KMR - Kansas Music Review

Every two years at the ISW of odd-number years, KMEA elects a new President-Elect who serves in that capacity until assuming the presidency two years later for a two-year term. Following that term, that officer then serves as the past-president who, according to bylaws, is known as the KMEA Vice President. KMEA is pleased to announce the candidates for President-Elect, to be voted on at the 2015 In-Service Workshop.

Gretchen Bixler
Vocal Music Director
Goddard-Eisenhower High School
Bio
Gretchen Bixler grew up all over Kansas, attending schools in Sublette, Hugoton, Winfield, Shawnee Mission and Baldwin City. Gretchen attended Baker University, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. Shortly after she began teaching, Gretchen attended Wichita State University, where she received her Master's Degree in Music Education. In the summers of 2010, 2011, 2012, Gretchen completed all three levels Kodaly Certification. Gretchen has been teaching Middle School and High School Vocal Music in Kansas for a total of 23 years. She is in her second year of teaching 9-12 Vocal Music at Goddard Eisenhower High School! Prior to teaching in Goddard, Gretchen taught in the Plainville, Nickerson and Wichita School Districts.

While attending Baker University, Gretchen began her service to her profession as the Kansas Collegiate MENC President. Gretchen has been active in South Central KMEA as the Middle School Choir Chair and President. She has also served the Kansas Choral Directors Association as the Ads/Exhibits Manager since 2003. She is member of NAfME, KMEA, OAKE, KMEK and ACDA. For nine years, Gretchen co- hosted the KSHSAA 1A State Solo and Ensemble Festival. As a performer, Gretchen sings with the Wichita Chamber Chorale, the Ad Astra Singers, and she is the Youth Choir Director and Soprano Soloist at Wichita First Presbyterian Church.

Philosophy Statement

We have work to do. Being a music educator in Kansas schools entails arming our students with the knowledge and experience of performance practice, in addition to teaching music theory and music history. Because many of our communities are threatened with the loss of music programs in schools, we educators are also charged with educating our communities about how music benefits not only our students, but also the adults in our communities. Changes in curricula at the secondary levels of education are, at times, forcing students to abandon their fine arts classes while in school. We must work to insure that our students continue to receive the gift of music at all grades of their education, taught by licensed professionals who understand the importance of music and the effect music can have in one's life experiences. Connections must be made at the local level as well as at the State and National levels, to help policy makers remember their positive experiences with music whether in school or in their personal life. We must continue working to make music irreplaceable not only in the lives of our students, but also in the lives of our communities.

No matter what our ability or prior knowledge, music can be enjoyed and experienced by all ages. With music in our lives, we can build relationships, memories and confidences; we can help build an understanding of commitment and sense of responsibility; we can learn performance practices which can be applied in many other facets of life; we can experience success both individually and in group performance opportunities; and we can simply enjoy listening to something new. Music is not just for the elite, wealthy or the highly talented. Everyone can enjoy music all of their lives. We must educate all students so they can know that the enjoyment and education of music lasts longer than a career... MUSIC LASTS A LIFETIME, and everyone ought to experience a lifetime of music!

Joel Gittle
Instrumental Music Director
Manhattan High School
Bio
Joel Gittle is currently the Director of Bands, Instrumental Music Coordinator and the Performing Arts Department Head with the Manhattan/Ogden School District in Manhattan, Kansas. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Massachusetts, a Master of Music degree and a Master of Science in Educational Administration and School Leadership from Kansas State University.

He currently serves Kansas as the Vice-President of the North Central District of the Kansas Music Educator's Association. He has served multiple terms as President of the KMEA North Central District where he chaired the initial State Instrumental Live Auditions committee, and as the Honor Band Chairperson. He has served the Kansas Bandmaster's Association as the District III Representative and Membership Chairman. He is a former Percussion Program Director and Caption Head for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps from Casper, Wyoming. He has worked as a clinician/instructor/adjudicator for Bowl Games of America, Bands of America, Pearl Drums Incorporated, Evans Drum Heads, the George Parks Drum Major Academy, the Thomas P. Hannum Mobile Percussion Seminar, and the Kansas State High School Activities Association. In the spring/summer of 2004 and 2014, he worked on a KMEA/KSDE statewide committee to re-write the Kansas Music Standards.

Mr. Gittle was selected as the Kansas Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year in 1995. He received the Blue Ribbon Award from the USD #383 School Board of Education, was selected as the Manhattan/Ogden School District Master Teacher Award, and was recently selected as the Bob Srack Excellence in Teaching recipient. He enjoys membership in KMEA, NAfME, KBA, PAS (Percussive Arts Society), NBA (National Bandmasters Association), Phi Beta Mu, Friends of DCI (Drum Corps International), and was inducted as an Honorary Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi-Epsilon Nu Chapter at the University of Massachusetts.

Joel's greatest pride is his family - his wife Jari and two children, Justin and Jayden.

Philosophy Statement

I believe KMEA is a great "voice" for the music education community in Kansas. We can be the voice in setting standards to help promote a higher quality of music education at all levels. We can be the voice of education for all music teachers to help better themselves through statewide professional development. I feel that our affiliate organizations should be the voice of their membership and KMEA should help promote their philosophy to our state educational organizations. And, we can be a voice of advocacy to help music educators justify their programs during these times of budget deficits.

It is in the best interest of all music students for KMEA to maintain a tenacious work ethic to help music teachers at all levels produce innovative, effective and progressive music programs for the state of Kansas. Maintaining quality and productive relationships with KS Department of Education and KSHSAA is crucial to the success of our "voice" being heard. With the tremendous amount of research that not only states, but also proves that music education is crucial for the well rounded child, and that music enriches human life, it is my belief that now is not the time to cut music programs - now is the time to expand them!

The thought of all the work music educators do, all that planning, overcoming hurdles and resistance is enough to make a lot of people give up before they even start. It can all seem too overwhelming, and for many it all just doesn't seem to be worth it. It's like being drained of energy just at the thought of running a marathon. Before you are even at the starting line the thought of all that running just scares you and tires you so much mentally you just decide not to go for it. It's just too hard. But we do it, and this is why music educators should be heralded above all others! This "behind the scenes" look at our career goes blind to most, but remains our driving force to define why we do what we do. You are noticed! You are appreciated! And most of all, you are important!! I am thoroughly convinced that the only people who will solve today's problems are those people who do what we do. We bring life into living, and living into life! If done right-our job is hard! But our future and our students are worth it!!