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

Community and Discussion Boards, Social Media Sites and More.
Several social media sites and other websites are available for Wisconsin music educators to join. Teachers can be part of conversations by asking questions and making comments. These resources are for music educators. Join these groups and be part of the conversation: 


COVID-19 Updates
The WMEA website has a new page devoted to COVID-related information and resources. The link can also be found on the homepage of  wmeamusic.org. Be sure to check back regularly, as WMEA will continue to update as new information and resources become available.

Looking for Online Professional Development this Summer?
Check out the great NAfME webinars and recordings available for free at this link. Many provide a certificate for professional development hours, if needed.

WMEA/NAfME Membership Join and Renewals
Is your membership to WMEA/NAfME expiring this summer? Not a member yet? There are great resources being shared in many venues right now to help navigate through COVID-19 and prepare for the fall. Summer is a popular time to renew and you are a valuable asset to the music education community. Join/renew today at this link. 


Wisconsin School Music Association

WSMA Wisconsin Education Forum With School Administrators
WSMA is hosting its next Wisconsin Education Forum on Wednesday, July 15 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

During this 90-minute event, learn more from four Wisconsin school district administrators about how they are approaching plans for the return to school in Fall 2020 and what suggestions they have about effective communications between educators and administrators when discussing complex topics. 

Forum guests include Holly Prast - Kimberly Area School District Asst. Superintendent (WMEA Council Member), Steve Plank - Burlington Area School District Superintendent (WSMA Board member), Ben Heninger - Gresham 6-12 Principal, and Jennifer Rauscher, Wausau School District Director of Secondary Education (WSMA Board Member).

There will be an opportunity for questions during one-hour of the meeting, and this session will be recorded and posted on the WSMA YouTube channel. Please register at this link .


Wisconsin Performing Arts Education Consortium
Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA), Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA), Wisconsin High School Forensic Association (WHSFA) and Alliance for Wisconsin Theater Education (AWTE) are a consortium of Wisconsin educational performing arts organizations, working with Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WI DPI) and Department of Health Services (DHS) to provide health and safety guidance for COVID-19.

On July 2, access to the consortium website was released, and a detailed guidance document has been drafted and is currently under review with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and Department of Health Services. This document is expected to be released by mid-July.



Wisconsin Music Strong Coalition
WSMA recently launched "Wisconsin Music Strong" (WMS) -- a coalition hosted by WSMA at  wimusicstrong.wsmamusic.org as a new resource in support of music education in Wisconsin during COVID-19 education shifts.  WMS provides a place for all people, organizations, associations and businesses to receive accurate, up-to-date state and national education information as Wisconsin school leaders create 2020-21 school models that ensure access for students to a well-rounded education inclusive of music and the arts.

High School State Honors Virtual Camp Featured in Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin State Journal featured the High School State Honors Virtual Camp as its top story in the "School Spotlight" section of Monday's edition. Check out the article titled " State Honors Music Project Summer Camp Hits High Notes Despite COVID-19 Pandemic" at this link.

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:

How to Approach Native American/American Indian Music - August 4
Natasha Verhulst will share information on how to approach Native American/American Indian music in the classroom including resources, discussing what is appropriate, state standards, activities, lessons plans, and background. Natasha will help you with ideas and lesson plans to create and bring back to your own classroom as well. Learn more at this link.

CMP Summer Virtual Gathering - August 12 and 13
The Wisconsin Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance (CMP) committee aims to support teachers and students as they adjust to the changes in music classrooms for the upcoming school year. Attend the summer virtual gathering to learn more about or review the CMP model, focus on quality music instruction regardless of the platform used, and strengthen the use of affective outcomes to better engage and connect with students. Learn more at this link.

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) .