PMEA

01/09/2025

Hey Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association members!

Check out this opportunity to experience the 2025 PMEA Conference in a new way by applying to be a social media intern!

Learn about the opportunity and apply here: https://forms.gle/5RB4pAmjSoo6Hx1U6

01/06/2025

Here's a look at one of the great breakout sessions at this year's Crescendo Student Conference. Students are invited to bring a uke and get ready to jam! We will learn new chords, new techniques and jam out to songs that you know and love!

Crescendo is just 22 days away on January 28th!

Find out more information and get your classroom registered today at www.PMEA.net/crescendo

01/02/2025

Here's another session featured at this month's Crescendo Student Conference.

CJ McCroy will help students learn about what types of opportunities are available to everyone in the world of colorguard after graduating high school! Most students don't realize there are fun colorguard opportunities for those who want to be more competitive or continue to spin and perform with a team.

Thanks to our friends at Music for All for presenting this session.

Learn more and get registered for Crescendo at www.PMEA.net/crescendo

12/30/2024

A new Take Note podcast was just posted and we're talking with current PMEA president Brett Keith. Brett helps us take a look back at 2024 and ahead to 2025.

You can find Take Note wherever you get your podcasts or at www.PMEA.net/takenote

Take Note is sponsored by the Grove City College Department of Music and Zeswitz Music.

12/27/2024

Thank you Senator Comitta for your continued support of music education!

12/26/2024

Right NOW is the perfect time to get your class signed up for the Crescendo Student Conference. We're just over one month away!

In one of the Crescendo sessions, students will get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to run a successful musical theatre program at the High School level. We will discuss planning and preparation for stage direction, music direction, and technical design as it pertains to High School musical theatre. Attendees will be able to follow the timeline of producing a full length musical from picking a show to auditions to closing night and beyond. A brief Q&A will take place at the end of the session.

Learn more about all of the Crescendo sessions and get registered at www.pmea.net/crescendo

12/18/2024

We're so excited to have Dr. Kendra Ross join us as the keynote speaker for the Crescendo Student Conference next month.

She will share her unique journey from singing in church to performing on stage, and from studying music business at NYU to leading social impact at a major tech company. Through her dual career as a performer and music industry professional, Kendra emphasizes how music has been the constant thread connecting each stage of her life. This talk will inspire students to see their passion for music as a guide, even when the road ahead takes unexpected twists and turns.

Learn more about Crescendo and get your classroom registered at www.PMEA.net/crescendo

Crescendo is just over a month away on January 28th!

12/13/2024

During the Crescendo Student Conference, students can join this songwriting workshop, where Stephen Cox will break down the basics of songwriting into easy, approachable steps. Perfect for beginners, this workshop focuses on making the process simple, fun, and accessible, so anyone can start writing songs right away!

We're thrilled to have Stephen be part of Crescendo for two different sessions!

Crescendo happens on January 28th. Find out more and get your classroom registered at www.pmea.net/crescendo

12/12/2024

We just released a new Take Note podcast and we're talking about PCMEA - the Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association. Learn about PCMEA and what the current reality is for college music education majors.

Find Take Note at www.PMEA.net/takenote or in your favorite podcast app.

Take Note is sponsored by the Grove City College Department of Music and Zeswitz Music.

12/09/2024

During this year's Crescendo Student Conference, join Chelsea Tanner for an engaging lecture, "Navigating Performance Anxiety," where she will provide practical strategies to help performers transform their practice into confident, successful performances. Performance anxiety can hinder even the most prepared musicians, but this session focuses on actionable tools to bridge the gap between the practice room and the stage.

In this lecture, Chelsea will delve into techniques that help performers manage the mental and emotional challenges of performance anxiety. You'll explore how to develop a resilient mindset, manage nerves, and build confidence so that you can perform at your best when it matters most. The session will provide clear, actionable advice for cultivating habits in the practice room that directly translate into greater ease and assurance on stage.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just beginning your musical journey, this lecture will equip you with the knowledge and tools to conquer anxiety, allowing you to focus on delivering powerful and authentic performances.

Find out more about the Crescendo Student Conference and get your classroom registered at www.PMEA.net/crescendo

12/06/2024

Bethany Moore will join the Crescendo Student Conference to share her personal journey from Clarion, PA to the Broadway stage and students will have the chance to ask her questions live during the conference.

Learn more about Crescendo (happening January 28th) and get your classroom registered today!

www.PMEA.net/crescendo

12/04/2024

Don't forget these deadlines today (12/4) by 11:59 pm

PMEA Awards Applications - https://www.pmea.net/scholarships-and-awards/

PMEA Composition Program Applications - https://www.pmea.net/pmea-composition-program/

12/03/2024

Today is Giving Tuesday and there are ways you can support PMEA. You can support the work of PMEA or help to offset the student costs of participating in the PMEA All State Festival.

12/02/2024

Taking another look at a session you'll see as part of the Crescendo Student Conference in January...

In this session from Jared Cassedy, students will be given the opportunity to engage in discussion around how their contributions within a large ensemble make a difference regardless of what chair they are in. Focus will be on ensemble culture, partnership, mentorship, and leadership.

Learn more about Crescendo and register at www.PMEA.net/crescendo

January 28th is right around the corner!

11/29/2024

We're taking a look at another session that will be part of our Crescendo Student Conference in January.

Ready to unleash your creativity through music? This crash course from Stephen Cox is your guide to exploring the fun and exciting world of Creative Music Making! In this session, you’ll learn the basics of songwriting, arranging, composing, comping, and improvising—key skills that will help you create your own unique music.

We’ll break down each concept, showing you how to:

• Write your own songs, from catchy melodies to full arrangements.
• Experiment with musical forms and structures in composition.
• Try out comping and improvisation to enhance your creativity.

By the end of this course, you’ll have the confidence and tools to start creating music that reflects your personal style. Get ready to turn your ideas into reality and make music like never before!

Learn more about Crescendo and register your classroom at www.PMEA.net/crescendo

11/28/2024

11/27/2024

We just released a new Take Note podcast and we talked with Dr. Jerry Zahorchak about the impacts of the 2024 elections on education and education policy. Jerry was the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education in the Rendell administration and is still active in education policy today.

You can find Take Note at www.PMEA.net/takenote or in your favorite podcast app.

Take Note is sponsored by the Grove City College Department of Music and Zeswitz Music.

11/25/2024

Today we're beginning to feature sessions that will be part of the 2025 Crescendo Student Conference.

John Oelrich will present a session exploring the basics of being a conductor. Topics will include an introduction to patterns and gestures, basics of score study and interpretation, and what happens in the moment during rehearsals and performances.

Crescendo happens on January 28th and you can find the whole schedule and get your classroom registered at www.PMEA.net/crescendo