April 2015 Southwestern Musician

APRIL 2015

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28 FEATURES

APRIL 2015

30

TMEA Region/Area Realignment Status

34

What Was It Like to Prepare for and Offer a Performance at the Convention?

Learn from the words of elementary through college musicians about what they gained through this special experience.

VOLUME 83 — ISSUE 8 On the cover: Caleb Simon performs with the Marcus HS Wind Symphony during the 2015 TMEA Clinic/Convention. Photo by Karen Cross.

COLUMNS President’s Notes .............................................. 7

by Keith Dye

The Executive Board continues to work on possible changes to the Region/Area alignment. Learn more about their priorities as they continue their evaluation.

47

Thank You, Dr. Stroope

49

Distinguished Administrator Spotlight

58

What Did You Learn During the Convention?

These heartfelt words of thanks from a member of the inaugural Small School Mixed Choir to conductor Z. Randall Stroope remind us about the incredible power of making music with others.

TMEA continues to provide members the opportunity to recognize outstanding school administrators for their support. Read about four administrators who recently received this distinction.

Gain a variety of teaching tips and insights that members reported learning during their clinic attendance.

Executive Director’s Notes..................15

by Robert Floyd

UPDATES

Band Notes .............................................................23

by Andy Sealy

Attend Your Spring Region Meeting ..............................................................2 2015–2016 TMEA Executive Board .............................................................3

Orchestra Notes ...............................................37

by Penny Meitz Vocal Notes ........................................................... 53

by Robert Horton Elementary Notes ...........................................61

by Juli Salzman

Congratulations TMEA Scholarship Winners ...............................................4 Arts Education Day at the Capitol Images ................................................ 13 Congratulations Four-Year All-State Musicians ........................................ 19 Submit a Proposal for the 2016 TMEA Clinic/Convention ....................... 20 TMEA Clinic/Convention Images ................................................... 28, 42, 74

College Notes ......................................................68

by Michele Henry

Membership, Convention Attendance, and Meeting Minutes ................. 77 Southwestern Musician | April 2015

1

Editor-in-Chief: Robert Floyd UĂ R\G@tmea.org 512-452-0710, ext. 101 Fax: 512-451-9213

Attend Your Spring Region Meeting

Managing Editor: Karen Cross

kcross@tmea.org 512-452-0710, ext. 107 Fax: 512-451-9213

TMEA Executive Board President: Keith Dye keith.dye@ttu.edu 6607 Norwood Avenue, Lubbock, 79413 806-742-2270 x 231 – Texas Tech University

President-Elect: Dinah Menger d.menger@sbcglobal.net 1305 Westcrest Drive, Arlington, 76013 817-891-1095 – Baylor University

Past-President: Janwin Overstreet-Goode MRYHUVWUHHW JRRGH#ÀVGN QHW 1406 Frontier Lane, Friendswood, 77546 281-482-3413 x 150/Fax: 281-996-2523 – Friendswood HS

Band Vice-President: Andy Sealy sealya@lisd.net 4207 Plano Parkway, Carrollton, 75010 469-948-3011 – Hebron HS

Orchestra Vice-President: Penny Meitz

Get involved and stay informed by attending your Region meetings.

Region Date

Time

Location

1

May 16

10 a.m., 9:30 a.m. food

Amarillo HS Cafeteria

2

May 16

10 a.m.

Decatur HS

3

May 16

10 a.m.

Lake Highlands HS

4

May 15

5 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant HS

5

May 3

2 p.m.

Lamar HS

6

April 25

10 a.m.

Permian HS

7

April 25

1 p.m.

Stephenville HS Auditorium

8

May 2

10 a.m., 9:30 a.m. food

Midway ISD PAC

9

May 9

9 a.m.

Conroe HS

10

May 4

6:30 p.m.

Lamar Univ. Band Hall

pjmeitz@mac.com 5407 Coral Gables Drive, Houston, 77069 281-468-2593 – St. John’s School

11

May 16

12 p.m.

John Jay HS, San Antonio

12

May 3

2:30 p.m.

Madison HS, San Antonio

Vocal Vice-President: Robert Horton

13

May 3

2 p.m.

George Ranch HS

14

May 16

10 a.m., 9:30 a.m. coffee

Del Mar College

15

April 26

2 p.m.

UTPA

16

May 4

5 p.m., 4 p.m. Str. Cmt.

Post HS

rhorton@conroeisd.net 6101 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, 77381 936-709-1200 – The Woodlands HS

Elementary Vice-President: Juli Salzman julis@angletonisd.net 625 Milton Street, Angleton, 77515 (281) 660-4776 – Northside Elementary

17

May 16

9:30 a.m.

Clear Falls HS

michele_henry@baylor.edu 1 Bear Place Unit 97408, Waco, 76798 254-644-0150 – Baylor University

18

April 25

10 a.m., 9:30 a.m. food

Anderson HS PAC

19

May 2

10 a.m.

San Jacinto College North

TMEA Staff

20

May 16

9 a.m.

Greiner MS, Dallas

21

May 9

10 a.m.

Jacksonville HS

22

May 18

7 p.m.

6:30 a.m. UIL mtg

UTEP

23

May 9

9 a.m.

8:30 a.m., food

Davis HS, Houston ISD

College Vice-President: Michele Henry

Executive Director: Robert Floyd | UĂ R\G@tmea.org Deputy Director: Frank Coachman | fcoachman@tmea.org Administrative Director: Kay Vanlandingham | kvanlandingham@tmea.org Advertising/Exhibits Manager: Tesa Harding | tesa@tmea.org Membership Manager: Susan Daugherty | susand@tmea.org Communications Manager: Karen Cross | kcross@tmea.org Financial Manager: Laura Kocian | lkocian@tmea.org Information Technologist: Andrew Denman | adenman@tmea.org Administrative Assistant: Rita Ellinger | rellinger@tmea.org

24

May 16

10 a.m.

Newman Smith HS

25

May 30

10 a.m.

Plano East SH

26

April 28

6 p.m.

Vista Ridge HS

70($ 2IĂ€FH

27

May 16

9 a.m.

Cypress Creek HS

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 140465, Austin, 78714-0465 Physical Address: 7900 Centre Park Drive, Austin, 78754 Phone: 512-452-0710 | Toll-Free: 888-318-TMEA | Fax: 512-451-9213 Website: www.tmea.org 2IÀFH +RXUV Monday–Friday, 8:30 A.M.–4:30 P.M.

28

May 16

10 a.m.

Harlingen HS Band Hall

Southwestern Musician (ISSN 0162-380X) (USPS 508-340) is published monthly except March, June, and July by Texas Music Educators Association, 7900 Centre Park Drive, Austin, TX 78754.

6XEVFULSWLRQ UDWHV 2QH <HDU ² 6LQJOH FRSLHV 3HULRGLFDO SRVWDJH SDLG DW $XVWLQ 7; DQG DGGLWLRQDO PDLOLQJ RIĂ&#x20AC;FHV 32670$67(5 6HQG DGGUHVV FKDQJHV WR 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ 3 2 %R[ Austin, TX 78714-0465. Southwestern Musician was founded in 1915 by A.L. Harper. Renamed in 1934 and published by Dr. Clyde Jay Garrett. Published 1941â&#x20AC;&#x201C;47 by Dr. Stella Owsley. Incorporated in 1948 as National by Harlan-Bell Publishers, Inc. Published 1947â&#x20AC;&#x201C;54 by Dr. H. Grady Harlan. Purchased in 1954 by D.O. Wiley. Texas Music Educator was founded in 1936 by Richard J. Dunn and given to the Texas Music (GXFDWRUV $VVRFLDWLRQ ZKRVH RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDO SXEOLFDWLRQ LW KDV EHHQ VLQFH ,Q WKH WZR PDJD]LQHV ZHUH PHUJHG XVLQJ WKH QDPH 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ FRPELQHG ZLWK WKH 7H[DV 0XVLF (GXFDWRU XQGHU WKH editorship of D.O. Wiley, who continued to serve as editor until his retirement in 1963. At that time ownership of both magazines was assumed by TMEA. In August 2004 the TMEA Executive Board changed the name of the publication to Southwestern Musician.

2

Southwestern Musician | April 2015

Keith Dye President

Penny Meitz Orchestra Vice-President

Robert Horton Vocal Vice-President

Dinah Menger President-Elect Janwin Overstreet-Goode Immediate Past-President

2015â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2016 TMEA Executive Board

Andy Sealy Band Vice-President

Juli Salzman Elementary Vice-President

Michele Henry College Vice-President

Learn more about the Executive Board members at www.tmea.org/about/board-staff/board.

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Southwestern Musician | April 2015

3

Congratulations TMEA Scholarship Winners This year, TMEA is awarding $192,000 in scholarship funds for students who will be working toward careers in music education or furthering their current careers with additional studies.

Five-Year Undergraduate Bill Cormack—up to $15,000 Emily Monk, Heritage HS

Past-Presidents—up to $12,500 William Pyle, Ronald Reagan HS

Past-Presidents Memorial—up to $12,500 Caleb Fritz, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts

Executive Board—up to $12,500 Taylor Gaskins, Vandegrift HS

One-Year Undergraduate—$2,500 Jordan Beckman, Atascocita HS Andrea Briones, United HS David Byers, Westwood HS Emily Edwards, Coronado HS Madison Fowler, Canton HS Joseph Guy, Summer Creek HS Alan Olmos, Victoria East HS Andrew Piña, Clark HS William Zetterstrom, Flower Mound HS

College Division One-Year Undergraduate—$2,500

Megan Becker, Baylor Univ Ashley Bogisch, Baylor Univ Daniel Bryson, Texas Christian Univ Jacob Cortez, Univ of North Texas Oluwagbohunmi Fawehinmi, Texas Tech Univ Kelsi Fletcher, Texas Tech Univ Michael Hernandez, Univ of Houston Victoria Hitz, Univ of Houston Kelsey Hohnstein, Texas Tech Univ Victoria Lien, Texas Tech Univ Jennifer Magill, Abilene Christian Univ Hannah Morrison, Baylor Univ Evan Moynihan, Baylor Univ Alyssa Reeves, Texas A&M Univ/Commerce Andrew Reinhart, Texas Tech Univ Allison Speziale, Texas Tech Univ Janell Stallard, Texas A&M Univ/Corpus Christi Dustin Tharp, Texas Tech Univ Jacquelyn Vaught, Texas A&M Univ/Corpus Christi Joseph Vranas, Sam Houston State Univ Tannon Woodson, Univ of Houston

4

Southwestern Musician | April 2015

Caleb Fritz, William Pyle, Taylor Gaskins, and Emily Monk

One-Semester Student Teaching—$2,500 Chelsea Ables, Texas Tech Univ Emily Carpp, Univ of North Texas Courtney Edwards, Texas State Univ Morgan Gentry, Sam Houston State Univ Lani Gil, Texas State Univ Ning He, Texas Tech Univ Teresa Jarinko, Texas Tech Univ Alicia Jones, Texas Woman’s Univ Randallyn Kelso, Texas State Univ Joshua Levine, Univ of Houston Sundas Mohi, UT/San Antonio Hannah Powers, Baylor Univ Alexander Theiss, Texas Tech Univ Kevin Thompson, Univ of North Texas Kayla Vickers, Stephen F. Austin State Univ Daniel Weatherholt, Univ of Houston

One-Year Graduate Study—up to $2,500

Jennifer Alarcon, Florida State Univ Heidi Blancarte, Barnes MS/Eastman William (Jason) Dove, Marcus HS/Southern Methodist Univ Britni Dunn, Cedar Park MS/Texas State Univ Christian Holzer, Stafford MS/Southern Methodist Univ Brian Murray, Creekview HS/Florida State Univ John Peterson, Allen HS/ Southern Methodist Univ Kelley Poché-Rodriguez, Texas Tech Univ Jeffery Rice, Midway HS/Texas State Univ Katie Richardson, Ft. Settlement MS/Texas Christian Univ Vicky Suarez, Prairie Creek Elementary/Southern Methodist Univ Greg White, Ronald Reagan HS/Texas Tech Univ Laurie Williams, Texas Tech Univ Renee Wilson, Texas Tech Univ Riley Worthen, Turner HS/Texas Woman’s Univ

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The essence of TMEA B Y

K E I T H

D Y E

T

he essence of community, its heart and soul, is the nonmonetary exchange of value; things we do and share because we care for others, and for the good of the place. —Dee Hock Based on our gathering and the resulting activity in San Antonio in mid-February, we, the community of Texas music educators, indeed have a powerful essence! Think back to the array of backgrounds and ages of attendees; reflect on the powerful communication of the human condition expressed in so many performances and educational sessions; recall the sharing of so much applicable information to help us strengthen the people we are each charged to influence; most importantly, consider how much less our profession would be if we did not meet and share all of these extraordinary experiences! We, as music educators plying our craft in the state of Texas, are truly privileged and fortunate!

Thank you is not nearly a sufficient phrase to express the gratitude we owe the entire TMEA staff. Their daily, year-round work preparing every facet, from the smallest minutia to the grandest designs of this event, while maintaining all their other responsibilities, is an amazing example of how the power of a dedicated few can accomplish so, so much. Simply put, they are the best!

We must also acknowledge our Division Vice-Presidents for all their tireless efforts in coordinating the audition processes, selecting sessions and performances, and much more. Never lose sight that they do all this in heartfelt, voluntary service in addition to their careers as successful music educators.

Gratitude also is due the clinicians, presenters, organizers, and hundreds of other volunteers, each of whom masterfully complete their own unique role in service to our music education community. Appreciation is extended to our industry partners who find it beneficial to exhibit their resources—valuable resources that can help all of us in our professional pursuits.

PRESIDENT’S NOTES IMPORTANT DATES April/May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2 for details).

April–June 1—Submit clinic proposals online for the 2016 TMEA convention.

May—Online TMEA membership renewal available.

May 1—Texas Music Scholar application materials postmark deadline.

June 30—All TMEA memberships expire.

July 23–26—TBA/TCDA/TODA Conventions in San Antonio.

February 10–13, 2016—TMEA Clinic/ Convention in San Antonio.

The essence of community, its heart and soul, is the non-monetary exchange of value; things we do and share because we care for others, and for the good of the place. —Dee Hock Southwestern Musician | April 2015

7

Finally, we all need to extend a sincere and hearty congratulations to TMEA President Janwin Overstreet-Goode on heading up all these diverse elements to make the 2015 annual convention everything it could be. Her leadership and professionalism have served as a model for us all.

The Texas Music Educators Association 2015 Clinic/Convention was indeed one for the record books. We experienced many new highs, concluding the event with almost 12,000 active TMEA members and approximately 26,700 in atten-

dance in some capacity at this spectacular gathering. For more information on attendance and membership, see page 77.

While this amazing event ended more than a month ago, TMEA does not rest on its laurels. We all know that our membership has the capacity to provide insightful and valuable feedback regarding every facet of the TMEA convention experience. All of us representing you on the Executive Board want to receive and consider this information. An Executive Board meeting never goes by without thoughts and concerns from individual

members being respectfully considered.

Your views and opinions do shape our actions.

If there are topics or individuals you want to see in the 2016 convention program, this is the time to have direct impact in the organizational decisionmaking processes. I encourage you either to consider for yourself, or encourage someone who you hold in high professional regard, to submit a clinic proposal for the 2016 convention. The submission process is online and open from April 1 until June 1. In June each Division VicePresident begins the review process for making decisions regarding extension of invitations to presenters. Selected clinicians are notified in August and then, after much thought and consideration

by TMEA Directors and the Executive Board, are scheduled during the fall.

Looking ahead to my tenure as President I see four areas I know will touch most of our membership.

Realignment The realignment process has begun. I hope that you were able to hear one of the preliminary reports delivered at your division business meeting during the convention. You can find an outline of the information provided at those meetings in this issue on page 30. Note that we are relying heavily on your feedback to your elected Region officers and their dutiful reporting of this information to the state Division Vice-Presidents. I also ask you to not assume anything you hear is true unless you read it in SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN or it is communicated directly

by TMEA leadership.

Elementary Music Advocacy Videos TMEA-sponsored elementary music advocacy videos will be released very soon.

There will ultimately be two contrasting, approximately three-minute videos and then a subsequent number of shorter videos created from material within the original two. These will be available as free downloads through the TMEA website and are intended to be used in any capacity you see fit in the ever-important task of advocating for music instruction by music specialists to all Texas children.

Legislative Session Our state legislature has been in session, and there will more than likely be a

8

Southwestern Musician | April 2015

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need to respond appropriately to defend our role in the education of our populace.

How fortunate we are to have Executive Director Robert Floyd at the helm to be a continual representative of our best interests. If needed, please be ready to heed any call to communicate with local and state legislators and officials in advocacy of appropriate arts education in our schools.

Convention Center Expansion Finally, the word is official! The City of San Antonio expects to receive the keys to the newly expanded and remodeled Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on December 1, 2015. The 2016 Texas Music Educators Clinic/Convention will be the first major event in the new facilities on February 10–13. This expansion

Have a Story to Share?

Many of our best feature articles are written by TMEA members like you.

Perhaps you have developed an effective teaching method, discovered a new technology that helps make your work more efficient, or have been successful in building administrator and community support. Whatever your areas of success, SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN provides a venue for sharing your ideas with your colleagues around the state.

For magazine submission guidelines, go to www.tmea.org/magazine.

10 Southwestern Musician | April 2015

will mean that all of the spaces we have used for many years west of the river will be empty and in process of being stripped out in preparation for demolition later in spring 2016. By the summer conventions of 2016, that area should be a public green space and park.

In February 2016 over half of the space we use will be new! Be prepared for many aspects of your convention experience to change. Needless to say, this transition is going to present many challenges in designing all aspects of the 2016 convention. I know your TMEA staff and officers are already meeting this challenge as one of the most exciting opportunities our organization has seen in many years.

We all should be proud of our membership in TMEA and proud of what TMEA stands for and accomplishes; it is a community of doing and caring. TMEA truly serves as a model for living the words I borrowed at the outset of this piece: “The essence of community, its heart and soul, is the non-monetary exchange of value; things we do and share because we care for others, and for the good of the place.”

Nominate Your Students for the Texas Music Scholar Award The TMEA Music Scholar Award designates students in high school music programs who exemplify attributes of meritorious performance in the areas of scholarship, musicianship, and citizenship. Designation is attained by TMEA Active Member recommendation of students in grades 9–12 who have met the following criteria during the current school year: • Is a viable member of the school’s parent musical organization for the entire school year.

• Maintains on overall “A” average as defined by the local school district for the entire school year.

• Maintains academic eligibility for the entire school year.

• Participates in all scheduled events of the parent organization.

• Attends, as an audience member, two director-approved concert events at the high school, collegiate, or professional level during the school year.

• Has auditioned for, been selected to, and participated as required in a TMEA or ATSSB organization (band, orchestra, or choir).

• Performs a UIL Prescribed Music List Class 1 solo for a competition or public performance.

• Consistently exhibits behavior that brings honor to the parent organization, school, and community.

Go to www.tmea.org/programs/tms to complete and print the application.

The printed form must be signed by the appropriate school officials and must be postmarked by May 1 to qualify.

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Southwestern Musician | April 2015 11

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ARTS EDUCATION DAY AT THE CAPITOL • MARCH 4

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 13

DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

Admissions & Scholarship

AUDITIONS 2015 AUDITION DATES*

February 21 March 14 March 28

DEGREES Offered:

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Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music with emphases in Performance and Music Education

Visit tamuc.edu/Music.

For more information, call 903-886-5303.

*Additional dates upon request. Auditions are required of all entering and transferring music majors.

Performance.

Pride.

Passion.

State Board of Education stands fast B Y

R O B E R T

F L O Y D

D

uring its February meeting the members of the State Board of Education took a bold stand in protecting the integrity of the one-credit fine arts graduation requirement by rejecting 17 additional CTE courses recommended by the CTE TEKS review teams to meet the one-credit requirement. Once again, their action reflected the efforts of the Board to protect a well-balanced education that includes the arts for every child.

I have had the privilege of working with the State Board since the early ’80s when I was a teacher in the Richardson ISD. When I assumed the executive director’s role in 1994, those opportunities only expanded. Over those years my respect for these individuals has grown exponentially as I have sat through literally hundreds of hours of meetings as they studied and debated the outcomes and impact of administrative rule changes on the schoolchildren of Texas.

This elected body of 15 members, of course, works without pay, and each member represents a population twice the size of a state senatorial district.

When they make the press it is usually negative based on difficult decisions they have had to make on issues regarding standards and curriculum. But what they never get adequate credit for, beyond their commitment to attending and participating in their meetings, is the hundreds of hours of time they spend yearround doing their homework in studying agenda support material, reading the hundreds of letters and emails they receive, and in most cases taking the time to respond personally. Their dedication to our schoolchildren is truly amazing.

Their decision to reject the additional fine arts course substitutions was a response to correspondence they received from their constituents, because they are listeners. They recognized that such a decision would erode both the content of fine arts as well as CTE courses, and that while numerous CTE courses certainly reflect applications of arts strategies, the cornerstone of a rigorous arts experience ultimately rests in the fine arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

They also listened to the leadership of the Career and Technology Association of Texas who testified that such a rule change could jeopardize their capability to provide “highly qualified” CTE teachers to deliver meaningful instruction in fine arts in addition to fully addressing the requirements of the CTE TEKS.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTES IMPORTANT DATES April/May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2 for details).

April–June 1—Submit clinic proposals online for the 2016 TMEA convention.

May—Online TMEA membership renewal available.

May 1—Texas Music Scholar application materials postmark deadline.

June 30—All TMEA memberships expire.

July 23–26—TBA/TCDA/TODA Conventions in San Antonio.

February 10–13, 2016—TMEA Clinic/ Convention in San Antonio.

The State Board realizes that the cornerstone of a rigorous arts experience ultimately rests in the ÀQH DUWV 7H[DV (VVHQWLDO .QRZOHGJH DQG 6NLOOV Southwestern Musician | April 2015 15

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Finally, I am most appreciative that in all the opportunities I have had to testify before the Board on so many issues through the years, I have never failed to be treated with professionalism and respect and have always known that the arts education communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion mattered.

They treat all testifiers in a like manner.

The CTE substitution issue will come up again for a final vote during their April 15â&#x20AC;&#x201C;17 meeting. For those of you who wrote letters to your board member, I encourage you to send them a note of thanks as well as ask them to hold the line during this final vote.

The results of this first vote are now available for public comment. I encourage each of you to email rules@tea.texas.gov and ask the board to continue to disallow any further CTE substitutions for the onecredit fine arts graduation requirement.

In April, the SBOE will also be reviewing language that will define the fine arts requirements for a middle school curriculum. Current rule is interpreted to mean that districts must offer music, art, and theatre in grades 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;8. With the addition of dance TEKS to now include grades 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;7, this requirement could expand. TMEA will be recommending language that minimally would not lessen the middle school fine arts offerings but perhaps give more flexibility to local districts about what subjects to offer.

Thanks and Gratitude During the second general session of the recent convention President Overstreet-Goode went off script to introduce Brad Kent, Director of Music Activities, UIL, to award me the Outstanding Music Educator Award from

the National Federation of State High School Associations. I was completely caught off guard by Bradâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recognition as well as your gracious ovation. Yet, all I could think about was we are going to be get behind schedule, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my job to make sure that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen.

I knew it was imperative that we get Vijay Gupta on stage for his keynote address, and in an effort to do so I simply walked off stage.

If you were in attendance, I am sure you could have thought that was a rather ungrateful gesture on my part, and I apologize if that was anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perception. Be assured I am deeply grateful for this honor, and please accept my sincere thanks for both the award as well the warm reception you extended me. It is my honor to serve you and the students you teach.

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Southwestern Musician | April 2015 17

Congratulations Four-Year All-State Musicians The following musicians qualified for membership in Texas All-State ensembles four consecutive years. Our congratulations go to these incredible students, their families, and teachers for this most impressive accomplishment!

2015 Symphonic Band

Jorge Pacheco, Hanna HS, Bassoon

2015 ATSSB Symphonic Band

Danny Chavera, Dilley HS, Tuba Nick Conner, Big Spring HS, Tenor Trombone Whitney Haschke, Gilmer HS, Oboe Matthew Pehl, Fredericksburg HS, Tenor Trombone Gregory Smith, Pampa HS, B-flat Clarinet

2015 Symphony Orchestra

Jennifer Cho, Allen HS, Violin Abigail Fuchs, Heritage HS, Violin Randye-Nicoel Harris, Aledo HS, F Horn Tiffany Hu, Memorial HS, Cello Joyce Huang, Travis HS, Violin Miranda Hulsey, Lamar HS, Violin Crystal Kim, Martin HS, Flute Grace Kuang, Lovejoy HS, Flute Hannah Phillips, Arlington HS, Viola Nathan Schneider, Dulles HS, String Bass Christopher Terrazas, Mountain View HS, Tenor Trombone Andres Vela, Economedes HS, String Bass

Victor Villalobos, Spring HS, Flute Edward Wang, McNeil HS, Violin James Wu, A&M Consolidated HS, Violin Tesia Wu, Martin HS, Violin Derek Yan, Plano West SH, Violin Simon Yao, Bellaire HS, Violin

2015 Philharmonic Orchestra

Christopher Chao, Friendswood HS, B-flat Clarinet William Land, Lake Ridge HS, Percussion Amber Liu, Clear Lake HS, Violin Justin Yan, Plano West SH, Violin Dana Zhang, Clements HS, Violin

2015 String Orchestra

Kevin Wang, Bellaire HS, Violin

2015 Mixed Choir

Damon Duckett, Deer Park HS, Tenor Manasa Kanukurthy, Westwood HS, Soprano Matthew Marinelli, Reagan HS, Bass Austin Rabon, College Park HS, Tenor David Sexton, Vela HS, Tenor

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 19

Submit a Proposal for the 2016 Clinic/Convention 300+ Clinics Will Be Selected

Attendees Have Spoken

Before You Submit

Offering over 300 professional development clinics is one of the most amazing aspects of the TMEA Clinic/Convention!

With some of our most wellreceived clinics presented by members just like you, it’s time to create a detailed proposal to submit for next year’s event.

According to attendees, the following are the most important clinic topics:

Your proposal should offer a complete summary of what you will present, and the title should be an obvious indicator of the content. The information you submit will be shared with members who will rate their interest in clinics to help us in clinic selection and room assignment.

Rehearsal techniques, teaching methods, classroom management, technology integration, repertoire selection, instrument methods, recruiting/retention, elementary teaching methods, urban/rural challenges, conducting techniques, special needs instruction.

www.tmea.org/clinicproposals April 1–June 1

Music scholarships available to non-music majors ■ Faculty who focus on UNDERGRADUATES

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with a full year of student teaching and 100% job placement (20 consecutive years) ■ Located in CULTURALLY VIBRANT San Antonio ■ STUDY ABROAD opportunities ■ 16 ensembles

trinity.edu/music June 2014, the Trinity University Music Department was recognized as an ALL-STEINWAY SCHOOL by Steinway and Sons, for its commitment to excellence and purchase of 32 Steinway pianos.

20 Southwestern Musician | April 2015

UNT College of Music Summer Workshops 2015 13th Annual Pirastro Strings Elite Soloists Program May 22–29 Jeff Bradetich Flute! Fundamentals for Teachers June 8–12 Mary Karen Clardy 28th Annual Bradetich Double Bass Masterclass June 8–12 Jeff Bradetich, Jack Unzicker 15th Annual Lynn Seaton Jazz Double Bass Workshop June 8–12 Lynn Seaton North Texas Conductors Collegium June 8–19 Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Dennis Fisher 15th Annual Beginners and Intermediate Bass Camp June 10–12 Jeff Bradetich, Gudrun Raschen, Jessica Gilliam Valls, Carlos Gaviria Flute! Middle School Day Camp June 12–13 Mary Karen Clardy Marching Percussion Camp Paul Rennick, Michael Hernandez June 15–18 String Orchestra Day Camp June 15–19 Rebecca Roesler (Grades 2–10)

Flute! Practicum for Performers June 15–19 Mary Karen Clardy Keyboard Percussion Symposium (Formally UNT Marimba Workshop) June 16–20 Christopher Deane, Brian Zator, She–e Wu, Sandi Rennick, Gordon Stout, Ed Smith

ClarEssentials Middle School Clarinet Workshops June TBA Guyer High School, Denton, TX Cobb Middle School, Frisco, TX Kimberly Luevano, Kristen Thompson, Connor O’Meara

Flute! Masterclass in Repertoire and Performance June 19–21 Mary Karen Clardy

Drum Major and Student Leadership Camp June 25–28 Nicholas Williams, Jeremy Spicer, Manuel Maldonado, Duane Hill (Texas Tech), College Drum Majors from Texas Universities

Vocal Pedagogy Workshop June 19–20 Stephen F. Austin

Flute! High School Camp June 26–28 Mary Karen Clardy

Summer String Institute Session 1: June 19–26 Session 2: June 26–July 3 Violin: Bui Cong Duy, Julia Bushkova, Philip Lewis, Felix Olschofka, Gary Levinson, Alex Kerr Viola: Ralph Fielding, Daphne Gerling, Liesl–Ann de Villiers, Susan Dubois Cello: Eugene Osadchy, Nikola Ruzevic, Elizabeth Morrow Orchestra: Clay Couturiaux

Texas High School All–State Choir Camp July 8–11 Alan McClung, director, Amanda Quist, guest conductor

Vocal Jazz Summer Workshop June 21–26 Jennifer Barnes, Rosana Eckert, Greg Jasperse ClarEssentials High School Clarinet Workshop June 24–27 Daryl Coad, Deb Fabian, Kimberly Luevano, John Scott

Jazz Combo Workshop July 12–17 Mike Steinel Middle School/Juneior High Honor Choir Camp July 15–18 Alan McClung, director, Rebecca Reames, guest clinician Mariachi Summer Camp July 21–25 Donna Emmanuel Alexander Technique August 1–2 Phyllis Richmond

For information contact Anne Oncken: 940–565–4092, Anne.Oncken@unt.edu

www.music.unt.edu

Texas Lutheran University School of Music

SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS Scholarships are available for both music and non-music majors. These awards are intended to provide recognition for scholarship and talent in the study of music.

For specific qualifications for each award, visit www.tlu.edu/music, or scan the QR code at the bottom right with your smartphone.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC DEPARTMENT HEADS

SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION DATES:

Beth Bronk Director of Bands bbronk@tlu.edu

Saturday, January 17, 2015 Sunday, February 22, 2015 Saturday, March 28, 2015 Saturday, April 25, 2015

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN ALL-LEVEL MUSIC EDUCATION BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN PERFORMANCE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music

Douglas R. Boyer Director, School of Music and Director of Choral Activities dboyer@tlu.edu 830.372.6869 or 800.771.8521

Shaaron Conoly Director of Vocal Studies sconoly@tlu.edu Eric Daub Director of Piano Studies edaub@tlu.edu Eliza Thomason Director of Strings ethomason@tlu.edu

A convention postscript B Y

A N D Y

S E A L Y

A

s a young teacher I gauged the relative success of a TMEA convention by how readily the information I had gleaned in the clinics could be applied to my current classes and how much quality social time I got to spend along the river talking shop with my friends.

With a few more years of teaching under my belt, I began to appreciate the convention for both challenging and reaffirming my pedagogy and for the concerts that wonderfully demonstrated what the confluence of great teaching, great learning, and great communities could produce. I began to understand what it meant to return from the convention renewed and inspired. As a head band director I looked to the convention to help me better learn ways to manage a broad program and address specific weaknesses. I encouraged staff members to take more ownership of the elements of the program in which they were entrusted and make a deliberate effort to use the convention to improve and focus their skills. I also became more aware of the take-home value of the rehearsal and concert experiences shared by our school’s All-State students. We are so very fortunate that TMEA actively pursues diverse convention content, presenters, and concerts that address our needs at all levels of teaching and at all stages of our careers.

Having previously served in various leadership positions, and now following a short first year as Band Division Vice-President, I am even more keenly aware that the enduring success and value of the TMEA convention comes directly from two critical sources: the commitment of the full-time TMEA office staff and the gracious service of division volunteers that work behind the scenes daily during the convention.

I am grateful for the generous spirit of service H[HPSOLÀHG E\ DOO RI RXU GLYLVLRQDO YROXQWHHUV DQG KRSH WKDW HDFK RI \RX ZLOO WDNH WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR JLYH EDFN WR WKH RUJDQL]DWLRQ E\ YROXQWHHULQJ DW DQ\ OHYHO

BAND NOTES IN MEMORIAM GARY FAUST November 22, 1959 – February 17, 2015 WILLIAM E. (BILL) TREGOE April 12, 1928 – February 24, 2015

IMPORTANT DATES April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2 for details).

April 1–June 1—Submit clinic proposals online for the 2016 TMEA convention.

May–June—Renew your TMEA membership.

May 1—Texas Music Scholar application materials postmark deadline.

May 15—Invited high school jazz ensemble application postmark deadline.

June 15—Deadline for Region Honor Band winners to be postmarked to Area Audition Chair.

June 30—All TMEA memberships expire.

June 30—Deadline for Area Honor Band winners to be postmarked to State Band Chair.

July 23–26—TBA Convention in San Antonio.

August 1—Deadline for waivers to the audition process to be received at TMEA headquarters.

February 10–13, 2016—TMEA Clinic/ Convention in San Antonio.

6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015 23

In addition to conducting the daily business of the organization, the TMEA office staff prepares for the convention year-round. As a part of the Executive Board, I now see these staff members from an entirely new perspective. Guest speakers must be engaged, hotel contracts negotiated, exhibitor booth space reserved, member registrations processed, and convention center usage allocated.

The TMEA staff also fosters and maintains terrific working relationships with the City of San Antonio, the convention center staff, and Convention and Visitors

Bureau officials. I respect the operating standards, professionalism, and endless attention to detail that the office staff continually demonstrates. In addition, these folks constantly mentor and guide the convention preparations of those of us at the divisional level. For this alone I am more than personally grateful. Please take the opportunity to say thank you to the folks in the TMEA office. They contribute far more to our organization than we can ever adequately acknowledge or appreciate.

Wednesday afternoon and evening and

What a Cajon aspires to be.

Thursday morning alone require the volunteer services of well over 200 individuals from the Band Division. All of these volunteers are teaching professionals giving up a portion of or the entire convention to give back to the organization and prepare the way for our students to enjoy a memorable convention experience. My thanks to the student registration volunteers, audition chairs, judging panels, monitors, office tabulations team, runners, folder distribution team, and sectional coaches for the smooth operation of auditions, sectionals, and helping us get the TMEA convention off to a great start in those first 24 hours.

Thanks also go to the nearly 80 volunteers who served as Band Division clinic presiders, guides, and divisional office volunteers. Finally, my sincerest thanks to the folks who sacrifice their entire convention to serve as band organizers, equipment and percussion coordinators, sound technicians, and theater stage managers.

These individuals have the most positive dramatic impact on the day-to-day operation of the convention. Their hours are the longest bar none and their preparation stretches back into the months preceding the convention.

I am grateful for the generous spirit of service exemplified by all of our divisional volunteers and hope that each of you will take the opportunity to give back to the organization by volunteering at any level to serve our membership and students.

Area Honor Band Listening Centers Area Honor Band listening sessions will take place on June 25â&#x20AC;&#x201C;26 at three sites across the state. Areas A, B, and C will be at Keller Central HS in Keller. Areas D and F will be at Spring HS in Spring,

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Attend Your Spring Region Meeting malmark.com

Times & Locations on Page 2

2015 K AT Y

JAZZ L A V I T FES APRIL 24-25

ING OOL PERFORM H SC H IG H Y T KA - KATY, TX ARTS CENTER

FEATURING: MSM JAZZ ORCHESTRA BRAD LEALI JAZZ ORCHESTRA KATY ISD ALL STAR JAZZ BAND SHELLEY CARROL QUARTET

ALSO FEATURI NG

ARTKAT

a

Y,

visual KAT Y exhibit arts PAR JAZZ F & sales TNE ESTI s h o w RS VAL case

26 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015

and Areas E and G will be at Canyon HS in New Braunfels. Judging panels will adjudicate the same classification for all Areas at a given listening center on consecutive days. The Area A, B, and C sites will compress the schedule from previous years from a three-day event to a twoday event. Additional information can be found on the Honor Band Competition and Rules webpage found under the Band Division menu. Thanks in advance to the chairs, hosts, and judges for these events.

Invited High School Jazz Ensemble Applications The postmark deadline for applications and supporting materials to perform at the 2016 TMEA Clinic/Convention as the invited high school jazz ensemble is May 15. For additional information, go to www.tmea.org/jazzapplication.

Spring Region Meeting Be sure to attend your spring Region meeting. Be involved in the decisionmaking process and take advantage of the opportunity to share your views with your colleagues. Go to page 2 of this issue to find the meeting location, date, and time.

Please make room in your busy calendar for this important meeting.

Band Division Business Meeting Minutes February 12, 2015 Convention Center Ballroom B The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by TMEA Vice-President and Band Division Chair Andy Sealy. An invocation was given by Diane Baker, Cedar Bayou JH. Minutes from the Band Division meeting held during the 2014 TMEA Clinic/Convention were approved.

Keith Dye, TMEA President-Elect from Texas Tech University, presented an update on realignment. Brad Kent, UIL Music Director, gave the UIL report. H. Robert Reynolds, TMEA Band Division Featured Clinician, presented a keynote address. Bruce Beach, Texas Bandmasters Association President, gave the TBA report.

Vice-President Sealy recognized the Region and Area Band Chairs for their service to TMEA and recognized the invited performing groups for the Band Division.

Sealy also recognized and thanked volunteers and recognized all Honor Band finalists and encouraged attendance at the

Honor Band concerts.

Sealy gave an update on this year’s Honor Band process and encouraged everyone to read through the online entry procedures and follow all the guidelines, rules, timelines, and ethical practices.

Online entry is open and the deadline is March 1, 2015 for classifications 2C, 3C, 3A, and 5A. June 15, 2015 is the deadline for Region materials to be postmarked to the Area Chair. At the Area level, there will again be three listening centers to be held on June 25–26, 2015: • Areas A, B, C: Keller Central HS • Areas D, F: Spring HS • Areas E, G: Canyon HS Information on Area Chairs, Area Hosts, and all Area Honor Band assigned judges will be on the TMEA website following the convention.

Sealy encouraged everyone to vote electronically for TMEA President-Elect.

No new business was brought forth, and the meeting adjourned at 6:17 P.M. Minutes submitted by Daniel Allen, Franklin HS.

Clinic Proposals for 2016 It’s time to begin preparing to submit a clinic proposal for the 2016 TMEA Clinic/Convention. Proposals are submitted online April 1–June 1 and need to include thorough details of what will be presented. Know that from our recent convention survey, those who responded that they teach band said that the following are the most important topics for clinics. If you can offer expertise in one of these areas, be sure to apply or encourage a colleague to do the same: • Rehearsal techniques • Instrument methods • Teaching methods

www.printmusicsource.com

24-27 2 0 1 5

• Recruitment/Retention • Repertoire selection • Technology integration • Classroom management • Urban/Rural challenges & solutions • Conducting techniques

“This camp is a BIG help preparing for the all-state auditions! I enjoyed all of the activities and counselors!”

• Advocacy 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015 27

2015 TMEA CLINIC/CONVENTION

28 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015

More images on page 42

6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015 29

TMEA Region/Area Realignment Status

A

t each quarterly Board meeting beginning in March 2014, the TMEA Executive Board has been reviewing the need for Region and Area realignment. Bradley Kent, Director of UIL Music Activities (and ex officio TMEA Executive Board member), has participated in each of these meetings. The first report was offered during meetings at the 2014 TBA/TODA/TCDA conventions in San Antonio.

The following report was delivered during the 2015 TMEA Clinic/Convention at the Band, Vocal, and Orchestra Division business meetings and at State Board meetings.

TMEA Region/Area Realignment Report | February 14, 2015 Parameters of Decision-Making • Geographic concerns • Equality of student opportunity

Highlights of Anticipated Results • Student representation will more closely represent the population distribution of the state.

• Student opportunities for success will be more uniform.

• Transportation challenges will be more manageable and economical.

• A process will be in place to allow for continual, fluid adjustment to more closely reach the stated goals of the process.

Projected Timeline • Information distributed via SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN. • 2015 Executive Board members, previous Board members Craig Needham and Joe Weir, and Bradley Kent and George Strickland representing UIL met March 13.

• Statewide representation

– Updated report distributed to Region officers for spring meetings

• Consideration of impact on all three performance divisions (Band, Vocal, Orchestra)

– Updated report published in SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN

• Mindful of impact on each size classification

• Feedback collected by Region officers at spring meetings will be communicated to Executive Board.

• Allowance for growth and more fluid ongoing amendment

• Discussions continue during June Executive Board meetings.

Details of Steps Discussed to Date • Use apportionment to determine the number of chair selections within each Area based on participation in the process.

• Redraw current Regions to, where possible, more equally distribute participation.

• Strategically add Regions in large metropolitan centers to allow for current and future growth.

• Form Areas, as possible, as geographic hubs to minimize extreme travel demands.

• Commit to systematically re-examine Region and Area alignments on a continual, two-year cycle.

30 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015

• Progress announcements will be made at July State Board meeting and published in SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN. This spring’s Region meetings and your elected Region officers will play an important function in communicating additional information to, and in gathering feedback from, the membership.

This is clearly a very complex topic with many levels of intricacies that affect different constituents in varied ways. Your voice deserves and needs to be heard appropriately.

We also ask that each member consider the issues after careful review of all available information with the equal regard for every music student, regardless of geography, division, classification, or direct personal impact. To offer your feedback, attend your spring Region meeting. Dates and locations are on page 2 of this issue.

Respectfully submitted, the 2015 TMEA Executive Board.

Degree Programs Bachelor of Arts in Music Bachelor of Music in Performance Bachelor of Music (teacher certiďŹ cation)

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What was it like to offer a performance Performing at TMEA opened my eyes to the value music can add. For once, I felt like I was a part of something bigger, something that mattered. The passion and fervor for music that I saw in my director’s eyes finally came upon me and in that moment, I saw that music was a part of my future, a part of me.

—Samad Siddiqui, (8th grade), Young JH Choir Performing at TMEA was such a different feeling than performing nearby at our school. It felt like we were famous and everyone wanted our attention. Describing this is like explaining how water tastes!—Micah Elegores (4th grade) Fara Bango, Exley Elementary I thought I might feel nervousness or panic on stage and in front of all those musicians in attendance.

But the audience was so supportive and the light fixtures above their heads glowed like stars. Seeing those stars and hearing that the audience so appreciated the music, I felt peace. My fear was replaced with excitement; it was a feeling that grew with each passing selection we performed.—Zia Leigh (Senior), Marcus HS Wind Symphony The entire process of performing at TMEA is surreal. You spend countless hours preparing for the most important concert of your life, and as you play the last few notes on stage, in front of all those people, you can’t help but get choked up.—Miles Trumbauer (Senior) Plano Senior HS Full Orchestra TMEA was a once-in-a-lifetime chance; it was one of the greatest honors of my life. We worked as hard as we could, and I knew San Antonio loved us.—Brady Cates (5th grade), Eddins Elementary Honor Choir Being on the TMEA stage was a unique moment that can’t be re-created. Though it’s cheesy, I was completely overflowing with happiness and joy in those 25 minutes that we were performing. My smile never left my face! Every note, chord, and piece as a whole came together flawlessly, reflecting the hours we put into each of those notes, chords, and pieces. The experience was like no other.—Wallis Key (Senior), Highland Park Lassies Varsity Women’s Choir I have learned that being a team is never easy. Being on the San Antonio stage made me very nervous, but I got over it. Being in choir is amazing!—Rosa Gutierrez (4th grade), Kujawa Elementary All of the tedious rehearsals, sectionals, and personal practices were worth it in the end; we received standing ovations from our families and friends in our pre-TMEA performance and at TMEA from music educators who had never even heard us before. It gave all of my fellow orchestra members an indescribable happiness and feeling of accomplishment, and we had a great time celebrating afterward in San Antonio.—Sharon Leung (Junior) Plano Senior HS Full Orchestra I was scared that I would mess up on stage, but once I got on stage I felt like I was flying!—Brooke Winters (5th grade), Garden Ridge Elementary When I found out we were one of the invited choirs for TMEA, I was almost brought to tears. After months of hard work, emotions, and laughter, we finally performed our concert. That last note was one of the most, if not the most emotional note I’ve ever sung in all of my years in choir. I cried tears of joy. Singing at TMEA will forever stay in my heart as one of the best memories and will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life.—Matthew Benavides (Senior), Harlingen HS Varsity Men’s Choir At TMEA, although our choir had been working together all year, something happened that made us all become so much closer. I don’t know exactly what it was, but I left TMEA feeling like my choir really was my family and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.—Hannah Manley (Senior), Cinco Ranch HS Chorale I keep closing my eyes and replaying everything that happened. It was a dream come true.—Monse Chavez, (8th Grade) Faubion MS Varsity Full Orchestra Attending and performing at the TMEA convention was one of the best choir experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m especially glad that our audience was as affected by our music as we were.—Joshua Baker (Senior), Hebron HS A Cappella Choir 34 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015

prepare for and at the convention?

Since my mom is a music teacher, I have been going to TMEA since I was a baby. It meant so much to me to be able to perform on that stage.—Eli Ringel (5th grade), Eddins Elementary Honor Choir The trip to TMEA was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done. The hotel and everything about San Antonio was absolutely wonderful. I wish I could thank everyone who made the trip possible—really if I could, I would! Then, the performance! I have never seen people so locked into a performance. It felt as if it was a Super Bowl and our last song was to win it all. As we walked off that stage, we all knew we would never forget that day. Thank you!—Montrell Smith (8th grade), Young JH Choir I was completely nervous about singing in front of the largest group of people I have ever performed for, and I was worried I would be nervous the entire time. But as the concert went on, I completely forgot about who was in the audience and just remembered what I love to do most in the world—sing. At the end of the concert, it was like I was put back to reality once everyone started to clap and I had the hugest smile on my face because I knew that my choir—my friends—had done it. I couldn’t be happier.—Lydia Benedict, Trinity University Choir As I was sitting down and the lights were shining and we were in the spotlight, I took a moment and just looked around and saw faces—not just ordinary faces—no. These faces were bright and some were smiling while others had an astonished look on their faces. It was just so unbelievable to know how far we’ve come.—Ana Jalpa (8th Grade), Faubion MS Varsity Full Orchestra At first I didn’t realize the extent of how important being chosen for TMEA was but as I kept working it became clearer that the performance was huge. Attending TMEA was such a great experience because being around so many people who are passionate about music just made me realize that music isn’t important only to me.—Courtney Seale (Sophomore), Hebron HS A Cappella Choir Performing with my friends in San Antonio will put my smile on my face forever. Anyone can do it—just practice, practice, practice!—Maria Slopey (4th grade) Fara Bango, Exley Elementary The weeks leading into February, undoubtedly, were the most intensive—meticulously reviewing and rehearsing every piece to the smallest details. As expected, it could be overwhelming sometimes, but I knew the payoff would be substantial on February 12—and I was right. Our performance at the Lila Cockrell was among the best experiences I have ever had with a performing ensemble, and I am endlessly thankful to have been able to perform—John Ellis, Lamar University Wind Ensemble Being a part of the Kujawa Eagle Choir isn’t easy. It takes hard work and passion. So the fact that we got the chance to sing in San Antonio was amazing. The work really pays off.—Laniyah Johnson (4th grade), Kujawa Elementary The convention experience in San Antonio was incredible. The hospitality and generosity of the audience was overwhelming! Thank you, TMEA, for the convention experience; it changed my life.—Jacey Rosengren (Freshman), Marcus HS Wind Symphony I don’t think there are enough words to explain the energy and feeling that I felt the whole day in San Antonio.

Being surrounded by musicians sharing the same passion made my heart smile the whole time. Our performance was truly magical and I couldn’t stop crying.—Marsus Tan (Senior), Cinco Ranch HS Chorale Preparing for TMEA took hard work, perfecting notes, focus, and an amazing, talented music teacher like Mrs. Seale. I’ve made a lot of friends in choir, and seeing how my friends and I sing and what we achieved will have an impact on me for life!—Jacelyn Paris (5th grade), Garden Ridge Elementary TMEA was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I can’t go back and sing the exact way I sang, feel the exact feelings I had, or connect with an audience in the same way again, and that’s okay. I loved every second on the stage at TMEA. All the weeks of preparation paid off when I came off that stage and saw the faces of the other girls and especially of my director.—Justine Patterson (Senior), Highland Park Lassies Varsity Women’s Choir 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015 35

Moving your students forward B Y

P E N N Y

ORCHESTRA NOTES

M E I T Z

C

ongratulations go to outgoing Orchestra VicePresident Craig Needham for an amazing convention and for serving our division for the last two years! Having been in Texas for more than 30 years, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen and heard astounding growth in the level of performance of our All-State and Honor Orchestras and in every aspect of the audition process. The concerts many of us heard at the TMEA convention illustrated this growth. The performance level of our top musicians has reached an alltime high, as was clearly shown by the remarkable concerts during our convention. The difficulty of our All-State audition material has also increased as we strive to keep these young musicians challenged and help panels select the best for our All-State ensembles.

How might this growth be affecting the younger or less gifted students in our orchestras? Are we giving these students the tools to build their technique and improve their skills? I worry that many feel defeated just by looking at the etudes and excerpts that are selected for the audition process. While we must continue to challenge those at the top, how can we use the audition materials and process to build technique and musicianship in our younger players? Should we consider easing up slightly with the difficulty of the audition etudes? Would it be helpful to accept a somewhat slower tempo for auditions, especially at the Region level? What about adding something technical, such as a scale to the audition material? I would love to hear ideas from you about ways to bridge this gap. As a division, I believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for a discussion about these and other issues.

Speaking of keeping our younger students moving forward with their instrument and ensemble skills, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s often easy to fall into the trap of teaching for the next contest or performance. Although many of our teaching pieces incorporate technique as part of the piece, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s often helpful, if not necessary, for

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IMPORTANT DATES April/Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2 for details).

Aprilâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;June 1â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Submit proposals online for the 2016 TMEA convention.

Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Juneâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Renew your TMEA membership.

May 1â&#x20AC;&#x201D;HS Full, JH/MS Full, and JH/MS String Honor Orchestra Part A online submission deadline.

May 1â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Texas Music Scholar application materials postmark deadline.

June 1â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Postmark deadline for HS and JH/MS Full, and JH/MS String Honor Orchestra CDs and other entry materials.

June (TBA)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;First round of Honor Orchestra judging (HS and MS/JH Full, MS/JH String).

June 30â&#x20AC;&#x201D;All TMEA memberships expire.

July 23â&#x20AC;&#x201C;26â&#x20AC;&#x201D;TODA Convention in San Antonio.

August 1â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Deadline for waivers to the audition process to be received at TMEA headquarters.

September 15â&#x20AC;&#x201D;HS String Honor Orchestra online entries due.

February 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;13, 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201D;2016 TMEA Clinic/ Convention in San Antonio.

6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015 37

specific skills to be reinforced in a warmup exercise or drill. If your program is large enough to assign students to a class based on individual level, you have a step up on advancing their progress. It goes without saying that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to teach a skill that most in the class need to hone.

Those of us in small programs, including me, must broaden our thinking to devise strategies that build younger playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; technique while still engaging our advanced students.

Consider using some of the myriad of resources available to us, such as books two and three of several of the method books and selecting repertoire with drills that isolate technical skills and keys as part of the publication. A number of pieces include a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Learning Conceptsâ&#x20AC;? section to reinforce the primary skills needed to perform the selection well. Recently, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been using the finger pattern exercises from Essential Technique for Strings Book 3 to work on connecting a key with a finger pattern. Although we spend only a few minutes of rehearsal on those lines, the work is beginning to have an effect on the intonation in my middle school ensemble.

Yes, there are sometimes a few eye-rolls from eighth graders when we warm up with finger patterns, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simply the nature of the eighth grader.

Another activity that might be helpful is creating a select ensemble, drawn from the more advanced students in the ensemble that could meet once a week, either during your class period with a guest coach or outside of school hours. While I am fortunate to teach at a school with funds to support hiring a coach regularly, perhaps this role could be filled with a colleague in your feeder pattern. The students in the select ensemble rehearse once a week, giving them the challenge of playing more difficult music and giving me the opportunity to work in more depth with the younger players.

Clinic Proposals for the 2016 Convention I invite you to email me your suggestions for topics that are important to you for our next convention. Similarly, if you or someone you know could offer our division their expertise, be sure to enter your clinic proposal online April 1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;June 1 at www.tmea.org/clinicproposals. Based on survey responses by those who identified orchestra as their teaching area, the

topics that are of highest interest to our attendees are listed below. If you have experience and expertise to share in one of these areas, be sure to submit a proposal or encourage a colleague to do the same: â&#x20AC;˘ Rehearsal techniques

â&#x20AC;˘ Instrument methods â&#x20AC;˘ Teaching methods â&#x20AC;˘ Recruiting/Retention â&#x20AC;˘ Repertoire selection â&#x20AC;˘ Technology integration

24-27 2 0 1 5

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The counselors were AMAZING!â&#x20AC;?

T H E AU S T I N S Y M P H O N Y A N N O U N C E S

T H E 6 T H A N N UA L S A R A H & E R N E S T B U T L E R

B3F/A G=C<5 1=;>=A3@A 1=;>3B7B7=< Texas students age 18 and younger are invited to submit full, original orchestral compositions for the opportunity to be performed by the Austin Symphony.

For more information, visit www.AustinSymphony.org/education or call Anthony Corroa, Executive Director, at (512) 476-6064

6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015 39

• Classroom management • Conducting techniques • Urban/Rural challenges & solutions Orchestra Division Business Meeting Minutes February 12, 2015, 5:30 p.m., CC Room 206 The meeting was called to order by Craig Needham, TMEA Orchestra Vice-President. Members attending were welcomed and Kirsten Yon from the University of Houston was introduced.

Attendees enjoyed a performance by the Violin Studio of Kirsten Yon. The minutes from the 2014 Orchestra Division Meeting were read and approved.

Jason Thibodeaux, TODA President, gave the TODA Report: The 2015 Convention will be July 23–26, 2015. Headliners will be Kurt Mosier, David Becker, and Carrie Lane Gruselle. The deadline for scholarship applications and for Orchestra Director of the Year is May 1, 2015.

decrease in CD errors.

• The changes in the judging of Area violins were discussed.

• Penny Meitz was elected by acclamation as the new TMEA Orchestra Division Vice-President.

New Business

Recognitions

• Be sure to vote for President-Elect using the online voting process.

• Joe Weir spoke about the ongoing Region/Area alignment process.

• The awarding of middle school grants and TMEA scholarships was discussed.

• Site hosts for Honor Orchestra and Area judging were recognized: Allen HS, Pierce HS and Klein Oaks HS. • Region Chairs were thanked for their service.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Jane McCormick, Region 8.

Old Business • Volunteer forms need to be completed online before October 1, 2015.

• The new zoned Honor Orchestra process was in effect for fall 2014 String Honor Orchestra judging.

This process will be in effect for both string and full Honor Orchestra for 2015. Junior High will remain as single panel judging if there are fewer than 22 entries.

• The new All-State recording procedures resulted in a significant

Have a story to share?

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6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015 41

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2015 Locations: Austin Lake Travis Dallas Ft. Worth/Keller Rockwall Midlothian Houston (South) Sam Houston State U Lubbock San Antonio Brownsville Hawaii Virginia Ohio Northern California Southern California Oklahoma (Edmond) 6RXWKZHVWHUQ 0XVLFLDQ | April 2015 45

www.daddario.com/reserve

Dear Dr. Stroope, I was in the Small School choir at TMEA this past weekend, and wanted to share something with you. I’m sorry if it’s long . . . don’t feel you have to read it if you don’t have time.

I told you on Thursday that my choir director, Kathy Blair, was murdered in December and that you conduct like she did.

What I didn’t say was this: Ms. Kathy had been my director for 14 years and was family to me. Beyond directing, she was my closest mentor; she guided me spiritually as well as practically through life, and I truly counted her as my best friend. At TMEA, we were repeatedly told to thank our directors for helping to get us there, but I don’t have that opportunity, though I so wish I did. Instead, I thought I would thank you. In order to properly thank you, however, I need to give some back story.

As is expected, losing Ms. Kathy greatly affected me, and I’ve struggled with keeping going. Nowhere was this more obvious, however, than in my music. I hadn’t admitted this to anyone, but I was ready to quit. Now, I am not a quitter by any terms; honestly, I tend to lean toward the unhealthily-resolved-to-never-stop-anything-that-is-asked-of-me side of the spectrum. So, that I considered quitting is in and of itself a major thing. I just didn’t have any passion—I felt dried up, like I was singing out of duty, but not really having the heart. Ms. Kathy had an incredible ability to pull passion out of anybody, but I could barely try to stay musical.

I thought it might be better if I just stopped. Truly, I was ready to quit choir forever.

That is, until I arrived at TMEA All-State. You reconnected me with the music I had lost. Your energy, passion, and commitment to perfection made us better than we could have imagined, and somewhere in the process, I woke up. Yes, you conduct like Ms. Kathy, but it went beyond that. You have the same vibrancy that she did. You drove me to succeed but gave me something greater than “success” could ever be. Honestly—in you, I found Ms. Kathy again.

The night before she was murdered, we had our Christmas nursing home concert, the first of what was supposed to be a long week of performances. During that concert, we had one of those magical moments when everything just clicks and it seems perfect. The song we were singing was your arrangement of There Is No Rose. Since then, I hadn’t had any magical moments. But I have had many of those moments the past few days, most notably when singing Prayer. When you were crying on stage, I was right there with you . . .

Of course, those moments don’t last forever. But they did remind me why I do what I do. Choir does have the potential to be fully spiritual and beautiful. I just had forgotten, and you reminded me.

That was long, and I’m sorry for the read, but I just want to say thank you. I felt that without the back story, my thank you could be seen as more of the polite, obligatory gratitude some people show. But it really is more and means more than I can ever express in words. Thank you, thank you, for re-engaging me in the art I love.

At the beginning of the first rehearsal, you read a quote that said, “They will forget what you did; they will forget what you said; but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

I find it hard to believe that I could ever forget what you did or said, but even if I do, there is absolutely no way I will ever forget what you made me feel.

Thank you, Dr. Stroope, more than you can ever imagine.

Our si O sinc ncer nc eree gr er grat atititud ude go goes to thee si sing ngger who allow wed us to shaare this de d eply perr so sonal letter witithh our re read aders. We truly beliiev e e this inspiring expperienc nce caan remindd each of us ab aboutt th t e transformational al pow werr of mu musi s cc maki kinng.

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 47

Summer Music 2015 TCU Percussion Camp June 10 & 11 Brian West, director TCU Harp Workshop June 10 & 11 Laura Logan Brandenburg, director TCU Saxophone Workshop June 22 & 23 Joe Eckert, director TCU Flute Workshop June 24 & 25 Shauna Thompson, director TCU Clarinet Workshop June 29 & 30 Gary Whitman, director TCU All-State Choir Camps Purple Camp, July 12 - 15 White Camp, July 15 - 18 Sheri Neill, director Kenneth Davis, conductor New! TCU String Workshop July 27-29 Elisabeth Adkins, JesĂşs Castro-Balbi, directors ctors For registration materials, please visit our website at www.music.tcu.edu/smi.asp or contact the TCU School of Music at 817-257-7341

tmea distinguished a dm inistr ator spotlight The TMEA Distinguished Administrator Award program recognizes school administrators whose support has been critical to the music program successes in schools across our state. TMEA has recognized over 160 deserving administrators through this program. When TMEA honors an administrator with this designation, the nominating TMEA member is sent a certificate to present their administrator. To nominate your administrator, go to www.tmea.org/adminaward.

Abbe Lester, Principal Jarrell MS, Jarrell ISD Nominated by Eric Wyatt Abbe Lester is one of the most supportive administrators Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked with in my five years of teaching. She, along with our superintendent, pushed the district to add a middle school band director position to the district, even though one person was theoretically able to cover the whole program. She has been a great resource for me in my first year at Jarrell MS and has worked closely with me to educate our parents and community on how a high-level music program runs so that we can all work together toward making our students successful. Every other teacher I speak with at Jarrell MS has nothing but praise for Ms. Lester.

She is just as supportive of me as she is the choir director, the social studies team, and the athletics department. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve experienced incredible teamwork from the faculty here at JMS because of Ms. Lesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership and communication skills.

I believe Ms. Lester should receive recognition in honor of the hours she has put in making Jarrell MS a better school and the JMS band a better band program.

Amy Bannowsky, Superintendent Menard ISD Nominated by Stephen Martin I work in a district with very few resources. My superintendent inherited a situation affected by a poor economy and lack of business that has made it difficult at best to balance anything from people to money. The commitment she has made to the band program is significant. She has not only worked to provide additional fine arts funding when sacrifices are being made by all, but she is regularly in attendance and keeps up with all aspects of our program. This is not just recent, but a history that has been consistent from her time as principal. Our district is short on just about everything, but she ensures we have a driver for our trips so I can focus on the band needs and has made sure my students have their needs met, from meals to shirts. This may not seem like much to some, but when your school district is barely getting enough money to operate, these small things are huge. She regu-

larly comes by to say thank you and notices the little things the students do that are positive. Since I also run the One Act Play, I would add that her support is the same for that program. I have had the privilege of working for a couple of very fine superintendents, and she ranks at the top because of her professional and personal support. It is refreshing to see an administrator devote support at this level. With all she has on her plate, we are truly thankful for the level of support she provides our rural district.

Dr. Melissa Chavez, Associate Vice-President and Executive Director University of Texas-University Charter School Nominated by Laurie Scott In 2009 I approached Melissa Chavez, who was the principal of UT Elementary School at that time, about starting an orchestra program at UT Elementary School. She shared my vision to create a community of music makers at a small school in east Austin that was nearly 80% low SES. Within a month we had an afterschool program going.

Three years later I asked her if I could teach the entire fifth grade one time per week in the cafeteria. She agreed and revised the school schedule to arrange for the fifth grade to attend orchestra once per week. She has supported presentations, family concert series, run-out concerts with the students, guest artist visits, and summer camps!

She has arranged for the string program to have space for lessons and even offered her own office for private lessons each week. Now she is in charge of UT charter schools. She is still a member of the school board for UT Elementary School and has continued to support our program. The transition from her leadership to the current principal has been seamless. She created a community of support for the music program and passed along her passion for a music-filled school culture to her colleagues.

With the support of Vista Equity and the Butler School of Music, we now have over a third of the school playing stringed instruments (90 children). She arranged for instrument storage and teaching space. A new addition to the school will take place within the next two years and the new building includes an orchestra room.

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 49

I cannot think of an individual more deserving of recognition for support of music education, especially for access to music education for students who may not otherwise experience music-making.

to be in band. He signed up, but his parents couldn’t afford an instrument. Without an instrument, he was eventually moved out of the class. Years later, Dr. Cervantes ensures that all children have the opportunity to pursue their dreams in the arts. He is an advocate for fine arts in our district and our community.

Dr. Jose Cervantes, Superintendent Edgewood ISD Nominated by Emma Dromgoole

Hans Kloppert

Our superintendent, Dr. Jose Cervantes, has truly invested in our district fine arts programs. He has received criticism for supporting the purchase of a Steinway D for our school district. As a school district that serves a low socioeconomic population, critics believed we should have gone cheap, but Dr. Cervantes stood firm behind the district mission statement, “Provide a World Class Education.” When researching pianos, our superintendent looked at longevity and quality. He wanted our students to have the best. We are now the only school district in the area to own a new Steinway D piano.

While in the process of purchasing the Steinway D, our superintendent drafted a plan for more students to become involved in fine arts through elementary magnets. Now, five of our ten elementary schools feature a fine arts area: mariachi, piano, strings, choir, and ballet folklorico/dance. This investment in our fine arts programs meant purchasing thousands of dollars in instruments, costumes, risers, uniforms, and books. All this is in addition to our school district providing band/string instruments (and instrument repair) for all students every year.

Dr. Cervantes once mentioned to me that as a child, he wanted

nominate your school administr ator To date, TMEA has recognized over 160 administrators with the TMEA Distinguished Administrator Award.

TMEA developed this program to offer members the opportunity to publicly recognize administrators who are especially supportive of music education. Several recipients of this award have commented on how valuable they view this achievement. With end-of-year programs and concerts approaching, take this opportunity to recognize an administrator who has been instrumental to the success of your program.

Go to www.tmea.org/adminaward to nominate your administrator for this distinction.

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-COMMERCE and

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50 Southwestern Musician | April 2015

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The convention is our favorite work week of th he year, and we hope it â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ss yours, too! With over 80% of active members at tendin ng, we realiize this event is impor tant to you, and we will always strive to make it bet ter each year! â&#x20AC;&#x201D;TMEA Staff & Executive Board

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 51

We are Musicians!

Department of Music 2014-2015 Auditions December 6

February 21, 28

May 2

Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Strings

All Areas: Voice, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Strings

Non-Scholarship Auditions for: Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Strings

The University of Texas at San Antonio 210.458.5333 http://music.utsa.edu

Who knew?

B Y

R O B E R T

H O R T O N

S

ometimes it’s hard to imagine what the future can hold. Who knew that a kid from Huntsville who wasn’t in choir until high school could end up Vocal Chair of TMEA? Who knew that this kid’s high school teacher cared so much and taught so well that five of his students would become professional musicians and three students in the same choir of 18 would one day have choirs sing at TMEA conventions? Each day we have the opportunity to impact young lives, and for many students, that impact will be life-changing.

I hope that as you have progressed through UIL season, and are looking forward to the end of school, you take some time to think. Think about what your students will remember about you, and their choir experience. Give them time to express their feelings to you and to their peers. Two years ago, I was blessed to teach a young man who took 25 AP tests in high school while he also was in our chamber choir and made All-State Men’s Choir. Who knew that on his last day of high school he would tell his classmates and me that his regret in high school was that he had not spent more quality time doing things that he loved with the choir members who cared about him?

In our choir room, we always try to end the school year with an opportunity for kids to express their feelings. They may not ever get that chance with one another again.

Who knew that after all that theory coursework, all those music history papers, all those concerts, and risers moved, that what we do is only partly about music? We are in the people business. I believe that our job is to educate students to be better humans. Hugh Sanders, Past-President of TMEA and ACDA, once said, “We can either use people to make music, or use music to make people.” I sincerely hope that I never get that wrong.

TMEA Convention Invited Choirs Here’s another thought for consideration: Who knew how the TMEA Invited Choir process really works? How do choirs get invited to sing at a TMEA convention? I’ll tell you.

First, directors teach their choirs to the best of their ability. Then, they

We can either use people to make music, or use music to make people. —Hugh Sanders, TMEA Past-President

VOCAL NOTES IN MEMORIAM WYNONA RUTH WIETING LIPSETT March 28, 1939–January 2, 2015

IMPORTANT DATES April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2 for details).

April 1–June 1—Submit proposals online for the 2016 TMEA convention.

May–June—Renew your TMEA membership online.

May 1—Texas Music Scholar nomination materials postmark deadline.

May 1—Postmark deadline for 2016 TMEA Convention Performing Choir application and CD. June 30—All TMEA memberships expire.

July 23–26—TCDA Convention in San Antonio.

August 1—Deadline for waivers to the audition process to be received at TMEA headquarters.

February 10–13, 2016—TMEA Clinic/ Convention in San Antonio.

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 53

download and complete the application found at www.tmea.org/choirapplication for each choir that they want to submit for consideration. Directors choose their best 10–15 minutes of music from the current and previous school year and make a high-quality CD for submission. Then, the CD and application are mailed to the Vocal Chair by the postmark deadline of May 1. The Vocal chair receives the CDs and makes a copy so that the process remains anonymous to the committee who listens to the selections. The Vocal Chair assembles a committee, usually of directors from previously invited choirs.

The committee, now sworn to secrecy, listens to every CD within categories and individually ranks the recordings. The committee does not know who is on the recording, only by category and entry number (e.g., MS Treble Choir #17).

The Vocal Chair takes the rankings and contacts the highest ranked choir in each category, based on the number of available performance slots for the year. The chosen choir directors freak out, post on social media, and begin thinking about their repertoire and concert attire selection.

Creating Your CD Removing applause from a CD for submission is not editing. It’s just smart.

Having a specially arranged recording concert or editing after the live recording was made is risky—some might even say unethical. A choir that earns an honor invitation to appear at TMEA will perform live in front of over 1,000 of our colleagues. When you are invited to sing at TMEA, the recording you submitted will no longer matter.

If you are considering submitting, I encourage you to consult with successful colleagues who have previously had choirs sing at TMEA. I challenge you to let them be honest and candid with their feedback. In the years I considered submitting, I played our CD for people who counseled me wisely about order of songs and whether or not to submit. The opportunity to have your students take the journey of preparing this concert can be lifechanging for you and for them. I highly recommend it.

Ready to Serve?

I want to thank Phil Raddin for believing in me, when I did not even know

to believe in myself. He is the reason I believed I could be a teacher, and hopefully impact lives like he impacted mine and so many others. He once told me that I would one day have this opportunity to serve you.

I want to thank you, my colleagues, for the opportunity to serve. As I have told many of you, the measure of a life is its service. I have been entrusted with the opportunity to serve, and I take the stewardship of this office very seriously.

I appreciate the rich history and tradition of TMEA, and the years of work done for all of our benefit. Who knew that so many people would come forward and offer to help? We learn so that we may grow, and in turn, be better teachers, musicians, and people. Onward!

Clinic Proposals for the 2016 Convention If you are ready to offer our division your expertise during the 2016 TMEA Clinic/Convention, be sure to enter a clinic proposal online April 1–June 1 at www.tmea.org/clinicproposals. Survey responders who identified Choir as their primary teaching area reported the

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Bachelor of Arts in Music Master of Arts Minor in Music

TCU Director of Chorale Studies, Dennis Shrock conducts the TCU Concert Chorale in Fort Worth’s St. Stephen Presbyterian Church

All-State Choir Camp Dr. Sheri Neill, camp director • Dr. Kenneth Davis, conductor

Sessions Purple Camp, July 12 - 15 • White Camp, July 15 - 18 Section Leaders Amy Allibon, Birdville High School Michael Dean, Trinity High School Billy Talley, Tascosa High School Cheryl Wilson, Garland High School Brad White, TCU

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following as the most important topics for clinics. If you have experience and expertise to share in one of these areas, be sure to submit a proposal or encourage a colleague to do the same: • Rehearsal techniques • Repertoire selection • Teaching methods • Technology integration • Classroom management • Recruiting/Retention • Urban/Rural challenges & solutions • Conducting techniques • Special needs instruction Vocal Division Business Meeting Minutes February 12, 2015, 5:30 p.m.

Ballroom A Vocal Vice-President Dinah Menger called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The minutes from the 2014 Vocal Division Business meeting were approved as published in the April 2014 SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN. Menger gave a brief summary of the

audition process for the new All-State Small School Mixed Choir and shared information from the Open Forum held Thursday, February 12. She also encouraged members to visit rehearsals and attend the concert on Saturday, February 14, at 2 P.M. The first item of new business was to hear support speeches for the Vocal Division Vice-President candidates.

Speaking for Derrick Brookins was Susan Neff. Speaking for Robert Horton was Robert Stovall. After the support speeches, members cast their written ballots.

Jo Scurlock-Dillard reminded colleagues about the new online voting process for TMEA President-Elect and urged those who had not yet voted to do so.

TMEA President Janwin OverstreetGoode gave a summary of the realignment/apportionment project being explored by the TMEA Executive Board for the 2016–2017 school year.

Billy Talley, TCDA President, offered a preview of the TCDA summer convention and announced the Texas choirs performing at the national ACDA Convention in Salt Lake City, including West Ridge Varsity Treble Choir, Andrea

Snouffer, Director; Cypress Falls Varsity Treble Choir, Deidre Douglas, Director; and Baylor University A Cappella Choir, Alan Raines, Conductor.

Menger acknowledged former Vocal Vice-Presidents, Past-Presidents, Middle School Coordinators, High School Vocal Chairs, Area Chairs, and Host Site Chairs. She gave special thanks to David Landgrebe and Jed Ragsdale, Area D and E Chairs for excellent leadership during their delayed Area round.

A moment of silence was held for members of the Vocal Division who passed away this year.

All-State ticket distribution immediately following the Vocal Division meeting was explained and led by Leigh Anne McClure and her team.

Dinah Menger urged the membership to attend the Second General Session and their Region meetings on Friday.

The new Vocal Vice-President, Robert Horton, was announced.

Barry Talley led the Vocal membership in the singing of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” and the meeting adjourned at 6:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Dinah Menger.

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To Schedule Audition: lamar.edu/music-auditions P.O. Box 10044 Beaumont, TX 77710 (409) 880-8144

www.lamar.edu/music Southwestern Musician | April 2015 57

What did you learn during the convention?

I learned that when teaching partner songs, rounds, or cannons to have students move in circles going opposite directions as they sing.

I have already tried it and it works!

I learned to clone myself using technology. I recorded myself singing part I with the CD accompaniment using a voice recording app. Then I plugged my phone into the sound system and worked with part II while playing the part I recording. It worked like a charm!

Sometimes, music doesn’t come first. Sometimes, teaching them how to be human beings and how to care for others is the goal for the day.

Choose music that will help teach and reinforce fundamentals that you practice in your daily warm-ups. If you don't, your daily drills will basically be a waste of time and your band will not truly improve on these fundamentals.

USE A LIT CANDLE TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN BREATH CONTROL. USE NAIL POLISH TO MARK THE FULCRUM POINT ON MALLETS.

Instruct students to form “poh” on the inhale. I used this with all groups (grades 6–12) and all instruments. I SIGHTREADING IS NOT THE NOTE WE'RE could immediately SINGING NOW. IT'S THE NOTE WE’RE hear a difference in SINGING NEXT. tone quality, pitch Use chopsticks in If it’s not good, don't say place of rhythm sticks. accuracy, and intonation. “good.” Otherwise you are They’re cheaper and A band is a reflection of its director. It is our responsibility to model the behaviors and practices we want.

telling them they don’t need to work harder, or they could think you aren’t a great musician if you thought it was good. Be specific with positive comments.

Success isn’t about what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It is what you do for others. What makes a great music teacher is the ability to create a trusting relationship with students. Music is a great vehicle to allow and welcome failures. I would rather relabel “failure” simply as “an experience.”

58 Southwestern Musician | April 2015

PROSPECTIVE COLLEGE STUDENTS AND JOB SEEKERS

For a quick, effective assessment, have students perform two-measure tests. This cuts down on class time used for testing.

To keep rehearsals interesting, have students play sections in different ways: standing up, turned around, standing on one leg, playing softly, loudly, fast, slow, slurred bows, separate bows, on the string, off the string.

The slurred note should take on the qualities of the note that follows it.

To lock an iPad to a single app (to keep students on task), choose Settings, General, Accessibility, then Guided Access.

produce lighter sounds.

BANDS SHOULD PLAY 80%.

TEACHERS SHOULD TALK 20%.

Toss a bean bag and have kids follow the path of bag with their voices. Need them to sing higher? Ask them to toss the bag higher.

Don’t model using vibrato (in orchestra) until your students know how to use vibrato because all they’ll focus on is your vibrato and they’ll wonder how you do it.

WHEN STUDENTS HAVE QUESTIONS, THEY MUST RAISE THEIR HAND, AND THERE MUST BE A PENCIL IN IT.

SHOULD CLEAN UP THEIR

FACEBOOK PAGE.

When elementary students play instruments, allow them 10 seconds to experiment before beginning. They are dying to play them, and this will help them focus.

I learned Texas understands and honors the art of music education in public schools. It is very obvious that education is better in Texas because of the performing arts. The level of musicians from the Marcus I learned to invite HS Band and all of the Allfathers to sing with State ensembles was life their sons or daughters changing. Thank you Texas. for a Fathers Night Out concert.

Love, Colorado.

For clarinets, use exercises on low E to establish proper air support and tonguing throughout the instrument range.

Place a band on the students’ left wrists to remind them to place the left hand on the top of recorder.

PROMPTS FOR DISCUSSION: I NOTICE . . .

I VALUE . . .

I WONDER . . .

For teaching guitars, the first string is closest to the floor, and the sixth is closest to the ceiling. “First is on the floor; sixth is on the ceiling” is a saying I will use from now on!

Demand respect! Set high expectations for your students and they will reach for them.

Choose repertoire for the ensemble in front of you, not the ensemble in your head.

The artful life is not about stretching so far that we burn out. It's about keeping in tune with our passion and sharing that with our students and colleagues.

When tenors go flat in I love the idea of a descending passage, Send parents short audio clips as progress reports—not of PLAY MORE, choral improvisation have them make the a full concert, but simply clips of what students are doing TALK LESS! for beginners (who vowel brighter as they go in class at different times in their development. knew it could work!). down. I’ve often focused Teach percussion students Take a simple on choirs keeping the rudiments on the keyboard, melody like “Hot descending passages in then apply to snare drum.

Cross Buns” and tune but hadn’t talked have singers choose about modifying the We need to take time in class a pattern to sing vowel! I will definitely daily to simply revel in the (like mi-fa-mi) over implement this soon! beauty of the art form. The the main melody. reason we decided to teach

You can quickly transpose parts in Finale by highlighting a group of notes and then pressing 9 to move up one octave or SHIFT+9 to move down one octave.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO GROW OLD IN THIS PROFESSION AND STILL BE ENERGIZED ABOUT DOING YOUR JOB EVERY DAY.

Place seventh graders entering middle school band in between more mature students to help them pick up the tendencies of older students.

is not rooted in the thrill of clapping rhythms. It’s based on the beauty of our art form and the power it has over us. We need to show this to students more often.

HAVE STUDENT LEADERS TEACH SECTIONALS.

The first five minutes of class are crucial. Get their attention as they walk through the door!

SIGHTREADING I S NOT J UST AN EXERCISE, IT IS A PIECE OF MUSIC.

When trying to get violinists to turn their wrists toward the neck of the instrument, liken it to twisting in a light bulb. It’s a concrete example that gets the desired result without all the confusion.

Use this visual for teaching air support.

A flat basketball hits ground and doesn't bounce. A pumped up basketball bounces high—fill your basketball!

Everyone interprets music differently.

It’s okay to believe a song should be performed one way while someone else would perform it differently.

That’s what makes music creative, expressive, and unique!

Always protect your voice.

Sing for the kids, not with them.

Be as transparent as possible about how your rehearsal room is a safe place on campus for all students. This can be an effective means for recruiting and retention.

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 59

Preparing for change B Y

J U L I

S A L Z M A N

I

would like to thank everyone for their support in electing me to this position. I look forward to serving the elementary music community over the next two years and beyond. Colleen Riddle has been such a wonderful role model and mentor that I feel well prepared to continue the success of our division.

Now Is the Time to Plan for Next Year With the roll-out of the new TEKS, we will all be experiencing changes in the ways we organize and teach our students. No matter which curriculum your district chooses, from the addition of multimedia technology to the omission of student textbooks, Texas’s elementary music classrooms will look different in the coming years.

In the past week, I have received emails from teachers asking about the adoption process and their ability to choose materials not on the approved adoption list. Janet Warren, Distribution Coordinator of Instructional Materials, responded to my inquiry to TEA with the following: “Due to Senate Bill 6, districts are able to purchase state adopted or non-state adopted materials to cover the TEKS.” While the law allows districts to go outside the official list, the final decision rests with individual districts. Similarly, the monetary allotment for fine arts materials is at the discretion of the districts. If your district decides to not allow any fine arts purchases, please make sure your administration is aware that they must validate to TEA that they are providing materials that cover 100% of the TEKS for every subject of the required curriculum.

With new district materials, we will soon be revamping our curriculum maps, our yearly plans, and lesson plans, perhaps even starting from scratch.

ELEMENTARY NOTES IMPORTANT DATES April–May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2 for details).

April 1–June 1—Submit clinic proposals online for the 2016 TMEA convention.

May–June—Renew your TMEA membership online.

June 15—Postmark deadline for 2016 TMEA Convention Performing Group application and DVD. June 30—All TMEA memberships expire.

July 23–26—TCDA Convention in San Antonio.

February 10–13, 2016—TMEA Clinic/ Convention in San Antonio.

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 61

This July 9-11, Join Pender’s Music Co. For

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CLINICIANS: John Jacobson • Roger Emerson

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Saturday, July 11

Joy of Worship & Pender’s Sacred Choral Session (These two sessions are presented together)

CLINICIANS: Joseph Martin • Brad Nix

ALL ATTENDEES RECEIVE: • Morning coffee & light lunch • Complimentary music packets* • 10% discount on all items purchased at workshop

Patti Drennan Review the best new church chorals for adult choir $55

Saturday, July 11

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It is never too early to prepare for next year. When I first began teaching, I struggled each year to come up with lesson plans I could carry over to the next year.

In the last few years, I believe my system has been working. I have a general map of each year’s plans and simply need to tweak the lessons as I receive new resources each year. With new district materials, we will soon be revamping our curriculum maps, our yearly plans, and lesson plans, perhaps even starting from scratch.

One tool I created that might be of help to you is a vertical alignment chart of the new TEKS. I’ve laminated mine and used it over the past two years to mark off TEKS each time I cover them.

This is a great visual aid to see where I need to focus more attention as well as for planning my lessons. Being able to see the TEKS aligned, I can plan lessons on the same topic and visualize the differences in grade-level expectations. Go to www.tmea.org/TEKSalignment to access a PDF of this chart.

Featured Teacher In some of my columns over the next two years, I intend to highlight a

few exemplary Texas elementary music teachers who readily tackle issues we all face. The first is an expert in organizing information and a great resource for mapping out your curriculum. Cara Coffey first came to my attention with her set of music anchor charts featured on her blog: miscellaneousme.wordpress.com.

Cara Coffey currently teaches pre-K–6 general music at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. In addition to teaching music, she sponsors the Journalism Club, Music Club, Yearbook, and serves on the District Technology Committee.

In the summer of 2014, she served on the state review panel for Elementary Music at the Proclamation 2015 Review of Instructional Materials. I asked Cara to share with us her process for planning her year. She provided the following valuable information, and the charts she refers to are available on our website at the URLs provided throughout: When I first started teaching, I was given the TEKS, but it was truly hit or miss which ones I covered. I had a textbook series that was very helpful with informing which standards I was addressing in each lesson, but there wasn’t a

cohesive plan to show what students were learning in my classes.

The general education teachers at Lackland ISD used a document called a Year-at-a-Glance to sort the standards for their grade level/subject into the four nine-week grading periods. I was tasked with creating a similar document; however, I found it difficult to visualize the year with just four boxes, one for each grading period. I decided to make a timeline for the year instead and use that as a basis for my organization.

I began by aligning the TEKS into one document so I could see the sequence as the standards increased in difficulty throughout the grade levels (available at www.tmea.org/coffey1). From there, I broke down the TEKS into smaller strands, adding my own interpretation, and reorganized them into topics that would later become the units of study (available at www.tmea.org/coffey2).

My next step was to create “I can” statements that would later become the objectives in my lesson plans. These “I can” statements grew into what I call the Curriculum Guide for each grade level.

Go to www.tmea.org/coffey3 for a partial

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Southwestern Musician | April 2015 63

example of the one for second grade.

At that point, I had the units of study and the standards, I just needed to put them on my timeline. I knew I wanted to start the year with a unit on rules and procedures as well as a review from previous years. From there, I put in the units of study using the number of objectives as a basis for the length of each unit. There was some combining because there never seems to be quite enough time. I colorcoded the units so I could align them as closely as possible, making individual les-

son planning and preparation that much easier. (The unit Year-at-a-Glace is available at www.tmea.org/coffey4).

Once I had the big picture settled, although more adjustments would come, I went back to each grade level and entered the units of study on the timeline. From there I was able to add and organize the objectives onto the timeline in a suitable sequence within each unit. (For a blank example of the timeline used for each grade level, go to www.tmea.org/coffey5).

These are each certainly living docu-

ments, as situations arise where adjustments must be made, and we must be flexible to make those adjustments as necessary. Although the units and objectives stay the same, I reevaluate their placement and length annually so my instruction and lessons will continuously improve.

Clinic Proposals for the 2016 Clinic/Convention Now is the time to begin working on a proposal for our next convention.

Proposals are submitted online April 1– June 1 at www.tmea.org/clinicproposals.

Be sure to include thorough details of what will be presented. As you consider this opportunity, know that from our recent convention survey, those who responded that they teach at elementary level said that the following are the most important topics for clinics. If you can offer expertise in one of these areas, be sure to apply or encourage a colleague to do the same: • Elementary teaching methods • Technology integration • Classroom management • Rehearsal techniques • Special needs instruction • Repertoire selection • Urban/Rural challenges & solutions Apply to Perform at the 2016 Convention If you have an outstanding ensemble at your school or in your district, I encourage you to consider submitting an application to be a 2016 Elementary Performing Group. There is a lot of unsung talent in our state that needs to be recognized. The deadline is June 15 and beginning this year, CD submissions will no longer be accepted. You will need to submit a DVD with at least three contrasting examples of your choir’s or Orff ensemble’s performances. A committee will then review the submissions and select the top groups.

Directors will be notified either way by July 15. To download the application, go to www.tmea.org/elementaryapplication.

Elementary Business Meeting Minutes February 12, 2015; 5:30 p.m.

Ballroom C1 Colleen Riddle, TMEA Elementary

64 Southwestern Musician | April 2015

Vice-President called the meeting to order. The minutes from last year’s Elementary Division Business meeting were approved as printed in the April 2014 issue of SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN. Riddle recognized and thanked Region Chairs, the Elementary Reception committee, room assistants, invited choirs and ensembles, and past TMEA Elementary Vice-Presidents for their assistance in making this a successful 2015 TMEA Clinic/Convention. Riddle thanked the 2015 sustaining members (vendors) and all who donated to the record-breaking number of door prizes. Reception Committee members Brian Halverson, Karen Bryan, and Carol Sullivan were recognized for their tireless efforts in securing, collecting, and distributing door prizes for the Elementary Division meeting.

With no nominations from the floor, a motion was made and seconded, and Juli Salzman was named the 2015–2017 TMEA Elementary Vice-President and State Division Chair. Riddle reminded the members in attendance to vote electronically for the office of TMEA President-Elect.

TCDA Elementary Vice-President Michele Hobizal discussed the highlights of the upcoming TCDA convention July 23–26.

Riddle introduced guest artist Sara

Hickman who sang, played guitar, and shared songs from her recent CD. Riddle thanked members for the opportunity to serve TMEA for the past two years.

Door prizes were awarded and the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 P.M.

Southwestern Musician | April 2015 65

COLLEGE NOTES Spotlighting success IN MEMORIAM K ENNETH R. R AESSLER August 17, 1932–March 8, 2015

IMPORTANT DATES April/May—Attend your spring Region meeting (see page 2 for details).

April–June 1—Submit proposals for the 2016 TMEA convention.

May—Online TMEA membership renewal available.

June 30—All TMEA memberships expire.

October 9—College Division Fall Conference in Austin.

February 10–13, 2016—TMEA Clinic/ Convention in San Antonio.

B Y

M I C H E L E

H E N R Y

A

mong the many, many successes of the 2015 TMEA Clinic/Convention, the College Division experienced a new success this year. For the first time, the College Division sponsored a composition contest for undergraduate and graduate student members.

To emphasize the importance of quality literature for beginning level ensembles, the contest specified that submissions should approximate the difficulty level of Grade 1–3 repertoire from the Prescribed Music List. From a solid number of submissions, a judging panel made up of current and retired band, orchestra, and choir teachers, along with university composition faculty, selected a Best-in-Class winner for each ensemble area. From those winners, an overall Best-in-Show winner was selected. Best-in-Class winners received $300 and the Best-in-Show winner received $500. The winners were recognized at the College Division business meeting during the TMEA convention and also displayed the scores for their compositions during the Research Poster Session.

But the success story does not end there. Evan Ramos, our Best-in-Show and choral composition winner, has already been contacted by a publisher who is interested in publishing his composition. Haley Woodrow, Best-in-Class winner in the band area, went straight to the marketplace with her composition. Haley contacted Pender’s Music Company, and they agreed to sell her piece at their booth on the exhibit hall floor, complete with signage recognizing her award-winning composition. Not only was the competition valuable for Haley, but so was the entrepreneurial experience. “Undoubtedly, the highlight of TMEA for me this year was seeing my composition in print and available

TMEA is providing numerous opportunities for FROOHJH VWXGHQWV WR JDLQ UHFRJQLWLRQ DQG ÀQDQFLDO reward for their outstanding work.

68 Southwestern Musician | April 2015

BLAST OF BRASS

A BRASS CHAMBER MUSIC CAMP MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK HIGH SCHOOL & EARLY COLLEGE TRACK BAND DIRECTOR TRACK (CPE Credit ~ July 8 -11, 2015)

RONALD ROMM International Trumpet Soloist ,

formerly with the CANADIAN BRASS

BRENT PHILLIPS, trombone Associate Professor at Baylor University and formerly with â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ownâ&#x20AC;? United States Marine Band

DR. JEFF BAKER, principal tuba Dallas Opera Orchestra and professor of tuba at Texas A&M University~Commerce

BLAST OF BRASS FACULTY Tim Andersen, trumpet Adam Miller, trumpet Michael Morrow, horn Timothy Stevens, horn Jimmy Clark, trombone Keith Meek, trombone Jason C. Wallace, tuba & euphonium Darla Meek, eurhythmics

DAILY CLASSES SMALL BRASS ENSEMBLE LARGE BRASS ENSEMBLE ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS INDIVIDUAL INSTRUMENT CHOIRS EURHYTHMICS CHOICE ENSEMBLE COMPETITION RECITALS and MASTERCLASSES with INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS CAREER COUNSELING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES DORMITORY HOUSING and MEAL PLAN

Mr. Romm is a Yamaha Performing Artist

www.blastofbrass.com

for sale at the Pender’s music booth. I am so thankful for the competition! Being an award winner put me on a platform as a composer and consequently created a marketing opportunity for both myself and Pender’s. In preparing my music for TMEA I received a crash course in printing, publishing, and sales. It was a great experience and a wonderful supplement to what I’m currently learning in school about composing.”

With the composition joining the essay contest and scholarship program, TMEA is providing numerous opportunities for

college students to gain recognition and financial reward for their outstanding work. Please continue to encourage your students to participate in these worthwhile opportunities.

Looking Ahead Please consider submitting a clinic session proposal for the 2016 TMEA annual Clinic/Convention. Complete your submission April 1–June 1 online at www.tmea.org/clinicproposals. Proposals for the Research Poster Session will be due October 15.

Based on the convention survey results, those who answered that their primary teaching field is college music education or are college students identified the following as the most important topics for clinics. If you have expertise to share in one of these areas, you should especially consider submitting a proposal or asking a colleague to do the same: • Teaching methods • Rehearsal techniques • Repertoire selection • Technology integration • Instrument methods • Conducting techniques • Recruitment/Retention • Private lesson strategies • Classroom management • Research results • Certification/Career planning • Composing/Arranging • Urban/Rural challenges & solutions The annual College Division Fall Conference will be held at the TMEA offices in Austin on Friday October 9 from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Please make plans to attend.

College Division Business Meeting Minutes February 12, 2015 5:30 p.m. CC 213 Vice-President Michele Henry called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. Members of the College Division introduced themselves, and they welcomed new members 70 Southwestern Musician | April 2015

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to the division. Minutes from the Fall Conference were approved as printed.

Featured clinicians Ann Clements and Kelly Parkes were recognized. Members were encouraged to attend their sessions, and college students were encouraged to attend the CSS Keynote Session the following day. The Graduate Fair and College Night were promoted. Members were reminded to cast their votes for President-Elect online.

Committee reports were brought by the various division committees: Carla Cash, Keyboard Committee Chair, promoted the sessions for keyboard that would be offered on Saturday morning as well as their meeting on Friday afternoon.

The Two-Year College Committee, chaired by Kathy Mayer, announced that it would hold its first meeting on Friday afternoon and invited interested parties to attend.

The Collegiate Advisory Committee announced their first meeting on Friday afternoon and solicited ideas or concerns related to college student members.

The Research Committee reported a successful poster session with 45 research presentations. Amy Simmons, Poster Session Organizer, reminded presenters of the opportunity to submit their work for the state online journal and reported interest in the online journal becoming indexed. She also recommended that the division investigate the efficacy of placing

24-27 2 0 1 5

“Everything was great!!

It was tiring but WORTH IT!”

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poster session abstracts online rather than disseminating paper copies.

Don Taylor, chair of the Article Review Committee reminded members of the opportunity to submit articles for publication in SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN. Essay and Composition Contest Winners Winners of the essay contest were recognized by Don Taylor. Graduate winners included: Adrian Teti (first place), Brian Murray (first place), Kelly Poché-

Rodriguez (second place), and Nathan Dame (second place). The undergraduate winner was Jacob Cortez. Winners of the composition contest were recognized: Evan Ramos, Best in Show (choral); Haley Woodrow, Best in Class (band); Jacy Pederson, Best in Class (orchestra). A performance of the winning composition O Magnum Mysterium was played.

President-Elect Keith Dye presented a draft of an Elementary Music advocacy video that is being produced by TMEA. He encouraged those with interest to be interviewed by the film crew that was present at the convention for that purpose.

President-Elect Dye also gave an overview of the realignment efforts that would be occurring in the next few months, as well as a preview of changes that might occur to scheduling and format of the convention next year due to the new addition to the convention facilities.

Vice-President Henry led a discussion about the changes made in September 2014 to field supervisor requirements.

Chapter 228 currently requires all field supervisors to hold current teacher certification. This requirement would eliminate many of our members from supervising student teachers. Suggestions were solicited for wording to forward to TEA representatives for exemptions to the current rule.

No new business was brought forth.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 P.M.

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TMEA Membership and Convention Report Membership

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

10,376

10,799

10,972

11,099

10,615

11,007

11,779

11,979

509

564

552

545

599

622

720

748

64

75

71

78

76

75

88

66

2,820

3,066

3,217

3,457

3,495

3,397

3,627

3,835

530

591

511

525

568

539

549

571

14,299

15,095

15,323

15,704

15,353

15,640

16,763

17,199

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

8,719

9,263

9,102

9,120

8,417

8,780

9,245

9,680

403

359

412

414

594

468

495

525

54

34

54

57

54

62

52

50

College Students

2,471

2,703

3,016

3,128

3,170

3,074

3,290

3,535

Exhibitors/Sustaining

2,205

2,170

2,217

2,159

2,287

2,358

2,510

2,509

289

418

531

590

314

596

661

Active Retired Institutional College Students Sustaining Total

Convention Attendees Active Retired Institutional

Texas Future Music Educators* All-State Students

1,566

1,590

1,586

1,596

1,593

1,587

1,644

1,748

Participants

2,438

2,979

2,703

2,642

2,452

2,611

2,910

2,559

Out-of-State Attendees Visitors/Family/Chaperons Total

220

264

187

223

226

271

294

292

6,632

6,174

6,281

6,470

5,882

5,119

5,680

5,197

24,708

25,825

26,045

26,340

25,265

24,644

26,716

26,756

* This number was not tracked prior to 2009.

2015 Convention Meeting Minutes TMEA STATE BOARD MEETING Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 5:30 P.M. Marriott Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio A buffet dinner was served, after which Greg Dick delivered the invocation. President Janwin Overstreet-Goode called the meeting to order at 5:57 P.M. The following members were present: Executive Board and Staff: Joe Weir, Past-President Keith Dye, President-Elect Craig Needham, Orchestra Vice-President Dinah Menger, Vocal Division Vice-President Colleen Riddle, Elementary Division Vice-President Michele Henry, College Division Vice-President Robert Floyd, Executive Director Kay Vanlandingham, Administrative Director State Board: Region 1: Ginger Denney; Jan Lancaster Region 2: Ronald Chapman; Alex Carr; Karen Brunker Region 3: Jeff Jones; Margaret Wis; Karen Lewis Region 4: Arnie Lawson; Jan Blize Region 5: Michael Dean, Betsy Clark Region 6: Jeff Whitaker; Steven Dojahn Region 7: Joe McGee; Mark Eastin; Dianne Babcock

Region 8: Darrell Umhoefer; Scott Dudley; Travis Angel Region 9: Gabe Musella Region 10: Greg Rose; Renee Kloes; Phillip Maldonado Region 11: James Hare; Daniel Lugo; Wanetta Hill Region 12: Beth Bronk; Eduard Gonzales Region 13: Julieanne Amos; Rhonda Klutts Region 14: Carlos Luna Region 15: Erin Tovar; Shari Martinez Region 16: Tom SoRelle; Walter Wright; Amanda Fonner Region 17: Greg Dick; Beth Casey Region 18: David Beussman; Mark Gurgel; Cathy Bennett Region 19: Gary Hebert; Daniel Ponce Region 20: Phillip Cadenhead; Reagan Brumley Region 21: Denny Whitley; Louis Robinett; Nicholas Durham proxy for Tommy Corley Region 22: Timothy Andrade; Arturo Uribe Region 23: Damon Archer Region 24: Pete Hazzard; Jamie Weaver Region 25: Evelio Villarreal Region 26: Jack Green Region 27: Bingiee Shiu: Andrew Nixon: Sharon Paul Region 28: Allen Clark; Denise Pitcock UIL State Director of Music Brad Kent reported UIL has begun a rewrite of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules. This process is expected to be Southwestern Musician | April 2015 77

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completed in the fall of 2015 with the new Constitution and Contest Rules going into effect the fall of 2016.

Robert Floyd, TMEA Executive Director, reported that as of February 11, 10,700 Active and Retired members had preregistered for the convention.

All 1,090 booths in the Exhibit Hall had been sold and there are companies on the exhibitor waiting list.

The President’s Concert will feature the Swingle Singers. The convention will open with the First General Session at 8 A.M. on Thursday, in the Lila Cockrell Theater. Scott Barry Kaufmann will deliver the keynote address.

The Second General Session on Friday morning will spotlight the combined All-State Choir, Band, and Orchestra ensemble members, and Vijay Gupta will be the featured speaker.

The Graduate School Fair will be held Friday 4–5 P.M., with College Night following at 6–8 P.M. in Exhibit Hall A. 116 universities will participate in the event. For the first time out-of-state institutions will exceed the number of Texas schools participating in College Night.

Floyd reported that the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center construction is on track to be completed by December 2015 and that TMEA will be in the new facility for the 2016 annual clinic/convention. The expansion plans include the demolition of Ballrooms A & B, Mission Room, and River Room with the new construction moving toward the area of the Alamodome.

Region Presidents were reminded of their responsibility to submit Region Financial Statements twice a year. Some Region bank accounts will be randomly selected for an annual audit. Presidents were also reminded of the requirements/qualifications of Region Officers as outlined in the TMEA Constitution.

This year will mark the first performance for the All-State Small School Mixed Choir.

President-Elect Keith Dye informed the gathering that the Executive Board is dedicated to addressing the following concerns about Region/Area Realignment: geographic concerns; equality of student opportunity; statewide representation; the mindful impact realignment would have on the three performing divisions; impact of each size classification; and allowance for growth and more fluid ongoing amendment. He stressed that the Board has not made any decisions to this point and welcomed the State Board to voice their opinions and concerns. Dye said the details surrounding the realignment process would be printed in SOUTHWESTERN MUSICIAN. TMEA awarded $497,246 in grant money to 635 elementary music programs last school year. The Middle School Sheet Music Grants awarded for the 2014–2015 school year have totaled $762,267, going to 819 individual school music programs. In January the Executive Board earmarked $192,000 in scholarship money for current and future music educators for the 2015–2016 school year.

Three grievances have been filed this year; two of which resulted in No Action. The other grievance is still pending.

Administrative Director Kay Vanlandingham reported that the Texas Future Music Educators student membership stands at 970 with 807 students preregistered for convention. Vanlandingham added that 2,048 high school students from 262 high schools were honored as Texas Music Scholars last year. The entry deadline for TMS is May 1.

The TMEA Mentoring Network has matched 176 protégés/advisors this school year.

Executive Director Floyd presented a brief report on State Board of Education, TEA, and legislative updates.

Floyd informed the gathering that during its January 2015 meeting the Executive Board had voted to increase Active member convention registration from $50 for preregistration and $70 for on-site registration to $60 and $80 respectively. The Board also voted to increase Retired member

convention registration from $15 to $20. These increases will go into effect for the 2015–2016 membership year. Based on an assessment of membership dues amounts relative to their value, Executive Director Floyd asked the State Board to vote to increase College Student membership annual dues from $20 to $25, with the increase going into effect in the 2015–2016 membership year. The motion was made by Beth Casey. Motion passed.

Motion to adjourn was entertained by President Overstreet-Goode.

Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:02 P.M. TMEA STATE BOARD MEETING Saturday, February 14, 2015, 9:30 A.M. Marriott Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio President Janwin Overstreet-Goode called the meeting to order at 9:30 A.M. The following members were present: Executive Board and Staff: Keith Dye, President-Elect Joe Weir, Past-President Robert Floyd, Executive Director Frank Coachman, Deputy Director Kay Vanlandingham, Administrative Director State Board: Region 1: Ginger Denney; Jan Lancaster Region 2: Ron Chapman; Karen Brunker Region 3: Jeff Jones Region 4: Jan Blize Region 5: Betsy Clark Region 6: Steven Dojahn; Kyle Davis Region 7: Joe McGee; Dianne Babcock Region 8: Scott Dudley Region 9: Region 10: Region 11: Wanetta Hill Region 12: Beth Bronk, Mark Buley; Ed Gonzalez Region 13: Reece Nagai Region 14: Carlos Luna; Dennis Beaver; Dennis Richardson Region 15: Jim Egger; Erin Tovar; Shari Martinez Region 16: Tom SoRelle; Amanda Fonner Region 17: Beth Casey Region 18: David Beussman Region 19: Daniel Ponce Region 20: Region 21: Tommy Corley Region 22: Region 23: R. Michael Hardy; Desiree Overree Region 24: Pete Hazzard Region 25: Region 26: Jack Green Region 27: Bingiee Shiu Region 28: Michael Corcoran Convention Report: Executive Director Robert Floyd announced that not all membership counts have been vetted, but it appears the Active membership stands at 12,002 with a record number of 10,378 Active members and 585 Retired Members registered for convention. He also said that the vendors in the exhibit halls were elated with visitor traffic.

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Region Reports: Region 2 – Requested that the membership receipts indicate whether payment was made by check or CC, with the last 4 digits of the CC being displayed on the receipt, on all subsequent receipts, not just the one they received at the time of payment.

Region 9 – Asked about the projected timeline for implementation of the new Region/Area alignment.

Region 12 – Expressed thanks for a wonderful convention and for the Elementary and Middle School Sheet Music Grants. Region membership had requested an explanation/justification if their grant request had been denied. Deputy Director Coachman suggested that the members contact him if they had questions. Region 12 voiced concern about the number of high school courses now being offered at the middle school level.

Region 14 – Members of the Region were displeased when the Fairfield Inn “walked” them to a property out by the airport. Executive Director Floyd explained it was a hotel mistake and he had been working on behalf of the membership since Monday.

Region 15 – Expressed concern over plan for Region/Area realignment in regards to apportionment. Thanked TMEA for their ongoing advocacy on behalf of the members.

Region 16 – Thanked the Executive Board and staff for addressing the problems with the current Area Alignment. Supportive of the ideas shared thus far.

Region 17 – Wanted more details about Area realignment and asked the Board to keep the membership informed.

Region 22 – Thanked the Board and staff for a wonderful convention and expressed concerns about realignment and use of apportionment.

Region 23 – Expressed thanks to the Board and staff for the Middle School Sheet Music grant and asked if the Board would consider offering a similar grant program for Title I schools that would fund travel to the convention for music teachers. Also requested that TMEA prepare a one page document for school business offices that would outline all the offerings of the TMEA Convention.

Region 26 – Thanked the Board for implementation of the online voting process.

Region 28 – Michael Corcoran reported, “Region 28 has directed me to report our Region is not in favor of basing advancement numbers by using entry or audition numbers. No realignment plan should include the reduction of opportunities in certain Regions or Areas. Our students compete successfully when they are allowed to compete. This is evident by the success of our Region after TMEA’s last realignment. Due to budget limitations, our entry fees are paid through budgeted school district money, directors have to be more selective in who they enter. In addition, our directors serve as private lesson teachers; there are only so many students we can teach in a day. Our orchestra division is not in favor of being in a different Region than the Band/Vocal Divisions.”

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:33 A.M. TMEA FIRST GENERAL SESSION Thursday, February 12, 2015, 8:00 A.M. Lila Cockrell Theater, San Antonio, Texas President Janwin Overstreet-Goode called the First General Session of the TMEA 2015 Annual Clinic/Convention to order at 8:04 A.M. and introduced the members of the Executive Board and some staff members.

The candidates for the office of President-Elect were recognized: Dinah Menger and Craig Needham. There being no additional nominations from the floor, nominations were closed. Nomination speeches were given on behalf of the candidates. Active, Retired, and Institutional TMEA members will be able to vote online from 10 A.M. until 10 P.M. Thursday, February 12.

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The results of President-Elect will be announced at the Second General Session, Friday, February 13, 2015.

John Gillian, chair of the Agenda Committee, thanked his committee members and reported there were no items in the Agenda Box. Curtis Cormack presented the Bill Cormack Scholarship, valued at up to $15,000 to Emily Monk, a student from Heritage HS. The Past-Presidents Scholarship to Will Pyle, from Ronald Reagan HS, was presented by PastPresident Joe Weir. President-Elect Keith Dye presented the Past-Presidents Memorial Scholarship to Caleb Fritz from Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts.

The Executive Board Scholarship to Taylor Gaskins, from Vandegrift HS was presented by Executive Director Robert Floyd. The other TMEA scholarship winners, past and present were recognized in the audience. TMEA will award $192,000 this year in scholarships to current and future music educators.

Cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufmann delivered a very inspiring keynote address titled “How Music Education Saved My Life.”

There being no further business, President Overstreet-Goode declared the meeting adjourned at 9:15 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Kay Vanlandingham, TMEA Administrative Director TMEA SECOND GENERAL SESSION Friday, February 13, 2015, 8:00 A.M. Lila Cockrell Theater, San Antonio, Texas Past-President Joe Weir introduced President Janwin Overstreet-Goode who then conducted the 2015 combined All-State Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Mixed Choir in performing the national anthem and “Homeland.”

President Overstreet-Goode called the meeting to order at 8:16 A.M. Administrative Director Kay Vanlandingham read the minutes of the First General Session held on February 12, 2015. The minutes were approved as read.

President Overstreet-Goode recognized TMEA Past-Presidents, Advisory Committee members, and Grammy Foundation Executive Education Director David Sears in the audience.

Ross Boothman, chair of the Public Relations Committee, announced the All-State SAT averages. The 2014 SAT Texas Average is 1,432. The TMEA All-State Overall Average is 1,844.

Vijay Gupta opened his keynote address with a violin performance of his own transcription of the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1. He spoke of music’s redemptive power and the connection between music and mental health.

Dr. Bradley Kent awarded Executive Director Robert Floyd the 2014– 2015 Outstanding Music Educator Award from National Federation of High School Associations for his outstanding service to interscholastic music programs.

President Overstreet-Goode presented the outgoing Executive Board members plaques in appreciation of their years of service to TMEA: Craig Needham, Orchestra Vice-President; Dinah Menger, Vocal Vice-President; and Colleen Riddle, Elementary Vice-President.

Overstreet-Goode expressed gratitude to Joe Weir, outgoing PastPresident and introduced President-Elect Keith Dye who presented Overstreet-Goode with the Past-President’s plaque and pin.

Dye reported the following divisional election results for Vice-President: Penny Meitz, Orchestra; Bob Horton, Vocal; and Juli Salzman, Elementary.

President Dye announced the new TMEA President-Elect to be Dinah Menger.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at

9:22 A.M.

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