THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION
News From Our Division Chairs
Orchestra Performance
Susan Meuse
732-613-6890
susanmeuse@gmail.com
Welcome back to a new school year! The All-State Orchestra is currently preparing for the upcoming concerts in November. The conductor, Gregory Pritchard has picked a great program that the students are working very hard on with help from the rehearsal conductors. It
should be a great concert, so we hope to see you in Atlantic City or NJPAC!
Since the last issue of TEMPO, the All-State Intermediate Orchestra performed a wonderful concert at the Neptune High School Performing Arts Center. Conductor Sal Scarpa did a fantastic job preparing the talented students to perform a fantastic program. I must also
include a big thank you to Michael Saias for managing the group.
New last spring, was the Honors Chamber Orchestra, a high school string ensemble. They performed on the same concerts as the ASIO.
The students performed beautifully under the direction of Matthew B. Dell. Thank you to Daniel Martinho for managing the ensemble in
its first year.
Orchestra festivals – be on the lookout for more information soon. I am working on finalizing sites and times. If you think you may be
interested in participating and/or helping out, please send me an email!
Retired Music Educators
Kathleen Spadafino
732-214-1044
kspadEB@aol.com
Another fall…Ho hum… If you have recently retired, congratulations! It will take some time to reset your internal speedometer from
100 mph to a much healthier 30-40 mph. But you will get used to a new tempo for your life. Although we, your colleagues, are retired from
everyday school life, many of us are still active. Many of us still perform in bands, orchestras and choruses, direct community groups, work or
volunteer in churches or at the college level. “I don’t know how I had time for work!” is a line I often hear.
Our executive board has 2 meetings during the year, where we plan speakers for the general membership meetings. This year we will not
have an NJMEA conference in February because New Jersey is hosting the NAfME Eastern Division in April. Our one General Membership
meeting will be Wednesday, May 10, 2017. I will remind you of the date in future articles.
Our executive board members are: Frank Hughes (president-elect), Beverly Robinovitz (secretary), Dorian Parreott (treasurer), Paul Oster, Ron Dolce, Judy Verrilli and Joyce Richardson-Melech. Because of the Eastern NAfME in 2017, NJMEA will not be naming a Master
Music Teacher. Our committee will be observing excellent teachers in the spring for the honor the following year. Please think about nominating someone you have worked with that has inspired students in their classrooms. I hope to see you at concerts, the Eastern convention, and
our meeting in May. Meanwhile, enjoy your busy life of retirement!
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TEMPO 16
OCTOBER 2016