CMEA Conference hits all the right notes

Colorado music educators gathered for their yearly conference in Colorado Springs this week.

The conference, back in person for the first time since 2019, is the pinnacle for music educators’ professional development. The schedule for the conference is packed with training sessions, clinics, performances, and amazing keynote speakers. There is also a portion of the conference reserved to highlight the accomplishments of students, young music educators, and hall of fame inductees.

CMEA President, Kevin Beaber (Crowley County High School), was recognized as he received the NFHS’ Section 6 Outstanding Music Educator Award. This award is given to a music educator who exemplifies the very best in organization and continuance of an activity program, significant contributions to the field, years of both curricular and co-curricular service, and contributions to the profession both in and out of the state.

Kevin is in his 37^th year of teaching, he has served as the CHSAA Music Advisory Committee Chairperson since 2017, and CMEA President/President-elect since 2017. He also served as the state chairperson for Tri-M for 16 years. Kevin is a strong advocate for small schools, continues to help new Music teachers grow in the profession, and currently serves as a CHSAA Music Festival adjudicator. To say that Kevin is deserving of the Section 6 Award, would be an understatement.

Well deserved!

As part of CHSAA’s role in the conference, I was able to be part of a presentation with members of the Colorado Music Adjudication Association (CMAA). This association is “critical in maintaining and improving the standards of music adjudication within Colorado by the maintenance of a membership of dedicated, capable, and experienced music teachers and through the development of promising new judges.” This association, led by Gary Ambrosier, is Colorado’s premier music adjudication group and continues to provide CHSAA music festivals with the very best.

When asked about his role in training adjudicators, Gary simply pointed out that it is about making each festival experience the very best for student groups.

Sitting in an adjudication training session, led by another CMAA member, Mr. Gary Hall, attendees were able to listen to multiple bands and then provide their rating, which was checked against his rating, to see how adjudicators find consensus. The feedback for a group hinge on a judge’s ability to be as upfront as possible, while maintaining the highest standard. It is a fine balance and becomes easier with time.

Another highlight of the conference was talking with 2022 CMEA Hall of Fame inductee, Tana Knopf. Tana is the first female and first black female to be a band teacher in Denver Public Schools. As a counselor and band teacher at Denver North High School, Tana worked tirelessly to build the only marching band in Denver Public Schools, at the time. That was in 1989. Tana left music in 2001, continued her work as a counselor until 2005, and then officially retired from education in 2011. I asked Tana what it is that keeps her coming back to the CMEA Conference each year and she told me that it’s the camaraderie and networking.

“Until they roll me out, I’ll be coming to CMEA,” said Knopf.

With three former students who now attend the CMEA conference as teachers, Tana has another reason to continue to attend the conference. In Tana’s words, “Being inducted into the CMEA Hall of Fame is an honor and a blessing.”

In one of the most educational breakout sessions of the conference, Dr. James Weaver, Director of Performing Arts and Sports for the NFHS, presented a session titled Copyright Compliance in Music Education. This is a session that every coach, activity director, athletic director, and co-curricular teacher should take. According to Dr. Weaver, “Copyright law is complex. Do your homework on the law. Bottom line: Don’t break the law.” You can find the course on the CHSAA website- (Understanding Copyright and Compliance Course (nfhslearn.com).

Overall, this experience is one that I would highly recommend all Colorado music educators and even school administrators look forward to attending in the future. I want to thank Kevin Beaber and Cynthia Ebersole (CMEA President-elect) for hosting an amazing event and creating opportunities for the continued growth of the relationship between CMEA and CHSAA.