Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Did you have one in August, but it is beginning to wane? Will you regain one now that the "season of thanks" is upon us? I find myself in a bit of quandary at this time of year. Am I thankful because I am supposed to be, or because it is a way of life and there is so much for which to be thankful? My preference would be the latter, but sometimes that is more difficult. Whichever it is, I know that right now I am thankful for my many colleagues whose support and assistance make the job of putting together the All-State Middle Level Choir so much easier. The list of volunteers is long: adjudicators who listen to audition recordings; people who assist during the KMEA ISW; individuals who are positive and supportive; workers who handle online registration programs and financial details; and teachers who give up their time to make audition recordings with students and encourage them to be their best! To each of you I say "thank you" for making a difference in my life and the lives of hundreds of students across our state.

Auditions should be completed by the time you read this article and the names of the 160 students selected for the choir posted on the KMEA website [Nov. 7]. Congratulations to every student who was selected and each teacher who helped them. Thank you to all the students who took the challenge to audition and their teachers who spent the time preparing and recording them.

We all know as the school year continues our best laid plans have a way of being altered in spite of our efforts. Students move, assessments pull them from rehearsals, illness occurs, emergencies arise, yet we still are expected to meet deadlines and demands. Where is that attitude of gratitude now? Are you nevertheless thankful that you are able to teach the subject you love? Do those exuberant shouts of joy you hear from your students over their love of singing remind you that your sacrifices of time (and sometimes money) make a difference? I believe the ability to continually be thankful for the power of music is what sets music teachers apart from other educators.

In keeping with that thought, and by no means intending to increase your stress and workload, please make note of a few details needing your attention as you prepare your students for the All-State Middle Level Choir.

Acceptance fees are due to Randy Fillmore by November 22. This includes a t-shirt, lunch, rehearsal CD, and registration.

Check the KMEA website for the complete repertoire list at: www.ksmea.org/mlchoir.

Be sure students have their music memorized when they arrive in Wichita on February 24. This will allow them to accomplish the most of "making music" with the guest conductor David Brunner, rather than learning pitches, rhythms, and texts.

Notify me immediately if a student is unable to fulfill her or his role as a member of the choir so an alternate can be invited to participate. This includes up until Thursday, February 23. Do not allow an undecided student to create a void in the choir.

Pass the "attitude of gratitude" along to your students by reminding them that being a member of this choir is a privilege and an honor. Less than 25% of students who auditioned were invited to be a member.

To learn more about our guest conductor, please visit his website:
http://davidbrunner.com/meet-david/ There will be additional information about him in the convention issue of the KMR.

Gratitude is the best attitude. See you in Wichita!