Dear Tr-M Colleagues,

Your school day is no doubt packed with multiple activities in preparation for holiday concerts, honor event auditions, final exams, and more. Give your Tri-M students various jobs that could lighten your load and encourage their leadership skills.

Think about letting your chapter members design and print programs for holiday concerts and acting as ushers at these events. Schools often decorate lockers for various sporting events. This could be done by the students, for the students in the music ensembles - just another way to draw attention to an upcoming program. A fun activity is a lunchtime serenade of holiday tunes in the cafeteria. It could be a performance or a student led sing-a-long. There is nothing like a brass ensemble or a piano duet to set the mood for the holidays!

I recently had a nice phone conversation with the National Tri-M Chair, Pat Barnett. He was asking about the progress of Tri-M in Kansas and wanted to know my concerns. I reported that Kansas has a very strong group of Chapters already in place. I did share that I would like to see a reduction in the yearly activation dues. He was open to this concern and also let me know that there will be changes to the process of selecting the "National Chapter of the Year." I will keep you posted to any changes that may occur.

I am asking you to consider promoting new Tri-M Chapters at schools close to you. I would love to see the number of active chapters increase this school year. Your chapter could invite students from a neighboring school to visit during your next meeting or chapter event to give them a first-hand Tri-M experience. During our February State Tri-M gatherings I have been so impressed at the enthusiasm, teamwork, and ideas presented by your students. These are good things to share!

Be thinking ahead to planning a trip to the next In-Service in February. It would be a wonderful problem to need a bigger meeting room!!