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President's Column

Ann Burbridge

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      With the new year my thoughts turn to continuing Kodály Certification training in my district, UIL activities, elementary choral festival planning, TMEA 2008 Convention  and the OAKE Conference in Denver, Colorado, March 27-29, 2008. Just when you think the conference from the previous year was the best ever, OAKE plans another one that tops what has been done in the past. Hats off to OAKE Colorado members who are “busy bees” getting every “i” dotted and every “t” crossed. In two years Texas members of OAKE will have their chance to shine as we plan a conference in Dallas for 2010! In the meantime I hope to see you at the 2008 Conference.

     We are delighted to have Cecile Johnson write an article that highlights our theme about the community of song and singing this year. This veteran teacher has much to share about teaching elementary children how to sing and tools used in the process.

      Be sure to read Kathy Kuddes’ article on Music and Culture: A Hungarian Educational Experience. This innovative trip was planned by Dr. Warren Henry, Dr. Donna Emmanuel, Julie Scott and Kathy Kuddes in an effort to plan an experimental course designed to place music methodologies into a broader historical and cultural context.

     I have just looked over the TMEA magazine and am excited to see we have many “Kodály folk” either presenting or directing a choir this year. Pull out your highlighters and mark the sessions where you can see and hear the best of the best of our OAKE & KET Kodály friends. One of the highlights is having Sister Lorna Zemke be a featured TMEA presenter. Her sessions are always well-attended as she has so much to share in a lively format. Susan Brumfield is bringing West Texas performing groups sure to please her listeners! Here is a list of our KET meetings scheduled during the TMEA convention:

Executive Board Meeting: Thursday evening at 6-7:30 PM in CC 101. Board members are asked to bring reports from their region to share at the meeting.

General Membership Meeting: Friday, 8-9 AM in CC 217. This is a different time from previous years, but I think this will allow us to meet with minimum schedule challenges.

We will hear from nominees and have a chance to vote on our candidate of choice.

 

I look forward to seeing many of you soon in February in San Antonio. Keep singing.

-Ann Burbridge