The University of Lynchburg has been awarded the 2020 Collegiate Chapter of Excellence Recognition in the Professional Development category by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
NAfME, described as “one of the world’s largest arts education organizations,” oversees the Virginia Music Educators Association and its collegiate arm, the Collegiate Virginia Music Educators Association (CoVMEA). Students and faculty at Lynchburg are members of those organizations.
“The award highlights our commitment to the education of our music and, more specifically, to our music education, students,” said music instructor Jeremy Craft ’12 MEd, ’16 MA. “It also shows that even at a smaller institution like Lynchburg we are pushing our students to achieve greatness and to have high standards for themselves.”
According to an email notifying Lynchburg of the award, the recognition is “a testament to your chapter’s hard work and dedication to furthering music education throughout the 2019-2020 school year.”
With the coronavirus pandemic last year, the music education major was forced to pivot on how to offer professional development to its students. The department developed a series of workshops with hands-on activities for students and panel discussions with three to four experts from the Lynchburg area and other states.
Craft said he is very excited about his students being recognized for their achievements over the past year.
“After such a challenging year, I am excited they will get this boost!” he said.
The department also received the National Award for Service in 2018 from NAfME.
Lynchburg is invited to attend a NAfME event in early fall to celebrate this award and the music department is actively coordinating a celebration of its students before the summer break.
