North Carolina Music Educator Summer 2023

Band
Jim Kirkpatrick, Chair
Audition Dates for 2023–24
December 2, 2023 February 10, 2024
January 27, 2024 February 24, 2024*
I
hope this edition of the North Carolina Music Educator
finds you enjoying a nice summer, and you’ve had a chance
to sleep in, spend time with family, maybe travel, and most
of all, recharge your batteries. Many of you are already busy with
marching band and getting prepared for another school year. I
personally will be starting my 26th year of teaching high school
band, and I still love what I do and enjoy the energy of wondering
what great musical experiences I will share with my students and
their families.
My good friend, and NCBA past-president, Jason Barclift,
stated it perfectly, “I believe we all entered this career of music
education because something about it sparked joy. If you struggle
sometimes with the stress our job can bring, pause for a moment,
and remember why you chose this path. As you approach the start
of a new school year, I challenge you to look for the positives.
Surround yourself with master teachers in your school who love
teaching and embrace their friendship and avoid negativity.” This
is great advice that is timeless and universal to all teachers.
We were thrilled to host our summer fundamentals clinic,
In the Beginning Band, organized by longtime North Carolina
band director, Phillip Riggs, and sponsored by NCMEA and
NCBA. Two one-day, free clinics were held on the campuses of
Barton College and North Carolina School of Science and Math
– Morganton. Clinics on the basics of embouchure development,
tone, hand position, tuning, student motivation, pacing,
assessment, and classroom management were provided by many
of our top band directors in the state, including Mary Kate Choat,
Jim Kirkpatrick, Matt Liner, Kristina McRaney, Charlene Outland,
Erik Riggs, Phillip Riggs, Dave Stroud, Renee Todd, and Rodney
Workman. This clinic served as a very useful reminder of the
basics we should address every day while teaching students in our
band rooms. A good time was had by all.
A great opportunity NCMEA provides to inspire and motivate
is at our annual Professional Development Conference in
Winston-Salem on November 4 – 7. It is the most important –and
biggest – opportunity you have for staff development in the state
each year. We are offering fantastic band-specific clinics, sessions
and concerts this year, and I can say without hesitation, this is the
best staff development you can attend in North Carolina for band
directors.
If this is your first year as a band director in North Carolina,
be sure to take full advantage of the resources surrounding you in
the experienced teachers in your area. Networking is invaluable to
your success as a new director. Start the year off right by planning
to attend county, district, and state events. Most of our districts
have a fall meeting and offer a new teacher orientation. The state
has a mentoring program available to our membership as well;
email me if you need more information.
As always, please be prompt in meeting your deadlines, which
are firm. All information about state events can be found at
www.ncbandmasters.org. Do not ask for an exception. Observe
them carefully to protect your students and do not schedule
other activities during district or state events. All events require
directors to attend and be responsible for their students.
Please be professional and model the type of responsibility you
expect from your students. All-State Honor Band auditions will be
on March 2, 2024 (snow make-up March 9) held on the campus
of Atkins High School in Winston-Salem. The All-State Honors
Band Clinic will be April 26 – 28, 2024, held on the campus of the
University of North Carolina Greensboro. Book your hotel rooms
early due to the furniture market happening the same weekend.
Please do not hesitate to contact any of the NCBA officers or
your respective district chair with questions or concerns. Their
contact information can be found on the webpage. We are here to
serve you and your students. Best wishes on a successful school
year, and I look forward to seeing all of you in November at the
NCMEA conference.
*priority deadline for scholarship/assistantship consideration
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Music
Music Minor
Master of Music
Doctor of Musical Arts
Doctor of Philosophy
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Post-Masters Certificate
2023 CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION RATES
Early
through Oct 14
Regular /Onsite
Oct 15 – Nov 6
Active $150 $175
Introductory $75 $85
Collegiate $50 $60
Non-Member $200 $250
Non-Member Guest $50 $60
Retired $0 $0
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