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Convention
'98 . . . and Forging On!
Marsha Carlisle, TCDA President
Convention
'98 Reflections & Suggestion
Dan L Wood, TCDA Executive Director
Lessons
from the Little Red Book
by Dr Robert J. Ward
Department of Music
Oklahoma State University
Vocal
Health
Protecting and Preserving the Singer's Voice
Sally McKee, M.A., CCC
Officer
Comments
Randy Talley,
Past President
John Hemmenway,
President ElectDr Donald
Bailey, HS/College VPBarbara
Murphy, MS/JH VPSheila Donahue,
Elementary VPKevin Riehle,
Church/Community VPKelly Moore,
Secretary/Treasurer
Vocal Health
Protecting and Preserving the Singer's Voice
Sally McKee, M.A., CCC
All voices are not created equal. The man who spends his working
hours in an office cubicle and his leisure hours playing golf,
and the woman who juggles her hours among work, home, and Little
League carpools, have different vocal instruments and voice requirements
from vocal athletes. While everyone deserves excellent voice care,
singers need specialized laryngeal care to protect and preserve
the structure and function of their well-trained vocal folds.
It is not unusual to find professional singers with superb voices,
scratchy speaking voices, and minimal vocal hygiene. This combination
often results in hyperfunctional voice disorders including excessive
vocal fold tension, laryngitis, edema, and nodules, which can
usually be eliminated with effective voice therapy.
Most singers seek professional voice help for voice changes, vocal
fatigue, anxiety, throat tension and pain. All these symptoms
must be quickly addressed to restore the voice and provide physical
and emotional relief. Speech-language pathologists who have special
training and experience in treating singers and other professional
voice users can assess these symptoms, restore the voice, and
provide relief through effective voice therapy.
Surgery for hyperfunctional voice disorders can usually be prevented
by reducing laryngeal tension, increasing good breath support,
eliminating vocal abuses, and optimizing the speaking voice. When
laryngeal disorders require surgical intervention, a brief period
of post-surgery voice therapy optimizes the healing time, and
eliminates vocal behaviors that caused and/or maintained the symptoms.
With voice intervention, subsequent surgery for the same disorder
is generally prevented.
The singer can be pro-active in preventing many voice disorders
by answering the following questions, and acting on their answers:
1. Are you drinking enough water to sustain your vocal needs?
The vocal folds require lubrication for the high speed vibration
they must endure, for as long as they must endure it. Drink at
least two quarts of water daily, in addition to other drinks.
2. Do you drink caffeinated beverages? The caffeine
in coffee, tea, and soft drinks is very drying to the vocal folds.
Avoid caffeine, especially when singing.
3. Is your conversational speaking voice punctuated
with glottal stops? These "on-off" movements of the
vocal folds can cause or maintain hyperfunctional voice disorders
in the same way constantly turning your car engine on and off
as you are driving can cause engine problems. Practice blending
your words together, using inflection to punctuate your message.
4. Do you use your breath support muscles as
well when speaking as you do when singing? If you are a "noisy
breather", your neck muscles are tensing when you breathe.
Practice inhaling silently to open the vocal folds and use those
breath support muscles as they were intended.
Because all voices are not created equal, vocal athletes require
specialized voice care to protect and preserve the structure and
function of their delicate and irreplaceable musical instruments.
Sally McKee, M.A., CCC is a Speech-Language Pathologist in
the Houston area who specializes in the care of the professional
voice, neuromotor speech disorders, and Neurolinguistic Programming.
Ms McKee is a private practitioner and is a member of the Texas
Voice Center team in Houston. Ms McKee presents voice seminars
nationally to professional voice specialists.
Ms McKee received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Communication
disorders from the University of Houston. She has extensive training
and clinical experience in care of the professional voice.
top of page
Lessons from the Little Red Book
by Dr Robert J. Ward
Department of Music
Oklahoma State University
My mentor taught me well that many valuable lessons for a choral
director could be found in places other than the library or the
traditional music textbook. He stressed being active in the world,
reading everything you could find, and being available to whatever
opportunities and adventures life presented. In the years since
my graduate school days I have come to appreciate the wisdom of
those words and I have, in the words of the noted author, Robert
Fulghum, sought "to live a balanced life - to work and play
a little everyday."
It has become a standing joke among my students that when I am
not to be found in my office I'm probably on the golf course.
While this is not always true, it is the case that I share freely
my zeal for the game of golf. For me the golf course is a place
of emotional repose, and it has always intrigued me that many
of the words and qualities that define a good golf swing - poise,
balance, tempo, rhythm - are also the words that characterize
a good choral performance. The world of golf recently mourned
the loss of one of its great teachers, Harvey Penick. For over
eight decades, Mr Penick studied the game and kept a diary in
which he noted the fundamental truths of golf - and life - as
they became known to him. Convinced late in life to share his
thoughts with the world, Mr Penick published his famous, Little
Red Book. In reading this book, and its sequel, And If You Play
Golf, You're My Friend, it became clear to me that Mr Penick's
ideas and philosophies could improve not only my golf game, but
also my music making. In the paragraphs that follow, I have quoted
the words of Harvey Penick and subsequently attempted to draw
parallels that I have discovered in my music teaching career.
The words in bold type are those of the legendary Harvey Penick.
The words in regular type are my responses to his ideas. What
you read may not convince you to take up the game of golf. However,
it may serve to remind you that musical lessons may be found in
curious places, and that music, by its very definition, serves
to help us connect seemingly unrelated ideas and aspects of daily
living.
You don't have to play golf. You get to play. There's a
world of difference. Playing golf is a privilege, not a sentence.
As a faculty member in a Department of Music I am frequently out
several nights each week attending concerts. I consider this part
of my job. And when Wednesday night rolls around I often find
myself saying, "I have to go and conduct church choir."
I remember my late twenties, when I sought out opportunities to
conduct choral music. Fifteen years later, living the daily routine
of being a music teacher, I sometimes forget that conducting an
ensemble of singers is a privilege. The singers who show up every
week honor me and my talents with their presence. Their lives
are certainly as busy as mine, and yet they take time out of their
schedule to make music. Conducting is not something we have to
do - it's something we get to do!
I think it's fine to get mad if you hit a poor shot or miss
a putt you should have made - it shows you have the competitive
spirit. But while you are being mad, be mad only at yourself.
Good golf swings are like good choral rehearsals - the magical
few are usually concomitant with moments of frustration. When
things are not going well, I've seen golfers abuse equipment and
I've watched conductors abuse singers. This never makes the situation
any better, because the golf clubs that produced the poor shot
are the same ones that produced the miracle on the last hole,
and the singers that are with you today are the same ones who
sang a terrific concert two weeks ago. When frustration sets in,
which it inevitably will, be careful how many clubs you throw
and how many you break. It's usually not their fault, and once
you've broken them, there is nothing left to play with.
I don't try to teach golf to children. Let them play, then
help them when they want you to, or when you see something that
demands a teacher's attention.
When I look at my church choir or our community chorus, I am awed
by the aggregate brain power that sits in the room. If the enemy
wanted to seize the brightest and the best he need only show up
for a choir rehearsal. In this musical context, these professional
people act differently than they would in their place of business.
They relax, they laugh, they experiment. I wonder, what is so
magical about a choir rehearsal that these adults are willing
to give themselves to experience the freedom of playful banter
- to step outside their carefully groomed professional demeanor?
The secret I've discovered is this: no matter what choir you conduct,
you are always conducting a children's choir - its just that some
of the children are older than others.
I think it is necessary in all forms of golf instruction
to repeat over and over different descriptions of the same movements.
Often the student will grasp the teacher's meaning when stated
one way when he has failed to understand it in many other forms.
Teaching through metaphor is common in choral music. It is a tremendous
challenge for us to describe in words an aural phenomenon that
can not be seen or touched. As music teachers we must be willing
to look anywhere and everywhere for examples and metaphors that
might serve in the choral rehearsal. A word of caution is required,
however. Too often choral directors become so enamored of their
own power of vocabulary that they seem to be trying to draw attention
to themselves. Remember, it's not what the teacher says, but what
the student hears that matters.
A teacher's real reward is not money. It is the joy of helping
others.
On the campus where I teach, the music building is located directly
across from the building which houses the College of Business.
Given that the salaries of professors at state universities are
public information, the topic of salary inequity between disciplines
arises from time to time. Teaching is not one of the most lucrative
professions! Last year, a parent of one of the members of my boychoir
called and said they had no idea how to decipher the Christmas
list their son had given them. Seems all he had requested was
a video tape entitled, The Three Tenors. At that very moment I
heard an angel fly by. Maybe there are more important things in
life than money.
Taking dead aim means blanking out the sounds of the world.
It can be an advantage to be a little deaf.
Physicians have many machines that enable them to become medical
engineers, and choral directors have learned the tools of the
trade for aligning vowels and rhythm. What we tend to forget is
that both the physician and the musician practice what might best
be referred to as the healing arts. Singers come to our rehearsals
to be fed, both spiritually and musically. They freely bring to
us their good will, their desire to perform to the best of their
ability, and their love of singing. Not all singers possess the
same talent for producing a pretty tone. However, each singer
has the same basic need to feel affirmed, appreciated, and valued.
So the next time you conduct a choir in which the singers' hearts
are bigger than their tone, remember that we must sometimes stop
listening in order to hear the music.
Golf is a game of honor. If you are playing any other way,
you are not getting the fullest satisfaction from it.
We live in a society that teaches that bigger and more is better.
The situation has progressed to such an extent that Rabbi Harold
Kushner was inspired to write a book entitled, When All You Ever
Wanted Isn't Enough. One of the problems that seems to nag at
choral musicians is the idea that, "If I only had a better
job or a better choir, I'd be fulfilled." A certain amount
of this attitude is healthy. We all need a bit of competitive
spirit to help us grow. Too often, however, people tend to get
caught up in the idea that the job they are doing now is only
a stepping stone to the one they really want. It's hard to hide
that attitude from our singers or students. Let's define success
not in terms of tomorrow but in terms of today. Success is doing
a job you honestly respect at a level of quality you honestly
respect. Teaching choral music is an honorable and respected profession.
If the singers you conduct are not what you respect, remember
first to look inward.
Penick, Harvey, and Shrake, Bud. Little Red Book. New York:
Simon and Schuster, 1992
Penick, Harvey, and Shrake, Bud. And If You Play Golf You're My
Friend New York: Simon and Schuster, 1993.
'98 Convention . . . and Forging On!
TCDA President
Marsha Carlisle
Greetings, everyone. It amazes me each summer that somehow we are able to reinvent the wheel, planning for those events that have become traditions for some choirs and forging ahead to discover new experiences for others. I trust that the time spent at the 43rd TCDA Convention was profitable and that it provided a fresh focus for the year ahead.
We have many things to sing about in Texas. The New Music Reading
sessions hopefully provided several musical selections for your
choir and the workshops provided a new perspective on a variety
of topics. Dr John Silantien and the San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers
proved that a choral concert could be artfully sung, contain a
varied and challenging program, and that it could be the perfect
length to provide the maximum enjoyment for each listener. The
TCDA Children's Chorus, directed by Dr Kenneth Phillips, presented
the commissioned work, The Web, by Betty Berteaux in their charming
concert after Friday's Business Meeting. The String Factory Outlet
featuring David and Patty Dyer, and Marty Javors and Don Van Winkle
were the fantastic opening act for the Barbecue. Sharon Montgomery
was absolutely delightful as the headline entertainer. One of
our own TCDA members, accompanist Charlene Wright, provided the
perfect complement to Ms Montgomery's vocal stylings. (I will
not soon forget her performance of The Lass from the Low Countree..)
And thanks to Lu Marler and Pepper of Dallas/Fort Worth. Pepper
has become the perennial sponsor of the TCDA Barbecue, making
it better and better!
There are so many people to thank for their help during the convention.
Our committees are an integral part of the success of our conventions.
Hats off to these Committees and their Chairmen:
Nominating Committee
Jan Juneau, Chairman
Ballot Committee
Trisha Douglas, Chairman
Ways and Means Committee
Jo Scurlock-Dillard, Chairman
Hospitality Committee
Irma Taute, Chairman
Scholarship Committee
Shawn Bell, Chairman
The exhibitors who provide products and services for our members
broke all records this year by exhibiting in a record number of
booths. We do appreciate their support and I hope that, as you
do business with them through the coming year, you will express
your thanks for the services they provide. I hope, too, that you
took advantage of the "Visit the Exhibits" time to make
new contacts and find new ideas and products for the year. I would
like to thank the many exhibitors who contributed door prizes
for the drawings during "Visit the Exhibits". I would
also like to thank Trey Homan for assisting me with the distribution
of the door prizes during the convention.
Thanks to our music vendor, Southern Music Company, Arthur Gurwitz,
and to Mary Henry for a fantastic Convention '98. The hours of
work that goes on behind the scenes at the convention are the
culmination of the countless hours spent throughout the year to
provide you with music for the sessions and workshops. Mary, thank
you so much for all you do for us. You are one in a million.
The TCDA '98 Convention was the result of many hours of hard work
on the part of all of the "old" TCDA Board members.
Donald Bailey
High School/College Division
Vice President
Barbara Murphy
Middle School/Junior High School Division Vice President
Karen Bryan
Elementary Division Vice President
Regi Fowler
Church/Community Vice President
Kelly Moore
Secretary /Treasurer
and Randy Talley
TCDA Past President
Words cannot adequately express how very special each and every
one of you are to TCDA. Thank you for sharing your gifts of enthusiasm,
dedication, and willingness to give so freely of your time and
energy to make the '98 Convention a success. A special thanks
goes to Karen Bryan, for her many hours of hard work in organizing
the TCDA Children's Chorus this year.
Though we bid a fond farewell to Karen Bryan and Regi Fowler,
we will look forward with a new vision for the TCDA Convention
1999. The TCDA Board welcomes new members Sheila Donahue, Elementary
Division Vice President; Kevin Riehle, Church and Community Division
Vice President, and John Hemmenway, President Elect.
ACDA National Convention
in Chicago
I would like to encourage everyone to make plans to attend the
ACDA National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, February 24-27,
1999. Chicago, located in the center of the US on the shores of
Lake Michigan, is the site for the Convention. A vibrant, world
class city rich in history, Chicago is easily accessible by air
through O'Hare International Airport and through Midway Airport.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel will serve as the convention headquarters,
and a number of other hotels including the Palmer House Hilton
and the Days Inn Lake Shore Drive will provide housing at affordable
rates. Pre-registration packets will be mailed to all ACDA members
in November. If you do not receive your packet or you would like
another for a friend, please contact Dan Wood at the TCDA office.
The registration will be based on the co-equal Gold and Platinum
tracks which will accommodate the more than 5,000 anticipated
registrants. Members are encouraged to pre-register for the convention.
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings the registrants will alternately
hear a performance of the Brahms' Requiem performed by the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and Intemational Night featuring
the Children's Choir of Moscow Musical Pedagogical College, The
Boys and Youths Choir of the Ekaterinburg Municipality, the Chamber
Choir of the Krasnoyarsk Pedagogical College, and the Inner Mongolia
Youth Chorus. Finally, the convention will feature the King's
Singers, the Ensemble Singers of the Plymouth Music Series of
Minnesota, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir. A myriad of interest
sessions and roundtables are planned to make this the most rewarding
convention to date.
Chosen by taped audition from some 300 entries, the choirs are
representative of the best of the choral art in the United States
and Canada. Texas will be well represented at this ACDA National
Convention: University of North Texas A Cappella Choir, Mel Ivey,
director; Coronado Chorale, Brett Farr, director; Klein HS Chorale,
Phil Raddin, director; MacArthur HS (San Antonio) Women's Chamber
Choir, Jo Scurlock-Dillard, director; and the Houston Chamber
Choir, Robert Simpson, director. The MacArthur HS Mixed Chamber
Choir under the direction of Jo Scurlock-Dillard will also serve
as a demonstration group at the convention.
Three ACDA Honor Choirs will showcase the talents of selected
singers directed by outstanding conductors. The Women's Honor
Chorus, a first for our national convention, will be co-directed
by Norma Edmundson and Diane Loomer. The Boys' Honor Choir will
feature 250 boys selected from some 500 auditionees and will be
directed by Harvey Smith. The High School Mixed-Voice Honor Choir
will be directed by Jing-Ling Tam. These 250 singers were selected
from an incredible field of 1700 candidates.
I will look forward to seeing some familiar faces in Chicago next
February. Please make your plans to attend the ACDA National Convention.
If you have never attended a national convention, this is your
golden opportunity. Thanks to you, the membership of TCDA, for
our successful convention! You are the very life blood of our
organization. We hope that you found ideas and music that will
help you remain energized and focused on providing the finest
choral experiences for your students and choir members throughout
this year.
Convention '98 -- Suggestions
& Reflections
by Dan L. Wood
As is most often the case with TCDA Conventions, Convention
'98 took off runnin' when the starter fired the pistol - actually,
a bit before that. Registration started officially at 2 pm on
Wednesday, but by 12 noon the good folks from TBA had cleared
most of the registration area for us, so we moved in and got started.
Exhibitors were hot to get settled in their new locations, and
members were hot to get registered quickly so they could head
to the hotel, the Riverwalk, or someplace! Soiree began at 6,
so everyone was eager to get a cold beverage and visit with friends,
old and new.
The officers have talked about every aspect of the Convention
in their columns, so I'll just mention a few things here so we
can get quickly to the suggestion box and answer some questions
and discuss some suggestions!
Thanks to Frank Sargent and David Dyer, the Golf and Tennis tourneys
came off without a hitch. Thanks, guys! Karen, all your hard work
paid off! The Children's Chorus was a huge success - kids loved
it and teachers enjoyed Dr Kenneth Philips. Great Barbecue and
entertainment, Don. Sharon Montgomery was a hoot, Charlene Wright
was fabulous on the keyboards, and David and the String Factory
Outlet were great as always. John Silantien presented a wonderful
concert with his San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, and we introduced
a new scholarship, the TCDA Glenda Casey Professional Scholarship!
TCDA members, Actives, Retired, Students, Guests, and Sustaining,
all made this a very good Convention. We must thank two of our
strongest supporters, Southern Music, Convention Music Vendor,
and Pepper of Dallas/Fort Worth, Barbecue and Entertainment sponsor.
The extras ya'll provide make our Convention exciting year after
year. Thanks!
OK, let's get to it! As a whole, the suggestions and comments
this year were very, very positive. Some were not, and we include
those here as well as the good ones. We'll group these as best
we can, the first being . . .
Registration
Comment: Pre-registration lines moved much slower than regular
registration this year . . . please fix this mess by next year.
. . . Don't send acknowledgments out so early; I carried it in
my purse for two months and still forgot it! . . . I like the
new method of registration and member cards all in one letter.
Good organization. Keep it up!
Response: Whew! This is like drawing the bad bull first out of
the chute! Yep! We tried something new. Mostly it worked very
well. What problems we encountered were mainly due to the fact
that the process was new, and folks had to "figure it out"
- even our registration folks. And, by the way, "registration
folks are us". The smiling faces accepting your forms and
money are TCDA members giving much of their convention time to
help us register. Thanks, guys, we really appreciate your efforts.
We began sending badges and membership cards with your acknowledgments
in an effort to make lines move faster, not slower. Mostly they
did. We will continue to refine our process to make registration
as easy as possible for you, our members. I, my Assistant, Jeanne
Kuhn, and Secretary/Treasurer Kelly Moore are ganging up to make
registration '99 slick and speedy!
Comment: Please put our towns on the badges.
Response: We will, thanks.
Comment: I am a scholarship donor and have been for many years,
now. I feel uncomfortable wearing the ribbon on my badge. . .
it makes me feel as though I am trying to appear important.
Response: You've correctly assessed the situation. We are trying
to make you feel important, because you are. Our general scholarship
fund is now over $25,000 and growing. We want it to reach $100,000
so we can take one $1000 scholarship a year from it without touching
the principal. We can only reach this goal if important people
like you continue to support the fund. But, by all means, don't
wear the ribbon if it makes you uncomfortable. Just please continue
to contribute to the fund!
Comment: Reformat registration form to allow students to include
college information.
Response: No-brainer. We'll do it!
Comment: Ballot Boxes need to be locked.
Response: OK.
Comment: Isn't there some way to register in the east end lobby,
closer to parking??
Response: Yes. By using the South Exhibit Hall, South Banquet
Hall, and 200-rooms, you register in the Arcade (east end lobby).
We feel that the North Package (North Exhibit Hall, Banquet Hall,
and 100-rooms) has worked better for our meeting. Also, TBA needs
the North Exhibit Hall since it is larger and they already have
a waiting list of exhibitors. This may be a moot point since we
will probably be in the new, really east end, next year. The new
space should work well for us, but we are faced with rooms of
different sizes, so we'll have to adjust. We can do it.
Sessions/Workshops
Comment: Have the big sessions in the big room . . . Have reading
sessions end 10 or 15 minutes before the next one starts . . .
Have enough chairs for all attending reading sessions . . . etc,
etc.
Response: There were lots of comments like these. We know that
this needs improvement and will make plans accordingly. Thank
you for your comments.
Comment: A fun convention! I really enjoyed the workshops with
Georgia Kornegay and Paul Oakley . . . Very good workshops this
year. . . Clinic on preparing for UIL was great . . . More Michael
Hawn . . . Use performance tapes for some of the Pop/Novelty numbers
and more music would sell . . . Church sessions get better every
year, thanks . . . This year's string sessions were very good.
Response: Thank you. We're working hard on Convention '99 to make
it even better.
Comment: I hate to say it: our people cut in lines, making
everyone surly. Find a way to get us in line, but keep people
from cutting in.
Response: Boy, this is a tough one. Kindness and fair play will
hopefully overpower greed and thoughtlessness one day.
Comment: Need more elementary workshops . . . You had more
for the elementary division - super!
Response: Uh . . .
Children's Choir
Comment: A wonderful experience for our children and a good learning
opportunity for us. Thanks . . . Plaques were a great idea! .
. . T-shirts a part of the fee was great. Kids were comfortable
and looked uniform. Good touch. Wonderful group of children.
Response: Karen thanks you.
Comment: I wasn't notified, so I didn't have children in the
chorus for the first time. Please make sure audition information
gets mailed to all schools . . .
Response: Sorry. We mailed to the TCDA MS/JH and Elementary membership,
and to the TMEA Elementary membership. This is what we've always
done. We also had mentions about the chorus in every issue of
Texas Sings! the year prior to Convention. We are truly sorry
we missed you.
Comment: I don't think the children's choir's first rehearsal
should be closed. Actually, I don't think any rehearsals should
be closed in a situation where teachers are here to learn and
are paying the clinician's fee.
Response: Of course, we can't know this for sure, but I'll bet
that if it were your choir, you'd like to have some time alone
with them. And, teachers don't actually pay for the clinician.
The fee is paid from fees the children pay to participate. We
want the performance to be as good as is possible, and for teachers
to get as much exposure to the clinician as is possible. We think
we've reached a happy medium by opening all rehearsals except
the first and last (a warm-up really, just before the performance).
I hope you enjoyed the performance and the open rehearsals.
Comment: Many students arrived unprepared. They didn't know
the music. Dr Phillips had to spend way too much time pounding
notes. The clinician should be able to "polish" the
pieces. Teachers should be responsible for teaching the notes
. . .
Response: We agree. We will ask teachers to agree to have music
learned before children arrive. This kind of information will
be in the audition application. We hope this helps. And thanks
to the many teachers who sent children to the chorus who knew
their music.
Exhibits
Comment: Great exhibits!
Response: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them and hope you bought lots
of stuff!
Comment: Open exhibits earlier Saturday morning so those who
have a long way to drive can get by for one last purchase . .
. Open exhibits at 10 am and close at 7 pm . . . Thanks for the
free exhibit time each day; I could use more!
Response: Boy! It's hard to schedule a convention. We do need
more time to visit the exhibits, and we do need more time for
clinics, workshops, and sessions. We have an annual struggle to
get all the exhibit time, clinic time , and recreational time
we need for a good convention balance. I think the Board has done
a very good job of attaining that balance. By forcing some choices
they are able to pack the 3 days with great clinics, and they
continue to keep some "purely exhibits" time each day.
General Comments
Comment: We need decaf coffee and hot water for tea.
Response: Well, got me on the decaf, but there was hot water for
tea. At least there was some. Perhaps you were there between replenishings.
This is a good chance to beg for help. These Coffee Breaks cost
TCDA over $600 per morning - almost $2,000 per Convention. We
desperately need sponsors. We ask sponsors for $250, which is
a bit less than half the cost. Thanks to the companies who have
sponsored them in past years. If you have an idea for a sponsor,
please ask them, and/or ask me to contact them.
Comment: Update the TCDA web site.
Response: You're right. It's one thing that gets put-off. I love
working on the site, but have trouble fitting it in the schedule.
I promise to do better. And, if there's a blossoming webmaster
out there who'd like to help, please call me or email goodwood@outer.net.
Comment: Child care was in a great location this year. Push
it more!
Response: Thanks. We were forced to relocate from a nearby hotel
due to "liability" risks. Someone, somewhere determined
not to take that gamble anymore. The room in the center seems
to have worked very well. Glad you approve!
Comment: Please! More interests in civic chorus. There are
lots of choruses that could benefit from this conference.
Response: We agree. Interest isn't the problem, time is. But,
we hear you!
Comment: Congratulations on yet another fine convention! .
. . Great Exhibits! . . .Thanks for explanations/ synopses of
workshops in the program . . . Super job, TCDA Board! . . . perhaps
the best I've been to in years.
Response: Wait'll next year!
We Just Keep Getting
Bigger and Better!
With record attendance at this year's convention,
it is safe to say that the outlook for the future of TCDA is outstanding.
I have heard many positive comments about the convention. TCDA
members departed with newly acquired musical knowledge, tools
to improve teaching effectiveness, music to share with their students,
and the memories of good fun and fellowship with friends. TCDA
is truly a fraternity for the choral musicians of Texas who strive
to further the cause of music in our great state.
I want to say thanks to those of you who played a contributing
role in the success of the 1998 convention. First of all, thank
you Sally Schott for producing another Emmy award-winning installment
of Saturday Morning Live. As usual, your humor and wit served
as a vacation from reality for those of us who attended the presentation.
Thanks to all of the "Not Ready for Saturday Morning Players".
By the way - don't quit your day jobs!
On the serious side, I want to thank Deidre Douglas, Denise Eaton,
Paula Edwards, and Brett Farr for their informative workshop on
discipline. These individuals are four of Texas' finest teachers,
and I learned something new from each one. Thank you for sharing
your formulas for success with us.
Kudos to Kenneth Phillips and the TCDA Children's Chorus! There
is nothing more beautiful than the sound of children's voices,
and your concert was truly outstanding. I have never seen a group
of elementary students work so hard to master the music presented
to them! The TCDA commissioned work by Betty Bertaux was certainly
a challenge, but the students rose to the occasion and performed
this delicate and intricate work with clarity and grace. Thank
you Betty, Kenneth, and chorus!
Finally, I would like to say a special thanks to retiring Board
members Karen Bryan and Regi Fowler. I appreciate your hard work,
your expertise, and your devotion to TCDA. We are a better organization
because of your service. Also, congratulations to newly-elected
Board members Sheila Donahue, John Hemmenway, and Kevin Riehle.
What an honor it is to be elected to the Board of the Texas Choral
Directors. I know you will enjoy your tenure with our association.
As we approach the millennium, we will be facing a couple of "givens"
that could affect us adversely. Convention center rates are going
to continue to climb! In 1999 we are on schedule to move into
the newly constructed area of the convention center. We will,
no doubt, enjoy the added space with bigger and better meeting
rooms. However, rental rates will increase. Another reality facing
our state is the critical shortage of choral directors! There
were over 150 jobs listed on the job board this summer. Many districts
are hiring non-certified teachers to teach music in the public
schools. We must do everything we can to encourage bright and
talented students to pursue a career in music education! Marsha
Carlisle and the TCDA Board will be working hard to address these
and other challenges that face our association. With the help
of our dedicated and loyal executive director, Dan Wood, I have
no doubt we will just keep getting "bigger and better".
TCDA Named Scholarships
Scholarships are a key to insuring the future of choral music
in Texas. We are proud as an association to support scholarships
named after deserving individuals who have served our association
in a significant way. Currently, the TCDA Scholarship Committee
awards two student scholarships, the Bev Henson and Ruth Whitlock
Student Scholarships, and one professional scholarship, The Glenda
Casey Professional Scholarship. Beginning next year, the TCDA
Past-Presidents Scholarship will also be awarded to a deserving
student. All student scholarships are given to music majors with
an emphasis in choral music who have at least 60 hours of college
credit. Please encourage your deserving students to apply!
How are "named" scholarships established? First, an
individual or group of individuals must submit a name to the TCDA
Board for approval. Upon approval, the scholarship donor or donors
must commit the dollar amount necessary to award the scholarship
for five years. If the scholarship amount is $1000 per year, they
must provide $5000. Each scholarship awarded must be at least
$500 per year, and there is no limit to the number of "named"
scholarships. Think about those teachers or conductors who have
made a difference in your career and consider honoring them by
funding a scholarship in their name. I can think of no greater
honor!
1998 TCDA Scholarship Winners
The winner of the TCDA Ruth Whitlock Scholarship is Katherine
Payton. Katherine is a student at the University of Texas at Austin.
She was President of the University of Texas Concert Chorale,
and she has served as section leader for the past four semesters.
In the spring of 1998, she was voted the Most Outstanding Junior
Music Student. Kay is also a curriculum writer for the Young Musicians
Magazine, Resource Kit, The Music Leader, and Church Musician.
She was a Conference Leader for both the Baptist General Convention
of Texas and the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville. Kay
is a frequent clinician, guest speaker, and soloist. She has been
married to Joe Payton for twenty-two years, and they have five
children: Brad, 20; John, 18; James, 15; Cesar, 15; and Whitney,
11.
The recipient of the TCDA Bev Henson Scholarship is Amy Haigler.
Amy is pursuing a Music Education degree with a vocal emphasis
at Hardin-Simmons University. While in high school at J. Frank
Dobie High School, she was named to the Texas AII-State Choir.
At Hardin-Simmons she is a member of the Concert choir, and for
two years she has sung in Simmons Classic. Amy currently has a
3.89 GPA with 91 hours completed. She plans to finish her Bachelor
degree and a graduate degree at Hardin Simmons.
The winner of the first TCDA Glenda Casey Professional Scholarship
is Joseph L. Weir. Joe was raised in the Houston area and was
an active member of Northshore Junior and Senior High School choir
programs. After high school, Joe attended North Texas State University
where he graduated cum laude in 1984 with a Bachelor of Music
degree. He recently began working on his Masters degree in choral
conducting at the University of Houston. Joe is a 14-year veteran
in the Humble ISD. He spent his first seven years as the choir
director of Atascocita Middle School, and he just finished his
seventh year as the Associate Director of the Humble High School
Choir Department. Joe is a frequent clinician and adjudicator
in Texas and Oklahoma.
John Hemmenway
President Elect
"Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!" as Gomer Pyle would
say (for those of you old enough to remember that TV show). That
is just how I felt when Marsha announced my name as President
Elect at the close of the business meeting. After recovering from
the shock, my surprise turned to fear and humility. I am humbled
to think you, the membership of TCDA, would allow me the joy and
privilege to serve once again. TCDA and its membership has meant
so much to me as a teacher and a church musician. It will be an
honor to be able to give back to this great organization.
This first year will be a wonderful time as I am allowed mainly
to observe and do what I can to assist Marsha and the other Board
members. It will be an informative year as I learn new Board policies
and other changes that have occurred since I last served on the
board. I'm sure this year will prove to be the perfect opportunity
to learn the ropes from both Marsha and Randy.
My first duty as President Elect was to sit as an ex-officio member
of the Ways and Means committee along with Randy. Jo Scurlock-Dillard
did a fine job chairing that committee this year. They had many
valuable suggestions for the board to consider. I was so appreciative
of the positive way they presented their comments and criticisms.They
mentioned that the membership especially liked the addition of
water coolers in the hallways. Me too!
The post convention board meeting was exciting, but laced with
bitter-sweet, as the new board said goodbye to two members, Karen
Bryan and Regi Fowler, and hello to three new members, Sheila
Donahue, Kevin Riehle, and me. Much time was taken at this meeting
to read and digest your suggestions for improving our convention.
Plans are al-ready underway for the 1999 convention. Your suggestions
will certainly be taken into consideration by the board.
Some of my good friends gave me a hard time because I did not
mention my family in my biographical information in the TCDA program.
I have been happily married for 27 years to my wife, Marian. We
have two wonderful children. Jason is a junior at The University
of Texas, and Meredith is a sophomore at Cy-Fair High School.
Our newest addition is an eight-pound poodle named Precious. There;
now you know about the four best things in my life.
As I close, I am looking forward to these years of service and
the challenges TCDA will face in the new century. I hope you know
how important you are to Texas' music. As you prepare for all
the busy fall and holiday activities, remember that the music
you perform at school, church, and in your community choruses,
will touch many lives. How blessed we are to do what we do.
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Donald Bailey
High School/College Vice President
Every year completion of the TCDA Summer Reading Convention
reminds me that a school year is just around the corner. By now,
you are fully engrossed in the new academic year and wondering
"Where did the summer go?" If you are like I am, the
first month always seems overwhelming. How can we make music when
we have a thousand other demands on our time as teachers? I believe
it is extremely helpful if we remember that each new year and
each new day offer us a chance for new beginnings.
This summer in the midst of preparing for our convention, I accepted
the position of Acting Dean of the Baylor University School of
Music, which somewhat modifies my teaching schedule for 1998-99.
I will continue to direct Baylor Chamber Singers and teach graduate
conducting students, while learning just how much paperwork can
be generated from one office. At the end of this year, I will
be returning to my normal duties as Director of Choral Activities
at Baylor including conducting Chamber Singers and A Cappella
Choir.
How do we address the problems of managing the demands on our
time so we can be more effective in making music with our students?
How do we maintain a positive attitude with the pressures of being
a music educator? In order to focus upon what is really important
in my job, I have created a list of "Memo Headings"
as a daily reminder, hoping they will help me maintain positive
responses to each day's challenges. Perhaps you may wish to create
your own list of memo headings.
NEW BEGINNINGS:
Memo Headings for 1998-99
If you love what you are doing, it is not work.
Those of us in the music profession have the wonderful advantage
of being in a field we all love. Our challenge is to remember
the wonderful attraction which first drew us into music-making.
We need to help our students discover this love of musical expression.
Don't let the myriad demands and details of our profession push
out this love.
Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail.
I first heard this saying from Charlene Archibeque. It is
next to impossible to be an effective choral director without
effective planning. This planning needs to be both short-range
and long-range. How much simpler our lives would seem if we had
our yearly plan fully mapped out and taped on the wall at our
desk. How much more effective our rehearsals would be if every
rehearsal had a well prepared plan. Planning takes time but it
gives us the ability to maintain a modicum of serenity in a very
stressful profession. Planning also helps us set priorities and
focus upon those things we believe are most important.
Do it now, don't procrastinate.
In the busy field of education, we can alleviate some of the
stress if we act on things when they first appear on our desk.
Speaking from experience, the most difficult times I have are
a result of putting off a decision or action. You might try the
"jellybean" method. Each time I finish a goal or dictate
a letter, I get to eat a jellybean out of the jar. (Of course,
if I do too much work, I may gain a lot of weight.)
Will this matter in ten years?
Dr. Robert H. Young often queries me with this question when
I am concerned about some problem. Don't make mountains out of
molehills.
The glass is half-full not half-empty.
I am convinced that the great achievements are made primarily
by people who are optimists rather than pessimists. Rather than
dwelling upon what we do not have (money, administrative support,
tenors), we need to focus on what we do have (love of music, students
who want to grow, wonderful music, TCDA). The more we can view
problems as opportunities, the less frustration we face.
Music is for the students.
Each day offers the opportunity to remind myself that the
school and the faculty exist for the students. Our goal is to
provide the musical experiences and education which will give
our students the ability to create, perform, understand, and listen
to music, thus enriching their lives.
A failure is tragic only if I don't learn from it.
If we fear failure, we will be paralyzed by inaction. The only
people who do not fail are people who do not try anything. We
need to bravely explore unknown and new experiences. Go ahead
and try that more difficult piece of music. Go ahead and enter
that contest. Go ahead and bring in that guest performer. Even
if the event doesn't quite measure up to expectations, learning
from the new experience will most likely prepare both the conductor
and the choir to achieve a higher level.
Excellence is its own reward.
Most students, it seems, begin with external motivation as the
reason for their commitment. The sweepstakes trophy or the trip
to Orlando becomes the reward. However, external motivation is
not successful over the long haul of our lives, because there
will always be someone who has one more sweepstakes trophy or
someone who has better tenors. Although external motivation is
obviously important in gaining initial interest, we need to work
to help our students grow toward internal motivation in which
personal challenges, growth, and satisfaction are the impetus
for their actions. Most of us spend a lifetime realizing the necessity
of internal motivation for true personal satisfaction.
In everything give thanks.
Each day when I come to work, I need to remind myself that I do
not come isolated from the past or the future. I need to remember
to give thanks for all those who went before: the fifth grade
music teacher who instilled my love for music, the youth choir
director who made me realize that music calls for servanthood,
the university director who forced me to develop my abilities,
and the parents who supported my goals. All of us have a history
which makes it possible to be effective. We need to give thanks
for this history. We also need to make sure that we are a positive
part of each students' history. We are part of a long chain of
history. We have an opportunity to make a difference.
This is the day the Lord hath made, let us be glad and rejoice
in it.
Finally for me, my vocation is a means to serve a greater end.
Each new day is an opportunity to show love and concern for those
around me. Each new day reminds me that the greatest calling of
a teacher is to servanthood.
As you face the "new beginnings" of this school year,
may you have a successful and rewarding year.
THANK YOU: The 1998 Convention was one of the best.
The convention team brought together an outstanding group of individuals
who ensured a convention of excitement and excellence. We appreciate
our High School/College Session conductors: Randy Hooper from
Garland HS, Brian Miller from Sam Houston State University, Dennis
Richardson from Carroll HS in Corpus Christi, Gloria Stephens
from Ryan HS in Denton, and Barry Talley from Deer Park ISD. Appreciation
is also due Paula Ogle from McNeil HS in Austin, Howard Thompson
from Midway ISD, and Jennifer Zaccagni from Robert E. Lee HS in
San Antonio for their talent and hard work as accompanists for
these sessions. For one of the most well attended and informative
workshops, we thank Professor Stephen Heyde from Baylor University
for his two sessions on Working With Strings. Not only were his
presentations outstanding, his handouts will provide a wealth
of information during the coming year. We thank David Phipps from
Opti-Sound for his presentation and patient answering of our many
questions regarding sound reinforcement of our choirs. In the
TCDA recreation department, we appreciate the hard work of Frank
Sargent from Highland Park HS for organizing the TCDA Golf Tournament
and David Dyer from Taft HS in San Antonio for organizing the
TCDA Tennis Tournament. |
This year's annual Barbecue will remain in our memories for a
long time as one of those very special events at TCDA. The pre-dinner
music set the mood for a wonderful evening with David Dyer, Patty
Dyer, Marty Javors, and Don VanWinkle performing as The String
Factory Outlet. Their wonderful bluegrass style was excellent,
infectious, and toe-tapping. After last year's "Can-You-Top-This?"
presentation by Larry Gatlin and the Talley Boys, your VP for
High School/College Division was sweating bullets. However, Sharon
Montgomery and Charlene Wright were in a class all their own.
"Excellent, Exhilarating, Musical, Bawdy, Entertaining, Side-Splitting,
Hit of the Convention, and Even Better Than Last Year" were
some of the comments I received after the Barbecue. If you missed
this year's Barbecue, you missed a big one. We had a great time.
When you see Sally Schott, thank her for putting us on to this
wonderful act. A big thank you goes to J. W. Pepper of Dallas-Fort
Worth for their sponsorship of the Barbecue and Barbecue entertainment.
Their wonderful support made it possible to have an evening to
remember, as well as a very special birthday party for Luana Marler.
Finally, TCDA owes a huge debt for the dedication, service, and
skills of Dan Wood for his work as Executive Director. During
my first year on the TCDA Board, it has become clear that Dan's
work has been the critical factor in making our organization both
professional and successful. Thank you, Dan.
It is an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to serve
as your High School/College Division Vice President. The success
of TCDA is directly related to your willingness to submit comments,
concerns, and suggestions for our Division. I look forward to
hearing from you (especially with suggestions for the 1999 Barbecue
entertainment.) . . . AND FINALLY, "HAVE YOU SENT IN YOUR
RESPONSE TO THE TCDA CHORAL LITERATURE PROJECT?" This
is a very big project which can provide a great deal of help and
support for choral directors, new to the profession and old, in
Texas and throughout the country. Your input is critical to it's
success. Please make the time needed to complete the form and
return it to Dan Wood at the Austin Office or to me.
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Can You See Me?
The 1998 TCDA convention closed on Saturday, August 1st, with
the first day of school right at its heels - teacher in-service
on Monday, August 3rd. With less than 48 hours to reflect on the
convention and the beginning of school, I felt somewhat stressed.
In our profession, I relish the opportunity I have each year to
'begin anew'. I ask myself, "What should I change; what should
I try that's new; and what should I keep that works?"
My decision-making has been greatly influenced by the change in
the student body of our school because of new boundaries. Half
of my last years' enrollment is at Bush Middle School, and I now
have new students from Bradley, Garner, Eisenhower, Kreuger, and
Wood Middle Schools in addition to those who are new to the district.
I decided to focus on how to make them feel welcome, how to set
the stage for this group to become an ensemble of singers, and
how to plant seeds of friendship among them.
My thoughts lead me to my niece, Sammi Johnson. When she was small,
she attended Little Lamb Pre-School. For her fifth birthday, she
had received several new outfits and was especially proud of her
pink "Oshkosh" jumper. When I phoned to wish her a 'happy
birthday', she asked, "Can you see me? I'm wearing my new
outfit!" I asked her to step away from the phone so I could
take a look. She did! When she picked up the phone, I told her
how cute she looked. In the trusting manner of a five-year old,
she really believed I could see her! My goal is to make sure that
the students in the Driscoll Choir program, new and former, will
not be asking the question, "Can you see me?" They will
know I do!
Classes have been in session two weeks, and I know the names of
all students. When classes begin, I stand by the door and greet
children by name. The birthday calendar for September is posted.
Officer elections have been delayed so that all students may take
the opportunity to get to know each other better; social activities
are being planned. It's a tall order to think these children will
have the same trust in me as a five year old, but this simple
'game plan' seems to be working. Best wishes to you as you welcome
the challenges of school year 1998-1999, whatever your game plan.
As a member of the TCDA Board, my first convention has been
a challenging and rewarding experience. It is time to acknowledge
those who contributed to its success - your colleagues who shared
their experience and expertise. Georgia Kornegay imparted to "new
and old" the steps for preparing a choir for UIL in a workshop
entitled, They Know the Notes! Now What? as she led the NEISD
Varsity Demonstration Choir through the process of making a musical
performance come to life. For their support, a special thanks
to the students and directors from these schools in the North
East School District, Jane Haas, Eisenhower MS; Aimee Beliveau,
Garner MS; Melissa French, Wood MS; Driscoll MS; and Nona Schwab,
Bradley MS who also made the vocal tapes for us. Along with Ms.
Kornegay, these teachers and students also rehearsed in June and
the end of July. Thank you for your gifts of time and talent.
In the same breath, thank you to Linda W. Ice (who is on the mend),
Nancy Kissinger, and Tommy Haygood for sharing their approaches
for the selection of music in the session, UIL Programs That Work!
Their handouts (along with a little humor) will be a welcome guide
in the near future. Ruth Millner, Carl Braden and Kitty Amshoff
showcased fifteen 'old standards' in the Tried and Proven Workshop!
Along with the packets from the three reading sessions led by
Marc Erck, Gene Holkup, and Michele Stehling, you have numerous
programming options for this school year. Thank you to all of
the session and workshop conductors for their careful preparation
and superior presentations! For their assistance at the keyboard,
thank you to Jane Haas and Laura Taylor who provided the accompaniment
that ties all this together.
In the background, we have the Hospitality crew who were led by
a very conscientious and organized Irma Taute. With her assembled
force, the Booth, the Soiree, and the Barbecue were a success.
Thanks to Laurie Ballesteros, Pat Bonner, Linda Cassidy, Marian
Cates, Jeff Davenport, Melissa French, Maria Yolanda Garza, Jennifer
Hatch, Dolores Hernandez, Naida Jaggard, Vicke King, Jane Kuene,
Buddy Lang, Glynda Marrow, Mary Mauch, Jan Pressgrove, Alicia
Rocha, Noe Sanchez, Pala Schlien, Karen Seiffert, Judy Stephenson,
Jacqueline Traylor, Harold Tinsley, Jean Wood, and Jennifer Zaccagni
for their willinqness to serve TCDA in this sometimes unappreciated
capacity. I salute you! Did you check out the fabulous scrapbook
at the Hospitality Booth? M.G. Garvin helped fill the pages with
a memorable look back at convention '97. Thank you for continuing
to build the TCDA pictorial legacy as the official TCDA photographer.
MY heartfelt thanks to Mary Henry for her support, loyalty, and
friendship.
Planning for TCDA '99 has already begun. Take ownership of its
future and call me with your ideas and suggestions. To those who
took the time to share their responses in person or in writing
at the convention, thank you. It truly is a pleasure to serve
you and to work with this wonderful Board.
A special thanks to the retiring members, Karen Bryan and Regi
Fowler for their dedication, hard work, and humor. Enjoy the new
lease on life. I hope the 1998-1999 school year is the best, ever!
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Sheila Donahue
Elementary Division Vice President
Review and Preview
All of you have probably seen the bumper sticker that reads,
"Honk if you love Jesus!" I have my own version of that,
and it reads, "E-mail me if you read this!" I would
sincerely love to hear your comments and receive your suggestions
as I begin my two-year stint as TCDA Elementary Division Vice
President. Reach me at sheidona@tenet.edu.
Let me know that you are out there. Also, please let me know if
you are yearning to lead a reading session or a workshop at convention.
Speaking of convention! The 1998 version of TCDA was glorious!
Along with all of our elementary members, I would like to thank
Karen Bryan for her leadership during the past two years. Dr Kenneth
Phillips was a wonderful choice to direct the children's chorus.
If you have not yet read and used Dr Phillip's book, Teaching
Kids to Sing, it is a must read. More than one thousand students
have passed through my classroom since I started using his techniques,
stretching routines, and suggestions for vocal development. His
ideas are effective and palatable to students of all ages. They
haven't failed me yet.
Wasn't Betty Bertaux's, The Web a wondrous piece? Such
masterful wedding of text and musical interpretation! I sat there
in the audience as the children's choir was performing and thought
back on all the Rebecca Bragg's that had passed through my school.
Let it be a lesson to us all to look in our own back yards for
meaningful texts when we set out to commission a work. Along with
all of you, I am anxious to purchase the piece when Boosey &
Hawkes makes it available. We also cannot talk about the premiere
performance of The Web without remarking on Janet Scarcella's
incredible sensitivity at the piano.
Back to Karen - As she left her final board meeting, she asked
me to send out a few special thank you's to people who had made
the conference move so smoothly. These people are Carol Sullivan,
Pat Moore, Sharon Smith, Barbara Carter, and Brenda Hass. She
also sends a special thanks to Gaby Hill, Phyllis Braund, Ann
Burbridge, DeAnna Venable, and Carol Sullivan for auditioning
the solo group for the children's choir.
Aren't we fortunate to know such a person as Karen Bryan, who
is so willing to organize an event of such epic proportions for
our students? Thank you, Karen, for two wonderful years concluding
with your stunning effort on the children's choir!
That will be a hard act to follow with Children's Choir 2000,
but preliminary plans are being made even as you read this. Thanks
to all of you who so willingly made suggestions for potential
directors for 2000. I also don't mind telling you that I am on
something of a crusade to find a corporate or industry sponsor
so we can have another commissioned piece for the children in
2000. I am open to suggestions. Write me.
I am trying to get an additional elementary reading session for
next summer. Many of you stated that you would like to see a novelty
reading session added in our division. Rest assured I am giving
it my full attention and I'll keep you posted.
For those of you who have never worked convention registration
before, you have missed a real treat (I have to laugh, because
I actually typed in threat instead of treat just then, and nothing
could be further from the truth!) The San Antonio Convention Center
employees are, as my kids say, "da bomb!" During the
1998 convention registration, I saw almost everyone I knew, and
I made a lot of new friends as well. Volunteer to help out next
year. It is really a blast.
The 1998 convention highlights go on - All who saw him in action
said that Paul Oakley is nothing short of phenomenal and masterful
in his work with youth choirs . . . Ruth Ann Goodwin had a willing
group on the move with her choreography . . . Phyllis Braund directed
the Elementary U/SA reading session with unparalleled enthusiasm
and contagious good cheer . . . and thanks to Michelle Stehling
for such capable work with the Elementary/MS Training reading
session.
Where would we be without Jane Haas at the piano? And what a treat
was Dr Kenneth Phillips' session on the uncertain singer? Everyone
who attended his session said everything that he said was a gem
to keep. I must say it again, Thank you, Karen Bryan, for a great
convention!
In conclusion, I want to thank all of the people who supported
me in my effort to become Elementary Division Vice President.
I appreciate your confidence in me, and your willingness to entrust
two-years' worth of convention planning to me. I will strive to
do all of the things I promised I would.
You are all now back in school, and if a few of your upper elementary kids are still struggling with steady beat, keep this one in mind. Have the students sit in a circle. Maintain a steady beat on the lap as they chant the rhyme. A designated "caller" fills in the name of a child in the blank. The named child moves the beat to a different body place. All copy him for eight beats, then the beat returns to the lap and the game continues:
Beat, beat! Who's got the beat?
It moves around the circle so nice and neat!
Glory be! What do I see?
Johnny's got a very nice beat!
Remember: Your mind is like a parachute. It works best when
it is completely open.
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Kevin Riehle
Church/Community Vice President
We are a people of memory and vision. We hold the ability to
look forward with expectation, and in light and remembrance of
what has gone before, to that which shapes who we are and what
we are to become.
With that perspective, looking back on our past, planning and
operating in our present with an eye to the future, TCDA's 1998
Convention has served us so well! Rekindling old friendships,
sharing memories of what has worked and what hasn't, enabling
our future programming, teaching and conducting, networking, job
searches, new choral works, reviving tried and true - these are
a few of what makes our Conventions such a rich experience. And
many others more!
Appreciations and Accolades
A great word of appreciation goes to out-going Church/Community
Vice President Regi Fowler. He has served us so well, giving lots
of enthusiasm, hard work, and humor to TCDA over the past two
years. The Board and entire membership of TCDA says a heartfelt
thanks! The clinicians, concerts, reading sessions, and workshops
Regi brought to us were excellent and cast a wide diversity of
music, methods, and repertoire. A fine concert was presented by
the San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers under the direction of
Dr. John Silantien of the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Paul Oakley, director of choral music at the Hart Conservatory
of Music in Hartford CT, provided engaging insights into working
with young choral ensembles in the church as well as outside its
confines. Our hats were off to the Youth Choir of University United
Methodist Church, in San Antonio, Jennifer Hatch, director.
Michael Hawn, distinguished member of the church music faculty
at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, brought his unique
repertoire of folk music from other countries, making it accessible
to all. He was able to transform some tired directors into dancing,
clapping singers.
I want to express thanks to all our session conductors: Diane
Brumley, Billy Talley, and Deanna Goodman. In addition, thanks
go to our superb accompanist, Marcus Bradford.
A Benediction
In the frantic, segmented race in which we find ourselves, may
you know peace. May you know peace within your halls, your rehearsal
rooms, and within your heart and soul. May our music-making be
about making peace with one another, and may the Truth be found
in all our days, in all our ways. May we find new songs to sing,
new voices of expression, a nuance not heard before. May we be
open to the Spirit which motivates, enables, and inspires singer
and hearer. And may this year be a time for health, healing, and
transformation for us all.
Pax vobiscum.
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Kelly Moore
Secretary/Treasurer
I hope that you have had a positive and productive start of
the school year. I trust that this summer's convention provided
fresh ideas and approaches and new literature for you to implement
during the school year. Congratulations should be extended to
Marsha Carlisle, Randy Talley, Donald Bailey, Barbara Murphy,
Regi Fowler, and Karen Bryan for their preparation and dedication
to making the '98 Convention a successful one!
My sincere appreciation is extended to John Hemmenway, Kevin Riehle,
Stan McGill, Brenda Haas, Sheila Donahue, Roney Wood, and Pat
Moore for their assistance at the registration booths. Their hours
of work and help were essential to the running of registration.
A special thank you to Dan Wood and Jeanne Kuhn for their work
and preparation of the pre-registration process. We all express
our gratitutde to outgoing board members Karen Bryan and Regi
Fowler for their commitment to TCDA these past two years. Welcome
to new board members John Hemmenway, Kevin Riehle, and Sheila
Donahue. I look forward to serving the TCDA membership with them
as we plan the 1999 Convention.
If there is anyone in your school district, church, or community
who is not a member of TCDA, please inform them of our organization
and encourage them to join. I strongly believe that TCDA provides
a valuable support system for any choral director!
Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable year!