Carl Hancock, AMEA President


Celebrating 70 years of the Alabama Music Educators Association!


Happy Anniversary Friends!


This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Alabama Music Educators Association. Seventy years is a long time. Indeed, the AMEA is the same age as the United Nations and the film, It’s a Wonderful Life. Considering the growth of our association over seven decades, I would say the AMEA has had a wonderful ride, and is looking forward to a wonderful future.


We have become the leading organization promoting the advancement of music education in Alabama through our sponsorship of professional development, curricular support, and advocacy. Our organization comprises a rich history as shown in the contributions of members of our Hall of Fame, progressive initiatives shepherded by the 36 presidents of the AMEA, and stories documented in 61 years of the Ala Breve. The rich traditions of the AMEA that I want to reflect upon are our annual professional development conference and the Ala Breve.


The 2016 Professional Development Conference.


Minutes after the opening-night concert by Boston Brass, I found myself leading these incredible brass musicians off stage, into the foyer, and through a swarm of excited audience members eagerly awaiting a chance to get a photo with these incredible “rock stars.” As we made our way through the throng, tubist Sam Pilafian looked down at his dress shirt, studied it, raised his head, and with great enthusiasm said, “Carl, I popped a button off my shirt for you guys!”


The concert was sensational and, in my mind, Sam’s words captured the enthusiasm for this very special performance and our very special conference. We had historic attendance with 1,025 registrations and included musicians, scholars, and speakers from across the United States and Canada. This conference also hosted the largest number of vendors,


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conference sessions, and performing groups. A huge thank you to the performers, clinicians, and many others who made this conference the most successful on record for the AMEA. It would not have been possible without the hard work of the AMEA Governing Board. It is been a true privilege to work with the fine educators listed below, and I am honored to know them.


Garry Taylor, Executive Director and Ala Breve Editor


Susan Smith, President-elect Sara Womack, Immediate Past President Pat Stegall, Treasurer/Registrar Carla Gallahan, Recording Secretary


Mike Holmes, Alabama Bandmasters Association President


Sarah Schrader, Alabama Orchestra Association President


Carl Davis, Alabama Vocal Association President


Cliff Huckabee, Elementary/General Division President


James Zingara, Higher Education Division President


Thad Walker, Collegiate President


Ted Hoffman, Collegiate Advisor Becky Lightfoot, Industry Membership Representative


Andy Meadows, ASDOE, Fine Arts Specialist


It has been said that the success of the AMEA Conference lies in the hard work put in by the members of the board and the leaders of our various divisions. Once again, I have seen it first hand and I know it to be true. Thank you to these individuals for their tireless leadership.


The Ala Breve or is it Ala. Breve or Ala. breve? Regardless, it’s a great journal!


As our conference has grown so has our state magazine, the Ala Breve. In 1955, out forbearers took on the challenge of producing their very own state journal. The cover of the first issue carried the charge, “Thy name shall be ‘Ala. breve’, and thou art commanded to henceforth and continuously serve well and faithfully the music educators and students of Alabama.” It was an immediate success within and beyond Alabama.


BOSTON BRASS February/March 2016


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