TM Collegiate NAfME |J.J. <strong>No</strong>rman At the 2014 TMEA conference, Past President Dian Eddleman encouraged me to attend the NAfME 2014 Hill Day. At the time, I had a previous engagement that would have kept me from attending, so I put it out of my mind, believing it was outside the realm of possibility. A month or so later, my mentor and our President-Elect, Dr. Johnathan Vest told me that I should do whatever it takes to go on this trip. He stated that it would kick start my career in ways that I could not even begin to imagine. I realized that I had to do whatever it took to go on this trip. Thanks to the help of the University of <strong>Tennessee</strong> at Martin Department of Music, I was able to participate in the National Association of Music Education’s 2014 Hill Day and Collegiate Advocacy Summit. On Friday June 27, 2014, Dian Eddleman, Johnathan Vest, Jeff Phillips, Ron Meers, and I served as the <strong>Tennessee</strong> delegation to Capitol Hill. We spent our time advocating for music education in the offices of Senator Bob Corker, Senator Lamar Alexander, Representative Scott DesJarlais, and Representative Diane Black. We discussed the new “STEM to STEAM” congressional caucus that has been formed to advocate for the arts to be considered a core subject, and we asked them to consider music education when issues of funding arise. The <strong>Tennessee</strong> delegations from this year (and prior years), along side with the NAfME national office staff, have started to build relationships with our elected officials on the hill. They recognize our passion and strong advocacy for our subject. I was also joined by 51 of the brightest collegiate NAfME music education students, and future music educators, from across the country. Together we discussed ways we could advocate for music education, future students, and our future jobs. The best time to advocate for tomorrow is today. We all agreed that Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) was the best way for collegiate students to join up with current teachers, the state music educator associations, and other advocates for the arts. Collegiate students should be at the ready whenever called on to serve along side current teachers. Likewise, CNAfME chapters should seek out teachers and ask how they can get involved. Whether we are advocating on behalf of students, parents, other teachers, principals, school boards, or other elected officials, we are clearing the way for a better environment for the music education of tomorrow. NAfME has conducted research and made available some wonderful literature to assist in our advocacy efforts; specifically, the Broader Minded campaign. It provides everyone who advocates with helpful information regardless of the audience. We have all heard and probably used the advocacy tactics of music improving test scores and social skills. The Broader Minded campaign does not discredit these points, but rather reminds everyone that music is also important for music’s sake and this new campaign provides information on just that. Please take some time to visit at www.broaderminded.com. TMEA executive board members have already started planning for their trip to Hill Day 2015 and they want your help! I am planning on attending this coming year and would love for you to join us. The more participation we have, the stronger our voice, and the more changes we can make. If you are interested in attending please contact me to get your name on the list for the 2015 NAfME Hill Day. - J.J. <strong>No</strong>rman 26 www.tnmea.org TM | <strong>Vol</strong>ume <strong>67</strong> number 1
celebrate inspiring leaders and organizations participate in monthly conference calls and webinars a c c e s s o nl i n e r e s o u r c e s The National Network for Music Education Advocacy Needs You! Tap into the SupportMusic Coalition network and resources to keep music education strong. Join the network today! 27
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