Hello from the Northwest,

At our June Board Meeting, the board approved our new district bylaws. It was recommended to post them on our district website for the membership to review. It is our intention to vote on those bylaws at our December Meeting. I hope the members of our district take advantage of the time to review and give suggestions. We made every effort to take our traditions and put them to paper. This week kicks off our honor group audition season. The junior high honor band was due on Sept. 16 and jazz auditions were due Sept. 19. Our high school students are in the middle of their practice for their auditions. I wish luck to all those students and our teachers to provide the opportunity for as many students to audition as possible. Our district is excited to assemble the best possible group for our concerts.

Please keep the following deadlines in mind for your preparation:

• Nov. 7 - HS CD's due by 8 AM
  
• Nov. 7 - Mini-Convention I at Hays High School
  
• Dec. 5 - Mini-Convention II at Fort Hays State University

Mini-Convention 1 will be held at Hays High School on Nov. 7

• Middle Level Band Clinician is Dana Hamant. Chairperson: Kathy Dreiling-Amrein
• Middle Level Choir Clinician is Dr. Mark Lucas. Chairperson: Alisha Debey
• High School Honor Jazz Clinician is Brandon Blackburn. Chairpersons: Jill Nickols/Kristi Vetter

Mini-Convention II will be held at Fort Hays State University on Dec. 5

• High School Honor Band Clinician is Don Linn. Chairperson: Katrina Long
• High School Honor Choir Clinician is Ken Hakoda. Chairperson: Janell Antholz
• Elementary Honor Choir Clinician is Greg Gooden. Chairperson: Randy Sauer
• The NW/SW Honor Orchestra Clinician is Ramiro Miranda. Chairperson: Joan Crull

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2015-16 Outstanding Music Educators

Elementary Jennifer Ruder Norton	Middle School Don Mordecai Norton	High School Barbara Elbracht Mankato-Rock Hills
Collegiate Randy Berls Colby Community College	Administrator Robert Young Ellis