NAfME Civic Action Field Guide

Representing music educators, students, and advocates, NAfME is dedicated to ensuring the accessibility, presence, and perseverance of quality music programs taught by certified music educators, for all students across the nation, regardless of circumstance. Through active advocacy and collaboration, we are changing the national conversation about music’s role in delivering a well-rounded education to all students. This field guide was created by NAfME to help music educators and education stakeholders better understand the processes behind how public education is governed and funded, with an eye toward supporting high-quality music education in districts and at the state level across the nation. Learn More

FEATURES AND NEWS

Rebuilding after the Storm

Rebuilding after the Storm Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation works to help music programs in Houston after the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. By Lisa Ferber This article first appeared in the January 2019 issue of Teaching Music magazine. Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation—which was created in 1996 by Michael Kamen, the late composer for the 1995 film Mr. Holland’s Opus—donates musical instruments to school music programs and children in need. Since its founding, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (MHOF) has helped 1,479 schools in 772 districts survive in challenging times. Recently, the foundation provided much-needed…

Views from 2018 All-National Honor Guitar Ensemble Members

NAfME ANHE Guitar Ensemble Recap Views from 2018 All-National Honor Guitar Ensemble Members By Thomas Amoriello, Jr. NAfME Council for Guitar Education Chair Students who participated in the inaugural 2018 NAfME All-National Honor Guitar Ensemble at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort enjoyed themselves musically and socially, experiencing simple fun on the highest levels. Musical growth and a strong work ethic mixed with some Florida fun is what will await the next group of students selected for the November 2019 ensembles. As the clinician (Bill Swick), Guitar Council, and educators begin the…

Vocal Health: How Choral Directors Can Help Students

Vocal Health How Choral Directors Can Help Students By Jennifer Moorhatch The original article first appeared on J.W. Pepper’s blog. One of the most important but sometimes overlooked jobs of a choral director is to help their students take care of their voices. With the stress of repertoire preparation and the other time-consuming aspects of our job, it can be something that we cognitively recognize but don’t necessarily have the time or energy to pursue. Our students, no matter the age, are going through critical times in their vocal…