I attended my first
MEIEA Conference in 2000. I was in my second year of full-time
teaching at Miami-Dade Community College and heard about
MEIEA from its founder (and my former professor) Jim Progris
at the University of Miami. I joined the organization, registered
for the Conference and headed off to California without
knowing a soul. At the risk of sounding like a late-night
infomercial, two days later my life had changed! Our colleague
Paul Friedlander and the MEISA students at CSU-Chico put
on a fantastic event with plenty of fireworks!
I specially remember the spirited exchange between representatives
from the RIAA and Napster – the old, illegal Napster!
To this day I often quote panelist Ron Sobel, then ASCAP
executive, who said that the future of the music business
was “any song, anytime, anywhere, and feels free.”
(Have you visited SpiralFrog
lately?) But most of all it was the relationships that
began that weekend that have had the most profound effect
on my life as an educator and a person. I met many folks
who have since become great friends and co-workers. Little
did I know that five years later I would be hosting a MEIEA
Conference at the University of Miami. Or that seven years
later I would have the honor of serving MEIEA as president,
joined on the board by many of those same dedicated individuals.
The music business has fundamentally changed since 2000.
There have been big losers and even bigger winners. In keeping
with MEIEA’s mission, the 2008 Conference will further
the exchange information and knowledge between educators
and industry leaders, as well as promote and support the
future of both; our valued MEISA students. Our colleague
Barry Sosnick and his
students at Five-Towns College
are putting together what promises to be one of the best
Conferences ever.
At this year’s event, MEIEA will also be honoring
Jim
Progris, who together with a small group of visionaries
is the reason we’re all here today. Jim was on the
“bleeding-edge” of this field, instrumental
in developing innovative programs at Miami and Georgia State
in the 60’s and 70’s. (Five members of the incoming
MEIEA Board were Jim’s students!) I am fortunate to
have him as a colleague, friend, and mentor.
Please visit the Conference
website and register soon. I look forward to seeing
everyone in March.
Rey Sanchez
MEIEA President
