Last week, several TU music education students attended the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Fall Conference hosted by Oklahoma City University’s School of Music. The students are members of the newly formed National Association for Music Education Collegiate TU Chapter (NAfME-C.)
TU’s chapter was one of several collegiate organizations in attendance from around the state. All attendees were able to attend clinics on topics for band, orchestra, choir or elementary music. Each section offered wonderful clinics, such as:
- What I Wish I Had Known My First Year of Teaching
- Using Technology in the Choral Classroom
- Active Listening in the Early Childhood Music Classroom
- OSSAA Concert and Sight Reading Preparation
When speaking of her favorite part of the day, junior instrumental music education major, Claudia Proia explained, “Even directors dread the sight reading room! This made me laugh! I’d never thought that the feeling would be reciprocated.”
Speaking specifically about the clinic What I Wish I Had Known My First Year of Teaching, freshman Emma Dawson—instrumental music education major—said, “It was nice they [the clinicians] gave suggestions about on how to handle the financial part of being a band director. This is something all directors should know before their first year of teaching.”
After the conference, NAfME-C members were treated to lunch, which was provided by the collegiate state officers. This was a time to reflect about being a music student and network with fellow undergraduate music education majors.
Katelyn Baker, junior vocal music education major and chapter Vice President, explained, “It was nice to speak with other groups.” When comparing her chapter with other schools she said, “Some larger schools only have around 20 members, so I think we have great participation for our size of university.”
Chapter president Iris Ramirez (freshman vocal music education major) agreed, “We are hosting more events than other chapters are!” She also thought it was nice to meet other collegiate members, “It was exciting to meet so many people that had the same passion for teaching music that I do!”
All the students plan on attending the next OkMEA conference, which will be held in January at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa.
The TU chapter hosts monthly evening masterclasses and lectures on a wide range of music education topics. For more information, contact Iris Ramirez at itr9600@utulsa.edu.