ABOUT

WVMEA

WVMEA is the service and professional organization for music teachers engaged in teaching school music in West Virginia. The active membership includes those teaching on all levels from pre-school through college; in addition there are twelve student chapters throughout the state comprised of college students enrolled in music education. WVMEA is the state affiliate of the National Association for Music Education, a professional organization of over 65,000 members.

PURPOSE

WVMEA’s objective is to strengthen and advance the cause of music education throughout the Mountain State by providing in-service conferences, cooperating with other educational organizations in matters pertaining to music education, and disseminating information regarding current developments in music education. In addition, WVMEA provides leadership models in professional growth for teachers; serves as a clearing house for effective techniques, resources, materials, and common concems; and – most importantly – offers special opportunities for musical growth to school pupils.

PROGRAMS & FUNCTIONS

WVMEA constantly is involved in providing definition and direction to music education by actively cooperating with the State Department of Education, Office of Instructional Services; holding regional music festivals, stage band and show choir contests, and the regional solo and ensemble festivals; and presenting honor finalists at the spring In-Service Conference for both organizations and solo or ensemble events. Teachers are encouraged to sponsor, coordinate, and actively participate in all aspects of association activities. In addition, all educators are strongly urged to attend the festivals in which their students are involved.

ORGANIZATION & STRUCTURE

The WVMEA is governed by elected and appointed officers comprising the WVMEA Executive Board. Elected officials are: President, President-Elect, Past-President, and the respective presidents of the Bandmasters, Vocal Association, Orchestra Association, Society for General Music, West Virginia Children’s Choral Association and College Music Educators. Appointed positions include an Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Communications/Publications, Solo and Ensembie Chairman, Research Chairman, Advocacy Chairman, Tri-M Chairman, and Music in Our Schools Month Chairman, and Historian. Ex-officio members include the WVDE Coordinator, The Arts, and representatives from the Secondary Schools Activities Commission, American Choral Directors Association, and the American String Teachers Association.

HISTORY

Materials concerning music education in the state have been collected and stored in the library archives in the West Virginia and Regional History Collection that is located in the Charles C. Wise, Jr. Library on the WVU Downtown Campus. In addition, the WVMEA historians have written articles of historical interest, entitled "Notes da capo," for the WVMEA publication, NOTES A TEMPO.

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