Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Society for Music Teacher Education, I welcome you to the ninth Symposium on Music Teacher Education. The theme of this symposium, “Revitalizing Our Community,”​ specifically invites us to impart new life to our profession by examining issues of inclusion and equity in school music experiences, preparing teachers and students to participate in democracy, and sustaining healthy learning and living practices formusic teachers. With 60 presentation sessions and 120 virtual posters over the next three days, I am confident attendees will find valuable opportunities to learn and interact with other music teacher educators. The Areas of Strategic Planning and Action (ASPAs) continue to bring focus to important areas in our field, and I look forward to seeing projects presented that have come from the ASPAs as well as new ideas emerging during the ASPA working sessions.

I would like to thank the members of the SMTE Executive Committee for their work in preparing for this event. In particular, I extend my appreciation to Symposium Chair Brett Nolker and Communications Chair Jay Dorfman for working together to make this virtual symposium a reality. We also owe gratitude to the University of North Carolina Greensboro for providing technical resources in support of our online event. Lastly, I’d like to thank the National Association for Music Education and their staff in Reston for their continuing support of this symposium.

I am grateful that we can hold this virtual symposium to continue the energy and momentum around important work in music teacher education, even while looking forward to when we can gather again in person. I hope you find inspiration during this event, and move ahead feeling revitalized by connecting with our community.

David A. Rickels

Chair, Society for Music Teacher Education