In the rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol, students from Omaha’s Burke High School, dressed in all black, tuned their stringed instruments in preparation for the musical pieces they were about to perform. Their principal, Justin Cam, raised his hands as the students stood up to perfect their posture and began to play.
It was a Wednesday afternoon in March when the Omaha Burke Chamber Orchestra played a fifteen-minute set at the Capitol. The band was one of eight others from around the state that played throughout the week for the Nebraska Music Educators Association Concert Series.
The series features music directors and their ensembles to showcase their hard work to parents, administrators, representatives and visitors to the Capitol. Clay Blackman, past president of NMEA and a retired music teacher of 38 years, the week can help protect music education in Nebraska schools.
“We need to plant the seed so that we can continue to have strong music education in our schools because it’s been declared as one of the core subjects,” Blackman said. “It’s important, it teaches kids how to work with others, it’s cooperation, it teaches them how to feel, it teaches them to be human.”
Cam, who has been directing and teaching since graduating college in 2022, said he feels proud to represent not only Omaha Public Schools, but also a non-vocal ensemble.
“I’m just becoming a voice for the bands in Nebraska because there aren’t many of us, but where there are bands — I feel like sometimes they get overlooked a little bit,” Cam said. “And just being here for the sake of the music and the sake of the art is honestly so satisfying.”
For Senya Stevens, a music director of more than three decades, the moment meant helping her fifth-grade choir experience a performance outside of their hometown of Cozad. The Cozad Treblemakers performance was also heard by their state representative – Senator Ibah.
“I think it’s so important because music reaches so many students in so many different ways. And that is exactly what music promotes in our schools,” Stevens said. “And it not only highlights what we’re doing in our school with music, but it also gives the kids a voice … it’s super, super exciting.”
Senators are usually invited to attend a performance if a school in their constituency stops performing. This is part of advocating for more music education.
State Sen. Teresa Ibach arrived in time to see Cozad’s performance. As their representative, she said she enjoys taking time out of her day to see the students perform, having been involved in the arts throughout her K-12 years.
“Having this support for education, it’s hard to describe the impact it has, and Senator Ibach has been nothing but an ally of education,” said James Ford, Superintendent of Cozad Public Schools. “We cannot thank her enough for being our voice in the unicameral Parliament and representing us with the utmost class and respect.”
That’s the purpose of the week, to bring senators and community members together to show off all the work they’ve put into music and education throughout the school year. The representation, Blackman said, will help music education get more recognition from Nebraska lawmakers.
“It’s important that the schools are also represented so that we have visibility in front of our senators and help us advocate for music education in our schools,” Blackman said.
The Nebraska Music Educators Association celebrates Music in Our Schools Month each March. The month works to highlight how important music can be to students, principals, teachers and parents.
