Welcome to the September NewsLink!

from your friends at MENC

MENC is wishing you the best as you get settled back on campus and gear up your CMENC chapter this year. If you have comments, questions, or would like to share your chapter’s activities or recruitment strategies with us, e-mail annew@menc.org. This month’s feature article will give you some great advice on the job search process, whether you are a new music education student or one who is about to graduate. The article on how to jump-start your CMENC chapter will give you ideas for campus and community activities, including recruiting strategies, tips for organizing conferences, and more. Be sure to check out Conn-Selmer’s words of wisdom this month for a healthy dose of inspiration, as well as the MENC news and specials.

Hope your year is off to a great start!

Score It Big!  How to Fine-Tune Your Job-Search Skills

Katie McCormick has been an active instrumental music specialist in the Omaha Public School District for four years. She currently teaches beginning band and strings at three elementary schools. McCormick received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2003 and is currently working toward the completion of her Master of Music degree from the same institution.

My final year of college was full of anticipation as I was getting ready to student teach and find a school to begin my music teaching career. I couldn’t wait to start looking in the classified ads and begin sending out resumes. At first, I didn’t have a clue about how long and complicated the process could be, but after some careful research, I am excited to share with you what I found to be most beneficial for a successful job search. Although most of the following information is directed at you, the current job-seeker, it is also beneficial for the new music education student as many parts of the job-search process can begin very early in one’s education.

Job Openings

One of the first questions you may ask is, “where do I go to find job openings?” Check for job postings in your local newspaper. If you don’t subscribe to the paper, you can usually check their postings online. School districts often use specialty Web sites to post their job openings such as the MENC Job Center site. Finally, university professors, supervisors, and veteran teachers (I call these people “seasoned vets”) may be aware of available positions in local school districts.

Questions on How to Organize Your Cover Letter and Resume?

Many resources are available to assist you in putting together your application materials. Your school should have a career placement office that includes useful information and materials.

Often the College of Education maintains a Web site with tips on writing a resume and cover letter as well as practice interview questions and professional portfolio assistance. Click here for a sample resume format.

The Application Process

Each school district has its own procedure, so once you’ve identified a job you are interested in, start by obtaining an application packet from that district. Usually you will receive a detailed folder in addition to the application. Look for a page of information outlining the selection process. You will need to follow the steps listed on this page to be eligible for consideration. If there are not any directions concerning the application process, take the following steps to ensure that you have applied correctly for the position:
 

• Send your credentials (cover letter, resume, references) as well as the completed application to the district office.
   
• Call and verify that your application materials have been received and that your application file is complete. 

 

Preparing for the Interview

After your credentials have been sent, it’s time to prepare for possible interviews. There are many things to consider before a prospective interview:

• How well would the job suit you? Although you may want to take most of the available interviews for the mere practice, consider how well you would “fit” the position being offered. Contact your “seasoned vets” to find out what they perceive as the needs of the prospective job. Another idea is to contact your cooperating teacher or university supervisor. These people might be able to give you some insight as to how well your skills match the position available. Finally, if you’re considering a position where you will be assisting another teacher, think about how well your personality and teaching style complement that teacher’s personality and style.
   
• What is the history of the music program? You may also want to ask your “seasoned vets” if they know the history of the program. For example, if you are looking for a school with a weak curriculum because you want the challenge of building it up, you may want to think twice before accepting a position that somebody you trust has described as a successful program.
   
• Does the school or district have a goal / motto? Accepting a job means buying into the ideals of the district. Take time to find out the school’s mission statement and goals, and compare your goals with those of the school (usually this information is available through the school’s or district’s Web site). Knowing the mission of the district could help you to be better prepared for the interview. Consider also the geography and demographics of the school in which you are interested in teaching. Ask yourself if the skills you possess would benefit the students at that particular school.

Understand the Questioning Process

You will most likely feel more comfortable and confident in your interviews if you know how to answer some basic questions, so take time to review sample questions and begin developing answers before going to your first interview. Your career placement office or College of Education should be able to supply you with a list of sample interview questions. A simple Internet search will also provide countless Web sites with sample questions. I’d encourage you to practice answering these questions with a friend or current teacher, and always answer honestly.

Once you’re done answering sample interview questions, think about questions you’d like to ask the interviewer. Asking questions at the interview is another opportunity to discover how well you would “fit” the position. When you’re forming questions, avoid asking anything that you could have found out via the application folder or the school’s Web site.

Keep in mind that prospective employers are gathering more information than you might realize during the question-asking portion of the interview. Your non-verbal communication is providing them with information by way of your handshake, eye contact, and dress. For more information on non-verbal communication see “Nonverbal Communications: Escape the Pitfalls” by Carole Martin from Monster.com.

Review your Professional Portfolio

Finally, have a portfolio available. The purpose of the portfolio is to document various aspects of your teaching ability. Contents of the portfolio may include a philosophy of teaching, teaching experience, lesson plans, assignments, exams, evaluation of your teaching, and professional development experiences you’ve had. A paper version is adequate, but recently an electronic version called an e-Portfolio has become popular among teachers and administrators. Using an e-Portfolio is beneficial for prospective music educators seeking to enhance their abilities with real visual and aural characteristics. Whichever way you decide to assemble your portfolio, keep it organized and easily accessible. Many of the Web sites concerning resume writing will also assist you in creating a professional portfolio.
 

Setting up the Interview

Now that you have prepared for the interview, you can feel confident when the call comes to set up a date and time. Don’t be afraid to ask who will be interviewing you and how long he/she expects the process to last. Knowing the interviewer(s) ahead of time may make it easier for you to prepare. Arrive about five minutes early for your interview, and don’t forget to bring a memo pad and pen!

Saying Thank You

Whew! You’re done. After the interview, make sure to send a simple thank-you note to the interviewer(s) the following day. Send a note even if you’re not interested in the position, bearing in mind numerous district administrators keep in touch and refer potential job candidates to each other.
 

Just like in musicianship, your job search skills will sharpen only with practice and initiative. Realize that this is a process: searching for positions, obtaining the right information, and finally preparing and executing the interview. Therefore, patience is a must: don’t expect to find that teaching opportunity overnight. Most importantly, use all of the resources at your disposal and do not be afraid to ask questions! Good luck—I hope you score it big!

Jump-Start Your CMENC Chapter: Ways to Increase Visibility

by Keith Koster, State Advisor of the Collegiate VMEA Chapter
and Advisor of the Christopher Newport University CMENC Chapter, Newport News, VA

As the new school year begins and course expectations and faculty demands begin to increase faster than it seems you’re ready for, consider these ways to jumpstart your involvement in CMENC.

First, chapter and member visibility is a must. From regularly scheduled meetings for chapter officers to scheduled meetings for your members, your chapter should determine how to become a visible presence not only in your music department, but also on your campus, out in the schools, and in the community. Create and sell a music department T-shirt at the beginning of the year. Not only will this help identify music students on your campus, but it also can be a great fundraiser for your chapter.

Second, clean house. Revisit, review, and revise your chapter constitution. If you do not have a chapter constitution, contact other area chapters and review theirs. All CMENC members should consider their chapter constitution a “course syllabus,” or contract of expectations to follow during the school year, including information such as when meetings will take place, how meetings will be conducted, and any additional campus-wide responsibilities. Make sure to provide every chapter member with a personal copy and, just as a course instructor will review the syllabus with you on the first day of classes, CMENC chapter officers should review all aspects of the constitution during your first scheduled meeting. Refer to the constitution often during the school year.

Below are suggested activities and events to consider adding to your regular chapter responsibilities during the school year, thus increasing your campus visibility:

• Host a social gathering early in the school year such as an informal potluck picnic for all music students, faculty, and staff. Plan a variety of activities such as kickball, wiffleball, and Frisbee. (Don’t forget to wear and sell your CMENC T-shirts.) To defray the cost of expenses, emphasize the word “potluck,” and have everyone who attends bring something to eat. Music faculty, staff, and members of other music organizations can assist with the grill, ice cooler, paper plates, and napkins by signing up to bring certain items to the event.
   
• Host at least one faculty recital and reception per school year. Select a recital date, coordinate the event, and present refreshments afterward. Chapter members can prepare the light refreshments. This is a great way to increase chapter visibility within the music department. Usually, music departments have funds to assist with these events. Make sure to set up a CMENC table close by the refreshments in order to provide recital attendees with more information about your chapter.
   
• Meet and greet all new music majors. Acquire the list of on-campus music majors and plan an evening or two to stop by their dormitory rooms, introducing yourselves as members of your CMENC chapter. Have a mini care package for these students that includes a pencil, staff paper, and chapter membership information. Don’t forget to wear your CMENC T-shirts.
   
• Raise funds for an annual scholarship. Secure funds to award an annual $100 scholarship to a deserving music major for the sole purpose of purchasing music supplies such as reeds, metronome, sheet music, and recordings. In addition, your chapter may want to consider purchasing a plaque and have the winning recipient’s name placed on the award. By doing this, not only is the scholarship award winner recognized, but also by displaying the plaque in the music department, chapter visibility is enhanced.
   
• Recognize successful students. During an annual music department awards ceremony, present an award to the student who received the highest marks for an outstanding jury, who served the campus community, who assisted with the development of Tri-M chapters in your area, etc. Enlist the help of music faculty in selecting students for these awards. Print up a certificate for each successful student. There is a saying that “success breeds success,” and when we take time to award those music students who are making a difference, more success is sure to follow.
   
• Get that bulletin board up and running. Because all music teachers will be expected to put together a well-designed bulletin board in their classrooms, why not start now? Assign chapter members to design and complete a bulletin board each month around a series of themes such as CMENC Membership and MIOSM. Make sure to keep important chapter information readily available, including meeting dates and times. Remind all CMENC members to check the bulletin board regularly for new information and upcoming events.
   
• Organize and host a state conference for CMENC members. Some states regularly host an annual collegiate conference for all chapter members throughout the state. Seek funding for the one-day event from your state MENC personnel. This is a great opportunity for CMENC members from across your state to spend time together attending sessions. Invite clinicians from around the state to participate. Have choral and instrumental reading sessions. End with a CMENC collegiate recital and reception. Having an organized statewide event for collegiate members is a great way to increase the visibility of your chapter as well as the future of music education. The skills that your chapter will glean from organizing such an event will be invaluable once you enter the classroom.
   
• Be an active member of your campus student government. While it is true that music education majors are usually the busiest students on campus, CMENC members need to be visible in campuswide student government. Fees collected from every student on your campus by the institution are often earmarked for “student activities.” These funds are then usually distributed by your campus-elected student officials, such as Student Senate. Not being an active member of your campus student government means that student activity fees paid by you won’t come back to your chapter. Get involved in campus government and let your voices be heard. Funds may be available to allow chapter members to attend state, regional, and national MENC events.
   
• Assist area schools in developing Tri-M chapters. Get to know all area music teachers by inviting them to a chapter meeting. Let them share their experience and expertise with you. Adopt an area high school by working with music educators there in establishing a Tri-M chapter. Not only does this improve your connections with the community, but it also provides chapter members with an opportunity to get to know high school musicians. No one will argue that it is truly a great feeling to make differences in the lives of young people.
   
• Host area in-services for music educators. Find out if local or regional chapters of Orff-Schulwerk, Kodàly, Dalcroze, IAJE, and NBA exist in your area. If they do, contact members and offer to host an in-service event for area or regional members. What better way to get your chapter involved than to bring the event to your campus? Not only does this experience provide you with an opportunity to participate in an all-day or part-day session with an inspiring clinician, it gives you an opportunity to get to know area music teachers.
   
• Attend state, regional, and national conferences. Because your membership in CMENC is a professional one, there really is no better way to focus on developing professional skills than these events. Secure funding through your department and campus student government first. You may have to complete a series of fundraisers. Note that the MENC National Conference is coming up in April 2008.
   
• Increase chapter visibility through simple fundraisers. Fundraising will always be an important part of running your music program, so begin by having a simple bake sale on the first Friday of the new school year. Continue to host the bake sale for students who frequent your part of the campus. This is a great way to condition your chapter members and “customers” that fundraising is an important way to maintain your chapter. Customers won’t mind the opportunity to regularly purchase cookies, brownies, or muffins between classes when you have the sale. Because chapter members (and music faculty) provide the baked items and supplies, your chapter will clear a profit with every bake sale.
   
• Value others, namely, your music and education faculty, staff, and administrators. They will become a source of support for you and your chapter. Too often we don’t acknowledge the help and gracious support we receive. Once you become a full-fledged music teacher, acknowledging the help and support of others will be an important part of working well with them. Why not get in the habit of taking time to acknowledge those faculty and staff who support your chapter by attending meetings or other events, donating baked items, etc. After a CMENC event, designate a chapter member or two to take the time to write a thank-you note to these folks who continually support your chapter.

Visibility of your chapter is an important part of the infrastructure that will ultimately support your chapter. Building a series of service, fundraising, professional, and social events into your constitution and school year will prepare you for nearly all of the aspects of your future work in the music classroom you’ll be involved with besides teaching.

Member Benefit Spotlight

MENC’s Policy and Advocacy Resources

MENC keeps its members informed on policy issues that affect music education, as well as how members can be effective advocates. Check out the Legislation and Policy Web page to learn about MENC’s legislative priorities such as the No Child Left Behind Act, state and local policy, advocacy information, and music education facts and figures. The monthly Legislative Memo provides the latest on music education news and issues from Capitol Hill and around the country.
In addition, MENC is pleased to announce “The Power of Music...Changing Lives,” our new music education advocacy brochure series. This series of four advocacy brochures is designed for distribution to parents, school board members, and principals to give these audiences “the why and the how” of supporting school music education. The entire brochure series is available for download in PDF form at MENC’s Music Education Advocacy Central. Also check out the news section for an advocacy guide developed by the MENC Government Relations Task Force. Visit www.menc.org/government for more information.

Conn-Selmer’s Words of Wisdom

from Peter Loel Boonshaft

“Remember to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Savor every moment of teaching: watching students grow, learn, and become what they can be. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give students is to help them discover their limitless potential. Help all students dream big dreams. Help all students find their destiny from within. Help all students discover the wonder that is them.”

~Peter Loel Boonshaft, Professor of Music
and Director of Bands, Hofstra University

Peter Boonshaft is the author of the critically acclaimed books Teaching Music With Passion and Teaching Music with Purpose. He holds Bachelor of Music (Summa Cum Laude), Master of Music Education in Conducting, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. He was founder and music director of the Pennsylvania Youth Honors Concert Band and the Connecticut Valley Youth Wind Ensemble and held the post of conductor of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony of Boston. He is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is professor of music, director of bands, and director of the graduate conducting program. He is also a featured clinician at the Conn-Selmer Institute, the preeminent educational workshop in the music industry. For more information, visit www.csinstitute.org.

 
Current News and Announcements

MENC’s latest specials and news

September Member Special:  Back to School with MIOSM

The September monthly special features the new 2008 MIOSM sticky pad/pen set. This 5” x 3” 50-sheet sticky pad has the yellow, blue, and black MIOSM logo and comes with a retractable blue pen with white trim and the MIOSM logo.

In September only, MENC members can purchase the MIOSM sticky pad/pen set for $2.00! There is a limit of 2 per member. No additional purchase is required. Item #6008R. This item is not available at state conference resource shops. Call 800-828-0229 or visit www.menc.org/specials to order.
 

“Why Music?” PSAs Available for Download

Want to share the importance of music education with your campus? Broadcast it on the airwaves! The “Why Music” public service announcement series is now available on the MENC Web site at www.menc.org/whymusic. The PSAs feature popular artists such as Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, and Al Jarreau, and remind listeners that every kid deserves to learn music at school.
 

September 14 Is National Anthem Day

Plan a National Anthem Day event on September 14 to showcase the important role music education plays in teaching American historical and musical traditions. Get the whole music department together to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at 9 am local time, or travel to a local elementary or middle school to lead a schoolwide sing! Help make National Anthem Day a new annual tradition—contact students, teachers, parents, schools, veterans’ groups, Girl Scouts of the USA, and community leaders to join in singing this song together. Let MENC know your plans so we can post your information on our National Anthem Day Web site! Visit www.thenationalanthemproject.org.
 

Music Education Advocacy Guide

MENC’s Government Relations Task force has developed an educational tool for music education advocates: “Music for all Students: Planning Music Education Advocacy,” featuring information on the advocacy cycle and available resources.

Another great source is “Why Music Education,” which provides facts and figures about the benefits of music education. Check it out at www.menc.org/facts.
 

October Is National Arts and Humanities Month

Coordinated by Americans for the Arts, National Arts and Humanities Month is the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation. Have your campus join the thousands of communities celebrating this year—visit www.americansforthearts.org for ideas on how to take action and participate locally.