For me, attending the In-Service Workshop is a nearly fifty-year tradition. Memories that return before, during and after the journey to Wichita brings what feels like a common thread connecting my career from those of my predecessors to those currently in the field and further on to those yet to come. This year, I was left with a feeling of great reward as I witnessed the camaraderie, professionalism and the positive energy generated by students, teachers, exhibitors, parents and even we retired folk.

I was brought to tears of joy while sitting with my dear friend Warren Sickel, hearing one of the wonderful high school choirs performing as it was being conducted his son Jason. I enjoyed watching conductors working with their students to prepare them for their In-Service performances, encouraging the students to strive for that elusive level of perfection while reminding them that the making of music is a joy with rewards far exceeding accolades from an audience.

The more I reflect on the power of music education in Kansas, some expressions seem to gather more and more meaning. "Greater than one's-self" reminds us that we teach our students to work together for a common good that we can't create alone. "Touching hearts, minds and souls" reminds us of the power of music to enhance all aspects of human life. Richard Saucedo's session reminded me that "Waves of nostalgia hearing refrains from your own musical history" as he described a teacher who taught her students to sing their life stories through their instruments. Finally, I'm reminded of the importance of teaching our youth when I hear, "the purity of young voices reaching deep inside and bringing forth a new feeling of warmth toward humanity." We truly are given a great responsibility when we teach music to the youth of Kansas.

Visiting with friends brought forth memories of the giants of music with whom I have been blessed to work. The myriad of stories "about" Claude T. Smith, Francis McBeth, Arnold Gabriel, came forth about their many visits to the conference as all-state conductors, presenters, and composers. More conversations about Phil Hewitt, Lyle Dilley, Don Corbett, Bob Foster, Bob Lee, Bob Hollowell, Jim Barnes, Dennis Kerr, Bob Steinbauer, Eph Ely, Phil Hewitt, Don Farthing, and Cecil Riney came forth with each conversation, leading me to believe that perhaps we should have opportunities for our younger teachers to learn the great -truly great traditions of MUSIC EDUCATION in Kansas. Through learning of our past, I believe we are more able to plan our future.

The adventure that has been my career in Music Education has been incredibly enriched by the learning that has come from attending KMEA and KBA. The history and organization of the Kansas Music Educators Association deserves several articles from people much more experienced than this writer. Some of us remember the In-Service as "the state convention" and recall that the event moved around from city to city in an effort to cover our different areas of the state. Some of us also recall the evening "hospitality nights" being just a bit more rambunctious than the quiet gatherings of today. The "conventions" have always been a great opportunity to hear the display of the amazing talent of our finest music programs with an undercurrent of either "some day my ensembles might sound like that" or "I can never hope to have a group like that."

Observing the selection and scheduling process for the In-Service has been a great opportunity to hear from outstanding music educators from every grade level and performance medium as they program this three day event. Every effort is consistently made to have representation from all interests and to balance the daily activities to allow if not encourage interaction among our peers. In days gone by, the State-Wide Festival Groups all performed in the same venue one right after the other. The venue was not as glamorous as the Concert Hall but the opportunity was an amazing learning experience for all of the All-State ensemble students to hear one another (and for the parents as well as teachers to be amazed at the spectacle of talent.) It seems like it was too long for folks to sit in one place—but I still wish the choral students could hear the band(s) and all hear the orchestra. Just a memory of what once was a tradition but we have now grown too large for those events to return.

I once received at great piece of advise from a wise mentor. "Attend as many sessions as you can schedule. Become a fly on the wall and absorb every bit of every conversation. Filter what you can or cannot (or should not) use but retain everything. Times and abilities change so you may find that you can use ideas at different times in your career." I tried to follow that advise. I hope our young teachers will appreciate the greatness of the people moving amongst them at the in-services. I so wish EVERY music educator in the state could and would attend the state In-Service, their district meetings and of course KBA, KMTNA, and KsACDA meetings. We learn from others and there is ALWAYS something to learn.

While so much can be taken away, much remains to encourage and remind us that what we do really does matter to the lives and quality of life of those with whom we share our passion for our art. I am not a data person and to a fault I am far too emotional when it comes to hearing music being performed, but I believe it is not yet possible to measure the immense benefit of music education on the learner. I hope that we can all cherish the music that we share with our students and with each other. Attending KMEA, KCDA, KBA and hearing the stories of our history brings with it such great rewards. Thank you to those who work so diligently to prepare these events and provide us with an opportunity to learn, share and breathe deeply in an enriched environment.