NEWS BRIEFS FROM YOUR STATE MUSIC ASSOCIATIONS 

"Weekly Updates" is a coordinated effort by Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) and Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) to share a collection of timely news items that are relevant to both memberships while at the same time helping to limit the number of individual emails sent from each organization during Summer of 2020.


Wisconsin Music Educators Association

WMEA Board and Council Meetings
On July 21 and 22, the Summer 2020 WMEA Board and Council meetings will be held. Due to health and safety considerations and a Dane County order, all meetings will be held virtually:

July 21 - 4 -6 p.m. - Executive Committee
July 21 - 6 - 9 p.m. - Executive Board
July 22 - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Board and Council (plus NAfME collegiates)


WMEA Standards Workshop
Offered virtually Wednesday, July 29
During these uncertain times in music education, students are showing that music learning is more important than ever. Meaningful classroom work based on the WMEA and NAfME Music Standards can inform curriculum planning for online work and beyond. In this workshop, p
articipants will hear an overview about implementation of standards projects and units that can be implemented in-person or online, share their own experiences from this spring and examine their hopes moving ahead to fall. They will explore new ideas to try with their own students and chat about ways to advocate for continued support for school music study, no matter the delivery system chosen. Learn more and register now at this link


Wisconsin School Music Association

WSMA Board of Directors Meeting
On Monday, July 27, the Summer 2020 WSMA Board of Directors meeting will be held.  This meeting will be held both in-person and virtually in accordance with the Dane County order.  We will also hold the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music Board of Trustees meeting.  At this meeting, WSMA leadership will make decisions about programming options for the 2020-21 school year, and this information will be shared with WSMA members schools by August 1 along with the membership enrollment process.

July 27 - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. - WSMA Board of Directors
July 27 - 2 - 4 p.m. - WFSM Board of Trustees


Virtual Lessons - Tried & True at Honors Camp
WSMA High School State Honors coaches and conductors created a document of lessons that worked in the virtual classroom. All lessons listed were used during the virtual Honors camp and range from ice breakers to sectionals to full ensemble.  WSMA is pleased to share these lessons with music educators throughout the state (and beyond). View lessons  here  (PDF).

Summer Professional Learning...
WSMA is proud to present professional learning workshops in collaboration with WMEA.
Due to COVID-19, workshops will be hosted virtually for summer 2020. Based on educator feedback, there are multiple workshops planned that address needs like technology, hip-hop curriculum, standards, advocacy, and there are a few more in the works. Check in each week at  this link  to view all the summer opportunities for Wisconsin music educators. Here is a sampling:

JUST ADDED=> Hip-Hop Pedagogy & Philosophy - August 17-19 (3-day workshop)
How can you use hip-hop in my 7 th grade band? Third grade general music? Beginning strings? High school choir?  Hip-Hop is both a rich art form and a pedagogy, shown to engage students, encourage creativity, and sharpen critical thinking. This workshop not only looks at elements of hip-hop culture-the DJ, MC, B-boy/B-girl, graffiti, etc. but will do a deep-dive into hip-hop pedagogy and how it activates student self-knowledge, independence and social awareness.  Workshop is intended for: band, choir, orchestra, general music teachers K-12. Learn more at this link.


Other News...

Wisconsin Music Strong - Letter to Administrators
All principals and superintendents in the WSMA membership database have received a letter from the  Wisconsin Music Strong coalition.  Additionally, WSMA member school music educators and WMEA members have received a copy. Music educators are encouraged to engage in conversation with administrators and school board members around the letter to ensure that Fall 2020 plans continue to support access to a well-rounded education inclusive of music education for all Wisconsin students. 

Wisconsin Education Forum
You are invited to register and participate in this upcoming webinar scheduled as a request by previous forum participants:
July 15 - 1:30 - 3 p.m.:  School Administrators - Back to School Planning & Constructive Conversations
Guests: Holly Prast, Steve Plank, Ben Heninger, and Jennifer Rauscher

Preliminary Results of Performing Arts Aerosol Study Begins to Find Hope for Music Activities in the Future Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
In May, the NFHS, CBDNA and a coalition of over 125 performing arts organizations commissioned a study on aerosol rates produced by activities in music, speech, debate and theatre. Over the last month, researchers at the University of Colorado-Boulder and the University of Maryland have been hard at work gathering preliminary results. Note from NFHS
-  Disclaimer: All information provided through the study is to be used strictly for general consideration. This information will be updated when it becomes available; please share the link to this webpage instead of the PDF document.
  • Preliminary results for singing and theatre are expected by July 25 with guidance expected to be released the last week of July.
Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a non-profit service organization with member public and private schools. Students from member schools are eligible to participate in WSMA programs, such as District and State Music Festivals, Concert Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships and Student Composition Project. WSMA also owns and operates the Wisconsin Center for Music Education.

Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) is a membership association of music educators committed to providing quality music experiences for their students. Each year WMEA presents the Wisconsin State Music Conference (in collaboration with WSMA), leads advocacy for music education in Wisconsin, and offers professional development opportunities to support members. WMEA is the state affiliate of National Association for Music Education (NAfME) .