The DSU chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has been busy the past couple of weeks. Recently, club members gave a recital for the residents of Edgewood Hawks Point – an assisted living facility in Dickinson, North Dakota. The informal performance featured vocal and instrumental music, chamber music, and even an accordion solo. It was an entertaining and fulfilling community outreach experience, and the students also collected donations to help them get to their state conference.
In addition, the NAfME students attended the annual North Dakota Music Educators Association (NDMEA) conference in Bismarck. This three-day event was full of opportunities to network with professional educators, attend professional development sessions, and observe the All-State band, choir, and orchestra directors, as they rehearsed their high school honor ensembles. The conference also allowed these students to take in current research in music education that is taking place in North Dakota. The students were also able to network and spend time with collegiate members from the other state institutions.
These events are so important to these future music educators. Their time spent in our local community and the larger educational community will keep them well-rounded and up-to-speed on their profession.