Monday Notes

Happy new school year! With the new year in full swing, it's a great time to take care of all those "little things," celebrate our successes, and look forward to new adventures. We're thrilled to share a big success: NMMEA has successfully safeguarded important funding for elementary music programs!

Check out the reminders and announcements below. Have a great week!

We're excited to let you know that our recent advocacy work regarding FAEA funding has been a big success! Thanks to the hard work of everyone, FAEA funding will remain a dedicated spending item. As you know this will safeguard funding for Elementary Music programs throughout our state.

This shows just how strong and committed our organization is, and what we can achieve when we work together. We want to give a big thank you to all of you for your efforts and enthusiasm. You've played a huge part in this success. Here's to more great things ahead!

As we all know, there is always a need for more money! Check out the information below regarding grants for middle school music classrooms. Lets get some of this money in our NM rooms!

The Peter R. Marsh Foundation’s $1250 Middle School Music Grant is available between July 1st and January 31st annually. The purpose of the Grant is to provide a remarkable venue and experience for students where their emotional senses are awakened, and they are inspired to advance musically, scholastically, and socially. Grants are available to public middle school music teachers in the United States for the acquisition of in-school music classroom equipment and supplies, with additional funding available for student transportation to senior facilities.

The Grantee and their middle school music students are to provide three musical performances at senior facilities in their local or nearby communities during the school year. Each engagement is to include a post-performance student/senior visitation period.

See the Foundation’s website for complete Guidelines, Conditions, and Reviews from past participants. Additional teacher comments may be found on the Foundation’s Facebook page.

Remember advocacy can be everyday small things, in fact this may be the best way to advocate for music in your school and community. Take part in this years advocacy challenge! Below is this week's challenge!

• Stand in the hallway during passing periods and say hello to students.
  

Effective immediately, NMMEA members will need to use new login credentials to access the website. While your login will still be linked to your NAfME membership, you will no longer access it through the NAfME website. To ensure a smooth transition, please make sure your NAfME credentials are current.

When accessing the website, the following credentials will need to be used:

• Username: Email associated with NAfME membership
• Password: NAfME member number

Once logged in you may change your password.

The Arizona Band & Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA), who are a great partner in many ways with NMMEA, have made their competitions open to NM Marching Bands. Check out their website and specifically the Winslow competition on October 5th (flier attached). If you are interested in registering, please contact Dennis Smith.

Middle and high school teachers, consider starting a Tri-M chapter at your school. A Tri-M® Music Honor Society chapter opens up a world of opportunities for students who have already shown themselves to be academically capable and musically gifted. Through performance and community service, they’ll develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, compassion, and a host of other leadership skills sure to serve them well in school and beyond.

• Details on starting a chapter

Plan on joining us on September 30th at 6:00 pm for an audition town hall. We will walk you through the entire process, offer helpful ideas, and answer questions. See you then!

• Link to join