Kids First

Ihope this journal has found you rested, and recharged from summer vacation Each new school year brings a new set of opportunities, along with challenges . Our hope is to instill in our students a desire to make great music no matter what happens outside of our classrooms In these challenging times, we must keep our kids at the center of our focus to give them our best effort each and every day .

I have been working throughout the summer to build an All-State Convention that will bring you inspiring/hands on sessions, along with performances that will showcase a variety of ensembles from around our state . I was excited with the number of session proposals, and performance auditions that I received Although I would have liked to include them all, there simply wasn’t enough space For those of you that were not selected, please consider reapplying for the 2015 conference!

As of this writing, I am continuing to get the schedule cemented to allow maximum time for sessions as well as visiting performance venues and exhibit booths My planning team has been working hard with their conductors, rehearsal sites, and hotels to get all of the details dealt with . I would like to extend the first of many thanks to these people for their hard work . Without them, there is no way our conventions would ever run as smoothly as they do

We will have a number of deadlines that I need each participating teacher to pay special attention to, so you and your students don’t run the risk of being excluded in any way These deadlines assure that all of the behind-the-scenes action can run smoothly and efficiently, and will ensure that everyone on the OMEA Planning Team can do their assigned tasks

Tom Muller President-Elect

Please refer to the OMEA website (www oregonmusic org) for a complete list of these deadlines We will do our very best to make sure all information is out to the membership in a timely manner as well

Also, you will received regular “e-blasts” from Jim and Jane Howell to remind you of an upcoming deadline, so make sure and update you profile if your email address has changed I would recommend everyone double-check his or her information to make sure it is current

I look forward to seeing you in Eugene this January If at any time you have any questions, please feel free to email me at tom_muller@ ddouglas k12 or us