Classroom Music Committee

NYSSMA is now accepting proposals for Winter Conference 2024.  We invite Classroom Music educators to submit!

The goals of the CMC are:

  • to promote the importance and value of classroom music in music programs and schools of New York State
  • to serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas and the development of activities
  • to coordinate and support the efforts and activities of classroom music teachers and students
  • to improve the quality, scope and effectiveness of classroom music instruction.

The NYSSMA Classroom Music Committee continually seeks to develop ideas, programs, and activities which will help teachers of classroom music improve the quality, scope and effectiveness of their instruction. The committee continually promotes the importance and value of classroom music by encouraging and supporting educators to select materials and repertoire that provide the following for their students: a mirror of themselves and learning community, a window to see other perspectives and cultures, and a door to engage in experiences beyond their own classroom. The committee strives to provide membership with the tools and resources to evaluate current classroom music repertoire in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion. (adopted as part of the NYSSMA BEDR position statement in March 2023)

We suggest the following resource “Songs With a Questionable Past” to help you evaluate your current classroom repertoire

The CMC meets its goals through activities including…

Exemplary classroom music sessions for Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and High School music teachers at Winter Conference and Summer Conferences

Statewide series of Regional Workshops and other in-service opportunities for teachers on important classroom music topics;

Classroom Music PEAK Festivals and other opportunities for New York State students;

Collaborative work with the State Education Department on initiatives related to standards, assessment, and resources for classroom music instruction.

For further information and assistance, please contact the Chairperson, Kerry Mero, or a member of the Classroom Music Committee.

Classroom Music Committee

What Resources are Available from the CMC? 

Publications:

  • Assessment in Classroom Music
  • Classroom Music PEAK Festival Handbook
  • Conference Workshop Proposal Application Form
  • Consultant services- providing clinicians by area of expertise

Additional Links:

Classroom Music

Music Theory

  • AP Music Theory 
    The College Board’s AP Music Theory site.
  • Center for the History of Music Theory and Literature
    Established in 1998 as a joint venture of Indiana University’s School of Music and the Office of Research and the University Graduate School, the Center for the History of Music Theory and Literature (CHMTL) brings together various activities, publications (both electronic and conventional), and projects centered at the School of Music at Indiana University. In addition to its current activities, CHMTL anticipates expansion with additional full-text databases, a new series of publications, conferences, and occasional fellowships for visiting scholars.
  • Journal of Music Theory 
    Published by Yale University
  • Society for Music Theory 
    The Society for Music Theory was established in 1977 in order to promote music theory as both a scholarly and a pedagogical discipline. Currently there are about 750 members from around the world, and about 300 institutions subscribe to our semiannual journal, Music Theory Spectrum. The goals of the SMT include fostering the development of all aspects of the discipline of music theory, including research and teaching. It provides forums for the presentation of research, including workshops and other aspects of professional development; and it both supports and encourages pre-professionals in their pursuit of a career in music theory.

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