Monday Notes - December 15, 2025

We made it to the finish line. The semester is officially wrapped, and a well-deserved break is finally here. As you get ready to unplug, enjoy time with family and friends, and maybe even catch your breath for the first time in weeks, take a moment to look over the reminders below. A little attention now will make it that much easier to enjoy your time off without anything lingering in the background.

Thank you for everything you’ve poured into your students and programs this semester. Your work matters, and it shows. Enjoy the break and we will see you in January at All-State!

Just a few reminders before you lock the door on the semester! Make sure the following is taken care of before break:

• Send Neil Swapp your PO for student participation fees, or make sure payment has been made.
• Order and receive all required music (vendor).
• Check music order to ensure all music was included (programs).
• Order choral learning tracks (link) if you haven’t already.
• Review the posted student rosters and send any spelling corrections to Neil Swapp.
• Register yourself for the conference (link).
• If you need chaperone badges, be sure to include them in your registration.
• Confirm hotel reservations (conference hotel)
• Review expectations (link) with students.
• Make sure you and your percussion students have reviewed this information.

If you haven’t secured your luncheon ticket yet, please do so soon before they sell out. This event is always a highlight — a chance to connect, celebrate, and be inspired by the exceptional educators in our profession.

• Purchase here

Just a few reminders to help you have a great All-State and In-Service Conference. I know how important some of these are from my experience at All-State when in high school. That was many years ago...so it left an impression!

• Make sure to pack medical release forms.
• Instrumental student must take a folding stand.
• Remind students to bring music, needed mutes, extra reeds, valve oil, anything they could possibly need!
• Percussion students must bring small equipment and sticks - review this document!

As you know, participation in the percussion section requires additional responsibility. An email was sent to your selected All-State Percussion students through Opus reminding them of their responsibilities and equipment needs.

HERE is the important information outlining the specific materials and equipment percussion students are required to bring. Please be sure to have students review their part assignments and music carefully and help them ensure they have all necessary equipment at All-State to be successful.

If you have any specific questions, please contact Anthony Baca percussion@nmmea.com

Please make sure to check that your students have the correct music and parts for All-State. Nothing is worse than showing up and not having the correct music or part!

• The program can be found here
• Part assignments can be found here

Conference schedules have been posted on the website. Keep in mind that there might be a few minor changes that will be reflected in the conference app (Guidebook). More information regarding Guidebook will be included in later newsletters.

• Click here for schedules

Congratulations to Cody Jackson and Andrew Kesten who are semifinalists in the 2026 CMAF Music Teachers Across the Nation! Good luck as you move forward!

• More information

Here is to a great break filled with Rs and Fs (rest / relaxation, fun / friends / family). The next edition of Monday notes will be on December 29th. Happy holidays and have a wonderful vacation! See you in January.