top of page

Read Now: MMEJ Vol. 75, No. 1 Fall 2026

  • 22 hours ago
  • 3 min read

Dear MMEA Members and Friends,


On behalf of our Massachusetts Music Educators Journal Editorial Board, I am pleased to share that Volume 75, no. 1 of the MMEJ is LIVE!


It is such an honor to share the first issue of our 75th volume. Seventy-five volumes exist because teachers kept deciding their work was worth writing down. To memorialize this ongoing conversation, Dr. Jamie Gunther has built us a catalog of the articles we've located so far. Spend a few minutes with it at massmea.org/journal and you'll see our profession thinking out loud across decades: colleagues from twenty years ago wrestling with the same problem you thought was new to your building this September. Our library is still growing, so if you have old issues or articles that could help fill it out, please reach out to me via the email below.


This issue also honors the legacy of Grace Reidy, MMEA President from 1989–1991, in a moving tribute written by her daughter, Margaret Reidy.


Here's what else you'll find in this issue:

  • ADVOCACY: The Future Music Teachers Make, by Bradford Akerman

  • CHORAL: United States as the Center, the World as the 'Other': Self-Accountability in Choral Repertoire Selection, by Akshi Viswanathan

  • GENERAL MUSIC: Popping In Popular Music, by Linda Rae Krov

  • JAZZ/CONTEMPORARY: Jazz Language: Did You Call Her Today, by Lisa Linde

  • INNOVATIONS: Augenmusik in the Classroom: How a Centuries-Old Audiovisual Art Form Can Speak to 21st-Century Learners, by John Dante Prevedini

  • INSTRUMENTAL: Stop Yelling "Watch Me!": An Alternative Approach to Ensemble Skills, by Nate Strick

  • TECHNOLOGY: Recording Success: Grant Writing for Contemporary Music Programs, by Meaghan O'Connor-Vince

  • HIGHER EDUCATION: From Page to Podium: Cultivating Expressive Singing Skills with Elementary-Aged Singers, by Irene Idicheria

  • LARGE MUNICIPALITIES: MA Music Educator Association Advocates Join More Than 300 Music Education Supporters on Capitol Hill, by Allyson Rottman

  • RESEARCH AND MUSIC TEACHER EDUCATION: From Information Overload to Informed Practice: Research and Resources in Music Education, by Dr. Jamie Gunther

  • CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS: Bridging Language and Music in the Kindergarten Classroom, by Gladis Henriquez

  • MUSIC PROGRAM LEADERS: Welcome Back: Beginning the Year with Purpose and Possibility, by Dr. Heather Cote

  • MMEJ FEATURE: Afrika Hayes Lambe: Musician, Mother, Music Educator, and Mentor, by Sonya White Hope, DMA

  • VIEWPOINT: Shoes Off, Feet Up. Blessed., by Steve Damon



Don't forget:

  • Authors are eligible for 30 PDPs from DESE for publishing an article in the MMEJ!

  • You can now earn up to 10 Professional Development Points (PDPs) each year by reading and reflecting on MMEJ articles! Each successful reflection on an article is worth one PD hour. You can start reading and reflecting today to receive your PDPs at: https://www.massmea.org/journal.


The MMEJ Editorial Board is composed of MMEA members who each represent various content areas within music education:


Allison Lacasse, Advocacy

Koriana Lewis Bradford, Choral

Genithia Hogges, Cultural Responsiveness

Dr. Sarah Leahy, General Music

Dr. Rhoda Bernard, Higher Education

Seelan Manickam, Innovations

Michael Smith, Instrumental

Dr. Brian Gellerstein, Contemporary/Jazz

Dr. Allyson Rottman, Large Municipalities

Catherine Iatesta, Embracing the New Music Educator

Dr. Heather Cote, Music Program Leaders

Dr. Jamie Gunther, Research and Music Teacher Education

Meaghan O'Connor-Vince, Technology


Please reach out to editor@massmea.org with ideas for articles, comments, or to share student artwork to be featured on our cover. YOU are the MMEA, and the MMEJ Editorial Board wants your voice to be heard! As we mark 75 volumes, I especially hope you'll consider adding your own voice to this ongoing conversation.


Respectfully,

Christy Whittlesey, MMEJ Managing Editor

bottom of page