When people hear what time I typically arrive at school each morning to unlock practice field gates and prepare for our 7:00 a.m. marching band rehearsals in the fall, I mostly hear groans. One of the benefits of this aspect of my job is that I get to bear witness to some spectacular sunrises. On just such a morning this fall, some students were helping me move equipment to the field and we all stopped and just watched the sunrise for a few moments. One of the students said, "This is one of my favorite parts of being in marching band." It was really nice to just share that moment of beauty with some of my students... and a surprise that teenagers can admit to enjoying anything at 6:30 a.m. Another moment I enjoy each fall is that first opportunity of the year to reunite with my fellow music educators from around the Northeast District at our fall dinner meeting, which was held on September 11, 2012, at Lawrence High School. We were anticipating BBQ, but when it was obvious that was not the menu, our elementary orchestra chair pointed out to me that the caterer brought "Italian BBQ... some people call it lasagna." It was still tasty and allowed us to share a little fellowship over a meal before getting down to business.

We have several important items impacting the Northeast District this year:

• A conflict with the Baldwin facilities is necessitating a change in location for our high school ensemble auditions to Olathe East High School on Saturday, November 11, 2012. This is a major change after so many years in Baldwin and we are very appreciative to Olathe East for being willing to host.
• We are continuing to discuss the possible split of the Northeast District. While the hope and desire is to create opportunities for more students and involvement by more teachers and programs, change is always hard and we will have some logistical hoops to jump through.
• The size of the Northeast District and the constant change and shift of teachers presents communication challenges. We are stressing the need to get more people involved and better channels of communication. The district now has a new web site that should help with those things.

We have several new people in leadership positions and I appreciate all the work they have already put into filling their roles in the district. During the breakout meeting, which they led, each group made their selection of a member at each academic level to recognize as this year's Outstanding Music Educators from the Northeast District. We have no shortage of truly great teachers and I am honored to present the names of this year's award recipients, who will also be recognized at our December 1, 2012, district mini-conventions:

KMEA Northeast District Outstanding Music Educators

Elementary Kimberly Michaelis Orchestra Shawnee Mission Schools 11 years

Middle Level Deborah Woodall Band Lawrence-Southwest MS 23 years

High School Cynthia Sheppard Choir Olathe-South HS 26 years

All awardees:

• Elementary
  • Band - Tom Harrington, Olathe
  • Vocal - Peri Goodman, Lakeview Elementary, Blue Valley
  • Orchestra - Kimberlee Michaelis, Shawnee Mission
• Middle Level
  • Band - Deborah Woodall, Southwest Middle School, Lawrence
  • Choir - Wendi Bogard, Basehor Linwood Middle School
  • Orchestra - Cheryl Lundberg, Wheatridge and Gardner Edgerton Middle Schools
• High School
  • Band - Chad Coughlin, Olathe South High School
  • Choir - Cindy Sheppard, Olathe South High School
  • Orchestra - Steve Phalp, Blue Valley North High School

I am excited to be assuming my new role as the president of the Northeast District of KMEA. Even as we look at the challenges presented locally by the possible redistricting and those broader challenges that education and music education continue to face, I am heartened by the involvement of such great people and teachers around me in our district and the state organization. I cannot help but be hopeful as we approach and surmount these challenges and find new and better ways to musically educate our students.

KMEA Northeast District Calendar of Events
October 12 - Audition Entry Forms Due for all Levels
November 10 - High School Auditions at Olathe East High School
December 1 - District Mini-Conventions (clinicians are listed next to ensembles)

Band: Blue Valley High School

5A/6A Red Band - Scott Lubaroff
5A/6A Blue Band - Martin Bergee
1A-4A Gold Band - Craig Fuchs
High School Jazz Band - Lindsey Williams
Freshman Band - Sharon Toulouse
7th/8th Grade Band - Lane Weaver

Choir: Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

High School Choir - Eph Ehly
Middle Level Choir - Carol Krueger
Elementary Choir - Holly Taylor

Orchestra: Olathe South High School

High School Orchestra - Troy Peters
Freshman Orchestra - Russ Pieken
Middle Level Orchestra - Jacob Dakon
Elementary Orchestra - Anne-Marie Webster