Greetings from the Southwest District!

We would like to recognize the recipients of our "Outstanding Educators" awards for this year. Receiving the middle school award is Angela Wilczek, who teaches band in Minneola. Kelly Knedler is our high school award recipient, he is the director of choral music and musical theatre at Dodge City High School. The "Outstanding Administrator" award will be presented to David Meter, Activities Director at Great Bend High School. Congratulations to all the recipients!

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, the middle school honor choir, middle school honor band, high school honor jazz band, and high school honor choir auditions were held at Dodge City Middle School. The middle school choir clinician was Richard Philbrook, from Wamego, the middle school band clinician was Ginger Zingara from Dodge City Community College, and the high school jazz band was directed by Ben Rohrer from the Salina Public Schools.

The high school honor choir, high school honor band, and high school honor orchestra will rehearse and perform on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at Dodge City High School. Our high school honor choir clinician will be Connie Donatelli, Director of Vocal Music at Cowley College, with Jan Romaker of Garden City as accompanist. The high school honor band clinician will be Mark Norman, Director of Bands at Washburn University. The SW/NW Orchestra will be conducted by Mark Laycock, Associate Professor of Music at Wichita State University.

On December 3, 2011, at Dodge City High School, district instrumental directors will meet at 9:00 a.m. and vocal directors will meet at 10:00 a.m. to discuss new State KMEA information and other district business. Our annual Southwest District business meeting will take place at 1:00 p.m. Please attend!

The elementary choir festival will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at Dodge City Middle School with Jan Reimer of Ulysses conducting. A district meeting of elementary music educators will also take place.

Please visit our Southwest District website at: www.ksmea.org/sw for more information regarding our district events.

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2011 Outstanding Educators

Middle School Angela Wilczek Band at Minneloa 25 years

High School Kelly Knedler Dodge City High School Director of Choral Music and Musical Theatre 15 years

Administrator David Meter Great Bend High School Activities Director 33 years