To promote quality, comprehensive music education in all Florida schools.
Serving music educators across Florida.
Broaden teachers’ knowledge through research, in-service, and affiliation with colleagues.
Promoting professional leadership and mentoring among music educators.
Helping you educate your community on the importance of music in our schools.
FMEA wishes health and wellness for all. We are available to answer or research any questions you might have during this period of uncertainty: 1-800-301-3632 or info@FMEA.org. Here are some resources for music educators dealing with school closures due to COVID-19. (Updated 3/26/2020)
NAfME and the NAMM Foundation presented a webinar, Bridging the Gap: Teaching and Learning Music Online. Invitations were sent to all FMEA members, but if you were unable to attend you can click below to view the recording.
As of now, the US Congress has not suspended compliance laws for schools that have closed. It is important to understand that many students may not have adequate access at home to each school’s tightly controlled online environment. The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) is providing the following guidance for creating e-learning opportunities that still comply with copyright law.
After careful deliberation, the Florida School Music Association and the component associations (FBA, FOA, and FVA) have decided to cancel the remaining 2020 District and State Music Performance Assessments to ensure the safety of our students and teachers.
Due to CDC recommendation to cancel all gatherings and events of 50 people or more to reduce the spread of COVID-19, FMEA has decided that it is necessary to cancel the Steel Band Festival originally scheduled for April 3-4, 2020. We apologize to those schools who were looking forward to participating. Refunds for your entry fees will be sent to each school as soon as possible.
FMEA will be choosing two exceptional collegiate music students to be awarded a scholarship to attend the 2020 NAfME Collegiate Advocacy Summit on Capitol Hill. The event will take place June 23-25, 2020 in Washington, D.C. Please include three letters of recommendation along with your essay and application to be considered. Deadline: March 20
FMEA is soliciting scholarship applications for the 2020 June M. Hinckley Music Education Scholarship. The Association will award $1000.00 scholarships to selected 2019-2020 graduating high school students who participated in a Florida All-State ensemble and who intend to major in music education at a Florida college or university. Please encourage your students to apply.
Members of FMEA or NAfME are invited to submit Session Proposals and Ensemble Performance Applications for the 2021 FMEA Professional Development Conference, January 13-16, 2021.
The GRAMMY Museum each year recognizes educators who have made a lasting and significant contribution to the field of music education. In addition to honoring these teachers, they distribute over $50,000 in honorariums and grants to chosen educators and their schools. Application deadline: March 31, 2020.
FMEA has worked to successfully draft and facilitate the filing of Senate Bill 1100 and House Bill 1123, the Florida Seal of Fine Arts Program bill, to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of skill in fine arts coursework with a seal on their diploma. We will keep you posted and will be calling on our members to help advocate for the passage of the Senate and House versions of the legislation during the January-March Legislative Session.
Applications are now open for the NAfME All-National Honors Ensembles. These ensembles represent the top performing high school musicians in the United States. So much more than a musical showcase, the ANHE program is a comprehensive and educational experience. The ensembles will meet at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, under the leadership of top conductors in the field of music education.
This professional development opportunity targeting current and aspiring FBA, FVA, and FOA district leaders will provide communication training, team building, scenario based problem-solving, and other skills identified by participants as a need to find success as a leader in Florida and ensure that current and future component leaders have the necessary skills to find success in their position.
Reserve now to Exhibit at the 2021 FMEA Professional Development Conference, January 13-16, 2021
The FMEA Guitar/Ukulele Ensemble Festival is a day full of guitar activity including ensemble performances from elementary, middle and high school programs on February 29, 2020. Ensembles of all levels of experience perform for instant feedback in areas of technique, tone, musicality and musical interpretation. Entry Deadline: February 14
The 2020 FMEA Steel Band Festival provides students and directors a positive performance outlet and educational opportunity, advancing the experience of steel band students throughout the state. It will be held April 3 & 4 in Orlando
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has awarded FMEA the 2019 Excellence in Advocacy Award in recognition of their efforts advocating for music education. FMEA President Dr. Steven Kelly, Executive Director Dr. Kathleen D. Sanz, Immediate Past-President Dr. Kenneth Williams, President-Elect Dr. Shelby Chipman, Past President Dr. John Southall, Government Relations/Advocacy Chair Jeanne Reynolds, and FMEA Collegiates accepted the award during NAfME's June 19 Hill Day activities.
Congratulations to FMEA member Dr. Dakeyan Chá Dré Graham on being named the 2020 Florida Teacher of the Year! Dr. Graham is the director of instrumental music at C. Leon King High School in Tampa.
The FMEA Job Bank is a free service to Florida schools and teachers who would like to teach in Florida. If your school has a music vacancy that you would like posted, please click the link below to complete the job vacancy form. Jobs listed here will automatically be deleted after 90 days, however you will receive an e-mail confirmation that includes a link to extend, edit, or remove your job posting.
FMEA invites parents, guardians, and grandparents of Florida students who take music classes to register as music parent advocates. FMEA will engage with registered advocates about legislation and related issues that impact music education in Florida.
FMEA, The Florida DOE, The Florida Center for Interactive Media (FCIM) and the Division of Cultural Affairs collaborated to develop an ESE course for music educators. Dr. Alice-Ann Darrow developed the music content for the course. It is designed to provide music educators with introductory information about the foundations of exceptional student education and provision of services in Florida, as well as appropriate instructional strategies for teaching students with disabilities. Each school district is responsible to determine if the content of this 20-hour course satisfies the requirement for Renewal Credit in Teaching Students with Disabilities (DPS 2014-12).
FSMA provides opportunities for realistic and constructive program evaluation through the sponsorship of solo-ensemble and large group Music Performance Assessment (MPA) events organized by the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Orchestra Association, Florida Vocal Association, and the Florida Music Educators' Association.
Visit our Advocacy page for new resources to print out and distribute regarding the benefits of arts participation based on findings in our latest cohort study.
