The Elementary Honor Choir took place October 17, 2015 at Andover Central High School with Dr. Mark Bartel, Director of Choirs at Friends University and former director of the Wichita Community Children's Choir. The workshop clinician for educators was Jessica Lenhart, who presented lots of great ideas. Both were an inspiration to the attendees.
In a tremendous honor to acknowledge one of our affiliate partners, the Kodály Music Educators of Kansas for hosting the Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America regional conference in Wichita's Old Town district October 23-25. A wonderful children's choir of South Central area singers, directed by Nina Kindt, performed as part of the conference.
On November 7, Andover Central High School will host the SCKMEA District HS Band, Orchestra and Choir auditions. We are grateful to Joe Emery and Julia Miller and the ACHS music students and support parents for their hard work and hospitality.
The Middle Level Honor Band will be directed by Brett Martinez from Butler Community College, and the Middle Level Honor Choir will be conducted by Jason Sickel from Overland Park-Blue Valley North High School. The HS 1234 Jazz Band will be directed by Craig Treinen of Washburn University and the 56A Jazz Band will be directed by Todd Wilkerson. Teachers and students will have a great time and learn a lot from all clinicians.
Our thanks to the Wichita Public Schools, Wichita East High School and their staff including music faculty Eric Crawford, Jennifer Potochnik and Maranda Wilson for hosting our district Mini- Convention and Honor Group performances on December 5. Music educators, elementary and secondary, instrumental and vocal will be able to gather together in one location because of their generosity and assistance. Performances will include:
- High School Mixed Honor Choir directed by Dr. Brian Winnie from Southwestern College
- High School Women's Honor Choir directed by Jing Lyn-Tam from the University of Texas, Arlington
- High School 1234A Band directed by Kyle Hopkins from McPherson College
- High School 56A Band directed by Dr. Jared Chase from Nazareth College
- High School Orchestra directed by Dr. Jesse Henkensiefken from Kansas Wesleyan University
The SCKMEA Board has added several members in new roles on the executive team, adding co-chairs to provide a multi-leveled tier of support to leadership since group and audition populations have continued to expand. We are grateful to these members, listed below, who are willing to give back to their profession and serve our teachers and students. We are also grateful for the addition of a new chair added dedicated to mentoring our younger teachers; Deborah Harris, retired from the Wichita Schools, has graciously agreed to serve. Please encourage any new teachers to contact her. She will be glad to be of service.
South Central KMEA Board
- President - Amy Brown, Wichita-Northwest High School
- President-Elect - Mark Walker, Wichita-Heights High School
- Vice-President - Shawn Knopp, Lindsborg-Smoky Valley High School
- Executive Director - Larry Brownlee, Sterling High School
- High School Band Chair - Shawn Knopp, Lindsborg-Smoky Valley High School
- High School Choir Co-chairs - Matthew Hanne, Wichita-Independent School and Jarl Morland, Hutchinson High School
- High School Orchestra - Henry Littich, Lindsborg-Smoky Valley High School
- High School Jazz Co-chairs - Dane Danielsen and Kim Pfeiffer, Goddard High School
- Middle School Choir Co-chairs - Dawn Blue, Haysville Middle School and Mary Halsig, Wichita-Christa McAuliffe Academy
- Middle School Band Chair - Allen Hisken, Wichita-Mead Middle School
- Elementary Choir Chair - Maureen Berry, Andover-Martin Elementary School
- Facilities - Brian Kirk, Maize High School
- Advocacy - Jordan Northerns, Wichita State University
- Mentoring - Deborah Harris, retired, Wichita Public Schools
- Webmaster - Troy Johnson
For more information about South Central District activities, please check out our website at: http://www.sckmea.org.
We are pleased to present and congratulate our 2015-2016 Outstanding Educators for the South Central District:
2015-16 Outstanding Music Educators
 Elementary Lori Nelson Soderburg Elementary Lindsborg 23 years |
 Middle School Ebony Costello Wilbur Middle School Wichita 18 years |
 High School Brad Shores Haven High School Haven 32 Years |
 Administrator Fred Dierksen Superintendent Sterling 31 Years |