Once in the profession, teachers of music performance, composition, music history, music education, world music, music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology have honed their skills, broadened their horizons, kept pace with changing traditions, and renewed their enthusiasm for teaching and learning through the Society's many special projects and opportunities for professional development. The slate of activities the Society sponsors through its Committee on Professional Development is both diverse and pertinent. These activities address the needs of college, conservatory, and university music educators facing the challenges of teaching music in higher education in the closing years of the twentieth century. Various institutes, workshops, and symposia provide opportunities to learn more about technology, the art of teaching, women's and gender issues pertaining to music, topics in world music, and music theory instruction. People with interests in these topics may get more information about specific events and activities elsewhere in the Society's Web site and from its National Office.
Professional development involves giving as well as getting help.
It has become something of a CMS tradition for members to share information, technical expertise, insights, and concerns with others in the profession. People who have a special interest in a topic and are willing to share that interest with others in the Society or outside it may want to develop their own special project or institute for professional development. The Society stands ready to assist in launching new projects as well as continuing to support existing and ongoing ones. People who want to initiate special projects for continuing professional development may consult the Call for Ideas and Handbook for Event Planners . The Committee on Professional Development encourages efforts to improve music teaching in higher education through a wide variety of activities.