The aim of the PMEA Small Schools Committee is to support educators in small/rural districts across the Commonwealth by creating a platform where networking, resources, and advancement can be fostered, developed, and shared.
Committee Members
PMEA Small Schools Committee Chair
Lance Jones, West Branch Area School District
Region I
William Eibeck, (Keystone Oaks School District)
Region II
Dan Cartwright, Oil City Area School District
Martha Heise, Oil City Area School District
Region III
Catherine Grove, Conemaugh Township School District
Michelle Kokus, Central Cambria School District
Mike Kokus, Cambria Heights School District
Michael Marini, Penns Valley Area School District
Region IV
Kathleen Amabile, Elk Lake School District
Jordan Kiesewetter, Towanda Area School District
Region V
Rob Arnold, Catasauqua Area School District
Matthew Wieseman, West Perry School District
Region VI
TBA
2026-2027 Small School Online Meet Schedule
Region II Small School Online Meet Dates
-Tuesday, Sept. 15, 7pm – Register
-Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7pm – Register
Region III Small School Online Meet Dates
-Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7pm – Register
-Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7pm – Register
-Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7pm – Register
-Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7pm – Register
Region IV Small School Online Meet Dates
-Thursday, Sept 24, 6:30pm – Register
-Thursday, Oct. 22, 6:30pm – Register
-Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:30pm – Register
Region V Small School Online Meet Dates
-Wednesday, Sept. 2, 7pm – Register
-Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7pm – Register
-Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7pm – Register
-Tuesday, Dec. 8, 7pm – Register
ACT 48 Available for all small-school online meets by completing This Survey within two weeks of the event.
One hour of Act 48 is approved for all attendees. The link below must be completed within two weeks of the meeting in which you have attended.
Here is the information you can use to fill out the form. By using this information, you will only need to change the date and second presenter for further meets(Martha Heise is the first presenter for every meeting regardless of region or date).
Name of the Event: Rural Schools Committee sharing meetings around the state
Date: Insert YOUR date
Session Title: Rural Schools Sharing Sessions
Session Presenter: Martha Heise and INSERT ACTUAL LEADER OF EACH MEETING
Remember, you can attend any meets from any of the regions that work for your schedule. Here is Act 48 Link! :Link for participants for fill out
Resources for Small/Rural Schools
| Title | Author | Format |
| “The Power of Small School Music Programs” | sboplus.net/the-power-of-small-school-music-programs | Article |
| Small Band, Big Sound | Chris DeVona | Book |
| “Teaching” (series) | Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser | Books |
| “Teaching With…” (series) | Dr. Peter Boonshaft | Books |
| The Backwoods Bandroom | www.backwoodsbandroom.com | Podcast; Website |
| The Open Bell | www.worldtrumpetfederation.com | Podcast; Website |
| One Size Fits All Band Books | hwww.osfabb.com | Website |
| Only Director In Your District | Kathleen Amabile | Presentation |
| Small Band Programs: Strategies for Success | Dr. Phillip Hash | Article |
| There is Life After College | Kathleen Amabile | Presentation Outline Notes |