Hello, Kansas Music Teacher Friends!
We have certainly seen some unsettling times since March 2020. I am hopeful that music educators and school administrators will continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic with science-based facts and mitigation strategies. We can and will get past this!
The KSHSAA has music education considerations based on the ongoing NFHS/CBDNA Aerosol Study. Below are important links to documents and web pages that should help steer your conversations with administrators, parents, and students. Please be advised that we revise the KSHSAA documents as new information becomes available.
COVID-19 Music Considerations: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/COVID/PDF/Music-Considerations.pdf
KSHSAA Mental Health Toolbox: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/SportsMedicine/pdf/MentalHealthToolbox.pdf
COVID-19 Pep Band Considerations: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/COVID/pdf/PepBandConsiderations.pdf
KSHSAA Music FAQ’s: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Music/PDF/MusicFAQ.pdf
NFHS COVID- 19 Resources: https://www.nfhs.org/articles/performing-arts-covid-19-resources/
NFHS/CBDNA Aerosol Study FAQ Blog: https://www.nfhs.org/articles/aerosol-study-faq-s-blog/
I need to update you on two very important projects the KSHSAA, KMEA and the NFHS are working on together to provide opportunities for you and our students.
First off, the KSHSAA certainly hopes that we can host in person music festivals this Spring. We also realize that this may not be able to happen in 2021. KMEA and the KSHSAA have organized a Virtual Music Festival Committee in case we need a Plan B for Spring music festivals. A big thank you to Dana Hamant and the KMEA District Presidents who helped identify our committee members. The virtual committee is co-chaired by Dana Hamant and Craig Manteuffel. Committee members are from all seven KMEA districts and they are: Gretchen Bixler, Larry Brownlee, Elise Peterson, Joey Nickols, Travis Johnson, Katie Sperry, Ryan Partin, Jayme Malsom, Andrea Dinkel, and Troy Johnson.
The NFHS and KSHSAA are at work to gain publisher permissions for State Association sponsored music festival adjudication and assessments in 2020-21. These needed permissions will help steer our committee on virtual platforms and procedures. Thank you, committee members, for your time, expertise, and efforts!
Live streaming your music concerts on YouTube Live is possible if you are using music from the ASCAP and BMI lists. Public archival settings should be disabled. Music not listed on these two directories may need additional permissions. Please be diligent and do your homework early when seeking copyright permissions. ASCAP and BMI are US public performance organizations (PROs) who collect publishing royalties (performance royalties) for the PUBLIC PERFORMANCE of musical works as stipulated by the U.S. Copyright Act.
A few points of emphasis for the 2020-21 school year.
2020-21 KSHSAA and KMEA Classifications (Different from School Classifications and are unique to Music)
6A – 32 schools; 5A – 32 schools; 4A – 56 schools; 3A – 64 schools; 2A – 64 schools; 1A – 106 schools
2020-21 Music Festival Sites and School Assignment Links
Regional Solos and Small Ensembles: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Music/RegAssignments.cfm
State Solos and Small Ensembles: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Music/StateFestival.cfm
State Large Groups: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Music/StateLargeAssignments.cfm
2020-21 KSHSAA Music Manual Additions
KSHSAA Handbook Rule 10- Qualifications of Coaches, Directors and Rule 20- Awards are to safeguard students, directors and schools and should help schools with compliance of IRS regulations.
- Page 12, Sec. 8 Accompanists
Piano Accompanists (Additional) Paid Instructors- Any coach and/or sponsor that works with students should be paid by a school district and/or school supplemental with a signed school contract. These payments must be made from a school activities or USD supplemental fund account. Booster Clubs should never directly pay coaches and/or sponsors for these duties. Booster Clubs may contribute money to a school activity fund which then makes the direct payment to the coach/sponsor.
KSHSAA Handbook Rule 10- Qualifications of Coaches, Directors and Rule 20- Awards are to safeguard students, directors and schools and should help schools with compliance of IRS school regulations.
- Page 24, Athletic Bands
Marching Band (Additional) Paid Instructors (such as, but not limited to: drumline, flag corps, color guard, brass specialist, woodwind specialist, etc.)
Any coach and/or sponsor that works with students should be paid by a school district and/or school supplemental with a signed school contract. These payments must be made from a school activities or USD supplemental fund account. Booster Clubs should never directly pay coaches and/or sponsors for these duties. Booster Clubs may contribute money to a school activity fund which then makes the direct payment to the coach/sponsor.
The National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) continues to do an outstanding job of reaching out to music teachers and music adjudicators in our nation. I want to make you aware of free online courses that are available at www.nfhslearn.com
Understanding Copyright and Compliance
This course should be taken by ALL K-12 and College/University music teachers! Not complying with music copyright laws could potentially cost you and/or your school district $30,000.00 per infraction. You need to educate yourself on copyright laws and know what is legal and illegal. This course was written in partnership with the NFHS and NAfME.
COVID-19 for Coaches and Administrators
The COVID 19 pandemic presents a myriad of challenges to high school athletic and activity programs. To help address some of those challenges, the National Federation of State High School Associations has developed “COVID-19 for Coaches and Administrators.”
The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee developed “Guidance for Opening Up High School Athletics and Activities” to aid state associations during this unprecedented event. This course will present material from that document along with some other helpful information and materials to assist school administrators and coaches conduct workouts, practices and contests as safely as possible.
Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
It’s widely known that stress, anxiety and depression create challenges for both society and individuals, including interscholastic students. Severe conditions can lead to the worst outcomes, such as suicide.
The NFHS is proud to bring you this course on Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in response to this reality. With a focus on wellness, including both physical and psychological, this course highlights causes, strategies and provides helpful resources.
Music Adjudication
Music adjudication provides an opportunity for performing arts students to develop by further improving their skills through constructive feedback. To help you, as an adjudicator, support the development of these skills, the NFHS has created the course Music Adjudication. This course has been designed to provide adjudicating basics and guidelines, teach you how to properly comment on and give constructive feedback on a performance, as well as further explaining the different roles in which you may serve as an adjudicator. Example student performances are included to give you an opportunity to practice adjudicating real performances, while also providing guidance on what to note during a particular performance.
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.
Interscholastic Music Event Management
Designed to provide an overview of management and best practices for hosting music events. These events provide a setting outside of the classroom for students to showcase their musicianship, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills. As a contest, festival, or honor group manager, you serve a crucial role in creating a positive and efficient environment for student success. The skills taught in this course introduce and reinforce time tested guidelines and techniques that music event managers with any level of hosting experience can utilize to efficiently and successfully manage interscholastic music events.
Band Safety
Band provides a setting outside of the classroom for participants to showcase their musicianship, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. In order for these objectives to be met, it is important to provide a safe environment for all participants in Band. To help you provide that safe environment, the NFHS has partnered with Music for All, Bands of America, WGI Sport of the Arts, Drum Corps International, and Varsity Athletic Bands to bring you “Band Safety.” This course addresses heat and other weather concerns, the value of hydration, rest and sleep, hearing protection and other safety considerations.
We realize that these are trying times, but music teachers are some of the most creative and resourceful people on our planet. We appreciate everything you are doing to keep music alive for our wonderful student musicians. Please know that the KSHSAA is here to help. If our office can assist you, please do not hesitate to contact me or Kathy Wilhelm, my assistant. The KSHSAA office phone number is (785) 273-5329.
Wishing you continued good health and positive days ahead!
Craig Manteuffel
Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit
Kansas State High School Activities Association
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