Hello from the Northwest District,

The NW District is busily preparing for the up-coming mini-conventions. Our summer board meeting was held in June in Phillipsburg where many of the details for those conventions were ironed out. As I pen this report, we have already auditioned our junior high students and our high school students for the District Middle Level Honor Band and the High School Jazz Band. This week, the District Middle Level Honor Choir will be selected as well as the auditions submitted for the State Middle Level Choir. Our high school singers will be registered for their auditions next week. It has been a busy start to the school year. I hope we will continue striving for excellence and instilling a love for music in our students. Best of luck as you prepare for all the upcoming events.

Mini-Convention I will be held at Hays High School on Nov. 1

• Middle Level Band Clinician is Dr. Lane Weaver. Chairperson: Marcus Bishop
• Middle Level Choir Clinician is Kathy Simpson. Chairperson: Kayla Tiemeyer
• High School Honor Jazz Clinician is Courtney Long. Chairperson: Tony Schroer

Mini-Convention II will be held at Fort Hays State University on Dec. 13

• High School Honor Band Clinician is Dr. Matthew Smith. Chairperson: Renetta Dawson
• High School Honor Choir Clinician is Dr. Eric Foley. Chairperson: Tamra Cochran
• Elementary Honor Choir Clinician is Kelly Knedler. Chairperson: JoLeen Cunningham
• The NW Honor Orchestra will be held in conjunction with the SW Honor Orchestra during that mini convention. The SW District is in-charge of all arrangements.

During the NW Mini-Convention, the choir and band will perform "Over the Rainbow" arranged by Darrell Jenkins. This piece was commissioned by the Northwest District several years ago as a combined piece to end the concert. It is something that students and all involved look forward to.

Outstanding Music Educators Awards will be presented during the mini-conventions. The award winners are:

• Outstanding Elementary Educator: Jennifer Oten, Jennifer teaches elementary music with the Colby School District.
• Outstanding Middle Level Educator: William "Bill" Schick. Bill teaches 5-12 Instrumental Music at Phillipsburg Middle and High Schools.
• Outstanding High School Music Educator: Stacey Williams. Stacey is enjoying her 16th year of teaching. She is currently employed with the Ellis School District
• Outstanding Collegiate Music Educator: Brad Dawson. Brad teaches at Fort Hays State University and gives many private lessons as well.
• Outstanding Administrator: Gaylon Walter, Ruppenthal Middle School, Russell and Duane Dorshorst, Oberlin.

Respectfully submitted.

Vesta Jo Still
President, NW District

---

2014-15 Outstanding Music Educators

Elementary Jennifer Oten Colby	Middle School Bill Schick Phillipsburg	High School Stacey Williams Ellis
Collegiate Brad Dawson Fort Hays State University	Administrator Gaylon Walter Russell Ruppenthal MS	Administrator Duane Dorshorst Oberlin