Music is a powerful thing! I am looking forward to experiencing the power of music within the Southeast District this school year. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to serve as the Southeast District President for the next two years.

As we begin a new year, we should strive to challenge our students to new levels of excellence through our daily rehearsals and performances. Let us also endeavor to keep our teaching skills fresh and vibrant and to accept the challenge of leading by example as music educators. We must be life long learners because the best teachers are those who constantly try new concepts and are open to fresh ideas.

Our district chairs have done a great job of lining up fabulous clinicians to work with our students for the Southeast District High School Mini-Convention in December, and the Middle School events in January. Thanks to Greta Adams, Dawn Bailey, James Fox, and Dan Wooge for organizing the High School Honors Ensembles. Additional thanks to Linda Evans and Rhonda Allen for their work with the Middle School events.

Advocacy for music education programs is an on-going issue for all of our schools and communities. KMEA is asking every school district to select a music educator to represent the district's music program and to complete the survey at: https://surveys.ksu.edu/TS?offeringId=179727. Fred Burrack, KMEA Advocacy Chair, is leading this effort. It is vital that all districts in Kansas respond and provide another year of very important data. To view the data from last year's survey go to: http://www.ksmea.org/advocacy/impact.php.

KMEA is also collecting names of influential people throughout Kansas to develop a state-wide database for the KMEA Advocacy Network. This work has been underway for several years and it is exciting to anticipate it will be available soon. Be sure you contribute to this important project.

I hope you take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Southeast District as listed on the website at: http://www.ksmea.org/se. We have a great group of music educators throughout the district who do an excellent job of promoting music in their schools and various communities. Take the time to get to know some of them in our district and experience the great things they are doing within their programs. Most of all....let us experience the power of music together this year!

KMEA Southeast District Calendar of Events
District information at: http://www.ksmea.org/se

November 5	District Auditions at Parsons High School
December 1	District Honors Jazz Band at Burlington High School
December 3	District Mini-Convention at Labette County High School
January 6	State Auditions at Salina High School
January 14	Elementary and Middle School Honor Groups at Yates Center
February 23-25	KMEA ISW in Wichita
June 8	District Board Meeting

2011 Outstanding Music Educators

Elementary Allison Russell Garnett Elementary 18 Years

Middle School Virginia Darling Pittsburg Middle School 30 Years

High School Susan Laushman Pittsburg High School 19 Years