National Association for Music Education

06/05/2026

The 2026 Wisconsin State Music Conference will take place October 28–31 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin. This conference will explore the range of this question: What do we mean by a comprehensive music education in 2027? And how might it shape a young person, for a lifetime? Learn more: https://nafme.org/event/2026-wisconsin-state-music-conference/ Wisconsin Music Educators Association - WMEA

06/05/2026

“’Do You Want to Major in Music…’ is a volume written by two collegiate music teacher educators with a passion for—and many years of experience in—music education. ... In this book, you will find advice collected from music majors, music education majors, current music teachers, and music teacher educators.” Read an excerpt and share with prospective students: https://nafme.org/blog/do-you-want-to-major-in-music/ Tri-M Music Honor Society National Association for Music Education Collegiate

Do You Want to Major in Music? A Guide for Prospective Music and Music Education Majors By NAfME Members Jill Wilson and Natalie Steele Royston Do You Want to Major in Music… is a volume written by two collegiate music teacher educators with a passion for—and many years of experience…

06/04/2026

House Republicans are proposing an $8 BILLION CUT to federal education programs, which would have a devastating effect on affected music education programs. The House Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to meet TOMORROW to advance the bill to the full committee next week.

Your voice is critical! Email your U.S. Representative and Senators NOW, urging them to protect funding for critical programs: https://bit.ly/nafme-hill-day-2026

Learn how these programs make an impact on equitable access to music education: https://bit.ly/support-music-arts-education

National Dance Education Organization - NDEO National Art Education Association Educational Theatre Association National Association for Media Arts Education

06/04/2026

Thank you, Todd and Kelly, for sharing your insights! NAfME Collegiates, be sure to renew your membership this summer (all Collegiate memberships expire June 30), so you can stay connected to colleagues on campus and around the country and keep access to benefits like the full archives of academic journals, event discounts, and more!

06/04/2026

The NAfME Music Teacher Profession Advisory Committee (MTPAC) solicited state music education association (MEA) mentoring information as part of the ongoing work to implement the strategies in ‘A Blueprint to Strengthen the Music Teacher Profession’.

This information will be regularly updated with new state MEA information as it becomes available. Learn about mentoring programs in your state for new and experienced educators:

State Music Education Association Mentoring Programs The NAfME Music Teacher Profession Advisory Committee (MTPAC) solicited the state music education association mentoring information listed below as part of the ongoing work to implement the strategies in A Blueprint to Strengthen the Music Teacher...

06/03/2026

NAfME joined national, state, and local organizations in a joint letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies regarding Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 funding for education. Read the letter here: https://www.titleiva.org/letters-to-congress

We urge advocates to join us in contacting your U.S. Senators and Representatives today: https://nafmeorg.quorum.us/campaign/Hill-Day-2026/

Included among signing organizations on the Title IV-A Coalition letter are:

State music education associations from: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, ND, NH, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.

NAfME Music Education Policy Roundtable members: A. Cuthbertson Consulting, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Americans for the Arts, Chamber Music America, CMA Foundation, Chorus America, CommonTime Education, Conn Selmer, Drum Corps International, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Education Through Music, El Sistema USA, Feierabend Association for Music Education, Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association, Hawai’i Youth Symphony, Hip-Hop Education Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, JazzSLAM, Kindermusik, Intl., KRUTZ, Inc., League of American Orchestras, Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Music Teacher Guild, Music Teachers National Association, Music Travel Consultants, Music Will, Music Workshop, MusicFirst, National Association for Music Education, National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music, NAMM, National Concerts, National Federation of State High School Associations, National Music Council of the United States, New Harmony Line, Organization of American Kodaly Educators, Percussive Arts Society, Quadrant Research, Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, Sankofa Songs! Inc., Save The Music Foundation, Teaching Guitar Workshops, Teachrock.org, and Young Audiences, Inc.

06/03/2026

A new rule from the U.S. Department of Education, finalized at the end of April 2026, marks a noteworthy shift in how graduate students are classified for federal student loan purposes. This much-disputed decision carries real implications for future music educators and others pursuing advanced degrees in education.

On May 7, Congressional Democrats announced plans to introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal the new rule once it is officially submitted to Congress. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), John Mannion (NY-22), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14), along with Senators Jeff Merkley (OR) and Angela Alsobrooks (MD), are leading the effort to overturn the finalized rule.

Learn more: https://nafme.org/blog/new-professional-student-definition-reshapes-federal-student-loan-limits/

06/03/2026

This is a sponsored post from NAfME Corporate member FAME Media

Learn more about teaching with a Feierabend focus! Join the at FAMECON26. Elevate your music ed game with FAME! Feierabendmusic.org

Join the Feierabend Fundamentals Group: facebook.com/groups/445107355586495

06/02/2026

Nominations are OPEN through August 13! Nominate a music educator for the 2026 George N. Parks Leadership in Music Education Award: bit.ly/GeorgeParksAward Music for All

The recipient must demonstrate:

*Collaborative spirit

*Dedication to knowing students as individuals

*Provision of a culture of inclusivity, belonging, and community

*Perseverance and enthusiasm

*Ability to instill qualities in students for life beyond the classroom that create and foster community

Nominate a music educator today: https://bit.ly/george-parks-award-nomination

06/02/2026

Amanda Karhuse, NAfME Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy, and Amy Hairston, President of Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA), will present “The Road Ahead: Impacts of National Policy on Arts Education in Maryland” on June 16 at 10:15AM ET at this year’s Maryland Arts Summit! Learn more about this event (registration open through June 9): https://mdarts.org/news/2026-maryland-arts-summit/

Description: This deep dive will cover the current state of Federal arts education policy and its impacts on the delivery of arts education at the state level. National Association for Music Education (NAfME) co-presenter Amanda Karhuse and Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA) co-presenter Amy Hairston provide up to date information in a rapidly changing federal education policy landscape and implications for Maryland’s arts educators.

Participants will walk away with an understanding of the ways in which federal education legislation and funds support the arts and learn about up-to-date policy priorities that affect music education.

Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA)