Take 5 for OMEA

Welcome to the Oregon Music Education Association's monthly e-newsletter, "Take 5 for OMEA." This e-newsletter has the most current news and information all in a 5 minute or less read. You can view past e-newsletters by clicking here.

Please visit our website at www.oregonmea.org for the latest on news and information at OMEA. You can visit our calendar page by clicking here.

OMEA Awards

Nominate your colleagues and mentors for OMEA Awards! These will be presented in Eugene at the OMEA Conference in January 2027!

OMEA Elections

OMEA January elections open in Mid-December, please click here to nominate yourself or a colleague for 2nd Vice President.

Call for Articles

Journal submissions for OMEA's Fall Journal are due no later than September 15. Please email articles directly to executivedirector@oregonmea.org.

Click here for more information regarding OMEA Publications.

The 2027 Advocacy in Action Awards Applications are open now!

Shine a national spotlight on your program while inspiring others!

Applications will close Monday, August 17 at 11:59 EST

Is Music Technology in your future?

As the school year winds down and conversations about staffing and course offerings begin, music educators may find themselves being asked to teach Music Technology (sometimes with little preparation or support). If that’s you, you’re not alone, and help is available. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refine an existing course, I’m happy to share resources, lesson ideas, and practical strategies from the classroom. Music Technology can be an incredibly engaging and meaningful pathway for students, and with the right support, it can also be a rewarding space for teachers.

Jason Rodgers

OMEA Secondary General Music Chair

jrodgers@woodburnsd.org

OMEA Survey

Are you teaching music technology? Curious or planning to? Are you being directed to add this to your curriculum or offer a class? The OMEA is gathering data on the current status of music technology classes in our schools: what’s being offered, what’s being planned, and what resources teachers have or need. Your insights will help guide future support, training, and collaboration opportunities across the state.

Click here to access the survey.

Jason Rodgers

OMEA Secondary General Music Chair

jrodgers@woodburnsd.org

OMEA Survey

You may have recently received an email from us asking you to complete a survey for a study we are conducting regarding Music Performance Assessments. This message is simply a reminder asking for you to participate if you haven’t already done so. This survey is open to all OMEA members, regardless of whether you are active, retired, preservice, and regardless of teaching level (e.g., elementary, middle, high school).

With this study, we are attempting to better understand music educators’ attitudes toward “music performance assessments.” We use the term music performance assessments (MPA), to describe organized events such as festivals, contests, and competitions where bands, orchestras, and choirs perform music for adjudicators and expect to receive a rating, ranking, or score, in addition to comments.

We have independently assessed the validity and reliability of this survey through several rounds of pilot testing, and we are now in the process of data collection. We would like to invite you to share your thoughts/feedback regarding your experiences with MPAs using the link below. The process will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your help!

Click here to complete the survey.

Jay Silveira

University of Oregon

Wes Brewer

Oregon State University

OMEA Publications

Please click here to access OMEA publications. Issuu will now archive all OMEA publications dating back to 1948. These older editions will be posted as access becomes available for scanning.

Please contact JJ Sutton if you are interested in submitting an article for future publications.

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2026 - 2027 Gold Level Sponsor: In preparation for a professional music career, undergraduates may pursue a Bachelor of Music in music studies with options in music education or performance.

2026 - 2027 Silver Level Sponsor: Beacock Music is a family-owned company since 1976! The founders, Dale and Susan Beacock, opened the doors as a place for music lessons with a focus primarily toward band students. Musicians themselves, they enjoyed being surrounded by ‘anything music!’

2026 - 2027 Silver Level Sponsor: MYS is a welcoming community of students, families, conductors, coaches, teachers, supporters and volunteers. On stage and off, MYS STUDENTS SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND INSPIRE ONE ANOTHER.

2026 - 2027 Silver Level Sponsor: It is the mission of the Portland Youth Philharmonic Association to prepare young people for success through musical excellence. High-quality music education is accessible to all young people in our culturally diverse community.

2026 - 2027 Silver Level Sponsor: Our faculty is made up of experienced musicians. They are experts in a variety of different musical styles and genres, giving students a wide range of opportunities. As a music major, you will take inspiration from faculty mentors who will help you discover your own unique musical style.

2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor:American Band College of Central Washington Univ. is the master's degree program that could change your career. Attend classes, clinics, and rehearsals as you learn more about your craft.

2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: Your flute should never stand in the way of your music. Our mission is to care for your instrument with the highest skill and precision, so it responds with true resonance and reliability, letting your artistry take center stage.

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2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: No matter what instrument you play, the Music program at Mt. Hood Community College can help start or advance your journey as a musician. You’ll work closely with our faculty and enjoy classes and clinics conducted by nationally recognized artists.

2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: Music Camps @ Wallowa Lake is only possible through generous donations from people like you. We are a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. Please consider making a donation to help keep Music Camps @ Wallowa Lake alive

2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: Northwest Band Camp is a one-week summer music camp that combines individual and group music instruction along with tons of fun recreation time that give young musicians the opportunity to meet with many other similarly interested students in a fun, friendly, inspiring, and musically intensive environment.

2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: Experience world-class music from Wynton Marsalis, Gregory Alan Isakov, Emanuel Ax, and more alongside the Oregon Symphony! Subscriptions and single tickets to all our 2026/27 concerts in Portland are available now!

2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: We promote and support the teaching and enjoyment of music for the whole individual. Membership in POSA comes with many benefits including the knowledge that you are doing your part to spread the word about Orff Schulwerk in the Pacific Northwest.

2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: The School of Music & Theater exists to provide professional training and liberal-arts based education to a highly diverse student body in the areas of performance, conducting, jazz studies, music technology, music education, composition and theater arts.

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2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: The Salem Youth Symphony Association is a non-profit organization that offers an exceptional musical experience to dedicated young musicians through age 22 from Salem, Keizer, and the surrounding communities.

2026 - 2027 Bronze Level Sponsor: YMA's mission is to provide young people with a unique personal experience in the visual and performing arts, where they share creative interests in a positive environment that builds confidence, enhances self-esteem and reinforces a sense of community.

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: Enjoy exceptional chamber music at Chamber Music Northwest with world-renown musicians and varied repertoire in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at CMNW.org.

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: ETSI has been organizing and traveling with performance groups since 1988. Our goal is to provide program directors and students the most comprehensive itineraries emphasizing educational and performance opportunities as well as fun sightseeing and attractions.

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: Here’s what I offer: High level music design for underserved schools and season-long support for your students and staff. It fills my cup the most to help small and mid-sized ensembles find their forte and break into the competitive ranks.

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2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: Nova Music International offers services in music publishing, education, administration, summer camps, and events (workshops, guest conducting, clinics, adjudication, and festival management).

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: The Oregon Ambassadors of Music continues to provide meaningful cultural experiences and extraordinary performance opportunities. Outstanding students from all over Oregon prepare music to perform in select cities throughout Europe.

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: Oregon Children’s Choir is a Eugene-based non-profit choral organization serving Lane County youths by promoting a love for singing and music. Fellowship, learning, and striving for excellence encourage OCC's choristers to become ambassadors of harmony within our community and into the world beyond.

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: The Oregon Coast Youth Symphony Festival is the premier destination for youth orchestras in the Pacific Northwest. Our clinics, led by professional orchestra conductors, challenge young musicians to grow their skills together.

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: Peripole is a company founded by music educators, for music educators, based in Salem, Oregon and serving the music community worldwide. Thank you for visiting our website, please browse our wide selection of high quality, affordably priced musical instruments.

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: Southern Oregon Repertory Singers envisions a world in which choral music is a vibrant, evolving art that touches hearts, transforms lives, and bridges communities.

2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: The Oregon Center for the Arts at SOU features world-class artists teaching advanced music students in a serious, career-oriented environment. We encourage students to develop as artists, with emphases on individual exploration, creative collaboration, and cross-hybridization within the arts.

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2026 - 2027 Supporting Member: When we were the Oregon College of Education the music department boasted one of the finest music education certification programs in Oregon. We are proud to announce our commitment to training the next generation of music educators – elementary, instrumental, and choral – with our new 4-year BM certification degree program.

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Tri-M

A Tri-M® Music Honor Society chapter opens up a world of opportunities for students who have already shown themselves to be academically capable and musically gifted. Through performance and community service, they’ll develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, compassion, and a host of other leadership skills sure to serve them well in school and beyond.