Wow, what a convention! I have heard a similar phrase many times by numerous teachers in the past few weeks after the 2012 Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop (ISW). I attended my first KMEA convention in 1979. It always delights me to see so many marvelous people attending the ISW each and every year. Our Kansas music teachers are very committed to enhancing their teaching skills and developing new ideas to better connect with their precious music students. I was thrilled to schedule many exciting clinic sessions and I have heard from countless members about how well these sessions were attended. My hat goes off to everyone who attended this year's convention!

I am very indebted to many people who helped make the 2012 ISW a success. I would like to start by thanking John Taylor, Avian Bear, and Mike Quilling. These three individuals worked hours and hours to make our convention second to none! Also, our KMEA employees are AWESOME! KMEA pays them very little, but they are extremely dedicated to KMEA and its members. Without their allegiance and hard work, there would not be a convention. We should all thank them each and every time we see them!

Next, I would like to thank our All-State Chairs and Randy Fillmore, KMEA All- State Ensembles Manager. These wonderful folks are the heartbeat of our in-service. Our music teachers and students all benefit from their enthusiasm and devotion! The climax of my weekend (besides the Awards Ceremony and General Meeting on Saturday morning) has to be the Finale Concerts. The All-State ensembles this year were tremendous! Each group gave a professional performance, which made me grin from ear to ear! I had the opportunity to visit with all of our 2012 All-State Conductor/Clinicians. Jung- Ho Pak (All-State Orchestra), Ralph Ford (1234A All-State Band), and Peter Boonshaft (56A All-State Band) all commented that music education in Kansas is ALIVE and WELL! They also remarked about our entire convention that Kansas is doing it right! I definitely agreed with their assessments and reiterated that we have fantastic music teachers in Kansas and our students are great.

At the KMEA Board meeting on February 23, the Board voted to go exclusively online with the Kansas Music Review (KMR) for the 2012-2013 subscription year. The vote was very close at 6-4. The board realizes there will be challenges ahead with this decision, but we also understand the old proverb, "nothing ventured, nothing gained." We have an excellent KMR staff who works tirelessly to make our publication one of the best MEA magazines in the country. The Board has the utmost confidence in Cathy Hunt, Editor; Troy Johnson, Webmaster; Bob Lee, Advertising Manager; and Desiree Kelsch, Publication Manager. These four individuals have amazing imaginations and will take our online version of the KMR to great heights.

On March 8, KMEA had a wonderful delegation in Topeka to support Music Education during Arts Day at the Capitol. The group included: Mike Quilling, KMEA Vice President and Arts Day Coordinator; Avian Bear, KMEA President- Elect; Frederick Burrack, KMEA Advocacy Chair; Barbara Waraby, President of the Kansas Alliance for Arts Education (KSAAE); and Bobbie Padgett, 2012 Mrs. Kansas. These individuals met with key government officials including Governor Sam Brownback, Senator Steve Morris, Diane DeBacker, Kansas Commissioner of Education, and Carolyn L. Wims-Campbell, Vice-Chair of the Kansas Board of Education. The KMEA delegation discussed important music education issues in Kansas, such as the loss of 400 music positions during the past four years. These numbers are staggering and we must unite as a profession with legislatures to turn this appalling development around in a positive way. Students in Kansas need quality music instruction provided by outstanding music educators who are teaching reasonable loads with manageable class sizes and appropriate face time with students. Action on adequate school funding must be engaged by Kansas lawmakers to help reverse these numbers, and fill these lost music positions.

Lastly, I would like to congratulate our 2012 KMEA award winners and Hall of Fame inductees. During the 2012 ISW, I was thrilled to present many accolades. KMEA honored David Grover, Iola High School, as our Honor Administrator of the Year; Susan Laushman, Pittsburg High School Vocal Music Director received the KMEA Honor Teacher of the Year Award; and our KMEA Composition Competition winner was Nathaniel Yoder from Bethel College, with his winning choral work titled, "I Peter 3:15." Reggie Romine, KSHSAA, also presented the NFHS Section V Outstanding Music Educator Award to Marion Roberts, Director of Bands at Blue Valley North High School. KMEA inducted three very deserving music educators into the KMEA Hall of Fame. These exemplary teachers have dedicated their lives to music education in Kansas! They are Janeal Crabb Krehbiel, Daniel Commerford, and Marlin Cooper. Congratulations for receiving the highest honor that KMEA can bestow upon its members!

KMEA members, we have much work ahead. The road will not always be paved for easy travel, but we are resolute and devoted to our profession. Best of luck to everyone as we continue with the spring semester that is packed with concerts, music festivals, and rehearsals filled with beautiful music! If I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Without music, life is a journey through a desert. -Pat Conroy

Respectfully,
Craig L. Manteuffel
KMEA President