president’s
message
WILLIAM McDEVITT 856-794-6800 x2539
billnjmea@aol.com
Website:
http://www.njmea.org
second chapter, the length of the first one must have been really intol- erable.
Y Arthur Conan Doyle
Some would consider a second chance a rarity, some a necessity. I on the other hand have found it to be an opportunity. There are only a few of us who have had the opportunity to hold this office twice and represent the music educators in the State of New Jersey. There are only a few of us who have had the opportunity to host an Eastern Division Confer- ence. There are only a few of us who have had the opportunity to work so closely with an amazing group of in- dividuals who want the best possible music education for the students in the State of New Jersey. I consider myself lucky and truly thankful for having been given that opportunity twice.
As I end my term, I have many people that I would like to thank for their contribution to our organiza- tion and the students in the state. I could not have done this without those that have gone before me and given me advice over the years. I
TEMPO
ou will, I am sure, agree with me that . . . if page 534 only finds us in the
would like to thank Joe Jacobs who most recently assumed that role. Joe has always been an excellent proof- reader and has an amazing memory. I am so glad to have had him around to check my important emails and articles before I send them.
Six years ago, I thanked Debbie Sfraga for her organizational memo- ry. There are few people that know the amount of work that Debbie has done to keep our organization legal- ly safe and solvent. While the office of President changes every two years, she has been there for decades mak- ing sure that the daily business of the organization does not change so the music teachers in the state can have their needs met. Not only do I thank you for these things, I also thank you for saying “No” when it had to be said. There aren’t a lot of people that take the risks that you have taken to maintain cohesion in our organiza- tion.
I would like to thank my Board
of Directors and their committees that have run every aspect of our organization. From the most visible All-State Ensembles to our Festivals, Conferences, and affiliate groups, you have all made me very proud of what we have accomplished. While I
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know that you are not thanked very often, I thank you and appreciate the time that you have volunteered for the students and teachers in our State.
I would finally like to thank you – the members of NJMEA – for what you do in the classroom every day for the students of New Jersey. We are in a much better place than we were six years ago, but I know that you are all still fighting to maintain what you have built. Don’t give up that fight. Your students are count- ing on you!
At the time of this writing, we
are eagerly anticipating the Eastern Division Conference in Atlantic City. It is a project that has been four years in the making. I remember sit- ting at a table in the Sports Bar at the Hilton in East Brunswick and discussing the possibility with a few people. That discussion grew into a beast! There are a few individuals that need to be thanked for bringing this project together:
Keith Hodgson – You made the pitch to the Eastern Division Board and took over as BOCJ Chair.
MAY 2017
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