Exciting things are happening in our area of the state! We have had an increase in the amount of schools participating in our honor concerts over the past year and we are pleased to see so many new faces in our district. It is great to see young teachers bringing their talent, expertise and passion for music to our schools. We currently have 108 teachers serving in 45 districts. We have 15 new teachers in our district with 12 of those experiencing their 1st year of teaching. I want to thank Mark Gard, Past President for doing a superb job last year & Alan Paxson, SE Executive Director, for keeping us organized and for taking care of business!
This year our high school honor ensembles will have the privilege of performing in the new Bicknell Family Center for the Arts at Pittsburg State University. There will be ample room for rehearsals on campus and the Fine Arts Center has been built with the finest technological advances available today. Dr. Susan Marchant has worked diligently to make this opportunity available for our students. They will not only receive an amazing musical experience by being a part of the Honor Band/Choir/Orchestra/Jazz Band and working with talented clinicians, but they will experience the joy of hearing their performance in a concert hall comparable to the great theatres in larger cities.
We have experienced a huge growth in the number of schools participating in the Elementary/Middle School Honor Groups in January. I believe it is due to many new teachers in our district who have been encouraged to bring students to this event. Chanute High School has hosted this event for many years and we are extremely grateful to them for the fine job they do. In fact, two of their dedicated teachers were selected as Outstanding Teachers of the Year.
Our chairs have been working diligently to prepare for this year's honor concerts. We are looking forward to having the following clinicians working with our 2015-16 honor ensembles:
- High School Jazz: Clinician Chris Burnett, Leavenworth
Lewis Hundley, Uniontown USD 235, chair - High School Orchestra: Clinician Rachel Dirks, Olathe
Jami Kleinert, Independence USD 446, chair - High School Band: Clinician Dr. Frank Perez, Baker University
Scott Bradley, Erie USD 101, chair - High School Choir: Clinician Dr. Paul Tucker, Kansas University
Danica Gibson, Cherokee USD 247, chair - Middle School Band: Clinician Damian Johnson, Eudora
Jami Messner, Caney USD 436, chair - Middle School Choir: Clinician Russ Vallier, Retired Chanute
Lori Scantlin, Riverton USD 404, chair - Elementary School Choir: Clinician Jason Sickel, Blue Valley North
Rebecca Logan, Cherokee USD 247, chair
- Nov. 6 - Elementary Choir & Middle School Band Nomination Deadline
- Nov. 7 -HS Honor Group Auditions - Parsons High School
- Nov. 19 - District Jazz Band Rehearsal & Concert - Bicknell Family Center for the Arts - PSU
- Nov. 20 - MS Choir Registration Deadline
- Dec. 5 - District Honor Band, Choir & Orchestra - Bicknell Family Center for the Arts - PSU
- Jan. 9 - State Instrumental Live Auditions, Salina-Central HS
- Jan.16 - Elementary & Middle School District Honor Concerts - Chanute HS
- Feb. 25-27 - KMEA ISW in Wichita
Dirk Myers, Elementary Outstanding Music Educator from Chanute, said, "Elementary is one of the most important steps in a student's musical journey just like 1st and 2nd grades are pivotal steps in a child's ability to read and succeed throughout their school years." This is so very true and yet many do not realize the importance of early musical exposure.
Lance Burnett, Middle School Outstanding Music Educator from Chanute, said, "My philosophy on music education is this—to teach, to inspire, to ignite the spark within my students and then to help fan it into a life-long flame of musical passion. One final word on teaching music: that word is "joy". One of the most important things I do is to help my students find joy through music. To see that indescribable feeling on my students' faces is the greatest achievement a teacher of music could hope for."
Matt Fischer, High School Outstanding Music Educator from Fredonia, said, "A good music educator goes beyond teaching the notes on a page. Inspiration leads to greatness and a good music educator will find ways to inspire all of their students regardless of their talent or level of expertise."
Steve Woolf, Superintendent for Erie USD-101, has been nominated for Administrator of the Year and as I read his letters of recommendation & his resume, it is easy to see why he was nominated. Steve often says that we have an idea problem more than a money problem so let's come up with ideas to make it happen. Steve avoids the word "No" with his music programs. It is great to see an administrator who knows the importance that music has in a child's education.
It is a privilege for me to serve our SE district as president after many years of being in our district. I have been blessed to begin my 31st year of teaching in the same district & every year has been the better than the one before. I would like to share my favorite quote in closing: "If you can find your place in the world—a place where your being there makes a real difference to those around you—then you have found wealth beyond imagination!" We as music educators do make a difference!
Be sure to check out our website ksmea.org/se for more information regarding our district events.
2015-16 Outstanding Music Educators
 Elementary Dirk Myers Chanute |
 Middle School Lance Burnett Chanute |
 High School Matt Fischer Fredonia |
 Administrator Steve Woolf Erie |