“Of all the positions I applied for, the one I was hired for and accepted was the furthest from what I envisioned my first job would look like, and I was determined to make it work. Thus, my greatest advice to recent grads: keep an open mind. Be open to a new focus, schedule, location, and professional network… Don’t be afraid to jump into the unknown.”
At the Spring 2022 Meeting, the ILMEA Board of Directors voted to implement changes to the Jazz audition process. After a careful examination of current practice and the procedures used by other states and national organizations, we feel very strongly that the new procedures and policies include a clear set of objective practices designed to benefit our students and directors.
Moving from undergraduate to student teacher, or from student teacher to in-service educator is exciting and exhilarating, and also overwhelming and (if we’re being honest) slightly terrifying! But with so many who have gone through these transitions before you and navigated them successfully, there is no reason to make a go if it on your own.
As the school year races to a close, it can be easy for educators to ignore their own social-emotional needs. From final concerts to graduations to recommendation letters, you are constantly being pulled in multiple directions. It is very important to take a step back and remember to take at least a few minutes a day to practice self-care.
One of the strongest aspects of being part of a professional association is learning from your colleagues in the field. In this blog post, we crowd-sourced advice that music educators have for first-year teachers and student teachers. Read on to see what encouragement and advice your music education colleagues have to share!
“I loved enjoying all the music. The Jazz and Student Composition Concerts were incredible. It was so fun to watch people just as passionate for music as I am.” I was so thrilled to read this quote from one of our participating All State Students, upon reviewing our 2022 Student Surveys. It evokes exactly the type of experience we are intending to bring to all our state’s most dedicated music students…
Mark your calendars - March 14-18 is the 2022 Illinois Arts in Education Week!
Looking for easy-to-implement and low-cost ways to celebrate music education in Illinois schools next week? Check out these ideas and be sure to follow ILMEA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the run-up and during this week-long celebration!
Discussing women's contributions to music isn't limited to #WomensHistoryMonth but March is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on this work and these influential musicians.
To intentionally implement valuable and meaningful lessons for your students that are representative and inclusive, that takes advance planning. We are excited to share these resources to use throughout the year and for Black History Month as you make plans to celebrate every student in every music classroom!
As a stakeholder in an independent ILMEA, you have a vested interest in our programs. Maybe you send students to district festivals or participate as an attendee at one of our Professional Development offerings. Maybe you rely on the high-quality articles in the IMEJ or access our social media accounts for resources during Black History Month. Whatever the reasons, you also have a ‘why.’
Often, students with disabilities require additional supports. When working with students with diverse needs, there is no one size fits all approach. However, almost any adaptation or modification we make for one student will likely benefit another. By adapting and modifying not only my lessons but also my classroom, I am able to provide an environment that meets the needs of all students.
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected how we make music with others and teach music to our students. Musicians still want to have group performances, and music teachers want to have some sort of concert experience. In response to stay-at-home restrictions, school closures, and online learning, tech-savvy music teachers across the United States quickly put together virtual performances of their school ensembles. Read on for brief history of the virtual ensemble and general guidelines on how to prepare your students to record for a virtual performance.
