Like starting a new teaching job, I am finding the second year at the KSHSAA is beginning to make sense. I would like to thank KMEA leadership and all the music teachers across Kansas for making my transition from music teacher to the KSHSAA a success. One of the many positive aspects of my position is witnessing the wonderful music teaching that is being demonstrated in our state. You are truly changing the lives of young people every day!
The National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) is doing a great job of reaching out to high school music teachers and music adjudicators in our nation. I want to make you aware of two free online music courses that are available at www.nfhslearn.com
Introduction to Interscholastic Music
- Designed to provide an overview of best practices in the music classroom and interscholastic music competitions.
- The skills taught in this course introduce and reinforce time tested guidelines and techniques that music educators of any level of proficiency can use in directing music programs across the United States. Although this course is useful at any point of a music teacher’s career this course is best fit for music educators in their beginning years.
- Upon completion of this course, you will have the skills and knowledge necessary to develop the strategies and tools needed to be successful in the music classroom.
Introduction to Music Adjudication
- Designed to provide an overview of music adjudication and the best practices for many adjudicating situations. The skills taught in this course introduce and reinforce time tested guidelines and techniques that adjudicators of any level of proficiency have successfully used to adjudicate interscholastic solo and small ensemble music festivals.
Besides these two NFHS courses the KSHSAA and KMEA strongly recommend that all Kansas music adjudicators view the KSHSAA/KMEA Online Music Adjudicator Training videos. This adjudication training video is divided into two sections, Part 1: The General Adjudicating Philosophy with Rules and Regulations that will provide guidance to the novice adjudicator and also remind the veteran adjudicator of important information. It is divided into three five minute videos. Each video will be followed by a question and answer section that requires 100% accuracy in order to continue. Part 2: Offers hands-on instruction from qualified music adjudicators for Band, Choir, and Orchestra. Each different genre lasts approximately one hour to view. Please contact Craig Manteuffel, cmanteuffel@kshsaa.org or Kathy Wilhelm, kwilhelm@kshsaa.org to receive your login and password in order to participate. Our Kansas high school musicians deserve quality music adjudication, so get signed up today!
Last spring, the KMEA Festivals committee met in Topeka to talk about how to improve KSHSAA music festivals. We spent much of our day revising language to the adjudicator rubrics. You may find these rubrics on our website or by clicking http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Music/Main.cfm and looking on the right side of the music page under ADJUDICATION. A huge thank you to Dana Hamant and all of the festival committee members for giving of their time and talents.
I hope you have a wonderful school year as you create beautiful music with your students. If my office can assist you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me or Kathy Wilhelm my assistant. The KSHSAA office phone number is (785) 273-5329.
