TN Musician, Vol. 75, No. 1

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Music Education Association 

MEET THE 

2022-2024 

TMEA BOARD 

p. 10 

EASY STEPS TO 

PUTTING TOGETHER 

A JAZZ ENSEMBLE 

AT YOUR SCHOOL 

by Frank Zimmerer 

p. 18 

2022-2023 

TMEA AWARDS 

CATEGORIES & 

NOMINATION 

INFORMATION 

p. 22 

VOLUME 75, NO. 1

School of 

Music 

SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION DATES 

Friday, February 3, 2023 

Friday, February 17, 2023 

Friday, March 3, 2023 

tntech.edu/music 

(931) 372-3161 

music@tntech.edu 

1150 N. Dixie Ave. 

Campus Box 5045 

Cookeville, TN 38505-0001 

CFA006-PRNT-23

MARCH IS 

Learn more at nafme.org/MIOSM 

#MIOSM | #MusicIsAllOfUs

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2022 VOLUME 75, No. 1 

04 

PROGRAM NOTES 

TMEA Board and Council Directory 

2022-2023 

05 

07 

09 

Tennessee Musician Advertiser Index 

Issue No. 1 

Prelude - A Message from the Editor 

Anna Laura Williams 

TMEA President’s Message 

Ryan Fisher 

10 

18 

TEACHING IN TENNESSEE 

Meet the 2022-2024 TMEA Board 

Executive Board and Board of Directors 

Easy Steps to Putting Together a 

Jazz Ensemble at Your School 


TMEA Back Then 

27 

December 1976 

22 

Tennessee Musician is mailed to members four times each year at an annual 

subscription rate of $5.00 (included in dues). 

Non-member subscription rate (includes S&H): $30.00 per school year; 

single copies: $10.00 per issue. 

64TH ANNUAL TMEA CONFERENCE 

2022-2023 TMEA Awards 

Categories & Nomination Information 

MEET THE 2022-2024 

TMEA 

B ARD 

2022-2023 

TMEA AWARDS 

Categories & Nomination 

Information 

Postmaster - Send address changes to: 

Tennessee Musician 

c/o Tennessee Music Education Association 

2441-Q Old Fort Pkwy, #635 

Murfreesboro, TN 37128-4162 

Published by Slate Group: 6024 45th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79407. 

Graphic Design: Nikki Davis. Account Executive: Ian Spector (800-794-5594). 

Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization. U.S. Postage Paid at Lubbock, Texas. 

ISSN Number 0400-3332; EIN number 20-3325550. 

Copyright © 2022 Tennessee Music Education Association. Reproduction in any form 

is illegal without the express permission of the editor: Anna Laura Williams, Managing 

Editor & Advertising Manager; anna.laura.williams@tnmea.org. 

Tennessee Music Education Association | www.tnmea.org | 3

TMEA BOARD AND COUNCIL 

tmea executive board 

TMEA Executive Director 

Michael W. Chester 

michael.chester@tnmea.org 

TMEA President 

Ryan Fisher, Ph.D. 

ryan.fisher@tnmea.org 

TMEA President-Elect 

Joel Denton 

leaderslead@yahoo.com 

TMEA Immediate Past-President 

Alexis Yatuzis-Derryberry 

derryberrya@rcschools.net 

TMEA Secretary 

Dian Eddleman 

deddleman@usjbruins.org 

tmea council 

WTGMEA President 

Jennifer Proseus 

wtgmeamemphis@yahoo.com 

WTGMEA President-Elect 

Allen Moody 

amoodyteacher@gmail.com 

WTVMEA President 

Adrian Maclin 

maclinal@scsk12.org 

WTVMEA President-Elect 

Reachel Hudgins 

reachelhudgins@dcchoctaws.net 

WTSBOA President 

Jennifer Cupples 

jennifer.cupples@wcsk12tn.net 

WTSBOA President-Elect 

Benjamin Martin 

bmartin@huntingdonschools.net 

tmea board of directors 

TMEA State General Music Chair 

Ben Torres 

benjamin.torres@cmcss.net 

TMEA State Choral Chair 

Demetrius Robinson, Ed.S. 

drobinson@tscsmemphis.org 

TMEA State Orchestra Chair 

Cynthia Wright 

cynthia.wright@maryville-schools.org 

TMEA State Band Chair 

Ollie Liddell, Ph.D. 

liddello@scsk12.org 

TMEA State Higher Education Chair 

Lauren Ramey, Ph.D. 

lauren.e.ramey@gmail.com 

MTGMEA President 

Corynn York 

yorkc@rcschools.net 

MTGMEA President-Elect 

Abbi Miller 

abigail.miller@cityschools.net 

MTVA President 

Lorna Pyka 

lornapyka@yahoo.com 

MTVA President-Elect 

T.J. McLaughlin 

t.j.mclaughlin@sumnerschools.org 

MTSBOA President 

J.R. Baker 

john.baker@rcstn.net 

MTSBOA President-Elect 

Stacy Jernigan 

stacy.jernigan000@gmail.com 

TMEA NAfME Collegiate Chair 

Michael Chandler, Ph.D. 

chandlermd@apsu.edu 

TMEA Society for Music Teacher 

Education/Research Chair 

Loneka Wilkinson Battiste, Ph.D. 

lbattis2@utk.edu 

TMEA Advocacy and 

Government Relations Chair 

Christopher Dye, Ed.D. 

christopher.dye@mtsu.edu 

TMEA Communications Manager, 

Publications Editor and 

Advertising Manager 


anna.laura.williams@tnmea.org 

ETGMEA President 

Bryant Adler 

etgmea@gmail.com 

ETGMEA President-Elect 

Hannah Strong 

hannahstrong@hvocals.com 

ETVA President 

Kristen Wiram 

KristenWi@gmail.com 

ETVA President-Elect 

William Brimer 

william.brimer@knoxschools.org 

ETSBOA President 

Jim Burton 

president@etsboa.org 

ETSBOA President-Elect 

Megan Christian 

presidentelect@etsboa.org 

tmea project chairs 

TMEA Modern Band Education Chair 

Michael Parsons 

mlparsons@briarcrest.com 

TMEA Jazz Education Policy Chair 

Frank Zimmerer, Ed.S. 

frank.zimmerer@mnps.org 

TMEA Tri-M Chair 

Pamela Wilensky 

wilenskypb@scsk12.org 

TMEA Music In Our Schools Month Chair 

Lisa Crunk 

crunkl@bedfordk12tn.net 

TMEA Music Merchants Industry Chair 

Scott Lane 

scott@lanemusic.com 

TMEA Retired Teachers Chair 

Deborah Gouge 

debbie.gouge@ecschools.net 

TMEA Webmaster 

John Womack 

john.womack@tnmea.org 

tmea all-state & conference management team 

TN All-State Choral Chair 

Brian Russell, DMA 

brian.russell@tnmea.org 

TN All-State Instrumental Chair 

Carter Noblin 

carter.noblin@tnmea.org 

TN All-State Jazz Band Chair 

Cord Martin 

corderyl.martin@gmail.com 

TN Treble Honor Choir Chair 

Tiffany Barton 

tntreblechoir@gmail.com 

TMEA Conference 

Registration Chair 

Mark Garey 

mgarey86@comcast.net 

TMEA Conference Performing 

Ensembles Instrumental Chair 

John Mears 

mearsj@rcschools.net 

TMEA Conference Performing 

Ensembles Choral Chair 

Susan Kelly, DMA 

kellysu@rcschools.net 

4 | TENNESSEE MUSICIAN | 2022 | Volume 75, No. 1

TENNESSEE MUSICIAN ADVERTISER INDEX | VOLUME 75, No. 1 

Tennessee Musician 

The Official Publication of the 

Tennessee Music Education 

Association 

Inside Front Cover 

Tennessee Tech. University 

University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music 

02 | NAfME Music In Our 

Schools Month® 

06 | East Tennessee State 

University 

08 | Maryville College 

13 | Middle Tennessee State 

University 

Center Page 

Bethel University Renaissance 

Inside Back Cover 

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 

Back Cover 

Lee University 

20 | University of Tennessee 

at Martin 


Knoxville School of Music 


Knoxville Bands 

28 | Slate Group 

The Tennessee Music Education 

Association (TMEA) was officially 

formed in 1945 as a voluntary, nonprofit 

organization representing 

all phases of music education at all 

school levels. The mission of TMEA 

is to promote the advancement of 

high-quality music education for all. 

Active TMEA membership is open to 

all persons currently teaching music 

and others with a special interest 

or involvement in music education. 

Collegiate memberships and 

retired memberships are available. 

Additional membership information 

is available on the TMEA website: 

www.tnmea.org. 

The Tennessee Musician was 

founded in 1948 with J. Clark Rhodes 

appointed by the TMEA Board of 

Control as inaugural editor. 

Tennessee Musician was preceded 

by an earlier publication, Tennessee 

Music Editors’ Downbeat, which was 

discontinued by the TMEA Board of 

Control at the spring board meeting, 

held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 

1948. 

All advertising and editorial 

materials should be sent to 

Anna Laura Williams, Managing 

Editor and Advertising Manager; 

anna.laura.williams@tnmea.org; 

615-784-8632. 

Advertising information is available 

on the TMEA website: 

https://www.tnmea.org/advertising. 

html. Submit editorial materials by 

e-mail in Microsoft Word format. 

Non-member subscriptions and 

single copy orders can be placed via 

e-mail to the editor. 

Deadlines for advertisement orders 

and editorial materials: 

Issue No. 1 – Deadline: September 15 

(in home delivery: December/January); 

Issue No. 2 – Deadline: November 15 

(in home delivery: January/February); 

Issue No. 3 – Deadline: February 15 

(in home delivery: March/April); 

Issue No. 4 – Deadline: April 15 

(in home delivery: May/June) 

The views and opinions expressed in 

the articles included in the Tennessee 

Musician are those of the authors and 

do not necessarily reflect the official 

policy or position of TMEA, the 

members, the staff, or the advertisers. 


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PRELUDE - A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR 


Siegel Middle School 

THE MISSION OF THE TENNESSEE MUSIC 

EDUCATION ASSOCIATION IS TO PROMOTE 

THE ADVANCEMENT OF HIGH-QUALITY 

MUSIC EDUCATION FOR ALL. 

Every member of TMEA has a critical role in making our shared 

mission possible for music students. From new teachers to 

veteran teachers representing all music concentrations in each 

region of our state, the work we do for music education makes 

a distinctive difference. As we think about our daily actions 

and interactions, it is helpful to further analyze how our 

individual and collective efforts can continue to advance 

music education for all students. 

This issue of the Tennessee Musician contains pertinent 

information and important opportunities for Tennessee music 

educators. In this publication, TMEA members can learn more 

about the 2022-2024 TMEA Board and their dedication to 

support music educators in upholding the mission of TMEA 

across our state. The TMEA Board & Council Directory has 

likewise been updated to reflect the current TMEA Project 

Chairs and leadership of our regional associations. This 

publication also includes an article by Frank Zimmerer, 

the 2022-2024 TMEA Jazz Education Policy Chair. 

Additionally, this publication features the recently 

expanded Tennessee Music Education Association 

Awards, including the 2022-2023 TMEA Awards 

categories, criteria, and nomination process that will 

enable numerous deserving music educators and music 

advocates to be distinguished for their noteworthy endeavors 

to promote the advancement of high-quality music education 

for all. 

It is my sincerest desire that you find the materials in this 

publication helpful as we acknowledge successes of the past 

while empowering achievements for the future. 


17th Editor, Tennessee Musician 


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TMEA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 


University of Memphis 

BY TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL 

HEALTH, SETTING WORK/LIFE BOUNDARIES, AND 

STAYING ACTIVE AS A MUSIC MAKER, YOU ARE 

SETTING A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR YOUR STUDENTS 

OF WHAT A HEALTHY, WELL-ROUNDED MUSICIAN 

AND PROFESSIONAL LOOKS LIKE. 

Music educators are some of the most passionate and giving 

people in the world. They are typically the first people in the 

school and the last ones to leave. Though we often tell our students 

to not overcommit, focus on their physical and mental wellness, 

and make time to develop healthy eating and sleeping habits, we 

sometimes have trouble following our own advice. Fall semesters 

are especially challenging for music educators because of the 

extra schedule demands associated with starting school, meeting 

parents, PTA events, music competitions and auditions, and 

performing for school and district events and holiday programs. 

For my first president’s message, I want to encourage you to 

follow your own advice. 

First, set healthy boundaries when being asked to commit 

to extra tasks at work. In my experience, the most successful 

people are asked to do the most things because they can be trusted 

to complete the given task with excellence. The problem, though, 

with committing to too many things is it often comes at a cost. 

Every extra hour you give your job is an hour taken from your 

personal life. Don’t get me wrong, we know sacrifices must be 

made from time to time in order to provide quality experiences 

and opportunities for your students; however, the greatest legacy 

we can leave is not at our school, but in our family units. The 

things you do at and for your school are very important, but work 

to ensure you have a healthy work/life balance. 

Second, don’t neglect to practice what you preach. One of 

our goals as music educators is to instill a life-long appreciation 

for music in our students. We want them to continue music making 

after they graduate from our programs and become performers 

and consumers of music for the rest of their lives. When I first 

started out as a music educator, I remember immediately reaching 

out to find a community music ensemble I could participate in. 

All of the music educators who taught at my school were music 

performers as well. Over the last decade, I’ve noticed that fewer 

and fewer music educators are actively making music outside 

of their vocation. I encourage you to set an example of life-long 

music making for your students. Discuss with them the things 

you learned in your professional, community, or church music 

ensemble. Invite them to your performances or gigs. You may find 

that they are more inspired by your teaching after they’ve also seen 

you as a performer. Our musician’s soul needs to make music and 

to continue to be challenged and developed as musicians. 

Third, take care of yourself. Research studies on teachers has 

consistently shown that levels of stress and burnout are much 

higher than many other occupations, which can lead to physical 

and mental illness. Mental illness can present itself through 

symptoms of depression and anxiety that negatively impacts 

teacher performance and can lead to prematurely exiting the 

profession. Our physical health can be impacted by lack of sleep, 

unhealthy eating habits, and neglecting symptoms or delaying 

check-ups with your primary care physician. You can only be an 

effective teacher for your students if you are present to teach them. 

Neglecting yourself in order to “be there” for your students only 

does a disservice to them and you. One thing this pandemic has 

taught us is that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Be sensitive to unusual 

symptoms you may be experiencing and get medical advice. If 

you are struggling with your mental health, seek professional 

therapy. Consider using mindfulness meditations available on 

YouTube to start your day or integrate a brief meditation into your 

planning period or as a part of your ensemble warm-up sequence. 

Your students will also benefit from focusing on their breath for 

a few minutes in order to escape the chaos they often experience 

every school day. 

A healthy music teacher is more likely to have the energy and 

passion needed to motivate and inspire their students. By 

taking care of your mental and physical health, setting work/ 

life boundaries, and staying active as a music maker, you are 

setting a great example for your students of what a healthy, wellrounded 

musician and professional looks like. I wish you all a 

wonderful upcoming semester and hope you enjoy this issue 

of the Tennessee Musician. 


39th TMEA President 


TMEA BOARD 2022-2024 

MEET THE 2022-2024 

TMEA 

B 

ARD 

Executive Board 

RYAN FISHER, PH.D. 


JOEL DENTON 


ALEXIS YATUZIS-DERRYBERRY 


MICHAEL CHESTER 


DIAN EDDLEMAN 


Board of Directors 

OLLIE LIDDELL, PH.D. 

TMEA Band Chair 

DEMETRIUS ROBINSON, ED.S. 

TMEA Choral Chair 

CYNTHIA WRIGHT 

TMEA Orchestra Chair 

BEN TORRES 

TMEA General Music Chair 

LAUREN RAMEY, PH.D. 

TMEA Higher Education Chair 

MICHAEL CHANDLER, PH.D. 


LONEKA WILKINSON BATTISTE, PH.D. 

TMEA SMTE/Research Chair 

CHRISTOPHER DYE, ED.D. 




TMEA EXECUTIVE BOARD 

RYAN FISHER, PH.D. 


Interim Dean 

College of Communication and Fine Arts 

University of Memphis 

Dr. Ryan Fisher, Professor of Music Education, most recently served as Associate Dean for 

Academic Affairs of the College. He joined the School of Music in 2013 as division head/ 

coordinator of the music education program. Dr. Fisher is an active choral conductor and 

researcher. Choirs under his direction have been featured at the Arkansas Music Educators 

Association conference, Tennessee Music Education Association conference, and American 

Choral Directors Association Southern Division Conference. His research interests involve 

the male voice change, assessment in music education, and self-efficacy. His writings have 

been published in various journals, including Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music 

Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Music Education, and Update: Applications of 

Research in Music Education. He earned a B.M.E. from Lee University, a M.M. in choral conducting and a Ph.D. in music education 

from the University of North Texas. 

JOEL DENTON 


Adjunct Faculty 

Lee University 

Mr. Joel L. Denton served as Director of Bands at Ooltewah High School for thirty-seven years. 

He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and has completed graduate studies at the 

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Mr. Denton currently serves as an adjunct instructor of 

Instrumental Music Education at Lee University. Prior to his retirement in 2018, he was 

recognized as a CMA Music Teacher of Excellence and in 2015 was awarded the John Phillip 

Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor for his contributions to band. Mr. Denton is an elected 

member of the East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association Hall of Fame and the Tennessee 

Bandmasters Hall of Fame. 

His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Tennessee Music Education Association, East 

Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, Phi Beta Mu, National Band Association, American School Band Directors 

Association, and Tennessee Bandmasters Association. Mr. Denton currently serves as President-Elect of the Tennessee Music 

Education Association and is the Tennessee State Chair for the National Band Association. He is a Past-President of the East 

Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association and the Tennessee Bandmasters Association. 

Mr. Denton is very active as an adjudicator and clinician. He also presents professional development sessions and works with 

band programs and other organizations on developing leadership and team building skills. Mr. Denton and Kerry, his wife of thirtyeight 

years, reside in Chattanooga and have two adult children who are both teachers. 

ALEXIS YATUZIS-DERRYBERRY 


General Music Specialist 

Stewarts Creek High School, 

Rutherford County Schools 

Alexis has been teaching music in Rutherford County for the last twenty years. She began her 

career teaching middle school general music and choir at Siegel Middle School. She taught at 

Siegel Middle for twelve years and then taught elementary music at Lascassas Elementary School 

for seven years. She is currently the general music specialist at Stewarts Creek High School 

where she teaches guitar, digital music, and percussion. 

Alexis is the Immediate Past-President of the Tennessee Music Education Association. She has 

also served as President of the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association and the Middle Tennessee 

General Music Education Association. She is a member of TMEA, MTSBOA, MTGMEA, REA, and Percussive Arts Society. 


TMEA EXECUTIVE BOARD 

MICHAEL CHESTER 


Director of Bands 

Stewarts Creek High School, 

Rutherford County Schools 

Michael Chester joined the faculty of Stewarts Creek High School upon its opening in the 

fall of 2013. He works collaboratively in guiding all facets of the band program, sharing 

administrative and instructional responsibilities. Prior to this position, he served as a graduate 

teaching assistant in the School of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Prior to graduate work, Mr. Chester served as a band director for the Metropolitan Nashville 

Public Schools. 

Mr. Chester currently serves the Tennessee Music Education Association as the organization’s 

Executive Director. Prior to this, he served as managing editor of the Tennessee Musician, a quarterly journal for music educators 

in Tennessee. Mr. Chester previously served the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association for two elected 

terms as a member of the executive board. 

In 2011, he was inducted into Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. Mr. Chester earned his Bachelor of 

Music degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Illinois at 

Urbana-Champaign. 

DIAN EDDLEMAN 


Choral Director 

University School of Jackson 

Dian Eddleman has been teaching school music in public and independent schools for more 

than thirty years and is presently Choral Director at the University School of Jackson (Jackson, 

Tennessee). She previously served as the Southern Division President of the National Association 

for Music Education. 

Mrs. Eddleman holds a B.A. in Music Education from Harding University with post-graduate 

work at the University of Memphis and the Juilliard School. She has held numerous key leadership 

roles on the regional and state level, including President of West Tennessee Vocal Music 

Education Association and President of the Tennessee Music Education Association. She 

has been a member of TEA, NAfME, and ACDA for many years. She served on the TMEA Board of Directors for two terms as 

State Choral Chair and has also served as the TMEA Choral Commission Chair securing financial sponsorship for TMEA 

commissions in both the instrumental and choral divisions. 

Mrs. Eddleman has presented clinics on various aspects of early childhood music and secondary choral music and has served 

as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor. Her honors and memberships include selection to “Who’s Who Among 

America’s Teachers,” “National Honor Roll Outstanding American Teachers,” “Governor’s School for the Arts Outstanding 

Teacher,” and “Who’s Who Among Professional Women.” 


Audition Dates for Fall 2023 Admission 

Saturday, February 4 or Saturday, February, 18 

Virtual auditions are also possible. 

More information about auditioning and available programs at mtsu.edu/music 

Ensembles from 

jazz to orchestra 

to commercial music 

Music living-learning 

community on campus 

SCHOOL OF MUSIC 

615-898-2469 • Angela.Satterfield@mtsu.edu 

0821-9660 / Middle Tennessee State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, 

age, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected by law. See our full policy at mtsu.edu/iec.

TMEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

OLLIE LIDDELL, PH.D. 

TMEA Band Chair 

Director of Bands 

Memphis Central High School, 

Memphis-Shelby County Schools 

Dr. Ollie Liddell received his Bachelor of Science degree from Jackson State University and his 

Master of Music degree and his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Mississippi. 

After taking over as Director of Bands at Memphis Central High School, Dr. Liddell has 

transformed the band program, including the following recognitions: four-time finalist at the 

Savannah Swing Central Jazz National High School Jazz Band Competition, winning 1st place 

and the Faircloth Award in 2019; winning the designation of Grand National Champion at the 

2017 and 2018 National High Stepping Show Band Competition; selected as performer for 

the Tennessee Music Education Association’s Conference in 2022; named finalist for the 2020 and 2021 Essentially Ellington 

High School Jazz Band Competition in New York, NY; dozens of students named to the WTSBOA All-West Bands and TMEA 

All-State Bands; and his band consistently receives Superior Ratings. 

Some of his individual recognitions include being selected as the 2021 Foster Project Community Development winner, 

National Band Association Jazz Educator Award, one-time GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Semifinalist, a two-time 

GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Quarterfinalist, and 2022-2023 Country Music Association Foundation (CMA) 

Music Teacher of Excellence. Dr. Liddell currently serves as Past-President of WTSBOA and is the State Band Chair 

for TMEA. Liddell is also an active member of TBA, NAfME, Jazz Education Network (JEN), and ASBDA. Liddell is an 

active musician (trombone), arranger, adjudicator, and clinician for music education across the country and serves as a 

mentor to young band directors. 

DEMETRIUS ROBINSON, ED.S. 

TMEA Choral Chair 

Director of Choral Activities 

The Soulsville Charter School 

Demetrius Robinson currently serves as the Director of Choral Activities and Music Department 

Chair at The Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, Tennessee. Demetrius received a bachelor’s 

degree in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting 

from the University of Southern Mississippi, respectively. He also completed an Educational 

Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership at William Carey University. Demetrius is currently 

pursuing a Ph.D. in Choral Music Education with a cognate in Educational Leadership/Policy 

at The University of Memphis. Demetrius is in demand as a choral clinician, consultant, and 

Hammond B-3 organist throughout the Southeast region. He has presented workshops at major 

conferences on various topics, including music literacy, student leadership in the music classroom, 

equity in the music classroom, motivating music learners, and pedagogical approaches to vocal music in the black church. 

Additionally, Demetrius founded Robinson Music Enterprise LLC, a versatile music company, to provide music consultations, 

instruction (private and group lessons), and publishing services (Canorous Music Publishing). Highly regarded as a versatile 

music educator, conductor, composer, tubist and lyric baritone, Demetrius has performed with the University of Southern 

Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Meridian Symphony, and the Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra. His 

professional memberships include the following: the National Association for Music Education; the American Eurhythmics 

Society; the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers; Music Publishers Association of the United 

States; the Association of Independent Music Publishers; the Society of Composers, Inc.; Phi Mu Alpha 

Music Sinfonia; and the American Choral Directors Association. 


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CYNTHIA WRIGHT 

TMEA Orchestra Chair 

Orchestra Director 

Montgomery Ridge Intermediate School, 

Maryville City Schools 

Mrs. Cynthia Wright is in her nineteenth year of teaching and is currently the Orchestra 

Director at Montgomery Ridge Intermediate School in Maryville, Tennessee. She has served in 

various positions over the last nine years with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra 

Association and is now the conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Mrs. Wright attended 

the University of Tennessee Knoxville and received Bachelor of Music and Master of Music 

degrees, both in Music Education. In 2004, she began her teaching career at Karns High School 

and West Valley Middle School. After two years teaching in Knox County, Mrs. Wright moved 

to Wilmington, North Carolina, where she taught Orchestra at Roland-Grise Middle School for 

eight years. She returned to Knoxville and resumed teaching in Knox County Schools in 2014. She spent five years as the 

director at Bearden High School and West Valley Middle School. In addition to her position as TMEA Orchestra Chair, Mrs. 

Wright is also the Orchestra Chair of ETSBOA. She is a member of NAfME and ASTA, and she has served as a mentor teacher, 

clinician, presenter and adjudicator. She lives in Clinton with her husband Wes and their two children, Carson and Elaina. 

BEN TORRES 

TMEA General Music Chair 

Music Teacher 

Woodlawn Elementary School, 

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System 

Ben Torres teaches K–5 general music at Woodlawn Elementary in the Clarksville-Montgomery 

County School System where he was named Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school 

year. Prior to this, he taught K–6 general music at Brentfield Elementary in Dallas, Texas, 

where he was chosen as Teacher of the Year and where both his choral and Orff ensembles were 

selected to perform at Texas MEA conventions and the national AOSA Professional 

Development Conferences. Ben received his bachelor’s degree in music education from West 

Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, and his Orff training and master’s degree from 

Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He is a certified AOSA-approved teacher educator 

in movement and recorder and teaches all three levels of movement in the Orff Schulwerk teacher education courses at 

Trinity University in San Antonio, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. 

Ben presents workshops for Orff chapters and school districts across the country. 

LAUREN RAMEY, PH.D. 

TMEA Higher Education Chair 

Associate Director of Choral Activities & 

Director of Music Education 

East Tennessee State University 

Dr. Lauren Ramey is the Associate Director of Choral Activities and Director of Music Education 

at East Tennessee State University where she conducts BucsWorth Tenor Bass Choir and 

Greyscale. She also teaches courses in choral conducting and music education. 

Prior to her appointment at ETSU, Dr. Ramey served as assistant conductor for the Florida 

State University Chamber Choir, the graduate-level choral ensemble. She was also the 

assistant conductor for the FSU University Singers, Levana (SSAA), Choral Union, and the 

Tallahassee Community Chorus. Additionally, Dr. Ramey worked with undergraduate and 

graduate choral conducting courses. 

Before her doctoral studies, Dr. Ramey was the Director of Choirs and AP Music Theory at Ravenwood High School (Brentwood, 

Tennessee). Under her direction, the Ravenwood Choirs performed at the 2019 Music For All National Concert Festival and the 

2017 and 2019 Tennessee Music Education Association Conferences. During her public school teaching tenure, Ramey was a 

recipient of the CMA Foundation’s Music Teachers of Excellence Award and was a quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator 

Award. In addition to teaching at Ravenwood, Dr. Ramey was appointed assistant conductor of the Nashville Symphony Chorus. 

Dr. Ramey is originally from Dayton, Ohio, and attended the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University where she received 

her Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education/Piano Performance and a Master of Education (Choral) degree. In 

2022, Dr. Ramey earned a Ph.D. in Music Education/Choral Conducting from Florida State University, where she studied with 

Dr. Michael Hanawalt, Dr. Kevin Fenton, and Dr. Kari Adams. 



MICHAEL CHANDLER, PH.D. 


Coordinator of Music Education 

Austin Peay State University 

Michael Chandler is an Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education at 

Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he teaches graduate and 

undergraduate courses in music education and supervises student teachers. Dr. Chandler 

taught elementary general music in Texas public schools for sixteen years where his student 

ensembles performed at TMEA (Texas) in 2005, 2007, and 2013. He was an accompanist for the 

Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas for ten years and teaches all three levels of Orff Schulwerk 

basic and recorder during summers in AOSA-approved teacher education courses. Dr. 

Chandler’s work has appeared in The Southwestern Musician, Update: Applications of Research 

in Music Education, and The Orff Echo. 

LONEKA WILKINSON BATTISTE, PH.D. 

TMEA SMTE/Research Chair 

Assistant Professor of Music Education 

University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

Loneka Battiste is Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Tennessee, 

Knoxville. Drawing on twelve years of experience teaching children in school and community 

settings, she now teaches elementary general and middle school choral methods and graduate 

courses in music education. In 2019, she completed a Fulbright Fellowship at Universidade 

Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE) in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil where she studied coco, a musical 

tradition of the Brazilian northeast, gave lectures on African American musics and culturally 

responsive teaching, and formed a gospel choir. Her scholarly interests are culturally responsive 

teaching in music education and Black music aesthetics. 

CHRISTOPHER DYE, ED.D. 



Associate Professor of Instrumental Music Education 

Middle Tennessee State University 

Christopher Dye serves as Associate Professor of Instrumental Music Education and Coordinator 

of Music Education at Middle Tennessee State University. He teaches courses in instrumental 

methods and materials, supervises Residency I and II student teachers, leads the Music Education 

Seminar, and teaches graduate course in assessment, technology, policy, and advocacy. Dr. Dye 

holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Ed.D.), Columbus State 

University (M.M.), and Texas Lutheran University (B.M.). Prior to MTSU, Dye served on the 

faculty of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and as a middle school and high school 

band director for the Frenship Independent School District in Wolfforth, Texas. 

Dye is an active researcher in music education policy and instrumental music pedagogy, presenting papers and 

clinics at numerous national and state conferences. Recent publications include articles in the Journal of Music 

Teacher Education, Psychology of Music, and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education. 

He is currently serving his fourth term on the board of the Tennessee Music Education Association 

as Advocacy and Government Relations Chair and as the state’s representative to the National 

Association for Music Education Advocacy Leadership Force. He resides in Murfreesboro 

with his wife Brittany and their two sons, Alexander and Matthew. 


TMEA TEACHING IN TENNESSEE 

EASY STEPS TO PUTTING 

TOGETHER A JAZZ ENSEMBLE 

AT YOUR SCHOOL 


There is no “I think I am ready” 

…there is only “I am ready to start a Jazz Band!” 


“ 

don’t play jazz.” “I can’t improvise.” “I have a band of thirty 

I students, and fifteen of them play the flute.” These are some 

excuses music educators use when deciding not to incorporate 

a jazz ensemble or jazz curriculum into their program. Instead 

of thinking of why we cannot start a jazz program, let us focus 

on the ways we can and will add jazz, America’s Art Form, as 

a vehicle for our students to experience. You can do it all by 

being a non-jazz musician... you just have to try! 

RECRUITING 

Recruiting is vital. You already have students, whether it be 30 

or 230. Any number of students works for a jazz ensemble. I have 

been in front of full big bands, “y’all come” bands, jazz combos, a 

rhythm section (more on this later), and a few instrumentalists. 

Also, don’t forget about your vocalists and choir program—singers 

are jazz musicians! Step one is to get students excited about jazz 

and into the room. If you can recruit students for concert band, 

marching band, chamber orchestra, choir, and mixed chorus, then 

you can recruit for your jazz ensemble. 

LISTENING 

Listening is the key to jazz. If we as music educators never 

heard a fine concert ensemble, symphony orchestra, or even 

a solo professional musician on our principal instrument, we 

would have no idea of tone, style, technique, and musicality as it 

relates to what our students (or what we) are doing. The first step 

to introducing your students to jazz music is listening to it. Jazz 

music from the late 1800s and early 1900s is always a place to 

start. Louis Armstrong (probably considered one of the founders 

of jazz) improvised over easy melodies, compared to John 

Coltrane or Miles Davis of the 1950s and 1960s. Listening to the 

music of New Orleans, the early big bands of Kansas City, Chicago, 

and New York, the “boppers” (Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, 

and Dizzy Gillespie), the “hard bop” musicians (Miles Davis, 

Coltrane, Art Blakey, and more), and the 60s and 70s musicians 

(like Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard) are a few additional 

examples. Many young jazz directors or directors who are new to 

jazz assume all jazz is a big band—it is not. That is just our most 

common form in schools. Listen to jazz—all of it in all its forms. 

DEVELOPING A RHYTHM SECTION 

Developing a rhythm section is essential. Most directors believe 

this is the hardest part of starting a jazz ensemble, but honestly, you 

already have the students in your school. First, go ahead and tell the 

“drummer” in the back of the room that their day has finally arrived… 

they get to play drum set! Next, you know that someone in your band, 

choir, or orchestra program plays piano or has piano experience. 

Finding a bass player is not as complicated as it sounds... you would 

be surprised by the number of students outside the music wing that 

play bass or guitar with their friends, in local church groups, or just 

for fun. You may also already have a beginning guitar class at your 

school—this is a perfect way to get more students in your school 

involved in the music program. Once you get the members of your 

rhythm section set, see if you can have them keep time together 

(quarter notes on the ride cymbal, beats “2” and “4” on the highhat, 

and some repetitive ‘F’s or ‘Bb’s work just fine). Center your 

initial rehearsal on keeping time, looking at each other, developing a 

groove, smiling, having fun, and becoming a team. 

UNDERSTANDING THE STYLE 

Understanding the style is your next step. Getting all your 

students in the room at once to listen together or play together 

can be one way to understand the difference between “classical” 

articulation and “jazz” articulation. ‘Do,’ ‘Dah,’ ‘Daht,’ and ‘Dit’ 

are probably your best bet, and the only way for your students to 

understand the difference between the ‘D’ articulation syllable 

and the ‘T’ articulation syllable is to try them out. I stand by 

modeling in instruction and believe that the best jazz ensemble 

directors rehearse with an instrument in hand. If you demonstrate 

or play along with your students, then two things will happen: 

one, they are going to feel more comfortable to try to play; and two, 

they are going to understand that the group is learning together. 

Students who see their director’s vulnerability through 

collaboratively learning music develop more trust and 

attentiveness and are more likely to participate than the director 

who says, “Just do it like this. . . you know?. . .” Jazz is participatory, 

and that includes you, the director. 

NEXT STEP: PLAY JAZZ 

You have recruited, listened, developed a rhythm section, and 

discussed style... all that is left to do is play jazz! My goal here is not 

to recommend or advocate for a certain method book or publishing 

company but to look for attainable music. Yes, you may have a 

Grade 6 concert band, but that may translate to a Grade 1 or 2 jazz 

ensemble at first, and that is okay. Many of the great jazz ensembles 

of today play Grade 1 or 2 literature because it sounds good, and 

they can swing on it. Do not be afraid of jazz charts featuring nontraditional 

instruments such as flute, clarinet, horn, or tuba. Again, 

if that is who you have in your ensemble, that is what you will look 

for when selecting music. Also, if you played a great Count Basie 

chart in college or heard Chameleon in pep band, do not assume that 

is the literature you necessarily need to gravitate towards. Highquality 

literature exists, and publishers nowadays have so many 

different types of charts for you to peruse, listen to, and attain. Many 

publishers now have “Jazz Method Books” that have techniques 

on style, improvisation, and arranged tunes to perform; if you 

are a jazz beginner learning alongside your students, you may 

look towards this. Look for tunes that encompass not just big 

band swing but all the other jazz styles over the last 120+ years 

of music. 

DO NOT LET YOUR LACK 

OF IMPROVISATIONAL 

KNOWLEDGE BE YOUR 

DECIDING FACTOR IN 

STARTING A JAZZ ENSEMBLE. 


APPLY & AUDITION 

Test Flight: Feb. 20, 2023 

Experience what it’s like to be a music 

major or minor at UT Martin and audition 

the same day. Additional audition dates 

upon request. 

SCHOLARSHIPS 

Available for music majors, music minors, 

and campus musicians. 

EVENTS FOR 

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 

Jan 26-28 – UTM Honor Band 

Feb. 19 – Death by Voice Vocal Competition 

Feb. 20 – Test Flight 

March 2-4 – ChamberFest 

Mar. 18 – UTM Piano Competition 

DEGREES 

Bachelor of Music 

Performance, Music Education, Pedagogy 

Bachelor of Arts in Music 

Music Minor 

IMPROVISATION 

I know your first question will be “How do I teach 

improvisation?” Do not let your lack of improvisational 

knowledge be your deciding factor in starting a jazz ensemble. 

There are many ways to discuss improvisation, but let’s 

think about some of the early improvisers. Louis Armstrong, 

Sidney Bechet, and Buddy Bolden (among others) improvised 

using the same notes from the melody of the simple tune 

they were playing long before the development of what is 

known as “Bebop” or “Playing Changes” which takes (like it 

did during the 1930s and 1940s) time to develop and master. 

Even the great jazz musicians had to start somewhere with 

improvisation–they learned by doing. We can, too. 

START A JAZZ ENSEMBLE 

I hope this informal discussion of sorts at least gets you 

excited about the possibility of starting a jazz ensemble (of 

any size, shape, and form) at your school for your program. 

Jazz music is like any form of popular music—it is everchanging. 

Jazz musicians today sound similar and different 

to those of the 1930s, but that can be said for many genres of 

music. Our students deserve to understand, experience, and 

be involved with this music as it continues to stand the test 

of time. 

FRANK ZIMMERER is Director of Bands 

at Antioch High School in Metro 

Nashville Public Schools. He has a 

passion for urban music education 

and the inclusion of all students in 

performing arts programs, regardless 

of their background or experience. His 

teaching ranges from concert bands, 

to marching, to the jazz idiom. He has 

experience presenting professional 

development sessions and clinics. He also composes for 

ensembles and performs as a jazz pianist. Zimmerer earned 

a Bachelor of Music Education and Studio Music/Jazz 

Performance from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 

a Master’s in Jazz Studies from Florida State University, 

and an Ed.S. (Ed.D. in progress) from Trevecca Nazarene 

University. Frank Zimmerer is the 2022-2024 TMEA Jazz 

Education Policy Chair. For more information, contact him 

at Frank.Zimmerer@mnps.org. 

NEW CERTIFICATES 

New to UTM Music: Add to your degree: 

Certificate in Secondary Music Education Studies 

Certificate in Secondary Music Studies 

Certificate in Music Performance 

REQUEST INFORMATION 

For more information: 

(731) 881-7402 

music@utm.edu

YOUR STAGE 

IS WAITING 

Join a close-knit network of passionate students and 

world-class faculty in a community of artists and 

scholars that will empower you to achieve your dreams. 

APPLY 

music.utk.edu 

music@utk.edu 

865-974-3241 @UTKSOM

64TH ANNUAL TMEA CONFERENCE 

2022-2023 

TMEA AWARDS 

Categories & Nomination 

Information 

Every year, the Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA) 

is proud to recognize the work of outstanding individuals 

who have made significant contributions to music education in 

the state of Tennessee. Recipients are nominated by their peers. 

The 2022-2023 TMEA Award recipients will be recognized at 

the 64th Annual Tennessee Music Education Association 

Professional Development Conference (April 19-22, 2023, at 

the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center in Nashville, 

Tennessee) during the TMEA Awards Gala & Banquet. 

Each of the awards has special criteria that must be met in 

order for the nomination to be submitted for consideration. In 

addition, each nominee must have two (2) additional references 

of support for the award nominee. The nominator cannot serve as 

the reference. The nominator will need a primary and secondary 

email address for each of the two (2) references. 

Upon completion of the online Award Nomination form (located 

on the TMEA website), an online reference form will be sent to 

the emails provided in this nomination form. Self-nominations 

will not be accepted. 

Nominees are reviewed by the TMEA Council of Past Presidents 

(Da Capo Committee) who will make recommendations to the 

TMEA Executive Committee for final selection. 

The Tennessee Music Education Association is proud to announce 

the 2022-2023 TMEA Awards categories: 

Hall of Fame Award 

Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year 

(5-10 Years of Teaching Experience) 

Outstanding Music Educator of the Year (Elementary School) 

Outstanding Music Educator of the Year (Middle School) 

Outstanding Music Educator of the Year (High School) 

Outstanding Music Educator of the Year (College/University) 

Outstanding Administrator of the Year (Elementary School) 

Outstanding Administrator of the Year (Middle School) 

Outstanding Administrator of the Year (High School) 

Outstanding Administrator of the Year (District-Level) 

Friend of Music Education Award 

For additional nomination eligibility criteria and to nominate 

a Tennessee music educator or music advocate for an award, 

please visit the TMEA website and complete the official 

nomination form: https://bit.ly/3BZPAsZ or 

SCAN 

HERE 

Nominations may be submitted only by current TMEA 

members and must be received, along with two (2) completed 

references, by the TMEA Awards Nomination Deadline: 

Friday, January 27, 2023 (11:59 PM CST). 


TMEA HALL OF FAME AWARD 

Induction into the Tennessee Music Education 

Association Hall of Fame is the most prestigious 

award bestowed by TMEA. This award recognizes 

exceptional support and outstanding accomplishments 

to the advancement of music education in the state of 

Tennessee. This honor may be presented to active or 

retired individuals or may be awarded posthumously. 

Please be sure to read through the criteria as all materials 

are needed to submit your nomination. 

1. At least two online references must accompany the 

official nomination. (Please note: the nominator 

cannot serve as one of the two required references.) 

2. The nominee must meet the following criteria: 

Must have had a significant career as a music 

educator. 

Must have been an elementary, middle school, high 

school or college music educator. 

Must be, or have been, employed by a school system; 

college or university; or an organization in 

Tennessee for a minimum of 25 years. 

Must have demonstrated effectiveness in teaching 

young people through music and the ability to 

inspire positive attitudes among students, the 

school, the community and members of TMEA. 

Must have demonstrated excellence in teaching 

or administration in music. 

Must have developed, maintained, or supported 

an effective balanced program in music education. 

Must have demonstrated a concern for music 

education by active involvement in local, district, 

state, regional, or professional organizations. 

Must have demonstrated the highest ideals and 

professional integrity during time of service. 

See the official TMEA Awards Nomination Form for 

additional information. 

TMEA OUTSTANDING YOUNG MUSIC 

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 

The purpose of this award is to recognize and honor a 

TMEA member for excellence in music education who 

has been teaching between five and ten years as a full-time 

music educator in a K-12 public or private school setting. 



1. The nominee must be an TMEA member. 

2. The nominee must have completed at least five (5) years 

of teaching but not more than ten (10) years of teaching. 

3. The nominee must be currently actively teaching in 

grades K-12 in a Tennessee public or private school. 




The following are suggested references: 

An administrator from the nominee’s current 

program 

Current or former colleagues of the nominee 

The online references should answer the following 

questions. Be brief but specific. 

In what ways has the nominee demonstrated the basic 

principles and characteristics of an outstanding music 

educator, and promise for sustaining contributions to 

the field of music education? 

In what ways does the nominee evidence excellence in 

music-making? 

How does the nominee develop and sustain growth 

within his/her program? 

How has the nominee’s teaching made an impact on 

students? 

How has the nominee shown motivation toward 

professional growth and involvement? 


TMEA OUTSTANDING MUSIC 

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 

The purpose of this award is to recognize one outstanding 

TMEA member music educator from each of the following 

levels: 

Elementary School 

Middle School 

High School 

College/University 

This award recognizes excellence in every facet of music 

teaching (general music, choral music, instrumental 

music, etc.). Candidates should have completed at least 

eleven years of teaching. Candidates should show strong 

evidence of music teaching excellence, regional leadership 

and involvement, as well as evidence of community 

involvement and outreach through their music programs. 



1. The nominee must be an TMEA member. 

2. The nominee must have completed at least eleven 

years of teaching. 

3. The nominee must be currently actively teaching in 

grades K-12 in a Tennessee public or private school. 




The following are suggested references: 

An administrator from the nominee’s 

current program 

Current or former colleagues of the nominee 



In what ways has the nominee demonstrated by 

example the basic principles and characteristics of an 

outstanding music educator? 

In what ways does the nominee evidence excellence in 

music-making? 

How does the nominee demonstrate an interest in the 

total music education program? 

How has the nominee shown creativity and originality 

as a music educator? 

How has the nominee’s teaching made an impact on 

the students, the school, and the community? 

How has the nominee shown motivation toward 

professional growth and involvement? 

TMEA OUTSTANDING ADMINISTRATOR 

OF THE YEAR AWARD 

The purpose of this award is to recognize one outstanding 

administrator at each level who has demonstrated active, 

ongoing support for and commitment to high-quality arts 

education programs in their schools. Nominations for 

administrators who serve in Tennessee public or private 

schools are eligible for nominations at the following levels: 

Elementary School 

Middle School 

High School 

College/University 



1. Nominee must have demonstrated outstanding 

achievement in support of the total music education 

program for which the administrator is responsible. 

2. The school/district or school district under the 

administrator’s supervision must have an exemplary 

music program, with all music faculty holding current 

TMEA membership. 

3. The administrator must have served in the 

administrative position in the same school or district 

for no less than five years. 

4. The administrator must be an active advocate for 

arts education in the school and community. 

5. A financial commitment to music programs must be 

demonstrated in the school or school district. 

6. The administrator must show strong leadership, 

good school management, and good rapport with 

teachers, parents, students, and other 

administrators. 







TMEA FRIEND OF MUSIC 

EDUCATION AWARD 

The TMEA Friend of Music Education Award is presented 

as an annual recognition of an organization or individual 

whose leadership, acts, and support have contributed 

significantly to the improvement of music education at the 

local or state level. 

All nominees recommended for this award should meet 

the following applicable criteria: 

Be an organization or individual who has made 

outstanding contributions of statewide or local 

impact on music education, music students and/or 

music teachers in Tennessee. 

May not be a practicing educator. 




are needed to submit your nomination. ‣ 

1. The nominee must meet the above qualifications. 






Describe how the individual or organization has: 

Contributed to music education at the local or 

state level. 

Supported music education in an innovative way. 

Promoted community engagement efforts to enhance 

an awareness of the benefits of music education. 

If applicable: Promoted music education at the local or 

state level through philanthropic or benevolent 

endeavors (e.g., endowments, grants, fundraisers, or 

other forms of charitable works). 

Enhanced the mission of the Tennessee Music 

Education Association (to “promote the advancement 

of high-quality music education for all”). 

NOMINATION DEADLINE: 

January 27, 2023 (11:59 PM CST) 

Complete the official awards nomination form: 

Scan the QR code or visit https://bit.ly/3BZPAsZ 


2023 PRIDE OF THE SOUTHLAND 

MARCHING BAND AUDITION DATES 

Video auditions may be submitted 

if you are unable to attend these dates 

Music Majors 

Woodwind/Brass/Percussion 

February 11, 2023 & February 18, 2023 

Non Music Majors 

Woodwind/Brass/Percussion 

February 18, 2023 & February 25, 2023 

Color Guard 

March 4, 2023 

Both live and virtual auditions available...For more information regarding video submission options for 

The Pride of the Southland Band visit our website www.utbands.com or call 865-974-5031 

CONNECT WITH UT BANDS

TMEA BACK THEN 

➣ 

➣ 

➣ 

➣ 

In “The President’s Letter” for the December 1976 issue of the 

Tennessee Musician, then-TMEA President Larry Volman 

encouraged Tennessee music educators to attend the 1977 

TMEA Convention scheduled to occur March 24-26, 1977, in 

Memphis, Tennessee. 

The biographies for the 1977 TMEA All-State Conductors 

were included in this Tennessee Musician magazine: 

Ê 

Ê 

Ê 

1977 All-State Chorus: Mr. Irving Bunton 

(then-Vocal Music Consultant with the Bureau of Music 

Education, Chicago Public Schools) 

1977 All-State Band: Dr. Joe Barry Mullins 

(then-Professor of Music and Director of University 

Bands, University of Southern Mississippi) 

1977 All-State Orchestra: Mr. Abraham Chavez, Jr. 

(then-Musical Director and Conductor, El Paso Symphony 

Orchestra) 

In the 1977 TMEA Convention Preview, a section titled 

“Special Activities Directed Toward Elementary Music 

Specialists Are Planned” described convention offerings 

for elementary music teachers. One of the most notable 

features was the All-City Orff Concert (scheduled to 

occur March 24, 1977) by the Memphis City Elementary 

music teachers that would “involve approximately 300 

elementary children in the playing of instruments, song, 

speech and dance.” It was also publicized that the Orff 

Concert would be followed by a reception for elementary 

music educators across the state. 

An announcement noted that acclaimed music composer 

Vincent Persichetti would be the guest composer for the 

1977 Tennessee Tech University Composer Festival 

(February 18-20, 1977). 

➣ 

“Teaching for Attitudes,” written by Danny Goodwin 

(then-band director at Porter Junior High in Memphis, 

Tennessee), highlighted the importance of attitudes 

within the music ensemble. He included research 

about the “characteristics of attitude,” details about 

“acquiring attitudes,” and how “attitudes affect learning.” 

Furthermore, Mr. Goodwin explained the music teacher’s 

role in “teaching attitudes;” the following is an excerpt 

from his article: 

“The attitudes of the teacher are probably the most 

important, as they will affect what and how he will 

teach. Students are very conscious of the attitudes of 

the teacher toward music, his profession, the school, 

and other faculty members. They are especially 

aware of his attitudes toward them as students and 

them as individuals. These attitudes will affect their 

attitudes.” (Goodwin, 1976, p. 13) 

THE TENNESSEE MUSICIAN (DECEMBER 1976) 

Volume 29, No. 2 – 32 pgs. 

Larry Volman, TMEA President 

Lawrence P. Cooney, Editor 


you work hard at 

sounding good 

we work hard at 

looking 

good 

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MUSIC WITH PURPOSE 

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For more information, please contact us at 

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LEEUNIVERSITY.edu/music

TN Musician, Vol. 75, No. 1

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