August - Nebraska Music Educators Association

Nebraska Music Educators Association
Executive Board Meeting
August 18, 2007
Westbrook Music Building
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
The summer meeting of the Nebraska Music Educators Association Executive Board was called to order by
President Lance Nielsen at 8:34 a.m., August 18, 2007 with the following officers present: Lance Nielsen, Joyce
Patch, Glenn Nierman, Rex Barker, Michael Koch, Jessica Happold, Joan Reist, Bryan Johnson, Tena Whiston, Tom
Jaworski, Christa Speed, Jan Harriott, Duane Johnson, Kelly Meyer, Dave Klein, and Jody Neel. Not attending were
Michelle Bluford, Mark Butler, and Judy Bush.
Secretary/Treasurer Bryan Johnson presented the minutes of the May 5, 2007 Executive Board Meeting. On a
motion by Christa Speed, seconded by Tom Jaworski, the minutes were approved as presented. Motion
carried unanimously.
Secretary/Treasurer Johnson presented a treasurer's report indicating a checking account balance of $10,919.81, a
scholarship account balance of $2,360.46, and certificates of deposit totaling $113,636.31. On a motion by Glenn
Nierman, seconded by Rex Baker, the treasurer’s report was accepted as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
BOARD REPORTS
PRESIDENT – Lance Nielsen reported on the following items.
• Lance, Joyce Patch, Glenn Nierman and Rex Barker attended with MENC Centennial Congress and
National Assembly meetings this summer in Orlando. The focus of the Centennial Congress was to look at
the goals of music education and why music education is not yet universal.
• This summer’s leadership retreat was a huge success. Special thanks go to Bill Roehrs for organizing the
event and Joyce Patch, Glenn Nierman and Joyce Patch for their help and presentations.
• Vendors have been secured for this fall’s conference. The shuttle service should be available at a lower cost
than last year.
• The date change for the 2009 and 2011 conferences has been communicated to NSAA, the Lincoln
Convention and Visitors Bureau, UNL, the Lied Center, and our conference hotels. The date change is on
the web site and has been sent to administrators across the state.
• Please let Lance know of your housing plans for the conference so he can begin planning for room use at
the hotels.
• There have been changes in the reauthorization of “No Child Left Behind.” There has been a name change
to “All Students Can Achieve.”
PRESIDENT-ELECT – Rex Barker reported that plans for the 2007 conference are proceeding. Thomas Wilkins
of the Omaha Symphony will be the keynote speaker and Tonic Sol-Fa will be the opening night concert. 29
clinicians have been contracted, along with 16 performing ensembles. There is the possibility of additional clinicians
as time and space permit.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT – Glenn Nierman presented this slate of officers for the NMEA Executive
Board:
• President-Elect: Cheri Helmer-Riensche, Papillion & Neal Schnoor, UNK
• Auditions Chair: Sharon Hoffman, Bayard & Matt Sheppard, Millard
• Band Chair: Randy Raines, Gering & Kim Wiedeman, Mitchell
• Elementary/General Music Chair: Nicole Chapman, Millard & Kelly Rice, Scottsbluff

The deadline for the Music Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Administrator, and Young Music Teacher is
September 15. An email reminder will be sent to solicit additional nominations.
SECRETARY/TREASURER – Bryan Johnson reported that he is now using the email address nmea@q.com for
NMEA business. His school email address is still usable but he will switch to the new address over the course of this
school year.
Summer projects completed include creating the 2007 Auditions CD and a revision of the auditions book. The All-
State master database has been revised. There is also a new procedure for instrumental auditions in place for this
fall.
If any board members has a message that needs to go out to the membership by email please send the text of the
message to Bryan well ahead of the date it needs to be sent.
A procedure is in place for issuing refund to schools that purchased Fight the Good Fight for the All-State Chorus.
Notification of the music change was sent by email to all NMEA members. Notification by mail was also sent to all
high school choir directors and everyone who purchased tenor or bass rehearsal CDs.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/EDITOR – Joyce Patch reported on several items:
• The principal’s newsletter and exhibit contracts were mailed on August 1.
• Work continues on the conference database and information is being entered.
• The August issue of the Nebraska Music Educator went to the publisher three days early. The August issue
was produced entirely in house using the new software. This allows more flexibility with layout design and
gives the editor the chance to include late breaking articles and news.
• The computer files on the two NMEA computers have been reorganized and two external hard drives were
purchased to increase storage for the magazine files.
• Mick and Joyce represented NMEA at the administrator’s convention this summer. Traffic was light but
some valuable contacts were made.
• Joyce reviewed the guidelines she uses to publish articles from other music associations. There is a large
amount of information from NSBA and IAJE in the Educator because those organizations use the magazine
(and pay advertising rates) to reach their target audience. This option is available to all affiliate
organizations.
• NMEA information is published in the NSAA Bulletin and sent to all of their affiliate schools. This
includes the change in conference dates in 2009 and 2011.
• The leadership retreat was very successful this summer. Sessions included the future of music education,
leadership development, issues affecting music education, local program development, advocacy training,
and involvement with NMEA/MENC.
• Joyce also gave an update on her travels as North Central President and listed the deadlines for this fall.
CHAIR OF AUDITIONS – Tom Jaworski reported that plans are proceeding for All-State auditions on October
13. The site handbooks have been updated and meetings with site chairs were held at the summer NSBA and NCDA
conventions. There are changes in this year’s auditions that will result in no misplaced ID numbers or misidentified
students. The forms sites receive will be pre-printed with ID numbers, the master forms will be generated by the
Secretary/Treasurer, instrumental site workers will handle only one cassette at a time, and cassette tapes from
cancelled auditions will be reviewed to verify that fact.
Tom is in the process of assigning board members to audition sites. Please let him know if you can help on that day.
The UNO faculty will judge this year’s instrumental auditions and new judging forms will be used.
CHAIR OF BAND AFFAIRS – Michelle Bluford had no report at this time.

CHAIR OF CHORAL AFFAIRS – Mark Butler reported on the situation that came up regarding the All-State
Chorus selections. Objections were made on the basis that the program was unbalanced and too heavy on music of a
Christian nature. After consideration, the selection Fight the Good Fight was dropped from the program and a
replacement has been selected. Mark recommends that a policy regarding music selection be implemented before
next year’s All-State music is chosen.
CHAIR OF ORCHESTRA AFFAIRS – Christa Speed reported that Kay George Roberts had to cancel as this
year’s orchestra conductor due to health problems. The new conductor will be E. Daniel Long of Ann Arbor,
Michigan. He has agreed to conduct the program as previously announced.
CHAIR OF MIDDLE LEVEL/JUNIOR HIGH AFFAIRS – Michael Koch reported that the Gretna Middle
School Band, Chris Tucker, Director, will be the demonstration group for this year’s middle level reading session.
The conductors will be Jim Kucera, Jacque Rush and Duane DeVries.
CHAIR OF ELEMENTARY/GENERAL MUSIC AFFAIRS – Tena Whiston reported that she has submitted a
list of potential clinicians for conference sessions. She asked if it would be possible to begin contracting clinicians
several years in advance.
CHAIR OF COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS – Jan Harriott reported that she has received two applications
for the Outstanding CMENC Chapter Award and seven applications for the student teaching grant.
CHAIR OF COLLEGIATE MEMBERS (CMENC) – Jessica Happold had no report at this time.
HISTORIAN – Duane Johnson reported that the NMEA Archives have about outgrown the present facility. More
materials are arriving to be filed. Three persons have been elected to the Hall of Fame. This year a deferral category
was added to the voting. A deferred name will automatically appear on the ballot next year.
A letter and conference registration form will be sent to all retired members in October. The Past Presidents
breakfast will be at Kuhl’s Restaurant and agenda items include a review of the Hall of Fame procedures.
PUBLIC RELATIONS – Judy Bush reported that NMEA had a booth at the NCDA summer conference at Doane
College and Chorus CDs were sold at that time. NMEA also was present at the summer NCSA meeting. Special
thanks go to Dave Klein for providing an ensemble to perform at the NCDA ice cream social. The new information
brochure was given to NCSA for a mass mailing to Nebraska administrators.
MEMBERSHIP/MENTORING CHAIR – Roger Thaden reported that the 2007-2008 membership calendars went
to the printer in July. Thirty-seven ad blocks were sold. The All-State participant’s medallions have been redesigned
to use the current NMEA logo.
Roger mentioned that he has received mentoring requests from several schools that have hired music teachers who
have not yet graduated. These teachers spend their student teaching semester already on the job – with another
faculty member being their supervising teacher. Board consensus was that NMEA provide all the help we can to
these individuals.
ADVOCACY – Joan Reist reported that discussions were held in May about the governor’s veto of funding for the
Arts Supervisor’s position at the Department of Education. No action or lobbying has been done and this item is
currently on hold.

TRI M CHAIR – Becky Wilhelm reported that the Tri M Symposium will be held on November 15, 2007 at the
UNL Student Union. Sessions include leadership, advocacy, recording equipment/technology, and possibly an
audiologist. There were 17 active chapters in July 2007.
EXHIBITS – Marilyn Godby reported that there are no NMEA prices increases for 2007. (There will be a rate
increase in 2008 due to additional costs at the Embassy Suites.) Eleven contracts had arrived by August 10. Marilyn
also presented details of the time line for this year’s exhibits and a review of NMEA policy regarding contracts. She
asked if Tri M students will be available to assist exhibitors. If they are not she will need to know prior to
confirmation letters mailed in mid-October.
NMDEA is pleased to present $550 to the NSBA for scholarships, $600 to NMEA for the student teacher grants, and
$400 to NMEA for All-State grants. Other expenses include two half page ads in the Nebraska Music Educator and
possibly a charge from a graphic artist for updating this ad.
RESEARCH – Neal Schnoor had no report at this time.
INFORMATION ITEMS
AUDITION LOGISTICS – Tom Jaworski and Bryan Johnson updated the board on changes made in auditions for
the coming year. They demonstrated the use of the new application forms and procedures. All board site
representatives should be knowledgeable about these forms and require all sites to use them in the same way. The
instrumental audition packets will include a judging form. These forms are new as NMEA has not had a
standardized form previously.
MENC UPDATES – Joyce Patch gave a Power Point presentation of the MENC events held during the summer,
including the finale of the National Anthem Project and the Centennial Congress. Joyce also shared a handout
showing the current governance structure of MENC. This structure is now being examined and MENC welcomes
input from membership.
MAGAZINE GUIDELINES – Editor Joyce Patch asked the board for input regarding articles printed in the
Nebraska Music Educator that publicize events sponsored by affiliate organizations. It is important to be fair to all
such organizations. She has developed guidelines that allow the complimentary printing of up to two events for each
such group. Addition information and postings is considered advertising and will be printed at the standard fee.
BANQUET MUSIC – Bryan Johnson asked the board for input regarding the use of the Doxology and the
Hallelujah Chorus to begin and close the annual banquet. There have been some questions raised regarding the
appropriateness of using sacred music at this event. After discussion the board reached a consensus that this year’s
banquet will begin with singing the Star Spangled Banner instead of the Doxology. The Hallelujah Chorus will
continue to conclude the banquet.
NFHS AWARD – Sharon Hoffmann of Bayard was nominated for this award a year ago so her name will be
submitted to the NSAA for consideration this fall. Tom Jaworski will represent NMEA at the annual meeting in
Indianapolis in November.
President Nielsen presented the agenda and asked for changes and additions.

It was moved by Glenn Nierman, seconded by Rex Barker, that the following changes be made in the printed
agenda:
• The name of Louis Burkel be added to the Memorial Donation item
• Approval of the financial review be added to the consent agenda
• The photographer/videographer contract be added to the regular agenda
Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
(Proposed by Joyce Patch on behalf of the entire NMEA Executive Board) NMEA will make a donation of $50
each to the NMEA/NMDEA Grant Fund in memory of George Hinn and Louis Burkel.
(Proposed by Bryan Johnson) The NMEA Executive Board formally accepts the 2006 financial review as
prepared by the accounting firm of Morrow, Davies and Toelle, PC.
Rex Barker moved that the Consent Agenda be adopted. Tom Jaworski seconded the motion and it carried
unanimously.
ACTION ITEMS – OLD BUSINESS
ALL-STATE STUDENT HOME CONTACT INFORMATION – Glenn Nierman presented the following
motion, seconded by Tom Jaworski: NMEA will include a section on the All-State participant’s contract to
obtain parental consent for sharing home mailing addresses with colleges and universities. Home mailing
addresses for All-State students will be sent to Nebraska colleges and universities without charge provided
parents give permission. Requests from out of state institutions will be assessed a fee of $50.00.
Bryan Johnson explained that NMEA made home addresses available until 2004 when, on a recommendation from
MENC, only school information was shared. At the time of this decision it was difficult for NMEA to obtain the
necessary parental consent. With the changes made in the student contracts in 2006 it is no longer difficult to collect
such information.
Permitting the colleges and universities to contact students directly should help them with their efforts to recruit
talented young musicians and keep them in music and music education.
The motion was approved unanimously.
NMEA MEMBERSHIP CALENDAR – The board had a brief discussion of the necessity of raising the fee
charged for advertising spaces. This fee has not increased since this project started. It was decided that such a
motion, if necessary, will be made at the January meeting. The photo used on the 2008-2009 calendars will be the
young educators attending the 2007 Leadership Retreat.
ACTION ITEMS – NEW BUSINESS
AUDITION ADJUDICATION FORMS – It was moved by Tom Jaworski, seconded by Jan Harriott, that the
instrumental judges for All-State auditions be required to use the judging form sent by the Chair of Audition

for each student they adjudicate and that they return the completed judging forms with all other All-State
audition materials.
Tom explained that NMEA has not had a standardized judging form for instrumental auditions. These new forms
were developed over the summer with input by Cindy Nichols. Cindy is coordinating this year’s team of judges who
will be faculty at UNO plus Peter Bouffard for the jazz rhythm section.
Tom asked the board to consider the forms and the weight given to various captions. Suggestions were made on
several captions and the point scale. Several board members felt that the number of possible points was unwieldy
and would be better if fewer points were included. It was also mentioned that the scales may need additional weight,
which could be achieved by eliminating some of the points and captions now designated for the etudes and excerpt.
Tom was asked to take the board’s concerns back to Cindy and the UNO faculty and make revisions as they see fit.
The forms will be used this year and evaluated after the conclusion of this year’s All-State judging.
The motion carried.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – President Nielsen asked for nominations for this year’s award. None
were made at this time.
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER LIED FEE POLICY – It was moved by Glenn Nierman, seconded by
Tom Jaworski: A blanket fee of $330 (MidAmerica Video) and $165 (Anderson Studio) be included in these
businesses’ respective contracts for services rendered at the NMEA In-service Conference/Clinic each year to
cover the $490 photographer/videographer fee of $490 charged to NMEA by the Lied Center each year.
Glenn explained how difficult it is to come up with a fair distribution of the charges for the fee set by the Lied
Center for the sales of items within their building. The two businesses would be charged the set fee based on the
approximate number of items sold in 2006. After discussion, a friendly amendment was offered by Glenn
Nierman and seconded by Tom Jaworski: The Lied photographer/videographer fee will be assessed
proportionally based on the previous year’s sales and that this amount is specified in each vendor’s contract.
The amended motion carried unanimously.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
• Bryan Johnson reminded board members that postage costs have gone up this year. If anyone has a large
number of packages to mail they may request a cash advance so the costs are not paid out of the board
member’s personal funds. To receive a cash advance please estimate the amount necessary and send a
payment voucher to him. Be very careful to save all receipts as these will be required after you make the
mailings.
There being no further business President Nielsen declared the meeting adjourned at 11:59 a.m.