Notice to Music Teachers
Cora Bigwood, my spouse, is running for region rep for the American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA). If you or someone you know belongs to AOSA check you mail for your ballot and consider voting for Cora for Region III. Here is part of a bio she recently did:
My music background began with a BM in Music Teacher Education K-12 (Instrumental and Vocal) from the University of Houston, a MM in Music Education from New England Conservatory. I have Orff Certification, a Kodaly Certificate, Mid-Management and Supervision Certificates.I can't think of anyone better qualified. Anyone who read this knows I am very proud of her accomplishments.I presently serve as the TMEA Elementary VP and as a music teacher of 27 years in the Texas public school system. Having taught at the elementary, secondary, and college levels my leadership in our organization gives me a wide perspective into the many issues that face all disciplines (band, orchestra, vocal, elementary, college) across Texas.
My responsibilities on the State board are numerous. As division VP, I organized the Elementary portion of the 2006 TMEA state conference and am proud of the following achievements:
In addition to these achievements at the 2006 convention, I actively participated in meetings and committees focusing on the following issues:
- Over 50 clinicians from around the state and country were solicited for our members
- Increased the performance venues for my division and solicited performances throughout the state
- Implemented poster sessions for interdisciplinary lesson plans
- Region and area alignment implementation
- TMEA appeals process
- Vertical alignment of the Music TEKS as defined in the TMEA/TMAC Curriculum-Assessment Project
- Neutralizing the Negative Impact of TAKS
- Non-attendance due to TAKS remediation
- Staffing shortages and ever-present state funding concerns
As a teacher, I have worked with elementary through secondary-aged children, teaching general music, choir, and individual flute students. I judge UIL events and supervise student teachers. I train our future music educators at the college level during summers (University of Houston and University of Texas at Brownsville).
I present staff development workshops for school districts, and Education Service Centers. In my spare time, I also make music on my own. From 1993-2003, I managed and performed in the folk band Permanent Wave, which performed for my session at TMEA 2002. In addition to the above, my Orff ensemble has also performed at TMEA. I have performed with the Bay Area Chorus, Clear Lake Symphony, and Baytown Symphony and Houston Symphonic Band.
- Music Tekslink
The Feb. issue of Southwestern Musician, in the Elementary Division column, has a description of the TEKSLink Project and an invitation to participate. If any Texas school librarians and their music teacher want to team-up just let me know. If you are...
- Tmea Nomination
Cora lost the nomination. The elementary folks just did not show up at the meetings. When only one or two elementary folks show up it is hard to get the nomination when there are 100 secondary folks present. Even though Cora did pick up some of the secondary...
- Tmea Nominations
This weekend is Super Tuesday for the Texas Music Education Association elections. Lots of regions have their meetings and each nominates one person to run for president-elect. A person needs nominations from three regions to get on the ballot. Cora Bigwood...
- Tmea Redux
It appears I now not clear in my posting about the TMEA conference. I feel it is neither good nor bad, just different. It was a very different conference than library conferences. Something we should keep in mind is that not everybody uses nor needs technology....
- Tmea
Next Wednesday (9 Feb.) I'm off to San Antonio for the rest of the week to attend the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) annual conference. I'm just along for the ride and to support Cora in her run for elementary music vice-president. (I...