SYMPHONY SEEKS NOMINEES FOR MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD
Pandemic could make selection process tougher than usual.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to challenges for educators. This means the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s 2020-2021 music educator of the year could be a tougher choice than usual.
Nominations are open for the annual award recognizing music educators who have made significant contributions to their schools or on a community level. The nominations are open through April 30.
The process is similar to previous years with nomination forms and cover letters available on the SSO’s website. Educators, administrators, parents and students are welcome to nominate.
Nominations are open to educators teaching in kindergarten through 12th grade who work in Clark, Champaign, Greene, Madison, Miami and Montgomery Counties, and in a variety of music areas including general music, instrumental music, vocal music, composition, music technology and private studio instruction.
SSO Education and Operations Manager Axl Pons, heading up the awards for the second time, has seen the struggles music educators have endured this year.
“Numbers of students have been affected all over,” Pons said. “Some students have had to take private lessons and some schools have had funding issues and seen
funds reallocated.”
Others challenges have included programs needing to purchase special partitions to allow students to rehearse safely and incorporate social distancing or figuring out how to do these virtually.
The SSO selection committee will have its own challenges. In past years, judges have observed nominees in their classrooms, but this year will have to do so virtually.
“We know it’s been tough, but we’re excited to see what teachers have done during this time and how they’ve responded,” Pons said.
Whereas in years past, the educator of the year recipient would be honored at a SSO concert, with no performances scheduled, a video announcement will be done live May 14.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s Youth Orchestras have also had to adjust to social distancing and using partitions to rehearse. Instead of performing their annual spring concert live, the various groups have recorded in different Springfield locations and those shows will be available in April on the SSO’s website.