President's Message
Congrats on the completion of another school year!
If you felt proud of yourself this year- congrats to you!
If you felt overwhelmed this year, congrats to you on making it through!
I think I felt some of both- and often simultaneously, to be quite honest!
This time of year, we’re crawling to the finish line, exhausted by the daily expulsion of the energy it takes to provide quality music-making experiences; differentiating; managing behavior; crossing off all the concepts and standards; testing; doing and sowing the unseen into our students and programs and that may never be thanked, or even seen. So, take the summer to reset. Plan for things that fill your tanks and take advantage of the time away from the classroom. Even better, don’t plan at all!
It has been a joy to serve our HCPS music educator community as HCEMEC President. I look forward continuing to serve along our leadership team, and experience the wonderful things our district and teachers are provided and experience.
Have a safe and recharging summer!
-Lindsey Jones
Meet our incoming HCEMEC President!
Jon Casañas graduated from the University of South Florida in 2013 with a B.S. in Music Education. He has worked for Hillsborough County Public Schools since that time and is now pursuing his Master of Educational Leadership at the University of South Florida. In addition to serving as Lanier Elementary’s Music Teacher for the past 7 years, Mr. Casañas has served the Hillsborough County Elementary Music Educators Council (HCEMEC) as co-editor of the organization’s quarterly newsletter “On the Upbeat”, president-elect, and has led an effort to incorporate new initiatives centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He now looks forward to leading the council as president.
We are thrilled you will be leading us, Jon, and to be hearing more from you in the fall!
Fine Arts Festival
What an incredible event, as always--BRAVO to all involved! Huge thanks to the Straz Center for partnering with us, to our devoted ensemble leaders, and to families making the investment of time and support into a lifetime memory of music-making. Scroll to see just a few of the brilliant moments from March 1, 2023!
Orchestra
World Drumming
Chorus
Handbells
Mallets
Modern Band
Finale!
Music Will
As part of Music Will Spirit Week, many schools had bands perform at Beef O'Brady's locations across Hillsborough County. We are grateful for their community partnership!
Ballast Point Elementary
Mitchell Elementary
Bing Elementary
Clark Elementary
Hunter's Green Elementary
Lowry Elementary
Nelson Elementary
Ruskin Elementary
HCEMEC News & Reminders
Congrats to HCEMEC Grant Recipients!
- Andrew Young, 15 digital pianos
- Anita Vani, 5 xylophone stands
- Cliff Fouts, classroom set of xylophone mallets
- Craig Rohrbacker, a tubano drum
- Jennifer Moats, a new xylophone
- Marissa Rollins, full funding for Suzuki Unit 1 Training
Want to learn more about HCEMEC? Visit our website at hcemec.com
2023 Retirees!
- Charla Kerwin
- Tracy Messina
- Deb Merrill
- Lori Naylor
- Sue Stein
- Andrew Lack
BRAVO! Thank you for your years of service, and best wishes for what's to come!
In Loving Memory
Carol Pollock
HCEMEC Leadership
Credits:
Created with images by DenisProduction.com - "Paper hearts with musical notes. Set of paper hearts with musical notes on light wooden background." • joseangel - "palmeras en verano en una playa de méxico " • LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - "Top view of paper cut music notes on white background"