Hey, gang!
Today's theme is "Above and Beyond."
Above and beyond inspired.
Above and beyond exhausted.
Above and beyond grateful.
The day started with TWO large coffees and a middle school jazz ensemble from Illinois. They had some incredibly stellar musicians and a wonderful program. I missed their last piece so I could get to the other end of the convention center to hear a middle school Symphonic Band from Texas. They were unbelievable!! They played a great variety of pieces and played them all very, very well. From there, it was off to a fantastic presentation by a professor at Vandercook College. He has some really great things to say and I really enjoyed it. Then I was off to another great presentation about focusing on artistry rather than "error detection." It really made me think.... it was such a crowded session that I had to sit on the floor!!
Once that was done, I went to a discussion about how, as a conductor, to prepare and plan for rehearsals. I left that one a few minutes early because I'd received an urgent message that I needed to call Mrs. Bishop right away. But, as it turns out, it wasn't really Mrs. Bishop that wanted to talk to me, it was some fabulous students who made me cry with the wonderful things they said! Thanks, Mrs. Bishop (and Nia!).
There were a few minutes to spare, so I went back to the vendor area for a bit. Then it was time for the next session... it was about getting "beauty" out of the music and the speaker was an icon in the music education world, Frank Ticheli. For those of you going to the 7th and 8th grade festival, he wrote "Portrait of a Clown." It was amazing just to be in his presence! There were several things he said that really made me think. I loved it!!! Not a very good photo, but here he is:
Today's theme is "Above and Beyond."
Above and beyond inspired.
Above and beyond exhausted.
Above and beyond grateful.
The day started with TWO large coffees and a middle school jazz ensemble from Illinois. They had some incredibly stellar musicians and a wonderful program. I missed their last piece so I could get to the other end of the convention center to hear a middle school Symphonic Band from Texas. They were unbelievable!! They played a great variety of pieces and played them all very, very well. From there, it was off to a fantastic presentation by a professor at Vandercook College. He has some really great things to say and I really enjoyed it. Then I was off to another great presentation about focusing on artistry rather than "error detection." It really made me think.... it was such a crowded session that I had to sit on the floor!!
Once that was done, I went to a discussion about how, as a conductor, to prepare and plan for rehearsals. I left that one a few minutes early because I'd received an urgent message that I needed to call Mrs. Bishop right away. But, as it turns out, it wasn't really Mrs. Bishop that wanted to talk to me, it was some fabulous students who made me cry with the wonderful things they said! Thanks, Mrs. Bishop (and Nia!).
There were a few minutes to spare, so I went back to the vendor area for a bit. Then it was time for the next session... it was about getting "beauty" out of the music and the speaker was an icon in the music education world, Frank Ticheli. For those of you going to the 7th and 8th grade festival, he wrote "Portrait of a Clown." It was amazing just to be in his presence! There were several things he said that really made me think. I loved it!!! Not a very good photo, but here he is:
Next thing I knew it was almost 5pm and I'd been so busy I never ate lunch! So, it was time for a bite to eat and a break before the next event. The evening event for me was the opportunity to meet up with colleagues and "talk shop." It's so amazing to be around so many people who are as passionate as I am about what I do and who I get to work with! There was also a wonderful moment for the band director from Biddeford, Mrs. Amy Delorge, who won a National Award from Music & Arts as their National Music Teacher of the year! I'm so happy for her!
Tomorrow afternoon I head home. There are a few sessions that I'll get to go to, and then my airport shuttle will pick me up to start the long journey home. I can't believe this amazing experience is almost over. As one very respected colleague, Terry White, said, "This conference is like Disney World for music teachers!" (Symphonic Band you should recognize that name-- you'll be playing one of his pieces this spring and he's coming to work with you very soon!)
Enjoy your Friday. Listen to the people who care about you who tell you to put your coat on-- it's COLD! And, as always, work hard and be good to one another.
--Mrs. Wise
Enjoy your Friday. Listen to the people who care about you who tell you to put your coat on-- it's COLD! And, as always, work hard and be good to one another.
--Mrs. Wise