WINTER OKLAMUSIC 12 13 II small file.pdf - Oklahoma Music ...

OkMEA
elementary division vice–president: mary beth singleton
Donuts And Hugs
Not long ago I had the pleasure of attending my oldest
daughter’s district honor choir concert. It was an absolutely
beautiful setting, an elegant conductor, lovely music, and
a display of the most gifted young people in our part of the
state (including my sweet daughter). Who could ask for
more?
Well, I have to say that there was one thing that caught
my attention in a special way that evening—something I
hadn’t particularly noticed before. It was during the moment
when they recognized several students for their many
years of participation in the honor choir. Their teachers,
including past teachers, were invited to the stage to present
them with their medal. There was just something about
the way those kids genuinely hugged and held onto their
music teachers that spoke to me that evening. Even the
shy kids gingerly hugged their teachers in an endearing
way. Suddenly, not only was I beaming with pride for those
students’ accomplishments, but also I was also extremely
happy for their teachers. I was happy for them because
as a teacher, myself, I know what it’s like to experience
something so beautiful and personal with your students that
connects you to them for the rest of your life.
Your students need you. They need you to feed them
something that is not fed to them anywhere else—
Donuts.
What did you think I was going to say—the beauty of life?
Who else will show up at the crack of dawn before an early
rehearsal or long road trip, dragging enough donut holes
behind them to feed an army? Those little monsters are
hungry and need to be fed, and they know we will always
provide! But not only do we find ourselves many times
meeting our students’ physical needs via donuts and hugs,
we provide them with a helping of musical understanding
and appreciation that far exceeds all those charts of
percentages and test scores.
And not only do our students need to be fed, but so do
we! So feed yourself by registering for this year’s Winter
Conference and plan to experience all the delicacies
we have to offer. Plan to attend rehearsals for the 2013
OMEA Children’s All-State Chorus—everyone is always
welcome to sit in and observe rehearsals, but also be sure
to attend their performance at the General Assembly on
Friday morning, under the direction of Mairee Pantzer.
(That is like donut holes AND a cinnamon roll combined.)
Another concert you won’t want to miss is Thursday
evening at the Holy Family Cathedral, where the Yukon
Sixth–Grade Academy Choir will be performing at 7:30
PM, under the direction of Judy Dinkle.
There are also exciting workshops for everyone! Patricia
Bourne is the author of two texts: Inside the Classroom:
Teaching the Art with Heart, and Inside the Elementary
Chorus: Instructional Techniques for the Non-Select
Children’s Choir. She will be presenting three sessions
based on topics from these books, which are not only
highly informative, but fall right in line with teaching music
standards and fulfilling teacher evaluations.
Mark Burrows will be presenting two FUN sessions —
Bongos to Body Percussion, and Outside the Lines.
Be ready to amaze your music classes with your new
beastly beatboxing skills. Word. And get ready to have
fun composing with your students! Yes, it can actually
be something fun. Need to check out the latest Music
Technology gadgets? Romeo Music will be there to give
Elementary Teachers the scoop on the latest devices
out there. Get those grant forms and PTO fund request
forms ready to fill out! And to round out the convention
we have a session that centers on a demonstration choir
of young singers who will give us a Kodaly-based Choral
Experience. The Young Choirs of Central Oklahoma, a
community–based weekly choral program for students in
grades PK¬–12, is directed by Darla Eshelman. They will
demonstrate rehearsal techniques, and give insight into the
formation and organization of a children’s chorus.
At my school, I love it when a teacher has a birthday,
because there are always donuts in the teachers’ lounge.
But even more than donuts, I absolutely love coming to the
Winter Convention, and being fed not only by the fantastic
sessions led by people obviously ‘way more creative than
me, but by my fellow teachers, who greet me with a hug
and a smile, and make me so happy.
I’ll bring the hugs—you bring the donuts. OMEA
OKLAHOMA MUSIC, Winter 2012-2013 37