May/June 2023 Ala Breve

ala breve May/June 2023 The Official Publication of the Alabama Music Educators Association AMEA HILL DAY 2023 www.myamea.org

UNA The University of North Alabama Department of Music offers scholarships to qualified music majors and minors in all instrumental, vocal, and piano programs through auditions. Participants in University Ensembles may be eligible for a Performance Award, regardless of their academic major. Audition Dates: November 11, 2022 January 27, 2023 February 25, 2023 March 18, 2023 Contact us una.edu/music ● 256.765.4375 Degrees [email protected] ● @unamusic1 Bachelor of Music in Performance • Instrumental • Piano • Vocal Bachelor of Arts or Science in Music • Instrumental • Vocal / Choral Bachelor of Science in Education • Choral Music, P-12 • Instrumental Music, P-12 Minor • Music Certificates • Musical Theatre • Percussion Specialist

2022-2023 On-Campus and Video Auditions Winds and Brass Auditions Each Member of the January 7, 2023 Jaguar Marching Band Receives a Scholarship! February 11, 2023 March 18, 2023 Full-Band Travel April 1, 2023 Opportunities to Away Games and Exhibitions! Colorguard Audition April 2023 No Fees and No Fundraising! Drumline Audition March 2023 USA offers in-state tuition to all out-of-state students awarded an admission scholarship for academic merit at the time of admission To View Audition Requirements and Apply visit: www.jaguarmarchingband.org March in the New Hancock Whitney Stadium! University of South Alabama, Laidlaw Performing Arts Center 1072 5751 USA Drive South Mobile AL 36688 | 251-460-6136 | [email protected] www.jaguarmarchingband.org| facebook.com/jaguarmarchingband





























Sarah McLendon-  President, Elementary/General Division Life Isn’t a Line Life isn’t a line, but a circle. The Hillcrest Elementary Choir ending of each year brings with it a new beginning. We should always be striving to make our program better than the year before. Think back on the school year. What went well; what did not go as well? Which lesson did you knock out of the park; which lesson was a total flop? What amazing things did you accomplish; what did you not? This circle is ending, but a new one will soon begin. We had our first Music Education Hill As you know, my two year term as Treasurer: Devin Lacy Day this past March. The choirs from Elementary Division President is Past President: Sarah McLendon Hillcrest and Rucker Boulevard coming to an end. It has been a pleasure Festival Director: Melissa McIntyre Elementary performed at the Capitol. serving you. You have elected a State Senator Josh Carnley said, “It was wonderful slate of officers who stand We have started planning our annual so special for me to see the future of poised and ready to take the helm in AMEA Professional Development our town and nation stand with June. Conference. Our 2024 conference will confidence as they performed.” Your newly elected Elementary Board is be in Huntsville, on January 18 - 20, Remember to advocate for your as follows: 2024. Some of you may not know how program. The best advocate for your items are selected for Conference. We program is you! Use #ala4musiced President: Alicia Luttrell love to showcase the talent from around when you post to social media about President Elect: Jason Jackson the state! This year we are going to add your program. Secretary: Melissa Galanopolous an Elementary All State Choir. Check your email this fall for more As we move forward into 2023, I am information. Please consider applying excited for music education in Alabama. for your choral or instrumental group to perform at the conference. It is a lot of Rucker Boulevard Elementary Choir extra work, but it is so worth it. Your students would love to be on that stage. The board goes through the applications and listens to the recordings to select the performances for the year. We would also love for you to be a presenter. What are you passionate about? Some of our best interest sessions have come from our fellow Alabama music teachers. Please consider sharing your wonderful ideas with us. We can only pick from what 18 May/June 2023

has been submitted; if no one submits, It is time to recharge our batteries. “The then there is nothing from which to best six doctors...are sunshine, water, choose. We usually have a great variety rest, air, exercise, and diet.” Enjoy your of submissions, but would love to have summer break and get ready for the new more! We would love for you to share circle to begin. with us! Both conference applications can be Upcoming Dates: The ending of found on the myamea.org webpage each year brings https://myamea.org/conference-apply/. East Alabama Workshop, Saturday, he deadline to apply is June 1st. August 26, 2023, 9am-1pm, Grace with it a new It is time to renew your NAfME United Methodist Church, Auburn, AL beginning. membership. Do so quickly so that you will not miss any fun PD sessions and Elementary Music Festival, Friday, conferences. October 27th, 2023; Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham, We want to stay in touch with you and Alabama reach out to those who are not members of AMEA. Please email us at Joint Fall Workshop sponsored by [email protected] to update Elementary/General Division of your information and please share this AMEA, AOSA, and SHAKE, Saturday, address with those who you know are October 28th not members. 2024 AMEA Professional Development Conference, January 18 - 20, 2024, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL Music at William Carey University The Winters School of Music invites you 2022/2023 Scholarship FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA to be a part of the William Carey family! @wmcareymusic Audition Days • Compe琀琀ve Scholarships for Undergraduate For More Music Majors and Non-Music Majors Friday, November 11 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Information Friday, January 13 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Mississippi’s FIRST All-Steinway School Friday, March 24 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Scan this QR Code • Undergraduate degrees o昀ered in Music Educa琀on, Worship Leadership, To reserve an audi琀on day or request a 琀me Worship Technology, Music Therapy, Performance, Dance, and more! that works be琀er for you, please email 19 [email protected] or call 601-318-6175. • FULLY ONLINE Doctor of Arts in Music, Master of Music Educa琀on, Master of Music in Worship Studies Save the Dates • Common-sense entrance requirements • Taught by caring, Chris琀an professionals Carey Honor Choir • October 21-22 • Masters degrees completed in one calendar year Carey Honor Band • February 23-25 • DA in Music coursework completed in two years Carey Jazz Fes琀val • March 25 • A昀ordable tui琀on ala breve

Favorite Jazz Ensemble Recordings By Dr. Andy Nevala, Chris Kozak, and Dr. Dave Camwell Greetings from the Alabama Jazz I choose my listening examples for each At JSU, we have 4 big bands, each at a Collective! Dr. Andy Nevala, ensemble based on what we are different ability level, and I purchase my Chris Kozak, and Dr. Dave performing. The Essentially Ellington charts from several places to provide Camwell each provide a brief review of Charts are all transcriptions from the music for each group. For the new and the Jazz Ensemble literature they are Ellington performances; the recordings contemporary pieces, I look first at the performing with their ensembles, and are a must if you are playing any of new ijazzmusic.com, which has a great give a glimpse into our favorite Jazz these, as the charts are accurate and always continually updated Ensemble recordings! representations of what was being selection, for all levels. Ejazzlines.com performed. For a Basie selection, the also has great selection of old and new Dr. Andy Nevala, Director of Jazz “Live At the Sands (Before Frank)” charts, from Easy Jazz Ensemble Packs Studies, Jacksonville State University album is one the best representations of to grade 5 historical reenactments from a Jazz Ensemble that is Swingin’! They famous bands! Of course, JW Pepper Jazz is a language, made up of many would play a warm-up set before Frank has many great things as well. What is different dialects from around the world. Sinatra came out, which was recorded, different these days is that many of the A person wouldn’t learn how to speak and those guys were on fire. Another newer arrangements and compositions Italian or French without hearing what great album in that style is “A Tribute to are being sold by the arranger/ it’s supposed to sound like, right? It’s the Count Basie” featuring pianist Gene composer directly, without the middle- same for Jazz: you can’t perform it Harris. This is a studio recording, but it man taking his cut. They will also have without listening and hearing it. There is still has that live energy! I’ve been links to the recordings, done by no substitute for listening when it comes following the WDR Big Band (Cologne, professional groups. Another to playing jazz, period. So, where do you Germany), the HR Big Band (Frankfurt consideration is to bring in a guest artist start, exactly? It starts with your concert Radio Big Band), and the Jazz at Lincoln that will send you their charts to play programming. I try to do at least one Center Orchestra, which all have great (and keep for later), a win-win! Essentially Ellington or Count Basie YouTube visibility, and all are Write/Arrange for your ensemble, and Orchestra selection, one Afro-Caribbean performing the great standards and new have the students arrange songs for your or Bossa/Samba selection, a new(ish) commissions and arrangements. Those group. If you want to play the new #1 composition, a modern groove groups are the best examples of what hit out there, arrange it yourself! We selection, and a vocal chart with each big bands should sound like these days, recently had a performance where we group every semester. and they are always pushing the were requested to play hit songs from envelope in Jazz Performance. 20 May/June 2023

the group “Alabama”. There aren’t any music you’d have your bands play. I have and imaginative arrangements of all the available for purchase for big band, so certainly fallen prey to selecting a piece famous “PLANETS” by Gustav Holst. we arranged them ourselves! of literature that may have been slightly Successfully transferring large and out of reach for my band because it was famous orchestral works to jazz Christopher Kozak, Director of Jazz something that I had connected with. ensemble takes considerable skill and Studies, and Instructor of Double and While that can be a difficult realization, craft, and the result is fabulous. Levy’s Electric Jazz Bass, University of having a goal to play toward can be ensemble is made up of well-known jazz Alabama. incredibly rewarding for all if achieved. musicians based in Los Angeles, Recently, The University of Alabama California, and the level of I have recently revisited listening to Jazz Ensemble played Duke Ellington’s improvisation and style is very high. several modern Jazz Big Band Albums: “Black, Brown, and Beige Suite” and “The Joe Henderson’s “Big Band” Album, Mel Far East Suite” for our chamber concert. Many of the movements of this album Lewis’s “Soft Lights and Hot Music,” and While some of that material is very feature re-imaginations of the original Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society’s difficult, specific movements like “Work music into Latin grooves; Mars is one “Infernal Machines.” With contrasting Song” and “Blue Pepper (Far East of the example that uses a piano montuno to styles and levels of complexity to their Blues)” would be a fine addition to most great effect. The phrase structure is arrangements, they all contain some any band’s repertoire and are certainly quite true to the original scores in many unbelievably exciting and difficult music within reach of most groups. These places, so anyone familiar with this that is definitely worthy of adding to historically significant pieces carry with music will recognize the musical your listening playlists. One album that I them all of the hallmarks of traditional material. The genius of these keep coming back to is from my favorite Jazz Big Band playing but also have an arrangements is how Levy skillfully Trumpeter and Flugelhornist, Tom air of “classical” sophistication that interweaves the familiar melodies into a Harrell. “Time’s Mirror” is a collection of some programs can use to their wholly new structure that really works in his own Big Band arrangements that are advantage when recruiting players from jazz, and in particular, for jazz ensemble. a lesson in the art of Big Band their concert bands. These charts were This music is available on all streaming composition, arranging, and performing. recently made available for purchase for platforms and can be purchased here: With an outstanding lineup of musicians the first time and can be found https://www.jlevymusic.com/planets that exercise all of the extremes of at eJazzlines.com and JWPepper.com.    intense solos and masterful ensemble The useful part of the YouTube videos playing, it is a true delight to listen to. Dr. Dave Camwell, Director of Jazz is that you can see the scores, and so see While these arrangements are nearly Studies, Troy University. if they are an appropriate level for your impossible to find, the listening alone band. In my opinion, strong high school would be beneficial to any High School I have been listening to the Jeremy Levy bands could play Jupiter, so perhaps or College band. His handling of one Big Band recently, enjoying his excellent your next program can have a standard in particular, “Autumn Leaves” is “universal” appeal! a template that I use in my Arranging class on how to “sculpt” or devise an arrangement and about how parts work together over a specific tune and its form. That fresh take on a standard that can sometimes be thought of as “overplayed” in Jazz educational scenarios is only one track, but the entire album has moments that capture all of the elements of what a Jazz Ensemble should sound like. It is an excellent example of the Jazz language and ensemble playing to share with your students!  As a Jazz Ensemble director and Jazz educator, it can be hard to separate the music you love listening to and the ala breve 21

Joel Henson- President, Alabama Bandmasters Association The Coda is Here! Alabama Bandmasters Association The beginning of my time as ABA We were very fortunate to have world- Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, to see to it President made the end class clinicians at this year’s festival. The that our students could count on a bittersweet! Serving in a leadership Middle  School White Band was positive All-State experience. A special role during the pandemic was not for the conducted by Jack Wilds. Jack is a prolific debt of gratitude is owed to our outgoing faint of heart. Numerous meetings, big composer and exposed our students to District Chairmen Stuart Tankesley (I), decisions, and disappointments were the new and exciting music. The Middle Jeremy Willis (III), Dakota Bromley (V), norm. Navigating through virtual School Red Band was conducted by Dr. Meredyth Petersen (VII), Ben Posey (Jazz auditions, virtual assessments, and Arris Golden who serves as Associate Chair), and Terry Ownby (Past President). mitigation strategies was necessary to Director of Bands at Michigan State Terry will be leaving the board after keep our association viable during such a University. She really pushed her students serving 20 years in various capacities. difficult time. However, as I sat and to play a very challenging program with There is no way the association can watched 800-plus instrumental music such artistry The Blue Band was function without dedicated people like students make incredible music this past conducted by Dr. Ben Lorenzo Director these. It has been an honor to serve weekend, it made it all worth it. Band is of Bands at Kent State University. His alongside you. alive and well in Alabama.    perfect combination of humor and As my term as President of the Alabama The All State Festival 2023 was once musicianship led to a great performance Bandmasters Association comes to a again a successful musical experience for by this ensemble. The White Band was close, I am filled with a sense of relief the band students in the state of conducted by Dr. Rebecca Phillips and gratitude. It really doesn’t hit you that Alabama. The event commenced with the Director of Bands at Colorado State you have been entrusted with this huge All-State Solo Festival. It was a great University. This group’s rendition of Eric responsibility until it becomes real. It’s display of the amazing student musicians Whitacre’s Sleep was simply stunning. hard to believe that a small-town in our state. The finalists were: Noah Lastly, our Red Band was conducted by trombone player from rural Walker Bender, Madeline Cagle, Emma Coley, the highly acclaimed composer and County, Alabama would ever be entrusted Kayin Hardy, Ellen Head, Chandler clinician Dr. Frank Ticheli. Their with the privilege of serving in this Myhan, Victoria Nail, Koen Pritchard, performance was spectacular! I was really capacity. Over the past few years, I have Yukino Shichinohe, and Olivia Tures. moved by Omar Thomas’ Of Our New had the privilege of working with a Being a finalist for this prestigious event Day Begun and amazed by his new dedicated team of individuals who share is a huge honor. The All-State Soloist composition Lux Perpetua. my passion for music education and the Finalist winner for 2023 was saxophonist The All-State Festival is a huge band students in Alabama. As I reflect on Yukino Shichinohe from Cullman High undertaking for the Alabama my time as president, I am grateful to School. Bandmasters Association. The District I have had the opportunity to serve in this band directors, led by chairman Stuart role and look forward to continuing to ABA President Joel Henson passes Tankesley and President-Elect Keith support President-Elect Lori Hart to the gavel to Presidetn-Elect Lori Hart Anderson, worked tirelessly to make this promote music education in any way that event successful. Another aspect of I can. making our event run smoothly is the Lastly, the Summer Conference will be outstanding band hosts and percussion back at the Perdido Beach Resort. This techs for each ensemble. Jon Bubbett and event is also later in the month (June 20- Kevin Ownby (Red), Heather Henson 22). Registration for the conference will and Doug Teuscher (White), Damon open on May 1, 2023. Information about McAllister and Alex White (Blue), David the Summer Conference can be found on Caddell and Courtney Lankford (MS our website: www.alaband.org. This is a White), and Connie and Tim Hammond great way to celebrate a successful year and Josh Lynch (MS Red) served in this and kick off a new one. It is also one of capacity for us this year. Our clinicians the few times that directors have the were impressed with their organization, opportunity to receive professional commitment, and professionalism during development while enjoying their families the entire experience with the Alabama at the same time. The ocean, beach, and Bandmasters Association. ABA Executive outstanding seafood are an added bonus! Officers Lori Hart, William Mixon, Terry Hope to see you there! Thank you all for Ownby, Ben Posey, and Nick McDonald, your support during my tenure. and Executive Secretary Doug Farris Now….it’s time to take the Coda! worked together, along with our District 22 May/June 2023

First Chair Red Band First Chair White Band Piccolo Rachel Strong Covenant Christian Academy Piccolo Aldyn Falkenberry Oak Mountain High School Flute Lauren Tillman Sparkman High School Flute Emma Coley Hewitt-Trussville High School Oboe Michael Algarin Montgomery Catholic Prep Oboe Rachel Rowland Grissom High School Bassoon Elias Loo Sparkman High School Bassoon Nicholas Muir Enterprise High School Clarinet Ashlyn Berry Vestavia Hills High School White Band Clarinet Gloria Phillips Pelham HS/MS Bass Clarinet Liam Grapperhaus Covenant Christian Academy Bass Clarinet Jacob Knowles Mcadory High School Contra Clarinet Hannah Kelley Enterprise High School Contra Bass Clarinet Joshua Schlerf Weaver High School Alto Sax Yukino Shichinohe Cullman High School Alto Sax Samuel Chen Vestavia Hills High School Tenor Sax Thomas Washer Helena High School Tenor Saxo James Bagley Lee Scott Academy Bari Sax Elijah Putman Cullman High School Trumpet Noah Bender Hewitt-Trussville High School Baritone Sax Elijah Boyd Hoover High School French Horn Madeline Cagle Spain Park High School Trumpet Caleb Wilson James Clemens HS Trombone Kayin Hardy Daphne High School French Horn Carter Robinson Austin High School Trombone Andrew Vo Baker High School Baritone Connor Lovette Vestavia Hills High School Baritone Ephraim Nunnally Mortimer Jordan High School Tuba Drake Miller Vestavia Hills High School Tuba James Ezra Brown Saint James School String Bass Noah Sugg Fairhope High School Percussion Victoria Nail Oak Mountain High School String Bass Abram Griffith Scrollworks Music School Percussion Mandy Gregory Alabama Christian Academy First Chair Blue Band Solo Festival Finalists (Left to Right) Kayin Hardy - Daphne High School, Victoria Nail - Oak Mountain High Piccolo Luke Pinion Hewitt-Trussville High School School, Chandler Myhan - Muscle Shoals High School, Koen Pritchard - Flute Maggie Tonsmeire Huntsville High School Oboe Tori Smith Huntsville High School Hewitt Trussville High School, Olivia Tures - Daphne High School Bassoon Aidan Blum Montgomery Catholic Prep Yukino Shichinohe - Cullman High School, Madeline Cagle - Spain Park Clarinet Maria Levio Pelham HS/MS High School, Noah Bender - Hewitt Trussville High School, Emma Coley Bass Clarinet Tyler Simposon St Clair County HS - Hewitt Trussville High School, Ellen Head - Haleyville High School Contra Clarinet Addison Young Trinity Christian School Solo Festival Winner: Alto Sax Austin Horne Daleville High School Yukino Shichinohe, Tenor Sax Carter Ingram Marbury High School Cullman High School Baritone Sax Christian Kime Straughn High School Trumpet Joshua Wortham James Clemens HS French Horn Claus Na Vestavia Hills High School Trombone Gibson Purser Bob Jones High School Baritone Ben Bailey Hewitt-Trussville High School Tuba Charlie Grimes Bob Jones High School String Bass Ian Martin Robertsdale High School Percussion Matthew Diffey Oak Mountain High School ala breve 23

First Chair Middle School Red Band First Chair Middle School White Band Piccolo Jolie Vaughn Rainbow Middle School Flute Cadee Niu Baldwin Arts Flute Annika Dalton Pizitz Middle School Tuscaloosa Magnet MS Oboe Sofia Cagle Berry Middle School Oboe Josh Deng Pizitz Middle School Bassoon Ellah Ingram Wetumpka Middle School Bassoon Daniel Su Chelsea Middle School Clarinet Jenna Owens Decatur Heritage Christian Academy Clarinet Erin Talley Oak Mountain Middle Bass Clarinet Silas Conti Liberty Middle School Bass Clarinet Anu Falola Hewitt-Trussville Middle School Contra Clarinet Sumehra Shaik Phillips Preparatory School Alto Sax Samantha Li Chelsea Middle School Contra Clarinet Olivia Harbin Montgomery Catholic Preparatory Tenor Sax Landon Cain Albertville Middle School Alto Sax Samuel Butte Muscle Shoals Middle School Baritone Sax Dago Franco Tenor Sax Rishi Patel Dauphin Jr. High School Liberty Middle School Trumpet Claire Ellenburg Liberty Middle School Baritone Sax Jack Courson Central Baldwin Middle School French Horn Isabella Weber Trumpet Aidan McDavid Hampton Cove Middle School Montevallo HS/MS French Horn Makenzie Howell Daphne Middle School Trombone Will Hayes Oak Mountain Middle Trombone Ethan Sze Auburn Junior High School Baritone Andy Brislin Bumpus Middle School Baritone Shelby O'Linger Briarwood Christian School Hampton Cove Middle School Tuba Akira Osuka Tuba Jude Williams Monrovia Middle String Bass Natalie Dale Oak Mountain Middle Pizitz Middle School Percussion Liam Anners String Bass Avie Thompson Auburn Junior High School Percussion Tripp Beasley Ashleigh Kiesel, recipient of the Phi Beta Mu Lamar Triplett Memorial Scholarship, flanked by ABA President Joel Henson and President-Elect Lori Hart 2023 Phi Beta Mu ABA Hall of Fame Inductee John Bradley 2023 Phi Beta Mu ABA Hall of Fame Inductee Harry McAfee 24 2023 Phi Beta Mu Honorary Member Frank Buck May/June 2023

COLLECT • SHARE • INSPIRE CONGRATULATIONS! Columbiana M.S. Band Columbiana, AL “Free Beginner Program” North Jefferson M.S. Band The Advocacy in Action Kimberly, AL Awards program is designed to “Our Band” collect, recognize, and share APPLICATIONS effective practices and initiatives OPEN NOW! that support music education in our schools. We hope that by celebrating these programs, we can inspire others to lead by example and take action in their own programs and communities. VISIT ADVOCACY.MUSICFORALL.ORG

Teacher Profile Performance and a Master’s in Conducting also from USM. During the Harold (Jody) Powell year between my Bachelor’s degree and Master’s Degrees, I attended the Höchschule für Darstellunde Kunst- “Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria where I received a Certificate of Performance. I am currently serving as Vice President of the Alabama Vocal Association, have served AVA as a District Chair for 18 years, AVA Treasurer for 2 years, and President of AVA. I am happily married to my wife, Missy Powell for 37 years. We have worked in the same classroom every day for the past 21 years. We have 2 children, Joseph and Marc, who grew up through our program, and one granddaughter, Ellis. Joseph is the Director of Choirs at White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee. Editor: Why did you decide on a Editor’s Note: Each Teacher Profile spotlights a different music educator career in music education? from across the full spectrum of AMEA - new teachers, experienced teachers, retired teachers, and teachers from each of AMEA’s different HJP: After being offered a full divisions. This issue features Harold (Jody) Powell. scholarship to Auburn University to major in electrical engineering, I made Editor: Briefly tell us about your current position, how the decision to pursue music as a career. My high school long you’ve been there, and a little about your choir director arranged an audition with Dr. David Foltz schedule. and he offered me a full scholarship to USM. I am so glad that I made that decision. Having worked in my Dad’s HJP: I am currently Director of Choirs and Theatre at St. engineering firm during summers and holidays for many Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama. I am finishing years during high school and college, I realized that was not my 37th year at St. Paul’s. Our schedule is a 7-period day my passion. Now I go to school every day and create music. where the first 2 periods and the last period rotate each day Editor: Who are some of your teachers/colleagues that so we see a different period at the beginning of each 3rd you would consider mentors and why? day. Editor: Tell us about your background – hometown, HJP: Having been influenced and mentored by many college, family, etc. professors and colleagues, I took tutelage from people such as Dr. William Bullock, Patricia Marsh, and Eleanor Nation. HJP: A native of Mobile, I graduated from UMS With the tools and tricks that these folks taught me, I was Preparatory School, currently UMS-Wright, and now live in able to put together a tool bag of devices that help every day my childhood home. I received my Bachelor of Music in in the choral classroom and on the stage. Vocal Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and then received a Master’s Degree in Vocal Editor: Name one accomplishment that fills you with pride so far in your career. 26 May/June 2023

HJP: I am heavily involved in my church, where I sing in the adult choir and serve as the assistant director. I sing bass and play keyboard in a Southern Gospel quartet called The Messengers. I am also a substitute organist that has to get up on Sunday mornings and figure out what denomination I am that day. In addition, I perform in a combo that plays for wedding receptions, parties, and other events. Editor: Lastly, what are your interests or hobbies not related to your teaching position? HJP: One accomplishment in my career that fills me with HJP:: Other interests not relating to my teaching position pride was the opportunity to perform in St. Peter’s Basilica are playing a table game called Warhammer 40K. A friend in Rome, Italy. Our Chamber Singers performed as the of mine and I build and paint all of the terrain and table guest choir for the 5:00 pm mass. When the service was settings and use our 28mm models to play the game. Some over, we even received a note from Pope Francis which read games last for days. “Bravissimi!”, signed “Francis”. Editor: Can you condense your philosophy of life and Editor: What would your students be surprised to find teaching down to a few sentences? out about you? HJP: I have learned in life that you are only going to get out HJP: One of the things that my students would be surprised of something what you are willing to put into it. Be it my to find out about me is that I am an avid family, my faith, my profession, or anything else. Making miniature model builder. I have over 5000 music and being a part of the creative process is the joy of 28mm models that I have built and painted. my life. I enjoy going to work every day and hardly ever feel that it is a job. Soli Deo Gloria! Editor: How do you spend your summer breaks? HJP: When not in school during the summer and on some holiday breaks I run a home repair/construction company. We build lots of decks, pergolas, custom cabinetry, and many other renovations. This is a great financial factor in that being a school teacher, as you all well know, is such a lucrative profession. Editor: Are you involved in other music- Jody Powell conducting the St. Paul’s Episcopal School related activities in addition to your Chamber Choir in Frascati, Italy teaching position? If so, please explain. ala breve 27

Hilen Wilson President, Alabama Vocal Association AVA UPDATES All-State AMEA Summer Board Thank you again to everyone who We will be moving to Huntsville for the This year’s Summer Board meeting will be contributed to making this year’s All-State 2024 AMEA Professional Development held on June 25-27. If you have feedback Choral Festival a success. This event Conference. Our guest clinician will be or any items you would like me to add to would not be possible without so many Dr. Francis Cathalina who serves as the our agenda for discussion and review of you being willing to serve as choir Director of Choral Activities at the during our meeting, please provide that to coordinators, transportation coordinators, University of Memphis. me through written feedback before June rehearsal monitors, concert coordinators, 1. You may do that by emailing me at and so many other jobs. It takes all of our Please consider submitting to present a [email protected] or by wonderful directors to put on such a session or to have your choir perform at completing the membership survey that successful event. I hope the festival was the conference. The deadline to apply is was sent to your email at the beginning of a wonderful experience for your students June 1 and the application may be found May. and that they brought their enthusiasm on the AMEA website under the back to your choir rooms. “Conference” tab under “Apply to I hope you all have a wonderful summer Perform or Present.” There were so and can find some time to reflect on this At our general membership meeting, we many great performances and sessions at school year and to rest and refocus for discussed forming a teacher committee to the conference this year, so please submit this coming fall. If I can be of help to reevaluate our All-State audition process. so we can continue highlighting the you in any way, please let me know. Please be looking for an email from me excellent choral music from across our regarding the next steps. If you have not state. I look forward to seeing you all at Fall already indicated that you would like to be Workshop! part of that committee, please contact me. Honor Choir Hilen We will be returning to the BJCC for All- During this year’s AMEA Professional State Choral Festival on February Development Conference, we will have 29-March 2, 2024. I look forward to our Honor Choir Festival for 9th-12th seeing you all there. grade students. Dr. Valerie Harris from Miles College will be joining us as our Fall Workshop clinician for our gospel honor choir. Directors can send up to 2 balanced We had a wonderful time this past year at quartets and students will learn all music the University of Montevallo and we are on-site during the festival. so excited to return there this fall! Our clinician this year will be Matthew ASSC Gawronski. Please go ahead and mark your calendars for September 8 and make Thank you so much to everyone who plans to join us! participated in our All-State Show Choir If you have anything you would like to Festival. Thank you again to Cameron present at Fall Workshop or if you have Johnson for running such a successful ideas for sessions, please let me know. event as Show Choir Coordinator and to Jim Schaeffer at Spain Park High School for hosting. Next year’s show choir festival will be April 10-12, 2024. 28 May/June 2023

AVA All-State Honors and Awards Pat Blackwell Music Education Winners: District I: Cameron Hubbard, Decatur HS District II: Emma Chambless, Tusc.Co.HS District III: Eli Hollingsworth, McAdory HS District IV: Parker Ragsdale: Alexandria HS District VI: Olivia Seale Esposito, Auburn HS District VII: Macayla Wiggins, Saraland HS Treble OCS Winners: District I: Kate Powell, Florence HS District II: Noelle Douglas, Paul W. Bryant HS District III: Cordelia Fox, Spain Park HS District V: Katelyn McAllister, Buckhorn HS District VI: Olivia Seale Esposito, Auburn HS District VII: Anna O'Neal, Gulf Shores HS Tenor-Bass OCS Winners: 29 District I: Preston Lumpkins, Mars Hill District II: Justin Morton, Paul W. Bryant HS District III: Triston Allen, Gardendale HS District IV: Parker Ragsdale, Alexandria HS District V: Dayshaun Oti, Hazel Green HS District VI: Connor Hawthore, Auburn HS District VII: Jordan Guyton, Ben C. Rain HS ala breve

The First Year as a Teaching Assistant in the School of Music - A Story of a Chinese Student by Siyu Tian When I decided to write this article, I was in my eighth higher education systems. When I asked other friends why they year as a music teacher and my second year teaching were afraid to teach in a classroom, their answers were similar– music in the United States. I spent four years (2013- our cultural background and music learning experience made it 2017) in China to complete my undergraduate degree in piano a great challenge to integrate ourselves into the American music performance. Before coming to the United States, I worked as education system. Based on my own experience and that of a music teacher in both educational institutions and public people around me, I think it is harrowing and inefficient for schools for four years. In 2021, I started as a teaching assistant international teaching assistants to improve their workability only at the University of Alabama and was involved in the Pre-K through their own experience. My experience as an international music program and teaching an introductory music course to teaching assistant working for the school of music is like a story education majors. Before I started working, I was full of about an adventure that should be documented–that’s why I anticipation, excitement, and confidence about my new role as wrote it in the first place. It also reveals from some angles that I thought I had enough experience to teach with high quality. international teaching assistants in music majors urgently need However, the reality has not been as smooth as I expected. In the additional help and training. past year, I have experienced many difficulties in working as a GTA and received a lot of feedback from many different voices. Language - not just lectures People with music-related diplomas from other countries are U.S. universities require language test scores on scholarship often hesitant to take teaching assistant jobs in the US, preferring applications to ensure TAs have qualified spoken English. TAs administrative work that doesn’t involve interacting with are expected to give approximately 10 subject-related students. One of my friends is a doctoral student majoring in presentations during training unless admission requirements piano performance who told me she would be satisfied if she specify language scores. This step is considered the main TA could work in an American primary school after graduation– In training process, which enables the trainer to effectively improve fact, her background and level are fully qualified to teach in the delivery ability of teaching, but it is not enough for me. Learning is not as simple as making students understand some 30 May/June 2023

musical concepts in a real music class. Unlike other subjects, richer and more precise language to explain music pieces and interaction is the most common way of teaching music. Teachers give comments for students’ opinions. Reimer emphasized the need to use clever language, behaviors, and expression to get importance of explicitness and precision in talking about everyone engaged in. I had a shortage of this age-appropriate teaching and learning because speaking and writing precisely will American language in my repertoire, and I used weak phrases lead to thinking precisely as a teacher. This brings new challenges like “Let’s try it” or “Please sing with me.” These statements are to international teaching assistants who are weak in their very effective in a Pre-K class but often do not work in a college language. That’s why I think pre-service training should focus class. It is difficult to motivate some volunteers to share their on subject differences. musical performances in class. As an international teaching assistant, I also had to face some For international teaching assistants, the existence of language very insecure moments due to the language barrier when I teach. barriers is closely related to their cultural background. “Criss- In a class explaining rhythm types, I came across an exercise cross applesauce” is an idiomatic verbal phrase generally used asking for the name of a rhythm type. The standard answer was by nursery school and primary school teachers to children, a dotted eighth note and a sixteenth note. I do not think this sometimes followed by “spoons in the bowl” to mean “hands in answer is certainly the name of this rhythm pattern, so I tell the your lap.” Most Americans perhaps would not expect an students “Ignore this problem since this way is pointless, and international teaching assistant to look puzzled when they hear kind of stupid; we should not think rhythm patterns can be titled this phrase. But this is a phrase that I have never seen on the in this way.” I suddenly noticed that all the students had shocked TOEFL or GRE, which would appear at the beginning of every looks on their faces with several making comments on how they class in the Pre-K class. Such language barriers are unique to the can’t believe I said that. I realized that I had used a word that they plight of international teaching assistants. I try to remember would find “rude.” From my experience, “stupid” is certainly these phrases in class, translate them afterward, and speak to not a “cuss word.” Its context is more important than its students in the next class. This may be a rite of passage for non- meaning, which is why I use it. However, for the next ten native English speakers when teaching abroad, but I always minutes, I was in a state of trepidation. I am not at all confident thought that if there were a class available to teach international in explaining to students why I used this word, because I am not teaching assistants these idioms, their teaching level would sure if my reasons are valid in the American cultural context. I improve much faster. think that teaching assistants’ training courses should probably consider teaching them which words are not appropriate for the Some language barriers come from differences in the learning actual classroom because their learning and life experiences are experience. My knowledge tells me that as a teacher, pointing completely derived from textbooks or the Internet, not real life out students’ mistakes should be a basic responsibility and job in the United States. requirement. In my first semester of teaching, I commented on the students’ playing, stating “your rhythm is wrong,” or “your Teaching - not just administration fingering is wrong.” Chinese students will not feel any discomfort in the face of such comments, because the classroom In addition to language, teaching assistants face various in Chinese culture is an efficient place for correcting mistakes. challenges in their work. For example, ITAs need to face After reading a lot of comments from local teachers in the additional challenges stemming (primarily) from their United States, I was surprised to find that almost no one would “foreignness” and a lack of sociocultural competence. ITAs may make such comments about the students’ playing. They would be exceptionally brilliant students in their fields of study. use euphemisms like “could you try the rhythm of this piece However, the lack of competence in U.S. classroom culture again?” to mean their mistake in rhythm. I am not a rude creates an additional layer of challenges compared to the personality, but the language barrier establishes a rude image in experiences of domestic teaching assistants. Due to the different front of students in the American cultural context. growth environments, the differences between international and native English speaker teaching assistants far exceed the The characteristics of the music discipline are also a linguistic language differences. The root of the difference lies in the lack challenge for music teachers. Not only do international teaching of artistic ability in the “new” culture. Different practices in assistants need to be aware of this difference, but local teachers teaching, planning, and curriculum implementation, these also have difficulties in using accurate language. Not only aspects (and many more) together make up music teaching and because people interpret music differently, but they also vary between cultures. In my first year as a teaching assistant, experience their bodies differently. Two people might react the gap caused by my cultural background became my biggest differently to the same instruction– “relax your wrist and use challenge after the language barrier. the power of your fingers to touch the keys.” At the same time, the characteristics of aesthetic education –freedom, equality, and When all students are laughing, I sometimes get confused about openness decide that in music appreciation class, teachers require what people are laughing about. No teacher wants to admit that ala breve 31

their class is boring and laughing with students over the same Advice for international teaching assistants point is part of building a healthy teacher-student relationship. This challenge is the toughest because no one can help the Based on my experience, I would like to offer some advice to teacher and there is no immediate change I can make in the international teaching assistants who are struggling with short term, so I always need to overcome some psychological teaching music in America. These lessons come from reflecting barrier in those moments. After my first semester, I tried to be on some of my failures and some self-summary of success over as sincere as possible in this environment. I tell my students the past two years. because I grew up in China, I’m slow to understand your jokes, so in this class, we’re learning from each other because I need • Avoid any words or teaching methods that might to learn what I need from you. Such sincerity works from a offend your students. In that case, international teaching psychological point of view. Even when I see students laughing assistants who are just beginning to adjust to American once, I no longer feel as uncomfortable for not understanding society should check with colleagues to make sure the style them as I did before. of comments and teaching language is polite and acceptable. You can simply ask passing colleagues to read I saw this comment in the evaluation system of a course I some of the comments you’ve prepared for your students taught in my first semester– “this class was not graded fairly.” and ask them if the wording is appropriate. This comment put me in the shoes of a new teacher again and • Look for opportunities to observe other music overturned my previous notions of fairness. Due to the teachers’ teaching, especially what the teachers do to put differentiation of social resources, in China’s cultural students at ease. Experienced teachers use many musical atmosphere, students are graded strictly according to their games to enliven their classes, and it is not easy to access performance. With such a concept, I always grade each these helpful measures just by watching YouTube videos. homework according to the quality. Students will get high The most helpful method for international teaching marks if they play correctly and lose some marks if they play assistants is very traditional - observe other teachers’ classes incorrectly. This is my ideal fairness. It wasn’t until after and take notes on what you think you can do. summer break that I spoke to the other teachers in the course • Make sure your students are on the right track when that I learned that she had given all her students an “A.” My teaching. In classrooms led by ITAs, students are also more colleague told me that as a music course that teaches basic skills likely to give up active communication with their teachers if students can complete the task regularly and quantitatively due to perceived cultural differences. The effort of the and get a good score, they will be more willing to take the ITAs should not just be seeking feedback in the class and initiative to play music in the future. This is another idea of you need to ask students in after-class emails about specific fairness I get–if a student does the best he can, he deserves full points where they still feel they need help. It is also very marks. effective to set up an online survey and mention that all responses will be anonymous if you want more honest The k-12 basic education I received came from a society with feedback to adjust your lesson plan. scarce educational resources and intense competition for • Prepare an honest introduction for your opening admission which leads to the result that all classroom forms statement, even if your students are young children. The focus on pursuing “high efficiency.” After more than ten years style of singing, the way of eye contact, body language and of cultural enlightenment, I designed the classroom to focus other aspects of international music teachers are slightly on lectures, supplemented by other activities after I entered the different from native music teachers. A confident and role of teacher. At the same time, the teacher’s role in the sincere self-introduction from you can make students Chinese cultural system is like authority because of the realize the reasons for these differences in your class and Confucian culture, and few teachers seek immediate feedback bring more understanding to the subsequent in the classroom to make changes. If you had never had the communication in the future. section– “classroom feedback” in more than ten years of • Remember to conduct your teaching as a “teaching learning, you would know how hard to imagine the impact of assistant” and not as an “international teaching assistant” this action on teaching. The inappropriate setup of the class to avoid showing cultural influences on the teaching and the neglect of the opportunity to give feedback to students process. Otherwise, you will get the students’ pity instead have had a negative impact on my teaching. The reason I felt of their recognition of your ability, which will interfere powerless about the cultural barriers was that they were my own with good communication in the class. A simple example problems. None of my mentors or colleagues knew about is that some international teaching assistants choose to tell them, and there was no training course to remind international students they prefer to communicate via email rather than teaching assistants of what might happen when they start face-to-face instruction because they are international teaching work. For me, I had to hit a wall and looked back at teaching assistants. Such behavior will not help students to why I had gone off course. understand your identity, but easy to lose students’ 32 May/June 2023

at Samford’s School of the Arts Division of Music Samford University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in composition, commercial music, music education, music and worship, instrumental, piano and voice performance, piano performance and pedagogy and worship leadership. Spring 2023 Audition Weekends for Prospective Music Majors Feb. 10-11 | Feb. 24-25 [email protected] | 205-726-4111 SCAN FOR INFORMATION samford.edu/arts Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Employer. ala breve 33

recognition of the course. So, please do your best to meet This year’s adventure story is a significant lesson in my life. What the expectations that the course should have and make the I learned from this lesson is that if you want to change the cultural background a plus of your classroom, not a minus. situation, you must be the master of your life and save yourself. • When you need to teach music theory, do a Google We always want to ask, “who can save me?” when we are in search, or talk to colleagues to make sure that your teaching trouble. The truth is that there are many people who can help methods and terminology are those used in the American you when you are in trouble, but the only person who can save music education system. The knowledge you have learned is your life is yourself. How? Start by doing every little thing well not wrong but following the American music education and start by taking charge of your own life and taking system will enable students to continue to study higher-level responsibility for your work. courses in the future without any obstacles. For example, the solfege pronunciation of pitch “B” is “xi” in China and Siyu Tian is a Ph.D. student in music education at the University different from “si” in America, if you are teaching American of Alabama with a passion for teaching. Originally from China, students who have never studied music before, using “xi” Siyu has a background as a piano teacher and has recently moved to sing pitch B will cause confusion for their future solfeggio to the United States to further her studies. Siyu's love for music course. education is matched by her enthusiasm for communicating with • Never be afraid to be yourself in your work. In my first young people and exploring new teaching methodologies. semester of teaching, I am always worried that I cannot say Through her research, Siyu seeks to further the philosophy of as many jokes as my colleagues and make undergraduate effective teaching and inspire future music educators to make a classes so enjoyable. I resisted showing leadership in group positive impact in the classroom. When she's not working on activities because I thought all my colleagues are more her research, Siyu enjoys playing the piano, reading, and capable than I am, so I always try to be quiet in exploring new places. conversations and meetings. When a colleague realized my timidity, she said something profound to me that I would love to share with all the ITAs who still feel insecure. She said that you do not have to look like a native speaker, you need to be yourself, and your students would like your class because they like you, not because you look like a native speaker. This has gradually become the philosophy that guides my life and work - that international teaching assistants should grow not to imitate American teachers, but to become closer to their better selves. Language can limit what we can say, but it should not limit what we can think. Grow in adversity Teaching undergraduates made me realize that American higher education values the growth of young people as a gradual process, whereas Chinese college education focuses mainly on final exam performance. Therefore, studying all night in the last week is a common situation in Chinese college education, but in the American curriculum, grades are divided into tasks for each stage. The change brought to me by such a work arrangement is that I began to think about what kind of growth the completion of a course means for students in the American college education. I began to tolerate some unannounced absences and to care about the real progress of my students. I started to show a new attitude: You should know this is not right but now we look to the future; We still have a chance to do something to save your final score. I found that this concession brought back some American students who had tried to drop out of the class, and I began to be willing to look beyond the instructor’s horizons to use the educator’s horizon to think about the future implications of the course for them. 34 May/June 2023

Choral Music Reviews by Dr. William Powell Focus: Accessible compositions for mixed voices with limited range and limited divisi (if applicable), and that won’t require excessive rehearsal time. Sing Your Way Home (SATB come the practice of modern popular music over the past voices, a cappella; also available for two decades. In this composition, one might get the sense TTBB voices) that the composer wants to convey to the listener that love by Joseph Martin continues without a sense of finality. Words: Anonymous Quoting “Goin’ Home” by Antonin Rejoice in the Lord (four-part mixed Dvořák chorus and organ) Hal Leonard – Milwin Music Corp., Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623) copyright 2011 Reconstructed by David Cynan Jones 00280274 / $2.60 Choral Public Domain Library Duration: Approximately 2:50 (cpdl.org) Location: https://www.cpdl.org/ Joseph Martin’s beautiful voicing of this anonymous poem wiki/i ndex.php/ is easily accessible to most mixed choirs. While the notes Rejoice_in_the_Lord_ and rhythms are easy to read, there is a musical sensitivity (Thomas_Weelkes) required of the ensemble to convey the nuances and ex- Duration: Approximately 1:00 pressive elements of the song. The soprano and alto ranges are set in the middle area of the voice, although many so- The gift of the Choral Public Domain Library is truly the pranos would consider it low for their voices. Because the gift that keeps on giving. One can spend an entire choral tenor and bass parts occur in the mid-to-upper area of career ascertaining music from this marvelous resource and their range, their voices will provide the necessary intensity never find the ends of its treasures. This skillfully com- when needed at the song’s climax. There is some divisi in posed anthem by Thomas Weelkes’ is no exception. Writ- the treble voices which enhances the harmonic colors that ten in the seventeenth century, and taken from Psalm 33, it Martin creates. This lovely setting can be learned in one or is musically and textually relevant today. It is, perhaps, most two rehearsals, depending upon the skill set and vocal inde- usefully sung by a church choir, although it is also quite pendence of the singers. suitable for academic choirs. David Cynan Jones’ recon- struction of Weelkes’ anthem makes the composition A Red, Red Rose (SATB voices and workable to be sung without the organ. The first section is piano with optional Piano Trax; also in homophonic texture, and the second section is written in available for SAB and SSA) polyphonic texture. by Greg Gilpin Words: Robert Burns (1759-1796) Alfred Music, copyright 2021 48919 / $2.05 Duration: Approximately 2:55 Greg Gilpin provides a delicate piano accompaniment to a William Powell tenderly voiced setting of Robert Burns’ iconic poem. He Director of Choral Activities allows the melody to travel between tenor-bass voices and soprano-alto voices at appropriate moments in the text. Auburn University The short piano interludes serve to separate the sections of the poem into reflective moments for the listener. Gilpin’s voicings are in comfortable ranges for each voice part. He ends the composition in an unresolved cadence as has be- ala breve 35

Band Music Reviews by Dr. Jeremy Stovall With the end of the school year approaching, I have Origin is a fanfare that contains shifting meters with some use begun to look toward the next. For this edition, I of 7/8 time. The key signature is in C Major throughout with thought I would share a few pieces I am no use of accidentals. Instrumental ranges are very considering programming next year. I hope you enjoy them as comfortable for all instruments and can be performed with as much as I have! few as 5 percussionists. After a four-measure introduction, the first theme is stated twice, containing some use of Origin (2022) is a grade 4 piece by Cait Nishimura syncopation; however, a constant steady pulse in the (www.caitnishimura.com). Nishimura is a Japanese Canadian percussion parts during the majority of the work helps create composer known for writing nature-inspired, programmatic stability for the ensemble. After a brief lyrical interlude, a music. She is also the co-host of the Band Room Podcast development section follows, containing a lyrical melody over (www.bandroompod.com). a rhythmic motor element. This two-minute work concludes with a recap of the opening theme but altered slightly. Origin would be an energetic start to a program as a concert opener. A recording and score of Origin can be found at www.caitnishimura.com/pages/origin. Reformation (2021) is a grade 4 work jointly composed by Tyler Austin and Danielle Fisher. Dr. Tyler Austin serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Old Dominion University. Danielle Fisher (www.daniellefisher.net) is an educator, composer, and performer living in Dallas, TX where she is the Director of Bands at J.L. Long Middle School. Reformation was written for Dr. Tyler Austin & the Oklahoma State University Concert Band and is dedicated to Kim Austin. From the composers: The piece takes its source From the composer: Origin was commissioned by Dr. Jeff May/June 2023 Reynolds for the University of Toronto Wind Ensemble. As an alumna of the school and a former student of Dr. Reynolds, it was an honor to compose this short fanfare to open the 2022-23 concert season at U of T. Origin is an uplifting, empowering piece that evokes the feeling of returning home to a significant place in one’s journey, reflecting on all that has changed and all that has remained. I have come to cherish the magical full-circle experiences that occur when my music is performed in spaces that were meaningful or inspiring to me as a young musician. This piece is an ode to all the people and places that leave a lasting impact on the lives of others. 36

material from the Lutheran anthem “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott”, which translates as “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”.  This chorale was superimposed with original material from one of Danielle’s earliest melodies for winds.  The piece’s title has a double meaning: First, the piece draws its inspiration from Martin Luther’s chorale which served as an emboldening piece of music that lead a theological revolution, and second, both the chorale and accompanying melody are “re-formed” through dual sets of variations.  A setting of Martin Luther’s chorale begins the piece. Fisher’s “twenty-six new diamonds in the sky” the title is a reference to melody is then stated in its original form and is later developed the stars which we look upward to for inspiration, for hope, in variations throughout the piece. A second variation of the and to dream of better things to come. chorale by Johann Sebastian Bach follows before arriving triumphantly with Martin Luther’s original chorale. The piece This work is included in the Windependence Series by Boosey concludes with a solemn coda for flute and saxophone and Hawkes at the Apprentice Level. It contains a beautiful, quartet. This version of the chorale is a variation set by expressive melodic line of a single eight-measure theme. There Luther’s friend Johann Walther. Austin and Fisher selected this is some shifting between 4/4/ and 3/4 time, and a key setting of the chorale as a reflection of their own friendship.   signature of Eb Major, later modulating to F Major. Rhythms are relatively simple, with the most complex rhythm being the This piece can be performed with as few as 4 percussionists. dotted eighth/sixteenth, and occasional use of syncopation. One interesting part of percussion writing is found in the Contrasting articulations (regular, tenuto, slurred) are utilized triangle part. The instructions indicate using at least 12 in this work. Spittal’s orchestration separates the band into different triangles of various sizes and multiple beaters to woodwind and brass choirs in several moments. This obtain a twinkling effect. stunningly beautiful work would be a wonderful addition to any concert program. Some wind parts also contain an element of aleatoric music in which certain elements are left for the performers to realize. Special instructions for wind players direct them to play small groupings of notes, or cells, in any rhythm. The notes of each cell must be played in order, but the player may repeat the cells at their discretion. These moments are short-lived, but this freedom of expression could be intriguing to the ensemble members. Reformation would be a great addition to a spring concert program. A recording of Reformation can be found at A recording and score of Celestial Song can be found at www.daniellefisher.net/compositions/reformation-wind- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbfce31yGTo. ensemble-grade-4. The score can be found at www.issuu.com/ danielle.fisher /docs/reformation-score. Best of luck to everyone as we all finish out the school year. I hope you all have a safe and restful summer. Please reach out Celestial Song (2014) is a grade 3 piece by Robert Spittal if I can ever be of assistance! (www.robertspittal.com). Spittal is Professor of Music at Gonzaga University where he leads the Creative Music Lab Dr. Jeremy Stovall Ensemble and teaches conducting and music theory. Assistant Director of Bands Celestial Song was composed for the Gonzaga University Associate Professor Wind Symphony. Program note from the publisher: Composer Jacksonville State University Robert Spittal was moved to complete this work in response to the Newtown, Conn., tragedy in 2012, and serves as a [email protected] reflection of our complicated feelings of grief and loss. The music is simple and direct and meant as a hopeful work for young players. Moved by a metaphor describing the victims as ala breve 37

I Have a Problem with “The Culture”: The Problem with HBCU Band Culture by Jammie Phillips Before we begin, we must ac- bring most students to the music de- ture, this person will be so enthusiastic knowledge that “The Culture” partment. Through rigorous recruiting that they want to teach Band in schools, was created and cultivated by ne- for the marching band programs, many not Music but Band. The teacher short- cessity. Being ostracized and treated as students land in college because of their age has opened doors for these types to if one is less than others creates a mo- band scholarship obtained through au- work in schools and be hired as band di- ment where one has to create their own. ditioning to be a member of the march- rectors. This is not only at the K-12 level Believe me when I say that I am here for ing band vs. the School of Music. This but also at the collegiate level. Band- all of it. However, some problems need creates a disparity of whether the stu- heads believe that they can teach music to be acknowledged and addressed re- dent has the skills necessary to matricu- because they can arrange music, which garding the future of Music Education late successfully through the music is a skill that is self-taught due to their for black students. The first way to deal department. love for the craft of Marching band. For with the issues is to talk about them. the typical Bandhead Band Director, the The Difference Between a Bandhead main focus of obtaining a job as a band The Problems:  Band heads are be- and a Musician director is to write music and teach stu- coming Music Educators due to the dents to play their music. The strategies teacher shortage. Black schools are hir- Bandhead is a person that is a devoted in use to teach music are acceptable. ing these band heads who often lack follower of all things band-related. They Teaching by rote is an option through- teacher certification and the skills nec- will make provisions to be anywhere out all the years this individual is in front essary to provide black students with a that a marching band is located. They of students. This means many black and fair, equitable Music Education. Black peruse the internet for clips of marching brown children with this individual as students are, in turn, not exposed to bands, and they enjoy bantering with their teacher will never actually learn to basic building blocks of musicianship, others regarding the marching bands. A read music. The goal of this type of di- such as auditioning, learning to be an in- bandhead is not necessarily a musician, rector is to hear their arrangements dependent musician, and learning the as they are anyone with an appreciation played as loud as possible by the stu- fundamentals of their instrument. for bands. A musician can play or sing dents. This helps them to obtain clout These deficiencies make the black stu- an instrument well enough to make a liv- among other Bandheads. Relevancy. dent unequipped to navigate the profes- ing. They study their instrument, prac- This individual seeks to be placed on a sional music world. tice playing all genres of music, and pedestal by other Bandheads. It is also build a repertoire of music from most sparked by social media adulation. The At Historically Black Colleges and Uni- genres. Musicians enjoy making music, Bandhead community is strong amongst versities, the music department is often period, whether by themselves or with HBCU bandsmen past, present, and fu- dominated by the marching band. They others. Musicians can be hobbyists or ture. are the face of the school and represent professionals. an entirely different entity than the Over the years, the community has School of Music. There is usually a color A Bandhead or a Music Educator? evolved from popular discussion boards line among the schools of music faculty, such as “The Fifth Quarter” to “Show- with most of the professors being white A Bandhead is an individual that is a time Magazine” and several others. and the band director being black. The hobbyist in the Marching Band culture. When social media became popular, the students will then gravitate more to the This individual will travel to different discussion boards moved to outlets such program and the professor that looks states to attend Football games only to as Facebook and Instagram. The dis- like them. HBCU band programs also record the Band. They are marching cussion groups are a way for those who band enthusiasts. Obsessed with the cul- 38 May/June 2023

have participated in HBCU marching reputable studio of musicians to have the hiring. bands to bond socially and have fun ri- these beginners dropped into their Ap- valries amongst each other. The rivalry plied course the following year, whether The Band Director’s job is reasonably among the football teams filters over they signed on to take on this student or autonomous in most school buildings into the Band, which can be even more not. (except duty posts), as many building intense. It creates a sense of community leaders focus on pulling up or maintain- for an often marginalized group. The No HBCU band staff wants to be the ing passing scores on tested subjects. As purpose of the society has made lifelong subject of critique regarding numbers. long as the Band Director performs at friendships and bonds for many of its Many HBCU band directors and staff the football games, the building leader members. members follow these discussions and needs to be more knowledgeable about some comment. Many started as follow- anything else happening in the band- These communities have great qualities, ers of these boards when they were room. This is also why many Middle but they have a downside as well. Many young bandsmen, and now they carry School directors can only fly under the young, impressionable, and upcoming their own HBCU band program. The radar if held accountable. They are sim- young musicians follow these commu- pride is excellent and thick between ply in some buildings to provide plan- nities heavily. The young musicians will these programs. A music educator be- ning time for teachers. The building smother themselves in the culture and lieves in a fair and equitable music edu- leadership is not concerned with become entrenched in all the glory. Life cation for all students. The music whether student learning is happening becomes the marching band, the HBCU educator can teach all aspects of music in the classroom. This often lends itself rivalry, and the next band battle. Many to students without bias to their prefer- to High School directors having to start are taken in as early as middle school ence. This person wants their students beginners in 9th grade, even with a valid into this culture. Their musicianship is to know all there is to know. The educa- middle school feeder right down the defined by their ability to emulate tor sets a standard for what their stu- street. There has to be accountability for HBCU marching bands, from how the dents should know based on the the programs in place for particular di- bandsmen stand, hold their instruments, National & State standards and objec- rectors to do their jobs. phrase passages, and how the groups tives, not their preferences. A Music Ed- move while they play. This young mind ucator ponders the question, “What In the same way, responsibility is in place has one goal: to become an HBCU should the student know?” The Music for tested subjects. There are accounta- bandsman. The goal of being a musician Educator is all about exposure for their bility measures for Music Educators, has gone out the window for this stu- students. They want their students to be such as concert festivals. Still, in certain dent; it is about being a bandsman. able to sit in any room and play what- states and districts, attendance continues ever is placed in front of them with the to wane as directors are not mandated This student will have to audition to get best of them. to go. School leaders who are in place a scholarship to their favorite HBCU need to be trained or briefed on these band. Still, these auditions have become The difference between the bandhead assessments or their purpose. The dis- more accessible and easier through the and the music educator is the focus on tricts need a coordinator for Instrumen- years. Some HBCU bands advertise that the development of the individual, in- tal programs to guide the administrators. they will give scholarship dollars to a dependent musician. The bandhead is de- This creates a hole in the evaluation of student without an audition. Some ad- veloping a number for a marching band. The the Band program. This leaves space for vertise “No Scales” needed! The band music educator is producing an overall musi- the National and State standards to not programs are desperate for members to cian.  The issue is that bandheads are be followed in the classroom, leading to have a certain number on the field to be landing in our schools as band directors individuals teaching their hobby instead respected on these forums full of past and becoming responsible for most of the subject matter. bandsmen. There was a post on social music education for black and brown media from a director with a picture of students. There are also demographic Are HBCUs preparing directors to a collegiate HBCU Band Director and changes occurring in school leadership enter the field? the caption, “Full Scholarship for these in specific communities. Many building students after only playing for 2 leaders are graduates of HBCUs search- A Music Education degree takes work months!” As a 1st generation college ing for a director of the demographic to to obtain. It requires focus, time man- student, I was happy for those young serve the population. The administrator agement skills, patience, and tenacity. It men. Still, I was concerned with their fu- is hiring Bandheads to help students is close to a double degree because of ture navigating a college music depart- without entirely being aware of their in- the fulfillment of the requirements for ment and the professors that spent years competence, especially in districts that both the Music department and the Ed- and years obtaining the education to need a viable Instrumental Music coor- ucation department. The credit hours teach higher level students and build a dinator to assist the building leaders with alone required will scare one off. Many black students that attend HBCUs are ala breve 39

first-generation college students. They the Education department, and some exact. This was in 1996. We moved to a are brought into the college due to their will obtain a Liberal Studies degree or small town called Forest Park, Georgia. scholarship for the marching band. The General Studies degree. During the I was zoned for Forest Park High marching band has a tedious rehearsal teacher shortage, these individuals will School. I remember the first thing I did schedule and game schedule where the be hired in many school districts due to when we got settled in our apartment Band often travels out of state every relaxed certification requirements. Some was grabbed the yellow pages and call weekend. Being in the marching band more than others. Some states have flex- the Forest Park High Band room. A for an HBCU is a full-time job plus ible certification requirements regardless friendly white man answered the phone overtime. Since most students are of the teacher shortage, especially re- and said he was Michael Eddy, the band brought into the music department by garding non-tested subjects such as director. I was thinking to myself… A the marching band, the Music Depart- music. white man? I was praying it wouldn’t be ment faculty often has to compete for one of those bands we played at Ribault time with the student. In conclusion, all accounts mentioned in with those kids rolling their feet and this article are from personal observa- doing weird shows. Band camp rolled The student will put the marching band tion and word of mouth. I remember around, and yes, it was one of THOSE before their studies. Their classes be- being a 7th grader and deciding to join bands *sigh*. My first inclination was to come secondary to the requirements of the Band at Ribault Middle School in quit. Then a girl in the Flute section with the band program. Many faculty at Jacksonville, Florida. My band director me said that if you didn’t march, you HBCUs have to learn to work around was Mr. Daniel Johnson graduate of couldn’t be in the top symphonic Band the marching band schedule. The stu- Florida A&M University. Florida A&M at FP. I knew I was good and deserved dent is tired and often with their mind is one of the better schools for students a spot in the full Band at FP from my buried in what they have to do for the seeking a Music Education degree. Black foundation with Johnson & Buggs. I Band that day more than preparing for Excellence is celebrated, and the stu- didn’t care if the entire Flute section was their recital or class. The students who dents are prepared to go out and teach white girls who took private lessons continue with the Music Education de- their eventual students to be musicians, (what’s that? I’ve Never heard of it in gree are few and far between at HBCUs. not Bandheads. I thank God I started Jacksonville). I knew I would work up to Many will declare Music Education as there with him. The foundation was set their level if they were better than me. their major when they enter as freshmen from Day one. Learn to play. Learn Two of them were good, but I was not and not make it past sophomore year. these notes. “Easy Steps to Band” must that far off. I was more proficient in my Many will change their major later in be on the stand. Playing tests. Chair third octave because I knew those their matriculation due to their inability placements. “Treasury of Scales .”I was marches Mr. Buggs made us learn. I to progress. It could be the applied les- ready when 9th grade rolled around. I could easily hit B flat five lines above the son courses, music theory courses, or was entering the big blue doors at Rib- staff. I was so proficient in the third oc- their recitals… many of these students ault High School with another Florida tave that I was placed on Piccolo a few were not prepared for the professors’ A&M legend as director, Mr. Clifford months into the marching season. This expectations of them musically entering Buggs. The first music he passed out set me up to be the only Piccoloist in the college or university. The audition they was not his arrangements or Top 40 FP marching band and our Symphonic prepared for the marching band to ob- tunes. It was a book of marches. “In Band (not surprisingly, at age 41, I won tain a scholarship is different from the Storm & Sunshine, Golden Bear, Purple a spot playing Piccolo in the Mont- same level of playing ability one needs Carnival, Them Basses….” the list goes gomery Symphony). I played Piccolo in to prepare literature for a recital. on. all the standard wind literature grades IV, V, & VI. You name it, we played it. There needs to be more discussion re- I remember sitting on the porch at my Mr. Eddy would attend Midwest And garding the fact that in middle and high grandma’s house in Sherwood Forest on state conferences and bring back new school, students taught by Bandheads the north side of Jacksonville, learning music premieres. I remember when he need to be adequately prepared by their my third-octave fingerings on the Flute brought back “Of Sailors and Whales,” directors to progress and be able to play to play “In Storm & Sunshine” the sum- he was so excited about it (My memory standard wind literature. The students mer of my 8th year going into 9th grade. may be slightly off). Of course, we should have done it earlier. If these stu- played it with the entire narration and dents graduate, they will often have to By the time band camp started, I knew everything. The marching band wasn’t graduate with a degree other than Music that book of marches and those finger- much of a priority at FP. In class, we Education. However, they intend to still ings from memory. only worked on literature, and even dur- be a band director. Some HBCUs pass ing marching band season, Mr. Eddy out Music Performance degrees like The summer was going into my 10th- had us participating in every competi- candy. Some students will go through grade year we moved to the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Clayton County, to be Continued on page 43 40 May/June 2023

Welcoming New Faculty for 2022! Dr. Robert Abend Dr. Clayton Maddox Dr. Brian Nozny Associate Director of Bands Asst. Professor of tuba/Euphonium Director of Percussion Studies Audition Dates Degree Programs January 7, 2023 BM in Music Education February 11, 2023 BM in Performance March 18, 2023 April 1, 2023 BM with Elective Studies in Music Business BM with Elective Studies in Specific Outside Fields MM in Music Education MM in Performance MM in Collaborative Keyboard Music Minor To View Audition Requirements visit southalabama.edu/music USA offers in-state tuition to all out-of-state students awarded an admission scholarship for academic merit at the time of admission University of South Alabama, Department of Music | LPAC 1072 5751 USA Drive South Mobile AL 36688 | 251-460-6136 | [email protected] www.southalabama.edu/music | facebook.com/southalabamamusic



tion and doing every concert. We trav- played for them. I was nervous as hell, these groups have had cruises and annu- eled and did concerts profusely. I did not as well as totally embarrassed. I knew ally get together, many connected by dif- really understand this because although I these girls would hate my guts. I played ferent organizations and letters, but all had a solid foundation, we did not do for them and then let him know I play related to their love of the HBCU band. the competitions at Ribault because of Piccolo too. I also had a Piccolo (The some racial tensions going on at the time one from Forest Park that we eventually A large part of the professional music with our directors and the association. returned). I then played my scales on world is auditioning. One has to prove Although we did not participate, we Piccolo. He got up, ran into the band that one can play the music for the en- were still prepared as musicians like we room, introduced me to everyone as semble and that one has the skill to con- were competing. “Forest Park,” and told the entire Flute vey the music to the listener the way the section to scoot down a chair. They all conductor would like to have it trans- 12th-grade year at FP, I remember work- hated my guts and would not talk to me ferred. Some skills should be developed ing on “Incantation and Dance,” most for weeks. I remember being called a in young musicians to prepare them for likely for our Fall concert or somewhere white girl and arguing with a bandmate auditions. we were traveling. who swore I was a white girl. No. I. was. Not. Nowhere near. Eventually, we all Diversity and Inclusion efforts run We were moving to Bouldercrest, where became best friends and are still friends abound. The military bands actively seek my zoned school would be in Dekalb today. I love those girls. high and low for black students to audi- County. McNair High School. I did not tion, Symphony Orchestras. The George want to go there because I heard it was He then changed the entire LGPE pro- Floyd movement brought on a want and rough, but then again, Forest Park was gram into pieces that featured Piccolo need for inclusion. However, the groups my first time in a white school. and Flute. We played a challenging have a hard time finding black musicians Grade VI program that year, including to audition. How much of the shortage I tried to stay at FP and hated disap- Holsinger & Bernstein. Thankful for the directly correlates to WHOM is being pointing Mr. Eddy, but getting back and Music Educators I encountered who placed in front of our kids? forth was hard for me, so I had to trans- changed my life; I would not be who I fer. I walked into the band room at Mc- am today if not for them and their im- Jammie Phillips has Nair and met Mr. Barrett Alexander for print. I challenge all of us who stand in worked in Music Edu- the first time. front of our children to give them op- cation for 15 years. portunities. Do not limit them! She is currently the An Omega man I saw from his office Director of Bands at and a graduate of Alabama A&M Uni- I had a conversation with a Bandhead McKee Middle School versity (I had never heard of the school that stood in front of our children at in Montgomery, Ala- at the time). A young black man that multiple jobs, telling me that our stu- bama and Piccoloist looked very smart to me but appeared to dents don’t do MPA. They don’t like for the Montgomery Symphony Or- be very stern. He leaned in his office those environments and would never do chestra. Phillips taught for several years chair and said, “Forest Park!” I said, “Yes that for me. Imagine that? The ones sup- in the Atlanta metro area, where her sir, Forest Park,” he asked me what in- posed to protect and tell them the sky is bands were superior-rated for several strument I played. I said, “Flute.” the limit are diminishing them. years. She is a professional Flutist and Arts advocate. She graduated from He said, “Flute, eh?, You want to play Footnotes: Bethune-Cookman University with a something for me? “I said sure, he was B.A. in Music Education and an M.S. & getting ready to tell me where to get a HBCU band culture is a topic that it is Ed.S in Education & Administrator Flute, and I let him know I had my own. tough to find references on as there is Leadership from Walden University. He raised his eyebrows, sat up, and said, not much that exists. It is only as old as Phillips is looking forward to making a “Ok, play a few scales .”I took out my the 20th century as a topic. Due to the difference for band directors who grad- Flute and played all of them. I had just “newness” of the issue, the literature is uated from Historically Black Colleges made District 6 Honor Band in my 11th- still being built. As I read through the and Universities that often face different grade year (but he didn’t know that at search results in the library, I noticed that challenges. She is a National Teacher this point). He sat up more. He asked me I knew 95% of the individuals that had Leader for NAFME for the Connected what grade I was in, and I told him I was contributed as an author in Proquest. Arts Network Project and was recently a senior. He let out a loud groan but still selected as the Montgomery Public smiled from ear to ear. He then got up The feeling we get from the HBCU band Schools District Teacher of the Year. and called the Flute section in the office. community is a general love. The com- He asked me to play what I had just munity is one of closeness. Over time ala breve 43

AMEA Division Events2022 - 2023 Alabama Vocal Association Event Date Location Fall Workshop September 9 University of Montevallo January 19-21 AMEA January 10-11 BJCC All-State Show Choir Festival March 9-11 ZOOM BJCC All-State Chorus Festival Solo & Ensemble March 1 University of North Alabama District I April 5-6 Moody Music Building, Tuscaloosa District II April 14 Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Birmingham District III February 16 District IV February 27-28 Jacksonville State University District V First Baptist Church in Huntsville March 28 District VI March 16 Taylor Road Baptist Church, Montgom District VII Springhill Baptist Church, Mobile State Choral Performance Assessment March 1 University of North Alabama District I March 2 First Baptist Church, Decatur District I April 5-6 Moody Music Building, Tuscaloosa District II March 14-16 Canturbury UMC, Birmingham District III April 6 District IV April 17-18 Gadsden City High School District V Grissom High School March 28 District VI lor Road Baptist Church, Montgom April 4 District VII Springhill Baptist Church, Mobile All-State Chorus Auditions November 3 Gadsden City High School Gadsden November 4-5 Mayfair Church of Christ Huntsville November 6 Florence November 7-8 Florence High School November 9 Christ Episcopal Church Tuscaloosa November 10 Montgomery Saint James School University of Mobile Mobile Elementary/General Division August 27, 2022 East Alabama General Music Workshop Auburn October 14, 2022 Elementary/generalentary Music Festival Metropolitan Church of God, Birmingham October 15, 2022 November 2-6, 2022 AMEA/AOSA/SHAKE Fall Workshop Eastmont Baptist Church November 2-5, 2022 January 19-21, 2023 NAfME Inservice Conference National Harbor, Maryland American Orff-Schulwerk National Professional Development Conference Kansas City, Missouri AMEA Professional Development Conference Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Alabama Orchestra Association October 28, 2022 All-State/All Region Orchestra Audition Deadline Strings, Harp, Piano November 11, 2022 All-State/All Region Orchestra Audition Deadline Woodwind, Brass, Percussion January 7-8, 2023 All-Region Orchestras North/South January 19-21, 2023 AMEA Professional Development Conference BJCC February 9-12 2023 All-State Orchestra TBA April 22-23, 2023 Orchestra Music Performance Assessment TBA AMEA Collegiate Division October 23, 2022 Collegiate Summit The University of Alabama Moody Music Building January 19-21, 2023 AMEA Professional Development Conference Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex 44 May/June 2023

Alabama Bandmasters Association District Event Location Date Deadline Statewide January 19-21, 2023 1/7/2023 District 1 AMEA Conference Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex January 19-21, 2023 11/1/2022 15-Nov-21 11/15/2022 District 2 All-State Jazz Festival Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex 26-Apr-23 3/1/2023 All State Jazz Recording Due alaband.org April 27-29, 2023 3/1/2023 District 3 June 20-22, 2023 6/1/2023 District 4 All State Solo Festival Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL 22-Aug-22 N/A January 28-29, 2022 12/16/2022 District 5 All State Festival Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL February17-18, 2023 12/16/2022 District 6 February 28-March 2, 2023 2/7/2023 District 7 Summer Convention Perdido Beach Resort March 7-9, 2023 2/14/2023 District 8 1-Apr-23 3/11/2023 District Fall Meeting James Clemens HS 6-May-23 4/15/2023 15-May-23 N/A All State/ District HB Auditions Sparkman HS 21-Aug-22 N/A 23-Aug-22 N/A District Honor Band Grissom HS 1/28/2023 12/16/2022 2/10-11/23 2/3/2023 MPA #1 James Clemens HS February 28-March 3,2023 2/3/2023 17-Apr-23 3/24/2023 MPA #2 Hartselle HS 8-May-23 4/14/2023 TBA N/A Solo and Ensemble #1 Liberty MS 28-Jan-23 12/16/2022 Solo and Ensemble #2 Athens HS February 10-11, 2023 2/3/2023 March 7-9, 2023 2/13/2023 Spring Meeting TBA 6-May-23 4/14/2023 12-Sep-22 N/A District Fall Meeting Guntersville TBA January 28-2023 12/16/2022 February 24-25, 2023 2/4/2023 District Fall Meeting ZOOM March 13-16, 2023 1/13/2023 March 20-23, 2023 1/13/2023 All State Auditions Albertville HS 18-Apr-23 4/3/2023 6-May-23 4/3/2023 District Honor Band Albertville HS 15-May-23 N/A 23-Aug-22 N/A MPA Gadsden City HS Audiorium January 28-2023 12/16/2022 February 17-18, 2023 2/3/2023 Solo and Ensemble Arab HS March 8-10, 2023 2/15/2023 15-Apr-23 3/31/2023 Solo and Ensemble Weaver HS 20-Apr-23 4/6/2023 13-Aug-23 N/A District Fall Meeting TBA January 28-2023 12/16/2022 February 17-18, 2023 2/2/2023 All State Auditions Muscle Shoals HS February 28-March 2, 2023 2/7/2023 22-Apr-23 4/2/2023 District Honor Band Russellville HS 29-Aug-22 N/A January 28-2023 12/16/2022 MPA UNA March 7-10, 2023 2/3/2023 March 23-24, 2023 2/17/2023 Solo and Ensemble Hamilton HS 6-May-23 4/14/2023 29-Aug-22 N/A District Fall Meeting Oak Mountain HS 28-Jan-23 12/16/2022 March 7-9, 2023 2/7/2023 All State Auditions Hoover HS March 10-11, 2023 2/7/2023 10-Mar-23 N/A District Honor Band Chelsea HS 22-Apr-23 4/7/2023 6-May-23 4/28/2023 MPA #1 Vestavia High School 45 MPA #2 Thompson High School Solo and Ensemble #1 Thompson Middle School Solo and Ensemble #2 Bumpus MS District Spring Meeting Oak Mountain HS District Fall Meeting Zoom Call All State District Honor Band Audi- Brookwood High School District Honor Band University of Alabama MPA University of Alabama Solo and Ensemble Brookwood High School Solo and Ensemble Prattville Junior High District Fall Meeting Baumhower's Auburn, AL All State Auditions Wetumpka HS District Honor Band Auburn HS MPA Benjamin Russell HS Solo and Ensemble East Samford School District Fall Meeting Barton Academy All State Auditions Saraland HS MPA Baker HS District Honor Band Daphne High School Solo and Ensemble Spanish Fort MS District Fall Meeting Enterprise, AL All State Auditions Coppinville Junior High School MPA Enterprise Performing Arts Center District Honor Band Enterprise HS District Spring Meeting Enterprise HS Solo and Ensemble #1 Houston Academy Solo and Ensemble #2 Greenville HS ala breve

AMEA Industry/Institutional Membership 2022-23 AMEA would like to express appreciation to the following partners who have joined AMEA in our efforts to promote music education in Alabama. Please support these industry/institutional members who support you as music educators! American Travel Consulting P.O. Box 750, Albertville, AL 35950 Arts Music Shop, Inc. 3030 East Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36116 Gadsden Music Company 607 Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35901 J.W. Pepper 191 Sheree Blvd, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341 Marchmaster P.O. Box 73370, Newnan, GA 30271 Performance Carts 11212 AL Hwy 157, Moulton, AL 35650 Sight Reading Factory 1321 Upland Drive, Suite 12621, Houston, TX 77043 Southern Performances PO Box 6852, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Troy University John M. Long School of Music, Troy, AL 36082 University of Alabama Department of Music Education Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0231 University of Alabama School of Music Box 870366, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 University of North Alabama UNA Box 5040, Florence, AL 35632 University of South Alabama 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile, AL 36688 46 May/June 2023

To learn more about Music at UAH, contact us at [email protected]. AUDITION INFO: UAH.EDU/MUSIC/AUDITIONS





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