James Zingara - President, Higher Education Division


reports) can be found on the AMEA website: http://www.alabamamea.org/higher_ed/inde x.htm and will be in effect as we elect the positions of President-Elect and Secretary- Treasurer in January.


Dear HED Colleagues,


I hope that you have had a relaxing summer break and are returning to the school year with the batteries fully charged. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my HED Division colleagues Dr. Becky Halliday (President- Elect) from the University of Montevallo and Mildred Lanier (Secretary – Treasurer) of Jefferson State Community College for their hard work and contributions over the past several months. During this time, we have selected sessions for the 2016 AMEA Conference (which will be announced in the October Ala Breve) as well as enacted a new set of HED By-Laws, which are mainly concerned with the officer election process as well as clarifying the duties of the individual offices. These by-laws (as well as our division


For the 2015 Conference, we added two new events, namely the HED Panel Discussion and the HED Student Ensemble Showcase. These events generated a lot of positive feedback and I am happy to announce that both sessions will return in 2016. This year’s panel is entitled The Breakdown Between the Higher Ed Classroom and First Year Teacher Experiences and will be concerned with the perceived “knowledge gap” between graduating student expectations and actual performance in initial positions. The idea here is to establish communication between Higher Education and fledgling music educators in the field in order to better prepare students for the challenges that they will face in their first jobs.


The HED Student Ensemble Showcase provides an excellent opportunity for college and university chamber groups to perform at


the state conference. Last year, the recital featured 60 student performers from 5 different universities who performed to over 100 people and we hope to reproduce the success of this event again in 2016. If you would like to have your group perform, please send an e-mail including your proposed program information (title, composer/arranger and movement titles) and personnel list to jzingara@uab.edu by November 1st


, 2015. Although ensembles from 2015 are


encouraged to apply, the emphasis of this year’s recital will be to showcase groups that are new to the event. There will be a small reception following this year’s recital for faculty and students.


During this past year, I have had many opportunities to meet and work with our HED colleagues from around the state and am looking forward to many more in this coming year. Please do not hesitate to write me if you have any questions or ideas concerning the future activities of the Higher Ed Division. In the meantime, please accept my best wishes for a rewarding and successful school year!


2016 AMEA In-Service Conference Quick Facts


(The October issue of Ala Brevewill provide complete details of the conference, including the schedule, performing groups, clinicians, etc. This quick guide is provided in advance for your convenience.)


 Dates: January 21-23, 2016  Location: Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center and the Embassy Suites Hotel (across the street)


 Special Performance and Clinic by the Boston Brass  Two dynamic keynote speakers - Chris Woodside and Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser  Lobby performance applications are due by October 1. See the AMEA website for the form.  FAME applications are due by January 8. See the AMEA website for the form.


 Pre-register on-line (www.alabamamea.org) Or, print and mail the pre-registration form on page 33 of this issue.


 Reserve a room at the conference rate: Click on the link on the main page of the AMEA website. Or, call toll free: 800-266-9432 (Renaissance) 334-269-5055 (Embassy Suites)


10 August/September 2015


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