Carl Hancock, AMEA President An Incredible Life of Service


A life filled with meaningful service is one of the rewards of being a


music educator. And yet, there are those rare individuals who give so much of themselves, they advance an entire profession. Over the past few weeks, I started reading old Ala Breve columns written by former officers of our governing board to gain perspective and appreciate our unique history as an Association. As I read, I wondered what motivates a person to volunteer to serve in leadership roles and sacrifice their time and resources to contribute to an organization. I learned that volunteering is the direct result of strongly identifying with a group, having professional skills to contribute to the greater good, and recognizing and responding to the needs of others. Moreover, it has been said, real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile––Ed Cleino’s life was clearly filled with joy.


On April 4, 2015, we lost a dedicated servant of music education, Dr. Edward H. Cleino. Ed’s passing marks the culmination of 70 years of unbroken membership in the AMEA that was interwoven with numerous leadership roles that shaped music education in our state. Cleino’s served as Southern Division President of MENC (now NAfME), Editor/Business Manager of the Ala Breve, AMEA Secretary/Treasurer, Elementary Division Co-chair, Vocal Division Chair, AMEA Membership Chair, and Chair of the Retired Members Committee. He was also the sponsor of the first chapter of CMENC in Alabama and was appointed to several important national MENC committees. This impressive resume only begins to scratch the surface of the many activities of this great public servant who once humbly proclaimed, “I didn’t have


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anything but an eagerness to help.” It should come as no surprise to learn that Dr. Cleino was an active member well into his retirement. A quote from one of his many statements in the Ala Breve captures his enthusiasm for volunteering to help the AMEA and willingness to serve, “There may be snow on the roof, but there’s a fire in the furnace.” In 2008, the AMEA inducted Dr. Cleino as an inaugural member of the AMEA Hall of Fame. Our Association owes him a huge debt of gratitude for the years he lead with a servant’s heart.


In honor of Dr. Cleino, I invited Dr. Beth Davis, who recently penned a dissertation on his life, to write a tribute to him, which can be found on page 18. In addition, the cover of this issue features a photo of Dr. Cleino filming his pioneering music education television show, Music Time. The photos of Ed were shared with us courtesy of his daughters, Elizabeth Allaway and Dr. Anne Witt. On page 19, Danielle Todd selected an editorial from a 1983 edition of the Ala Breve to illustrate how Ed used personal stories and forthright


From Dr. Tim...


“One person can make a difference.” For many of us, this illustrious one person is Dr. Ed Cleino. I dare say the


vast majority of the music educators reading this tribute are - in some way - the benefactors of the endless wisdom of Dr. Cleino. Of the many remarkable mentors I have had the privilege-and-honor of knowing, Dr. Cleino was in a class- by-himself. He was the epitome of a positive role model from a professional perspective, but - far more - he was a caring-sharing-LOVING soul who always put his students at the forefront of his life; he never hesitated to remind us how proud he was of our ongoing successes, and how much we meant to him. My last time with him was during a visit to Tuscaloosa prior to the AMEA


event in Montgomery. I spent some time with the music education students and Dr. and Mrs. Cleino attended. I enjoyed one of his signature hugs and thanked him profusely for what he meant to my life...it was also the first time I mustered up enough courage to say, “Dr. Cleino, I really love you.” He thanked me, and responded, “I love you too, and please call me Ed.” I laughed and said, “Dr. Cleino, I simply can’t do that; you are and you will ALWAYS be: DR. CLEINO!” So...Dr. Cleino, until we meet again: I LOVE YOU.


Tim Lautzenheiser May/June 2015


encouragement when reminding members about the importance of being involved in professional development. Finally, I asked Dr. Tim Lauztenhauser, who studied with Dr. Cleino many years ago, to share a couple of brief thoughts. I hope you will take a moment and read about Dr. Cleino’s life of service. He certainly was a model of leadership for our Association and his contributions will be long remembered.


In closing, as noted by Cleino in 1960, “…as we approach the close of another school year we find the time ideal for taking inventory–––for determining what has been accomplished.” It seems that the inventory of Ed’s life of service to the AMEA was abundant and filled with treasures valued by generations of music educators.


Friends, I hope you have an enjoyable summer. Please keep Dr. Cleino’s family in your thoughts.


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