TN Musician Vol. 69 No. 1 (proof 4)

TMEA STATE HIGHER EDUCATION CHAIR’S MESSAGE
by Ryan Fisher, Ph. D.
University departments
of music will need to be
prepared for a possible influx
of transferring students from
community colleges in fall
2017. Partnerships with local
community college music
programs may be warranted
to ensure a smoother
transition into four-year
university music programs.
THERE IS REALLY SOMETHING QUITE SPECIAL about walking around
a university campus on the first week of classes. The new
freshmen have a look of amazement as they wander around
the campus seeking the location of their next class. Even the returning
students have budgeted time in their morning routine to
groom and actually show up to class on time. As the new TMEA
State Higher Education Chair, I feel a bit like our incoming freshmen
as I “learn the ropes” of this new job. Unlike our returning
students who eventually reduce the time spent grooming and return
to their evil ways of skipping class, I promise to approach this
job properly groomed and dedicated to “showing up” every day in
order to serve this incredible organization. I would like to congratulate
and applaud our past higher education chair, Dr. Eric
Branscome, for his distinguished service over the past two years.
He expertly organized and executed the highly successful 2016
TMEA Intercollegiate Band at last year’s state conference, and
provided a thorough blueprint for me to follow during my tenure
in this position.
The 2017 TMEA conference will feature the Intercollegiate
Orchestra. We are excited that Jeffrey Grogan, Education and
Community Engagement Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony
Orchestra, has agreed to serve as our guest conductor this year. I
would like to invite all university programs with string students to
make plans (February 5-6, 2017) to submit your talented students
in order to ensure the ensemble is successful this year.
I would also like to encourage directors of small ensembles or
chamber ensembles to consider applying to perform at the 2017
TMEA Professional Development Conference, February 6-8. Various
groups will be selected to perform in the exhibit hall or at other
locations throughout the conference hall. This is a wonderful
opportunity for non-traditional ensembles and chamber groups
to feature their school’s music program to fellow music educators
from across the state. The application for these conference performance
opportunities will be available on our website very soon.
32 | TENNESSEE MUSICIAN | 2016 | Volume 69, No. 1