President’s Address

Welcome to BUSMEA’s website!

There are a lot of exciting events this year in the Brandon University School of Music. I am delighted to serve as the President of BUSMEA, alongside a dedicated and hardworking executive team. This council is comprised of devoted students, and I hope that our passion for music education can fuel the engagement of our members through the events we host this year!

To returning students, welcome back! I look forward to rekindling and furthering our relationships in the music education community! To new members, I would like to welcome you to this incredible School of Music. I hope that you are settling into the wonderful community here and that you will take advantage of the opportunities to engage in a multitude of new musical experiences. We are very fortunate to be able to engage in music together as a community, gain new experiences, and learn from one another.

This is a very exciting year for BUSMEA, as the 2025-26 school year marks the 40^th anniversary of the organization! The BUSMEA council looks forward to the many meaningful clinics and professional development opportunities we will bring to our membership in this memorable year. This year also marks the 20^th annual Da Capo Conference in the School of Music! Council is hard at work preparing an unforgettable conference that includes alumni celebrations and a Beginning Band Composition Competition. The composition competition is a joint project between BUSMEA and the Westman Band Directors Association (WMBDA) in celebration of these two significant milestones (https://www.brandonu.ca/busmea/compositioncompetition/). I am deeply grateful to be a part of BUSMEA during this exciting time.

With an increase in proposed cuts to music education across our country, it is crucial that we continue to study the value of music and music education. Music plays an essential role in education by promoting creativity and self-expression, building individual confidence, fostering social connections, increasing overall academic success, and so much more. Music in schools creates a space for students to learn, collaborate, and find their voices. Music also brings value to our communities by encouraging collaboration, building connections, and fostering cultural understanding. As future music-educators, we have a significant role to play in advocating for the importance of access to music in our communities and to high quality music making experiences for students. I sincerely hope that you take advantage of the various BUSMEA events throughout the year to expand your skills, grow your professional network, and most importantly reflect on how music is an integral aspect of quality education.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the 20^th Annual Da Capo Conference held in the School of Music on January 17^th, 2026. As well, please follow us on Instagram @bu_busmea to stay up to date on all our events and check out our YouTube channel for resources. If you have any additional ideas for clinics or wish to assist BUSMEA with any of our initiatives, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at busmea@brandonu.ca.

Sincerely,
Leeanne Gerry
BUSMEA President 25/26