SCMEA President’s Message – 2009-2010

Welcome back SCMEA members! I hope you all had a wonderful summer; vacationing, relaxing, attending professional development workshops, and tending to those projects that we just can’t seem to complete during the course of our busy school year. I’m sure you are all recharged and excited to begin working with your students this upcoming 2009-2010 school year. Music education is a vital component in the well-rounded education of ALL children, and it is an honor to serve as President of the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association.

I would like to thank our Past-President, Terry Nigrelli, the SCMEA Executive Board, and the All-County Chairpeople for a successful 2008-2009 school year.  Their commitment and dedication to our organization is paramount in providing the rich educational experiences for Suffolk County music students. I would like to thank Ken Vignona (AVP East), Andre Poprilo (Directory), David Cerullo (NYSSMA Zone 14 Rep.), Linda Contino and Anne Kollar (Vocal Jazz Chairpeople), for their years of service to the Executive Board. I wish them well in their future endeavors. I want to welcome to the Executive Board three new Assistants to the Vice President for All-County Festivals; Michael Baur (AVP West), Shannon Hughes (AVP Central), and Kathryn Toolan (AVP East).  Also, new to the Executive Board this year are; Kelly Good (General Membership), Kim Lowenborg-Coyne (NYSCAME President), Richard Harris and Jeffrey Hoffman (Vocal Jazz Chairpeople). There have been many changes in the Executive Board; Christopher Foti will now be serving as Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Rene Suprina is our new President-Elect, Patricia Isenberg will remain on as solo Vice President for All-County Festivals, James Haefele is our NYSSMA Zone 14 Rep., Karen Dow will remain on as Commercial Membership Chairperson, Matthew Hurst is now Directory Chairperson, and David Kaufman will serve as Publicity Chairperson.

Music is an integral constituent in the complete education of every child. Learning about music, learning to sing and perform, to listen and analyze, to move and create, to read and notate, should be active and joyful experiences for all students. Engaging in music allows students to develop and refine senses of hearing, sight and feeling; faculties of knowing and reasoning; ability to feel and act on emotions. The benefits to a sound music education include success in society, success in school, success in developing intelligence, and success in life. We must be committed to providing significant musical activities, identifying and encouraging the performance of fine literature, and developing projects that promote academic and social growth.

Unfortunately, the current economic climate has seriously impacted education. Budget cuts, job losses, and the elimination of vital programs are widespread. Music education has been subject to these adverse effects. We need to band together to promote and advocate the significance of music education. By networking and meeting with policy makers (administrators, school board members, locally elected officials, and state representatives) we can assist in the promotion of music education, vocalizing the positive impacts of our programs. I urge you to please consider traveling with SCMEA on Monday, March 1st, 2010 for “NYSSMA Day in Albany,” where this year more than any, it is crucial for us to have a strong showing of solidarity while we meet with New York State Assemblymen and Senators to discuss the value of music education within our schools. Please view the new “Advocacy” page on the NYSSMA website (www.nyssma.org) for further information.

I’m excited to inform you all of a new program that SCMEA will institute this year.  On Saturday, November 21st, 2009, the first annual PEAK Festival will take place at Northport High School. PEAK (Parents, Educators And Kids) is a music festival for selected 4^th grade music students throughout Suffolk County. It is a Saturday morning event containing a series of classroom music workshops culminating with a group sharing session, in which parents, educators, and kids are able to create music together. The clinicians expertly guide the sessions toward both teaching the students and, concurrently, explaining their methodology and teaching technique to parents and teachers. SCMEA is very excited to introduce a new festival that targets classroom music teachers and younger students. Teacher In-Service credit will be available. I would like to thank Cristen Fisher Salisbury for offering to chair this inaugural event. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the PEAK Committee of Pamela Dayton, Donna Basile, and Victoria Byrne for all of their hard work and contributions in planning this worthwhile experience. Please check the SCMEA website for further information on the PEAK Festival.

I would like to invite you to the SCMEA September Reception at The Irish Coffee Pub (Carleton Ave. East Islip) on Friday, September 11th (4:00PM-5:30PM).  Enjoy complimentary food and drinks while connecting with colleagues and visiting with friends. The success of SCMEA is the result of numerous dedicated music educators whose devotion and hard work provide Suffolk County music students with educationally sound experiences. I chaired my first All-County Festival in 2003 and realized immediately how immense a contribution it was for the students. We can’t do this alone.  Please consider becoming more active in our organization. Keep your membership current, participate in a workshop, attend a festival, assist with auditions at All-County festivals, become an All-County chairperson, have your district attend the SCMEA Administrator’s Dinner, and consider traveling with us to Albany on March 1st. It really does make a difference!

Please do not hesitate to contact me, or members of the Executive Board, with any questions or concerns as the year progresses. On behalf of SCMEA and Suffolk County’s music students, I thank you for all of your generous contributions. I wish for you and your students a successful, engaging, and rewarding 2009-2010 school year!

President's Message (doc file - 27 KB)

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