DIVISIONNEWS ELEMENTARY DIVISION Emily Threlkeld “The fact that children can make beautiful music is less significant than the fact that music can make beautiful children.” Cheryl Lavender It is an honor to teach alongside so many wonderful Georgia elementary music specialists, where every day is filled with passion for our students and our art. Maintaining dynamic classroom environments requires much from all of us, including self-care, balance, participating in learning opportunities that refresh and restore, and of course, connecting with fellow educators. January’s In-Service promises to be full of meaningful and memorable experiences for all of our awesome Georgia music educators. Jim Solomon of “D.R.U.M.”, will present several sessions, including an evening drum circle. Author of eight books, National Workshop Clinician, over 30 years’ experience teaching public elementary school Music; Jim is sure to inspire both new and veteran teachers. Cheryl Lavender will also present. She is internationally recognized as a master music educator, composer and clinician. Having taught music for 37 years from elementary through university levels, Cheryl maintains an active writing/speaking schedule through Hal Leonard Corporation. Also on the schedule are the always popular sessions with Quaver and sessions with esteemed fellow Georgia educators, including a session with Rick and Angee McKee on choosing elementary repertoire, sponsored by J.W. Pepper. Craig Hurley will direct the Spivey Hall Young Artists on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. This is going to be a conference with something for everyone! And, don’t forget to make plans to attend the Elementary Statewide Honor Chorus, February 23 and 24, in Athens (Postmark deadline for registration is October 24.). Karen Nicolosi and Craig Denison will serve as our clinicians. Some of you may remember that Mr. Denison conducted our children in 2006, and the experience was amazing. I look forward to seeing everyone in Athens in January! Cheers to a wonderful school year!
14
georgia music news // fall 2017
GUITAR Brion Kennedy Welcome back to school! For those of you who do not know me, my name is Brion Kennedy and I will have the honor of serving as the GMEA Guitar Chair for the next two years. I have been a guitar educator at St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta since 2010. First and foremost, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to my predecessor, Dr. Luther Enloe, for the incredible service he has provided to guitar education in Georgia. Alongside our GMEA President, Evelyn Champion, we hope to build on Dr. Enloe's accomplishments and keep raising the bar. As we look forward to the spring, the schedule for the upcoming GMEA In-Service Conference from Jaunary 25th-27th is booked solid with guitar sessions. This year we are trying to focus more on serving our teachers who are new to teaching guitar and in need of best practices and pedagogical material. In addition to our sessions, we are thrilled to have performances on Thursday, January 25th from the Centennial Academy Guitar Ensemble and Duluth Middle School Advanced Guitar Ensemble. The performances run from 7:00 pm to 9:15 pm and will be held in the Oconee room. Be sure to put this on your agenda for the in-service. I look forward to serving all of you over the next two years. Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions, concerns, or ways by which I can help you. Additionally, I would love to hear stories about what you and your students are accomplishing. If I can ever be of assistance, do not hesitate to ask. Keep strumming! Sincerely, Brion Kennedy, M.Ed