Annual Meeting Sessions and Events

This workshop has been designed to address several of the most important areas of concern for administrators. Each segment will involve a basic briefing on a topic, followed by ample opportunity for interaction and discussion. The content will focus on principles and approaches applicable to all types of institutions.

This workshop is designed for 1) currently trained NASM visiting evaluators; 2) individuals attending the 2023 NASM Workshop for Visiting Evaluators; and 3) individuals attending the 2023 NASM Workshop for Experienced Evaluators. The focus of the Workshop will be the NASM Handbook, and will include discussion of the Rules of Practice and Procedure, Code of Ethics, Standards for Accreditation, and Appendices. Attendees will devote a substantial amount of time to discussing the standards—including the role they play in NASM evaluative review processes and their application.

(Please note: Individuals attending the Workshop for Visiting Evaluators or Workshop for Experienced Evaluators [Saturday, November 18 from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.], and/or the Briefing for Evaluators [Sunday, November 19 from 4:45 p.m.–6:00 p.m.] are asked to attend this session in preparation for these invitational training sessions.)

This annual workshop will provide training to music administrators interested in becoming visiting evaluators for NASM. Fundamentals of the accreditation process will be addressed in detail. Considerable time will be spent discussing expectations with regard to Self-Studies and Self-Study documentation. Standards and guidelines located in the NASM Handbook and their application to applicant institutions will receive considerable attention as potential evaluators are guided through the process of on-site review and Visitors’ Report preparation. Attendees will have the opportunity, using case study materials, to consider various scenarios that may arise during on-site reviews.

(Please note: This session is by invitation only. Representatives from accredited institutional members interested in becoming NASM evaluators are encouraged to contact the National Office staff for consideration for training in 2024.)     

(Please note: Individuals attending this training session are asked to participate in the Pre-Meeting Workshop: The NASM Handbook—Working with the National Standards and Guidelines, which will be held on Friday, November 17 from 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.)

(Please note: A box lunch will be provided to all Workshop for Visiting Evaluators participants.)

This annual workshop will provide training to music administrators who have been trained previously as evaluators and who have served as members of visitation teams. The role and responsibilities of the visiting team chair will be discussed. Detailed expectations regarding the review of Self-Studies, the on-site visit, and the Visitors’ Report will be reviewed. Attendees will have the opportunity, using case study materials, to consider various scenarios that may arise during on-site reviews.

(Please note: This session is by invitation only. Representatives from accredited institutional members interested in becoming NASM evaluators are encouraged to contact the National Office staff for consideration for training in 2024.)

(Please note: Individuals attending this training session are asked to participate in the Pre-Meeting Workshop: The NASM Handbook—Working with the National Standards and Guidelines, which will be held on Friday, November 17 from 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.)

(Please note: A box lunch will be provided to all Workshop for Experienced Evaluators participants.)

This workshop has been designed to address several of the most important areas of concern for administrators. Each segment will involve a basic briefing on a topic, followed by ample opportunity for interaction and discussion. The content will focus on principles and approaches applicable to all types of institutions.

This workshop is designated for representatives of institutions scheduled for NASM comprehensive accreditation reviews in the next three years, as well as for individuals who will have the responsibility for leading the process and/or writing the Self-Study. Those who have never led a comprehensive NASM accreditation review initiative or written an NASM Self-Study are especially encouraged to attend. The primary focus will be the NASM Self-Study document utilizing Format A and the comprehensive review process.

(Please note: Attendees should bring either a hard or downloaded electronic copy of the current NASM Handbook and are welcome to arrive with prepared questions in hand.)

This roundtable is an interactive workshop for music administrators currently serving as assistant directors/associate deans. Presentation topics may include student engagement strategies; issues regarding enrollment of music students; diversity as it relates to the makeup of the student body and faculty; and curricular offerings within the music unit. Attendees will also consider self-selected topics and case study materials dealing with issues pertinent to the work of assistant directors/associate deans.

This workshop will provide training to music administrators of community and two-year colleges interested in becoming visiting evaluators for NASM. Fundamentals of the accreditation process, and the roles and responsibilities of visiting evaluators will be discussed in detail. Significant time will be spent considering NASM expectations with regard to Self-Study submissions and documentation. An overview of the Handbook and its constituent parts will be provided. Standards and guidelines and their application to applicant institutions will receive considerable attention as potential evaluators are guided through the process of on-site review. Specific attention will also be devoted to guidelines that speak to the preparation of Visitors’ Reports.

(Please note: This session is by invitation only. Individuals interested in becoming NASM evaluators are encouraged to contact the National Office staff for consideration for training in 2024.)

This workshop will provide training to music administrators of non-degree-granting institutions interested in becoming visiting evaluators for NASM. Fundamentals of the accreditation process, and the roles and responsibilities of visiting evaluators will be discussed in detail. Significant time will be spent discussing NASM expectations with regard to Self-Study submissions and documentation. An overview of the Handbook and its constituent parts will be provided. Standards and guidelines and their application to applicant institutions will receive considerable attention as potential evaluators are guided through the process of on-site review. Specific attention will also be devoted to guidelines that speak to the preparation of Visitors’ Reports.

(Please note: This session is by invitation only. Individuals interested in becoming NASM evaluators are encouraged to contact the National Office staff for consideration for training in 2024.)

Community and two-year colleges offering programs in music study represent a growing number of institutions within the NASM membership. This workshop, which will acknowledge and address many of the characteristics unique to these institutions, will provide information and guidance concerning the NASM comprehensive review process including self-study and the preparation of the Self-Study document, and the on-site evaluative visit. A step-by-step walk-through of the accreditation process will be provided. The benefits of NASM accredited institutional membership will be discussed. Participants are encouraged to pose questions during this session. Interested individuals representing community and two-year colleges at all stages of the self-study process are welcome.

This session will provide an opportunity for representatives from institutions holding accreditation with NASM and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS), NASM degree-granting institutions offering precollegiate and community arts programs, NASM degree-granting institutions offering post-secondary non-degree-granting programs, NASM post-secondary non-degree-granting institutions, and interested individuals an opportunity to come together to share and discuss topics related to community development, along with issues of common connection, interest, and concern.

Attendees will begin by considering ways in which community-based activities can be built into existing programs. Participants will consider how 1) current institutional assets and strengths can be leveraged to support activities, 2) to ascertain local community needs so that programming can align with these needs, 3) to develop action plans which are informed by desired outcomes, and 4) to adjudge the success of efforts. Attendees will then explore questions such as: In what ways can programs/institutions offering non-degree-granting study in music work together to align their efforts, resources, and activities in ways that best serve the needs of today’s students, local communities, and the field of music? In what ways can precollegiate and collegiate programs/institutions partner to create, expand, and open pipelines that enable precollegiate students to embark upon paths that will enable them to successfully pursue and enroll in music study at the collegiate level?

(Please note: This session is open to administrators of all levels and from all types of programs/institutions offering opportunities for non-degree-granting music study including those considering ACCPAS and/or NASM accreditation. Institutions are welcome to send more than one administrative representative.)

This briefing will present instructions, expectations, and helpful guidelines to Annual Meeting session facilitators, moderators, and recorders. All individuals who have agreed to serve in one of these capacities should plan to attend this briefing.

Attendees will be welcomed to NASM with a brief orientation and introductions to the members of the Board of Directors, including Regional Chairs, and staff. The presentation of general overview information will be followed by an opportunity to connect with Regional chairs and colleagues. Those who register in advance will be guided to review website information about NASM prior to the Annual Meeting.

Attendees will consider and discuss current and salient issues facing music administrators based on a list of topics developed by the session facilitators. Through conversation, the music executives in attendance will explore the challenges, opportunities, and realities related to each topic. Time will also be devoted for attendees to meet, mingle, and mentor. This roundtable is open to all registrants.

(Please note: Individuals planning to attend are encouraged to register in advance.)

These sessions are designed to enable the regions to meet and welcome attendees. Members are encouraged to join their respective regional meeting with breakfast in hand. After introductions and announcements, attendees will have the opportunity to greet colleagues from the region and engage in open dialogue. The formal business of each region will be conducted on Monday, November 20, at 3:15 p.m.

Region 1
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah
Gary Cobb, Pepperdine University, Vice Chair

Region 2
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Linda Kline, Boise State University, Chair

Region 3
Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Eric Honour, University of Central Missouri, Chair

Region 4
Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Andrew R. Glendening, Northern Illinois University, Chair

Region 5
Indiana, Michigan, Ohio
Susan D. Van Vorst, Baldwin Wallace University, Chair

Region 6
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia
David Davies, Houghton College, Chair

Region 7
Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virginia
Linda Apple Monson, George Mason University, Chair

Region 8
Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
Laura M. Moore, University of South Alabama, Chair

Region 9
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
Jeff Bright, Arkansas Tech University, Chair

Call to Order and Welcome

Greetings from the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC)

Reports of the Commissions
Commission on Community College Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation

Introduction of Newly Accredited Member Institutions

Report of the Treasurer

Report of the Committee on Ethics

Announcements

Consideration of Proposed Handbook Amendments

Report of the Nominating Committee

Keynote Address to the Association

This reception provides an opportunity for spouses, partners, and guests of Annual Meeting attendees to meet and engage in fellowship. Light refreshments will be served.

It is clear that the demographic make-up of the student population at institutions of higher learning that offer music training is continually changing, and that students are bringing with them a variety of specialized and advanced skill sets. As well, students often arrive with disparate personal issues and needs, many of which require specialized approaches to pedagogy and various accommodations. Music administrators, faculty, and staff must be prepared to assist students by employing adaptive practices that allow students not only to succeed, but to thrive. This session will explore ideas, approaches, and practices that can be employed. Special attention will be given to how adaptive practices might be implemented in music courses, applied lessons, ensembles, music assessments, and performance. Time for questions and dialogue will be provided.

Advancing conversations and considerations begun and explored during the 2022 Annual Meeting, this session will focus on the necessity to create space and opportunities for students that will enable them to explore creative options for music expression, music research, and music engagement within the community. Topics to be explored will include: career education, community initiatives, professional development and mentorship, student ventures, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Attendees will consider strategies that may assist to equip students in preparation for professional careers beyond college. The role the faculty play in helping students pursue creative opportunities will be discussed. Panelists will share entrepreneurial possibilities available to assist students to promote their musical work and ideas. Following panel presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and explore strategies that may assist them to advance efforts at their institutions.

Under the law, the federal government does not control higher education. However, the federal government does play a major role in developing conditions for the work of higher education, primarily through laws and regulations defining parameters for institutional participation in grant and student loan programs, and tax policies that influence economic conditions affecting education and the arts. Following a brief introduction to the higher education and policy landscapes, this session will address the current political climate; various pressures on institutions; and current and prospective federal policies, laws, and regulations affecting higher education and the arts. This briefing will take a non-partisan policy analysis approach, looking at the ramifications and costs of various options and probabilities. Time for questions and discussion will be provided.

This annual briefing is offered by invitation for individuals currently trained and serving as NASM visiting evaluators. It provides an opportunity for evaluators to refresh their knowledge of NASM procedures, protocols, and standards, with particular focus on the Procedures and the Handbook. Helpful reminders regarding the format, preparation, and required content of Visitors’ Reports will be provided. The potential impact of the activities of external constituencies, such as the federal government, states, and other review bodies, which may affect the accreditation process, will be discussed. Documentation required of institutions and evaluators will be highlighted, as well as sources and uses of helpful and informative publications aimed to assist institutions in the preparation of Self-Studies and evaluators in the preparation of Visitors’ Reports.

(Please note: Individuals interested in becoming NASM evaluators are encouraged to contact the National Office staff for consideration for training in 2024.)

From time to time, member and potential member institutions of NASM must submit materials that will be reviewed by either the Commission on Accreditation or the Commission on Community College Accreditation, the Association’s accreditation decision-making bodies. These Commissions are responsible for ascertaining an institution’s current and projected compliance with applicable standards. This includes consideration of an institution’s short-term solutions and long-term plans. This session will offer an overview of the Commissions’ roles within the accreditation review process and will provide helpful hints and tips for creating, writing, and submitting materials to the Commissions. Documents to be discussed include the Self-Study, the institution’s Optional Response to the Visitors’ Report, Responses, Progress Reports, and applications for Plan Approval and Final Approval for Listing. The mandatory and effective use of the NASM Handbook in preparing submissions will be discussed.

NASM hosts several dialogue sessions that provide opportunities for attendees to meet with Commission Chairs and members of the Committee on Ethics.

These sessions are intended to offer opportunities for open and informative discussion. Although the Commission Chairs and Committee on Ethics members will be unable to comment on accreditation actions or issues specific to a particular institution, they will address questions about accreditation policy and procedures, and accept suggestions with regard to NASM standards and accreditation procedures. The dialogue session with the members of the Committee on Ethics will provide to attendees an opportunity to explore aspects of the Association’s Code of Ethics found in the NASM Handbook.

(Dialogue sessions with the Chair of the Commission on Accreditation and the Chair of the Commission on Community College Accreditation will be repeated Monday, 7:45 a.m.–8:45 a.m. The dialogue session with the Committee on Ethics will not be repeated.)

Commission on Accreditation

Commission on Community College Accreditation

Committee on Ethics

This session will provide an in-depth review of procedures for online submission of the HEADS Data Survey for degree-granting institutions. A section-by-section overview of the Survey will explain in detail the Survey submission process, types of data collected, and suggested collection mechanisms. Questions will be taken throughout the presentation.

(Please note: “HEADS Part I” will not be repeated. “HEADS Part II: Using Statistical Data for Institutional Planning and Projections” will be offered Monday, 4:45 p.m.–6:00 p.m.)

Individuals attending the NASM Annual Meeting for the first time, and those in the early years of their administrative careers, are encouraged to join other new executives for an informal gathering. This gathering provides an opportunity to meet, greet, cultivate valuable professional relationships, and to initiate conversations with other new music executives.

Commission on Accreditation

Commission on Community College Accreditation

Report of the Executive Director

Election of Officers

Report of the President

The institutional research data gathered and compiled by the Higher Education Arts Data Services project constitute a unique and valuable resource for music executives at degree-granting institutions. This session will highlight many of the ways the data can be used to assist, support, and possibly guide local planning, conversations, and decision-making. The session will offer a detailed overview of statistics contained in the HEADS Project (the data compiled annually from HEADS Data Surveys), and the use of the HEADS navigational dashboards. In addition, attendees will learn how to create longitudinal reports, and consider together how such reports can be used to capture, analyze, and present available data in ways which may convincingly support music unit initiatives.

This session is designed to provide a forum where ideas and concerns of particular relevance to historically Black institutions may be discussed. Attendance is open to all interested individuals.

Executives from small music units, typically with fewer than 50 majors, will have the opportunity to discuss topics of specific relevance or concern, and to pose questions to colleagues facing similar challenges and opportunities. Attendance is open to all interested individuals.

This open forum will provide an opportunity to discuss topics of interest and importance to units offering sacred music/worship studies. Attendance is open to all interested individuals. Participants may wish to give consideration to topics of interest in advance.

This interactive session will provide an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss ideas and best practices of relevance to community and two-year colleges. Participants will be encouraged to share information from their own institutions, followed by a time for reflection and discussion. Attendance is open to all interested individuals.

This interactive session will provide an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss ideas and best practices of relevance to non-degree-granting institutions. Participants will be encouraged to share information from their own institutions, followed by a time for reflection and discussion. Attendance is open to all interested individuals.