Each year chapters throughout the state send in their applications for Tri-M chapter of the year. This is an award that recognizes the chapter's handwork in scholarship, service projects, leadership, and music advocacy events that they have completed throughout the year. This year was a very exciting year due to the fact that we have couple of chapters that were recognized at the state and national level!
The 2012-2013 Kansas State Chapter of the Year went to the wonderful chapter at Piper High School, in Kansas City, sponsored by Shelly Cole. The students of Piper have dedicated themselves not only to enriching their personal musicianship but more importantly they have strived to spread their love of music to others in their community, school and chapter. Congratulations Piper High School on a job well done!
This is a very exciting year for not only our Senior Division of Tri-M but also our Junior Division. This year the Lakewood Middle School chapter at USD-305, received the Tri-M National Jr. Chapter of the Year award. This is a very exciting achievement for these students as they have received Runner-Up National Jr. Chapter of the Year, National Jr. Chapter of the Year and State Chapter of the Year awards in previous years. What a tradition of excellence!!
Since we are starting a new year I would like to share a few ideas and that may help you on your way to an excellent and productive year! First things first, if you do not have a chapter at your school PLEASE contact me as I would love to get any and all chapters in the state up and running. It only takes one student's spark for music to light the fire of passion in your school. Starting a chapter is a very simple process that I would love to help you all with.
When working with your chapters to strive for excellence in your school and community, I would like you to consider the following:
- Your students have amazing ideas for new and exciting service and music activities. Let them take ownership of these activities and they will support what they create.
- Involve as many people as possible in all your events. When it comes to recruiting for Tri-M, involve all areas of the music department's band, choir, and orchestra students. And when it comes to working on activities and projects in your school, involve as many students, faculty, and administration as possible. By making your organization present in your school, you will be able to gain support from your community and share the power of music with all those around you.
- Record your activities and events. I would love to see more chapters apply for Chapter of the Year this spring. Start logging all the events your chapter works on so that when the application for Chapter of the Year is sent out, it will be easy to complete.
I hope to see you all throughout the year and please let me know if there are any questions or concerns that you have if any should arise. I believe this is going to be an amazing year for Tri-M in Kansas.