Dear Fellow Music Educators, Kelli Graham
Welcome to fall! (I can’t believe I am saying that once again!) This summer flew by and it was a busy and productive one for MMEA. In June, members from the Michigan Music Conference Execu- tive Board and Planning Committee met in Grand Rapids for a 2-day Strategic Planning session. Representatives from MMEA, MSVMA, MSBOA, and MAS- TA came together to brainstorm ways to make the MMC an even better event for attendees. I’m very excited to see some of the ideas created in this session devel- oped for implementation in future confer- ences!
Also in June, NAfME held its annual Na- tional Assembly in Tysons Corner, VA. Leadership from NAfME and various state MEAs gathered for meetings, work- shops, and association growth tasks. The National Assembly kicked off with one of my favorite events: Hill Day. Over 200 NAfME and State Association leaders, college students, and music education supporters joined together and descended upon Capitol Hill united with a common goal: Encourage lawmakers to strengthen the status of music by defining music as a “core” academic subject within the El- ementary and Secondary Education Act. Cory Micheel-Mays, MMEA Executive Director, Karen Salvador, MMEA Presi- dent-Elect, Michael Klepp, WMU Colle- giate Representative, and I met with five legislative offices that day: Senator Deb- bie Stabenow, Senator Gary Peters, Con- gressmen John Moolenaar, Congressman Mike Bishop, and Congressman Tim Walberg. It is our hope that through these meetings, members of both houses will support music education in the ESEA. As of early July, both the House and the Sen- ate passed their versions of the bill, with the Senate version defining music as a
core subject! Now, the two chambers are working through a conference committee to resolve differences between the two bills and come to a compromise that sat- isfies both the Senate and House. While music education took a tremendous step forward in the Senate version of the bill, now is the time to continue our advocacy efforts so that this provision is not lost in the conference committee’s delibera- tions. We will keep you updated regard- ing progress on this issue, and are hopeful a final decision will be reached before the holidays.
Back in Michigan, I know many of us teachers are getting ready for the holidays. MMEA program chairs, committees and region representatives are also prepar- ing for another great year of offerings. In October, we started with our 3rd annual Elementary General Fall Workshop. This year, the workshop was held at Michigan State University and our headliner was David Frego. NAfME held its National In-Service Oct 25-28 in Nashville. Many more MMEA events will follow in winter and spring. I hope to see you at the great upcoming MMEA events this year!
While I relished every bit of summer and the warm weather, I have looking forward to returning to the smiling fac- es of my students, and I am sure many of you have done so as well. As always, keep connected to MMEA through the website (
MMEAmichigan.org), Face- book (MMEA Michigan), Twitter (@ MMEAMichigan) and Pinterest (www.
pinterest.com/MIMUSICED/). Wishing you a fantastic fall!
Kelli Graham MMEA President
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President’s Message
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