On September 14, the National Association for Music Education introduces the NAfME Learning Network, a dynamic new member program to help music educators orchestrate success in the classroom.

The first session at 7 PM ET on September 20 will feature Peter Loel Boonshaft, professor of music and director of bands at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The renowned conductor and clinician will moderate a video session on his conducting and rehearsal techniques. He will also answer questions.

Boonshaft has been invited to speak or conduct throughout the United States and overseas. He is the author of several critically acclaimed books including Teaching with Passion, Purpose and Promise. He is also coauthor of Alfred Music Publishing’s new beginning method book series, Sound Innovations for Band and Sound Innovations for Strings.

He presented the Instrumental Academy, “Conducting, Rehearsing, and Inspiring with Passion,” during NAfME’s Music Education Week last June in Baltimore.

In the future, Learning Network subscribers will have access to a variety of resources like lesson plans, prerecorded informational videos, weekly professional development webinars, and advocacy presentations that can be shared with administrators and parents.

NAfME members can enroll in the Learning Network at a special members-only annual rate of for $49.95, using a promo code to receive the discounted rate. NAfME will email the promo code to members. Members can also receive the promo code by emailing NAfME  Member Services.

Completed webinars can be used toward teacher recertification hours and, for an additional fee, college credit.

NAfME is collaborating with the SoundTree Institute to offer this resource to NAfME members. The NAfME Learning Network allows music educators to access tools to achieve teaching excellence.

As part of the NAfME Learning Network, the Association will continue to offer advocacy-themed webinars, too. The next advocacy webinar will be “Maximizing Your Membership:  What NAfME Can Do for You!” at 7 PM ET on Wednesday, September 26.

NAfME can help members use their membership to teach, learn, and advocate better than before. The advocacy webinar will show new services and website tools, and allow music educators a refresher about valuable NAME services.

NAfME Learning Network

Register for the Advoacy webinar

Photo by JeanneMarie Photography

Roz Fehr, NAfME managing editor for news, September 13, 2012. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)