Adrian College music professor, Tom Hodgman has released his third book with co-authors Colleen Conway and Mike Smith. The book, titled "Handbook for the Music Mentor", is published by GIA Publications (2010) and is meant for music teachers who serve as cooperative instructors for student teachers in music, as well as supervisors of teachers in their formative years.  The book includes chapters covering both practical and theoretical aspects of guiding new educators as they establish successful careers in teaching music. Dozens of vignettes written by undergraduate students, co-op teachers, and university supervisors are found throughout the text and provide a real-world window into issues related to mentoring. Other features include forms for mentors to give to pre-service teachers when completing observations in various music classrooms, reflection worksheets for student teachers, checklists for mentor meetings, and even a suggested calendar and discussion of topics for meetings between mentors and their educators.  This book is the first of its kind specifically designed for music education specialists.  Other books co-authored by Tom Hodgman and Colleen Conway include Handbook for the Beginning Music Teacher (GIA Publications, 2008) and Teaching Music in Higher Education (Oxford, 2009).

Dr. Thomas M. Hodgman recently organized the first professional conference in Michigan specifically designed for college Music Education students which took place this past weekend on the campus of Michigan State University. The conference was attended by more than 100 college students from at least ten different colleges and universities from across the state. Dr. Hodgman and a team of college student representatives began planning the conference almost a year ago. Funding for the conference came from the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA) which made the event free to college music education majors. Clinicians from nine universities presented sessions on topics in instrumental and vocal music education. Dr. Hodgman has served as state advisor for the Michigan Collegiate MENC - the National Association for Music Educators for the past six years.