President’s Message
As I write this column, it is Tanksgiving time, and I am in a frame of mind for embracing gratitude. Here are some things I am grateful for as MMEA President:
Karen Salvador
Working with the MMEA Board. Te MMEA board meets as a whole group three times a year, with ongoing committee work and event planning/execution in between. Prior to our meetings, each board member submits a report, and we all read each report before we meet in person. I love reading about all the amazing work that our board members and committees are achieving, and about their plans to continue to grow our organization’s professional development, student activities, and advocacy work. In our meetings dialogue focuses on moving music education forward and on our goal that every child in Michigan would have ongoing and sequential music education provided during school by a professional music educator. Because of this, the meetings are energizing and inspiring. I am humbled and grateful for the efforts of our board members, and enjoy the interplay of people from a variety of different places who teach all sorts of music to students of many ages. Even though each individual brings much, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
MMEA’s Executive Director. It may not be apparent from the outside, but our Exec- utive Director, Cory Micheel-Mays, is the glue that holds our organization together. With an elected executive committee and an appointed board, our organization could easi- ly stagnate or cease operations without staff to manage day-to–day operations, oversee finances, and coordinate events. Cory has been particularly impactful because of rela- tionships he has cultivated at the state depart- ment of education, with various arts and arts education organizations, and with lawmakers. I am grateful for his professionalism and ambition.
Michigan Music Conference. One of my favorite duties associated with being presi- dent of MMEA has been serving to organize the Michigan Music Conference. I began with two years on the Planning Committee and
am now well into my second year on the Ex- ecutive Board. It has been a privilege to serve alongside my colleagues from the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teacher’s As- sociation (MASTA), Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA), and Michi- gan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA). I have learned so much—not only about what it takes to run a conference attended by over 10,000 people each year, but also about the state of music education in Michigan. Te quality of collaboration among the organizations gives me hope.
I am also grateful for the MMC itself, as it brings together music educators across the state for some of the best professional devel- opment in the region. I love renewing my relationships with old friends and colleagues, meeting new people, watching them learn (and present!), and learning new things along with everyone else.
Advocating for Music Education for All Children. Because I believe in the power of music and I know what making music can do for all people, I am especially grateful that I get to fight for music education. As MMEA president, I get to meet with state and na- tional lawmakers to advocate for policies that would allow more kids in Michigan to have access to music education. I get to talk with people at the Michigan Department of Edu- cation and other arts and arts education orga- nizations about music education in schools. I am dedicated to increasing inclusion, equity, and responsiveness of music education, to- ward MMEA’s shared goal of music education for all children.
As you are approaching this new year I wonder if you would like to come join in the action? We are always looking for new people to serve on committees, and many hands make light work. Serving on a committee could be as simple as offering your space as a site, organizing a single or multiple events… or you could consider board membership, which is more ongoing leadership-oriented. Whatever your preference, I hope you’ll con- sider joining in. You can contact me or Cory for more information.
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