Miami’s NAfME chapter earns national award
University honored for recruitment by music education organization
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Published
Miami University was recently recognized by the National Association for Music Education as one of nine "Chapters of Excellence."
Miami’s NAfME chapter earns national award
•
Published
Maria Hisey joined Miami University’s National Association for Music Education (NAfME) collegiate chapter during her first year as a college student. At the time, the Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association (OCMEA) chapter had around 16 members.
Now a rising senior, Hisey has been one of the driving forces in increasing that number. The chapter’s membership climbed to more than 70 this past spring semester, and Miami was recognized recently by NAfME as one of nine “Chapters of Excellence.”
Miami’s “Chapters of Excellence” recognition comes in – not surprisingly – the Recruitment category.
A double major in Music Education and Music Performance (horn) from Canton, Hisey credits the jump in participation in large part to making the chapter’s opportunities more accessible.
“It was a very dramatic increase in a short amount of time,” Hisey said. “I look forward to seeing it continue to grow.”
OCMEA is a subdivision of both the Ohio Music Education Association and NAfME.
Hisey, along with chapter members Grant Stout and Joe Stegman, was in Washington, D.C., on June 9-11 for the Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit as the nine “Chapters of Excellence” received their awards.
A year ago, former chapter president Colleen Gorski was one of eight recipients of the NAfME’s Professional Achievement Award for her efforts in helping revitalize Miami’s chapter.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and so proud of our students,” said Robin Heinsen, assistant professor of Music Education and the faculty sponsor for Miami’s chapter. “For the past couple of years, our students have made a tremendous effort to get others registered and involved in the organization.
“Being recognized and acknowledged by the national organization for having worked that hard is a tremendous honor.”
Holding monthly professional development events, weekly ensemble rehearsals, and assorted fundraisers have helped build awareness on campus. Funding from sources that include the College of Creative Arts, Associated Student Government, and the Family Fund have also allowed chapter members to attend conferences.
The connection to NAfME is a huge benefit, Heinsen said.
“It’s a professional organization for practicing music educators who are teachers and leaders. Getting students involved helps set the tone for their professional lives,” Heinsen said. “We want to introduce them to this larger world of music education so they can see how they fit into the profession.”
On-campus professional development opportunities can also double as networking, with guest speakers from across the state visiting Miami.
Hisey served as Miami’s chapter president this year. She represents the school on the state board that oversees all of Ohio’s chapters as well.
“We’re planning on expanding our opportunities so people can fit it better into their schedules, and we’re also increasing our travel opportunities,” Hisey said, noting that participation in the chapter for Miami’s Music Education majors is not mandatory. “We want to exist as an open resource for people.”
Now a rising senior, Hisey has been one of the driving forces in increasing that number. The chapter’s membership climbed to more than 70 this past spring semester, and Miami was recognized recently by NAfME as one of nine “Chapters of Excellence.”
Miami’s “Chapters of Excellence” recognition comes in – not surprisingly – the Recruitment category.
A double major in Music Education and Music Performance (horn) from Canton, Hisey credits the jump in participation in large part to making the chapter’s opportunities more accessible.
“It was a very dramatic increase in a short amount of time,” Hisey said. “I look forward to seeing it continue to grow.”
OCMEA is a subdivision of both the Ohio Music Education Association and NAfME.
Hisey, along with chapter members Grant Stout and Joe Stegman, was in Washington, D.C., on June 9-11 for the Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit as the nine “Chapters of Excellence” received their awards.
A year ago, former chapter president Colleen Gorski was one of eight recipients of the NAfME’s Professional Achievement Award for her efforts in helping revitalize Miami’s chapter.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and so proud of our students,” said Robin Heinsen, assistant professor of Music Education and the faculty sponsor for Miami’s chapter. “For the past couple of years, our students have made a tremendous effort to get others registered and involved in the organization.
“Being recognized and acknowledged by the national organization for having worked that hard is a tremendous honor.”
Holding monthly professional development events, weekly ensemble rehearsals, and assorted fundraisers have helped build awareness on campus. Funding from sources that include the College of Creative Arts, Associated Student Government, and the Family Fund have also allowed chapter members to attend conferences.
The connection to NAfME is a huge benefit, Heinsen said.
“It’s a professional organization for practicing music educators who are teachers and leaders. Getting students involved helps set the tone for their professional lives,” Heinsen said. “We want to introduce them to this larger world of music education so they can see how they fit into the profession.”
On-campus professional development opportunities can also double as networking, with guest speakers from across the state visiting Miami.
Hisey served as Miami’s chapter president this year. She represents the school on the state board that oversees all of Ohio’s chapters as well.
“We’re planning on expanding our opportunities so people can fit it better into their schedules, and we’re also increasing our travel opportunities,” Hisey said, noting that participation in the chapter for Miami’s Music Education majors is not mandatory. “We want to exist as an open resource for people.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the College of Creative Arts? Visit the website for more information.
