Hello Colleagues!

Congratulations to the Tri-M Chapter at Piper High School sponsored by Shelly Cole as the 2013-2014 Kansas Tri-M Chapter of the Year. I want to encourage all Tri-M advisors to look at the Chapter of the Year point sheet and keep a running log of the great activities their chapters complete. The point sheet will also remind you of events you might want to include throughout the year.

In my last article, I made reference to an exciting opportunity hosted by Friends University. I hope that you all are able to make it to this conference. This is going to be an amazing and exciting opportunity to get connected and stay connected!

Tuesday with Tri-M

"Tuesday with Tri-M" is a new event hosted by the students of the Friends University NAfME Collegiate chapter that promotes involvement in music education affiliated organizations and encourages and excites students for their college careers in music.

The event is run by students and sponsored by faculty of Friends University. It will take place from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 18th, 2014. Students will engage in question and answer panel discussions with current music students and faculty and participate in interest sessions that will provide not only a learning opportunity for students, but also an opportunity to connect with fellow music students and Tri-M members from across the state. Students will also be able to see a recital given by college students preparing for performances.

Tuesday with Tri-M Offers:

• Panel Discussions
• Interest Sessions that include Music Theory and Aural Skills Classes, Ice- Breaker Games, and informative sessions with branches of the fine arts department, such as ballet and drama
• Team Building Activities
• Student Performances
• Lunch will be provided 100% free to all students, and sponsors Participating in
• Tuesday with Tri-M
• will give students insight to their college music careers and will also provide them with a sense of community within their local Tri-M chapters and with students of NAfME Collegiate.

For more information please contact the Friends University Department of Music.

If you are not able to come to this event please let me know and I will get the notes out to you via email.

This year's Tri-M Mini Conference is going to be completely revamped, refreshed, and rejuvenated!!

Start planning to attend the Tri-M sessions on Friday at this year's KMEA In-Service Workshop in February. The following activities are going to be part of our fun-filled revamped, refreshed, and rejuvenated Tri-M Mini Conference!

Getting Connected:

We are going to have representatives from numerous NAfME collegiate chapters who are ready and willing to connect with YOUR Tri-M chapter. Our goal is to connect NAfME collegiate chapters with Tri-M chapters to get connected and support each other in all things; services, philanthropy, social activities, and more.

Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Phillip Payne, Chair of Music Education at Kansas State University as our Key Note speaker speaking on Advocacy at the middle and high school level.

Tri-M Sing:

We will be learning, performing, and recording or National Tri-M Honor Society Loyalty Song.

Tri-M's Got Talent:

Tri-M's Got Talent, the 3rd annual Tri-M's Got Talent competition will take place again during our Mini-Conference this year. Please bring a 2-3 minute routine/performance to share with the other contestants of the competition—remember, the more the merrier, so get your chapter involved! A panel of judges will decide who goes home with the coveted "M"ee!!!

Breakdown your Ice-Breaker:

Share your favorite social activities that you use to break the ice and recruit new members into our wonderful organization!

As always there is no cost for your students to attend the convention but they will need to have an official KMEA badge. You will be able to register your Tri-M students online prior to the ISW.

There are many schools (including in your geographical area) that would benefit from the recognition Tri-M gives to students. I challenge each existing chapter to bring one other school into the Kansas Tri-M group. This could be done by sending a few students to a neighboring school to promote Tri-M and encouraging the creation of a new chapter. You could also invite the other school's students to visit one of your Tri-M meetings or events. School budgets are tight, but Tri-M can bring unity to schools with a variety of music classes and ensembles and provide needed recognition to our dedicated and talented music students!