Feature Article:

Rock Your Interview
By Kristin Harney, MSU-Bozeman
Would you give a recital without having practiced? Would you take a final exam without studying? Of course you wouldn't. You should think about a job interview in the same way. Just as you need to prepare for a test or performance in order to do your best, preparation is essential for a successful interview.

There are many excellent resources available to help guide you through the interview process. Through a search of the NAfME site, you can find information about writing a strong resume and cover letter, seeking out references, networking and finding job openings, securing an interview, potential interview questions, and general tips for surviving an interview. This article will focus on a single interview preparation strategy, the interview "dress rehearsal."

If opportunities arise to participate in mock interviews at a college, university, or job fair, you should definitely take part. Additionally, seek out potential mock interview situations during student teaching. People such as your cooperating teacher or school administrator may be willing to help you gain interview experience. In each of these structured mock interview scenarios, you will act in the role of "interviewee." A strategy that has the potential to dramatically improve your interview skills is to also practice acting as an "interviewer."

The first step in creating your interview dress rehearsal is to find an ally. Ideally, a trusted friend in the same situation will agree to practice with you. You will likely learn as much, if not more, from acting as each other's interviewer as you will from answering the mock interview questions.

Your next step is to do preliminary research for the interview. You'll need to find or create 5-6 questions to ask your friend. (There are many excellent online resources where you can locate potential interview questions.) As you choose questions, think like an administrator or search committee member. What kind of answers do you expect? What do you intend to find out about a candidate by asking a certain question? How are the questions you choose relevant to the available position?

When you hold the interview dress rehearsal, take turns acting as the interviewer. Try to stay in character throughout the entire process. The goal is to make the dress rehearsal simulate the actual interview as closely as possible. Set up a video camera to record the proceedings. If you have been required to video record yourself teaching lessons in the past, you know that as nerve-wracking as it can initially seem, watching yourself in action can be very enlightening.

Here are some things to keep in mind during the dress rehearsal when you act as the interviewer:

• Do you notice that you are rooting for your friend? This is how most interviewers feel. They want you to have a great interview. They're hoping that you're the perfect fit for the available job, otherwise you wouldn't have been invited to interview for the position in the first place.
• What is your initial impression of your friend? During the interview, what things stand out? These things will most likely also stand out to a search committee member. Watch and listen for things like body language, posture, facial expressions, verbal fillers (um, uh, like, etc.), and eye contact.
• What do you notice about the answers being given? Are the answers direct? Are they too long or too short? Does your friend highlight their skills, competencies, and qualifications related to the job? Do the answers remain "on message?"
• Take notes about your perceptions. Your reflection will be useful in two ways. First, it will be invaluable feedback for your friend, second, it will help you become a more responsive, effective interviewee.

When you act as the interviewee:

• Be honest
• Be positive; smile
• Be calm; try your best to relax
• Be confident; think before you speak
• Be professional
• Listen intently
• Take notes. This has the potential to help focus your responses, shows that you are conscientious and take the process seriously, and can also remind you of questions you may want to ask at the conclusion of the interview.
• Thank your interviewer for their time and the opportunity to meet

As a follow-up, give each person a chance to share constructive criticism and praise. If possible, watch the videos together and compare your perceptions of the process with the reactions of your friend. Congratulations! You're well on your way to a successful interview experience. 

Member Benefit Spotlight

Online Web Articles
The NAfME website has a rich repository of short web articles in seven different categories: Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Future Teachers, General Music, Jazz, and Higher Education. These articles discuss topics of special concern to music educators and offer suggestions for teaching and tips for the classroom. To read current and past articles, go to the section archives.
Here is a sample of recent articles:

• Legislative Memo 
• Band – Basic Music for a Fledgling Band
• Choral – Some Tips for Inspired Choral Rehearsals
• Jazz – Teaching Improvisation in Stages  
• Future Teachers – Student Teaching… Just the Basics  
• General Music – Early Childhood Classroom Management
• Orchestra – Jump Rope in Orchestra Class
• Higher Education – A Musical Mason in Boston–and Cincinnati

January Monthly Special - Music In Our Schools Month Lapel Stickers
    

The January NAfME member monthly special features the 2012 Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®) Lapel Stickers. Your students will love using these 1-1/2" square colorful stickers. Whether on clothes, books, or bags, they will raise awareness of music in your school!

In January only, NAfME members can purchase the MIOSM lapel stickers (500 per pack) for only $7.50 – half off the regular price!

No additional purchase is required.
Lapel Stickers: #6502.

This special is not available at state conference resource centers. Call 1-800-828-0229 or visit www.nafme.org to order.

 
Current News and Announcements 

MENC Becomes National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
As of September 1, 2011, MENC is NAfME (pronounced "N-A-F-M-E"). Collegiate chapters are NAfME Collegiate. A yearlong transition is under way!

Professional Achievement Awards – Deadline to apply – February 28, 2012
The purpose of the Professional Achievement recognition is to distinguish individual Collegiate members for their commitment and dedication to NAfME and music education. This recognition is given to Collegiate members who have served their chapters in an exemplary manner. All Collegiate members who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive this distinction.
Criteria: (all requirements apply)
1. Student must be currently enrolled in an active NAfME Collegiate chapter.
2. Student must also have been a Collegiate member of NAfME in the school year prior to the current one.
3. Student must possess an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent during the year of the application.
4. Student must verify participation and involvement in chapter activities.

For each eligible Collegiate member, chapter advisors should send a completed Professional Achievement application and a description of the eligible member's participation and involvement in chapter-related activities to NAfME. Applications must be sent to NAfME on or before February 28. Recipients of this recognition receive a Certificate of Achievement and a specially designed lapel pin.

Deadlines approach for Collegiate scholarship and contest opportunities!

Here are three outstanding opportunities for Collegiate NAfME members for which the deadlines are quickly approaching.

• The Student Composers Competition – The deadline for this annual contest is February 15. Collegiate members are encouraged to compose a piece for any combination of flute, clarinet, oboe, horn, bassoon and piano, up to a quintet, no more than one of each instrument. Piano solos will not be accepted. Winning composition in each level will be performed in a Millennium Stage concert at the John F. Kennedy Center during Music Education Week. Philip Lasser, distinguished American composer and Juilliard composition faculty member, will conduct a composition mini-seminar prior to the concert for all winners and attendees at the Composition Academy during Music Education Week. Winners also receive $500! More information on the contest can be found at http://www.nafme.org/gp/student-composers-competition and the Composition Academy schedule can be seen at http://www.nafme.org/events/view/music-education-week-2012-composition-academy
• The NAfME Audio Logo Contest – NAfME is seeking an “audio logo”! (Think NPR, NBC!) We are looking for a brief motif to identify the association and three arrangements that will be used in a variety of applications – website opening, webinar, and ceremonial. Deadline for submission of compositions and application is February 1. For contest rules and application directions, go to http://www.nafme.org/gp/nafme-audio-logo-composition-contest. Winning composition receives $500!
• The NAfME Copyright Awareness Scholarship Program – NAfME and the Music Publishers Association seek creative video presentations by individuals ages 13–25 and currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution to educate their peers on the importance of intellectual property and copyright law. First prize - $5,000. Deadline for submission is March 5. Go to http://www.nafme.org/gp/nafme-audio-logo-composition-contest to see the 2011 winners. Contact Brittain Ashford at scholarship@mpa.org for more information.
   

2012 Biennial Music Educators National Conference
The 2012 Biennial Music Educators National Conference will provide a forum to share current research and pedagogical innovations that could shape the future of the profession. The conference is March 28–31, 2012, in St. Louis, Missouri.
The conference has a special focus on research in music education and on music teacher education. It is aimed at music education researchers, music teacher educators, college students, and pre-K–12 teachers interested in the cutting edge research and pedagogical innovations that will shape the future of the profession.
There will be a dedicated conference strand solely for NAfME Collegiate members. Each session will be of importance to you as you prepare for your career as a music educator. Moreover, the conference is a perfect opportunity to network with other collegiate members and learn what is happening in music education all over the United States. Plan to have your chapter attend! Register now.
 

 
Looking ahead to 2012!
June 22–25, 2012 – Baltimore, Maryland Music Education Week is music education’s premier event presented by the National Association for Music Education. A change from past NAfME national biennial conferences, Music Education Week occurs in a destination location on an annual basis and during the summer instead of the school year. At Music Education Week, teachers will network, lend their voices to advocacy efforts with our nation’s leaders on Capitol Hill, participate in professional development academies, attend concerts, and visit exhibits showcasing music education products and services.

NAfME Book of the Month

Play It From the Heart
What You Learn from Music about Success in Life
By J. Steven Moore

Play It from the Heart: What You Learn From Music About Success in Life Former students often thank their music teachers for what they were taught about music and about life. Play it from the Heart uses stories and concepts from music education as models for success. Making music together requires exceptional cooperation, and ensembles are the ultimate cooperative organizations. J. Steven Moore relates what he and his students have learned about excellence, leadership, responsibility, cooperation, and passion from being in the band. Calling on personal experience, student feedback, and resources ranging from Tim Lautzenheiser to Mahatma Gandhi, Moore shares the lessons of playing from the heart.

J. Steven Moore is chair of the Department of Music at the University of Central Missouri and has served as a music conductor at Colorado State University, University of Kentucky, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras, and Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky.

Play It From the Heart is available from RLE. NAfME members receive a discount of 25% by using the code NAfME25. To order or for more information, call 800-462-6420 or visit www.rowmaneducation.com. 

Member Benefits and Resources

Member Discounts on NAfME Resources
NAfME Collegiate members receive a 25% discount on all resources available from NAfME including publications, videos, and other items covering a wide range of music education topics. Members may reference the NAfME Resource Guide. For more information or to place an order, call 1-800-828-0229 or email NAfME Member Services.

Other NAfME links you might be interested in:
Past Collegiate Newlinks
Future Teachers Forum
Future Teachers Articles Archives
NAfME Online Membership Tour

Optional Membership Features
NEW! A NAfME Credit Card That Hits All The Right Notes - The National Association for Music Education has partnered with Capital One® to offer you three credit card options to fit your needs. Choose a card that earns you great rewards, one with a low introductory APR or another to help build your credit. Plus, you can choose an image for your card that highlights your support for NAfME. Apply today!

January Poll: New Year's Resolutions!

Do you have a new year’s resolution for your music program, or for yourself as a music educator?
Share your thoughts on what you “resolve” for music education!
Please CLICK HERE.
 

NAfME Collegiate Facebook – Like us today!        

• Stay connected with other NAfME Collegiate members around the world by joining NAfME’s Collegiate Facebook Fan page. Become a fan on NAfME Collegiate today!
• Want to know what’s happening in music education? Become a fan of NAfME on Facebook! 
• Chapter Events Section: E-mail Becky Spray with your chapter’s events, service projects, concerts, and more. Please include date, time, location, and a brief description of the event. NAfME will then add it to the events section on the Facebook Collegiate Page where other Collegiate members can get information about the event.
   

Follow NAfME on Twitter.


NAfME on LinkedIn
Connect with fellow NAfME members and music education advocates on LinkedIn, a professional networking site. Participate in discussions about current topics, get music education news, and network with others in the field. To join, log in to LinkedIn, select “Search Groups” from the top dropdown menu, and search for “NAfME.” If you haven't created an account yet, you can sign up at linkedin.com.

“Ask the Mentor” Forum 
Do you have music education questions? NAfME’s mentors have the answers! Each month from September to May, the “Ask the Mentors” forum features a different mentor for band, orchestra, chorus, general music, jazz, and guitar. The mentors are veteran teachers who offer advice in response to your teaching questions. Post questions and read responses on the Future Teachers Forum.

Month of January
Band - Spiros Xydas
Chorus - Lynn Pernezny
General Music - Greta Mitchell
Guitar - Robert Goldsmith
Jazz - Paul Baransy
Orchestra - Karla Philipp

For today's students to succeed tomorrow, they need a comprehensive education
that includes music taught by exemplary music educators.

—Becky Spray, January 27, 2012 © National Association for Music Education 

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