conference’s keynote speaker – was acclaimed New York composer and singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane, who’s in the forefront of connecting the grand traditions of the concert hall with the sounds of today’s generation. The ASO prides itself on this sort of creative programming, and feels that it is our responsibility to be leaders in education by paying equal attention to artistic excellence and innovation.


ala breve


While we were pleased with the artistry and performance of Mr. Kahane and the orchestra, between the illness of a musician who had a key solo part in one of the planned pieces, and Mr. Kahane’s last-minute decision to modify his play list, the program was changed which resulted in an experience that was below expectations for a professional orchestra. We suffered a communication lapse among our staff and to our musicians, and unfortunately neglected to ensure that essential


logistical information was


shared. I deeply regret these errors and the negative impression they created.


In addition, some members of the audience have expressed disappointment that we did not present a more traditional symphonic program in both repertoire and presentation. I appreciate this feedback.


The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to be invited back to the 2014 AMEA conference, and I would welcome your input as we plan our return performance for next January. Please feel free to email me at clong@alabama symphony.com with your suggestions on both what we should play in concert and any ideas you might have about how we could most effectively participate in your conference.


Thanks for all you do to further the cause of music education in Alabama!


Curt Long Executive Director Alabama Symphony Orchestra


Tommy Bice will discuss these two issues, as well as his vision for arts education in Alabama. In previous discussions, he has expressed his support of the arts and has assured the AAAC that these changes are not intended to negatively effect arts education. We are poised to act if negative consequences modifications.


result from these


The AMEA Governing Board will continue to work toward the established goalposts. Please contact me at sara@music.org if you have any ideas or concerns


regarding advancement. AMEA’s


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