Wisconsin Music Educators Association - WMEA

09/01/2026

It's going to be an unforgettable conference! REGISTER NOW!!

09/01/2026

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year!

As the first days become memories and you start looking ahead, we encourage you to register for the Wisconsin State Music Conference!

Your conference planning team is excited to provide you with an exhibit hall that has been designed to meet the needs that you music educators have expressed, over 100 WMEA-approved sessions and performances that cross all age levels and areas of music education, and the WSMA State Honors Project Concerts!

This year features three speakers you won't want to miss - Neuromusical educator, Dr. Anita Collins - NAfME President Dr. Cecil Adderley - Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, Senior Vice President of Education at Conn Selmer, Inc.

REGISTER by SEPTEMBER 13 to receive an early bird savings!

08/20/2026

Access to a well-rounded education is directly connected to school funding.

There’s a version of a well-funded school that has music, theater, visual arts, and dance. Where students don’t just memorize content but learn to think, collaborate, express, and adapt. That version exists — but it requires federal investment. 🎨

A recent national survey found that roughly 9 in 10 Americans believe arts education is important for students, and 83% support government funding for pre-K–12 arts education. The five well-rounded education funding streams we’re fighting for — including Title I, Title II, Title IV-A, Title IV-B, and dedicated Arts Education grants — are what keep those programs alive, especially in low-income communities where local funding runs out first.

The President’s FY27 budget would cut these investments dramatically.

Tell Congress this summer: the well-rounded student is worth funding. Every single one. ✊

🔗 https://bit.ly/4uXN8MF

08/20/2026

NEW NAfME Resource!

Is your school or district facing budget cuts that could put music education programs at risk? 💵✂️

Our Music Education Rapid Response Plan provides guidance to help you ask the right questions, connect with the best people, and gather the information you need to stand up for your program and students.

Explore the resource: bit.ly/Rapid-Response-Plan

08/13/2026

Learn what is at stake and specific ways action can be taken!

Continue to share this important information with your network to ensure all who are impacted are aware of the issues and how to make their voices heard.

🎺 A newly proposed tariff on brass-wind instruments and accessories could make it even harder for music programs and families to afford the instruments students need.

Now is the time for music educators and advocates to make our voices heard! Submit a public comment by August 27 and reach out directly to your members of Congress to oppose the proposed tariff.

Learn what’s at stake and exactly how to take action: bit.ly/brass-wind-tariff-blog

NAMM League of American Orchestras

08/11/2026

WMEA President Randal Swiggum is featured in today’s NAfME Advocacy Leader Spotlight!

✨ In this week’s Advocate Leader Spotlight, we’re highlighting Randy Swiggum, President of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association - WMEA and a dedicated member of the Advocacy Leadership Force (ALF) for more than two years!

A passionate advocate for music education in Wisconsin, Randy has helped establish an advocacy helpline that equips music educators and parents with the support they need for conversations with school boards, principals, and district leaders. He has also been instrumental in organizing the state's Capitol Conversations initiative, bringing advocates together for a week of virtual and in-person meetings to elevate the importance of music education with state legislators.

In addition to drawing inspiration from fellow ALF members across the country, Randy has enthusiastically shared his own expertise with others. At this year's Advocacy Leadership Initiative Convening hosted by NAfME, he delivered a thoughtful presentation filled with strategies for understanding a state's unique political climate, embedding advocacy into state culture, and crafting messages that make the impact of music education tangible for legislators and others who may not fully understand its value.

Randy’s passion for advocacy is evident in everything he does, and we’re grateful to have him as part of the ALF. Keep up the great work, Randy! 🎶

Learn more about the ALF: bit.ly/AdvocacyLeadershipForce

08/10/2026

Update: More info released on 8/13 by NAfME - see comments for link to detailed support info.

Share with your music education colleagues and all who care about access to music for our youth!

"On Thursday, August 6, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security published a notice in the Federal Register proposing a 25% tariff on brass wind instruments and their parts (HTSUS codes 9205.10.0000 and 9209.99.4080). The notice is included in a longer list of “derivative” metal products, welding equipment, fire extinguishers, and industrial cranes that the administration wants to bring under Section 232, the same national security authority used for steel, aluminum, and copper -Trumpets, trombones and French horns, treated as a national security matter alongside cranes and welding equipment."

If you are concerned about the impact this will have on music education, there are four actions that can be taken:

🎶 Buy Now - place orders before the new tariffs go into effect
🎶 Alert Media - Let your local news outlets know what will happen when instrument costs increase by 25% and the impact to families and schools
🎶Inform Congress - If you are a parent, educator or concerned citizen, contact your representatives about the impact this will have, especially for our beginning musicians
🎶 Inform the Administration - If you are a retailer or manufacturer, contact NAMM - if you plan to file public comment, deadline is 8/27/26 (see detailed info in artlcel)

This is moving quickly - if you want to have your voice heard, act fast!

And a "Jump-the-Shark" moment for the current administration

08/04/2026

Every Student, Every Community: National Arts in Education Week Advocacy Webinar

Join us Wednesday, August 13, 3:30–4:30 PM ET to get ready for National Arts in Education Week (September 13–19, 2026).

Why Arts in Education matters:
🎨 Workforce Readiness — builds the creativity and collaboration skills employers value most
🤖 Human Creativity in the Age of AI — keeps distinctly human capacities central as AI automates routine tasks
💛 Whole-Child Development — supports student wellbeing and emotional growth
🗳️ Civic Engagement — builds perspective-taking skills essential to democratic life

Hear from national and local experts, then get practical tools for advocating at the school board and state level — plus our federal agenda for PreK-12 and higher education.

Register now: https://artsusa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xS19gk2-QJuN4D7elFwFhA #/registration

07/28/2026

NAMM’s SupportMusic Coalition is offering this critical webinar on Wed. August 5 at 3pm Central - learn what is at stake and options for response.

Topics will include: ESEA waivers and connection to music and arts Title IV-A funding; states already approved and those in the pipeline;
STATS earning accountability (final and in effect) and anticipated failure for nearly half of music programs nationwide; broader dismantling of federal education oversight; concrete steps we all can take locally, statewide and on a national level.

Register, attend, and watch for more information about how our Wisconsin music education community is preparing to respond.

Join the SupportMusic Coalition for an informative webinar covering the latest policy updates impacting music education as the new school year begins. 📚✏️

Hear from advocacy and policy experts as they discuss emerging legislation, funding developments, and key issues affecting music programs nationwide. Gain valuable insights and practical takeaways to help you stay informed and advocate effectively throughout the school year.

Register here: https://namm.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZArp-0zAR6a_GMHsiaN8dQ #/registration