Take Note

We talked with Maria A. Ellis, known as Girl Conductor, about the current state of music education and we preview what she'll be talking about during the 2023 PMEA Conference.

We continue to gear up for the 2023 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Joe Boga, All-State Jazz Ensemble Conductor and Charlie Masters, All-State Vocal Jazz Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.

We continue to gear up for the 2023 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Dr. David Romines, All-State Concert Band Conductor and Dr. Patricia Cornett, All-State Wind Ensemble Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.

We continue to gear up for the 2023 PMEA All-State Festival by talking with the conductors of all six All-State ensembles. Today we talk with Dr. Amanda Quist, All-State Chorus Conductor and Dr. Timothy Dixon, All-State Orchestra Conductor. Learn about the musical programs and what student participants can expect.

We're joined by Cameron Jenkins the Founder of Full Potential Leadership. Cameron provides music educators with lots of tips, trick, and new ways of thinking about music education. Cameron will also be one of the keynote speakers at the 2023 PMEA In-Service Conference so this is a great preview for conference attendees!

On this edition of Take Note, we talk with Kara LaMoure. Kara is a member of The Breaking Winds Bassoon Quartet and the WindSync Wind Quintet. We talk about her life as a musician and how schools can incorporate small ensembles into what they do to improve student learning and all music ensembles.

One of America's greatest traditions is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We talk with the Creative Producer of the parade, Wesley Whatley, about the parade and what a marching band experience is when they're a part of this nearly 100 year old event.

On this edition of Take Note, we're taking a look at the intersection of music and dance - specifically tap dance. Nora Clark is the founder of Tap That Brass and she joins us to tell us what that is and gives some ideas for how music teachers can incorporate movement into their teaching.

A new year means we're getting closer to the 2023 PMEA All-State Festival. Mary Lynne Peters, PMEA All-State Festival Coordinator, joins us to preview what we can expect this year and we learn more about her. This is a great episode for directors and students that will be part of the 2023 All-State Festival experience!

PMEA's Crescendo Student Conference will take place on January 31, 2023. We're joined by PMEA Executive Director, Abi Young, and Rebecca Sensor, music educator in the Dubois Area School District, to talk about what Crescendo is and why middle and high school students should attend.

PMEA member, Dr. Jeffrey Gemmell, teaches at Millersville University. He joins us to talk about his area of research and a product of that research - the Lititz Moravian Collegium Musicum.

We're profiling another PMEA member doing amazing things. Chad Toporski talks with us about his career, his school, his military service, and he shares some advice for young music educators.

Marcia Neel joins us to discuss the current state of music education and tips and tricks you can use starting today!

We're joined by Tom Hiravi, a PMEA member in the Danville Area School District. Tom talks to us about proven advocacy strategies that have worked in his program and in other programs in his area. You'll find some great takeaways from Tom and learn just how easy it can be to get funding to get instruments in the hands of kids like he did!

We're joined by Bailey Karst. Bailey is a music education major at West Chester University and, in 2022, was one of the drum majors for Pennsylvania based drum corps, The Cadets. She talks with us about her drum corps career, what it's like to be a drum major, and how she plans to take her experiences with The Cadets into her career.

We talk with PMEA member, Shawn Campopiano, about his summer vacation in which he donated a liver to a former music instructor of his, Mark Morningstar. Shawn's story and how he is teaching his high school band while recovering proves to be an inspiration for all teachers but especially music teachers.

Becky Sensor teaches in the DuBois Area School District. She joins us to talk about where to find funding for your music education program. She details just how easy it really is and provides many tips. You'll hear of her innovative successes in finding funding and how she keeps doing it!

We're joined by Pennsylvania's own Scott Sheehan who is a music educator in the Hollidaysburg Area School District. He has also just taken over as president of NAfME for the next two years, Scott joins us to talk about plans for his presidency and his views on some big issues in music education.

Drum Corps International CEO, Dan Acheson joins us to talk about DCI's 50th Anniversary year and to talk about DCI East, held in Allentown, PA each year. You'll want to learn about the things DCI is planning for this summer and where you can find a show in Pennsylvania.

We're talking with actor, model, and empowerment coach - Courtney Coffey. Courtney shares her journey in the marching arts world and advice for directors and instructors on how they can practice mindfulness with their students and improve their programs at the same time.

We're talking with First Lt. Darren Lin who is the Assistant Director of "The President's Own" United State Marine Band. Darren is a Pennsylvania product that graduated from Hershey High School and participated in PMEA events. He tells us about his life in music, including his participation in PMEA events, and what it is like being part of "The President's Own."

We're joined by retired PMEA member, Jennifer Schoener, to talk about her career in music education and the exciting work and programs she is involved with as the Director of Creative Educational Programming at the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation.

We're joined by Miss Pennsylvania Candidate, Miranda Moore. Miranda has partnered with PMEA to advocate for music education and raise awareness of music education through her position as a Miss Pennsylvania Candidate. We learn about how music has impacted her life and why music is part of her platform.

We're talking with the 2022 PMEA Outstanding Superintendent, Dr. Robert Gildea from the Hollidaysburg Area School District. He talks with us about the music program in Hollidaysburg and his advice for superintendents across the state on how to support a successful music program.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Noe Ortega joins us to talk about music education, his experiences with the arts, and his message to music and arts educators.