From the AVA... Jane Powell, President,Alabama VocalAssociation
The second weekend of September brought 150 choral directors/retired directors/collegemusic education students to Birmingham for the annual AVA Fall Workshop. The Fall Workshop is a wonderful time of fellowship for all of us and welcoming new teachers into the organization. Dr. Jefferson Johnson gave us a much needed boost at the beginning of our new school year. What an energetic, positive, encourager he is. Dr. Johnson shared with us his insightful approach to teaching music in the style periodswith hiswonderful rehearsal ideas. We had a great time experiencing his approach to conducting and Looking Like the Music. He also had some valuable advice for our new teachers as they start down this exciting career path.
One thing that Dr. Johnson spoke about to our new teachers was showing up at the extracurricular activities of our students. Those of uswho have taught for a number of years know what this means to them when they see us in the stands supporting their efforts. In all sports seasonswe hear a lot about “team.” Many of us use this same concept in the choir room to encourage our students to come together for a common good. We also consult the athletic schedule before setting dates for choral events because the athletic schedule impactsmany of our singers. Afew years ago Tom Shelton shared with us an interesting comparison of chorus to sports and I share it with you here.
There are many similarities between sports and music teams. Both want and enjoy audience/fan support. Both represent the school and student body. Both require a coach and players who showmutual respect to each other in order for the team to be successful. Both are seen, heard, and judged by the public. Both shoot for high goals and excellence. Both require specialized knowledge and skills to achieve and perform well.
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Both require self-discipline and teamwork to succeed. Both promote values of responsibility, dependability, and cooperation. Both provide a challenging outlet for self- expression. Both instill a sense of pride and self- confidence.
As we help students find a balance between their commitment to the arts and their desire to be involved in sports it is good to remember that there are definite similarities in what each discipline can do for them. We know their involvement in the arts makes everything in their lives more meaningful and fulfilling, but we also recognize that the best way to live is with a healthy, well-rounded interest in many things. And by theway, I’ve noticed thatmany of us tolerate the end of summer and the beginning of school much better because it means that college football is just around the corner!
The Alabama Vocal Association and the Alabama Bandmasters Association are 2 organizations of the Alabama Music Educators Association that are sharing a commitment to advocacy within the arts. We are very concerned for the lack of funding and the loss ofmusic programs in our state. AVA has established an Arts Advocacy board position that is filled by Kathy Hughes, past AVA president. She shared a very moving, powerful presentation at the FallWorkshop to kick off our advocacy program. She is serving as the board liaison for the past presidents as she organizes them to help her in all parts of the state. We are indebted to Kathy and the passion and love for choral music that drives her desire to lead this charge. AMEA president- elect, Sara Womack, has challenged theAMEAboard to join forces to reach out to our legislators and to let our voices be heard. If we do not fight for ourselves, who will? We must work together and protect what we have before the arts that we love so much become lost in an economic disaster.
By this printing the All-State Show Choir auditions will have occurred and the All- State Choir auditions will be on the horizon. TheAVAExecutive Boardwith the help of 2 past presidents will travel the state during the week of November 11 – 18 auditioning students for the 3 high school and 2 middle school choirs. The last possible date to register for these auditions is November 4. Registrations are sent to Pat Blackwell and the entire audition schedule is listed on theAVAwebsite.
Let me encourage you to register and attend the AMEA In-service Conference January 20 – 22, 2011 at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center in Montgomery. The featured session presenters for AVA are Dr. Rosephanye Powell, who will be sharing with us the inspiration behind some of her music in The Composer and Her Music and a session on Keeping the “Choir” in Show Choir. Dr. Patrick Freer will demonstrate Working with Boys and their Changing Voices as well as Designing Optimal Choral Rehearsal Strategies for Young Adolescents. Also, Dr. John Feierabend will present 2 sessions on Using Quality Choral Literature forMusic Literacy. The All-State Show Choir Festival will be led by nationally renowned vocal clinician Greg
Jasperse, and acclaimed
choreographer April James. You are also encouraged to make sure you do not miss MENC national president, Dr. Scott Schuler and retirement investor David Bronner. This convention is packed with well planned sessions for you. Don’tmiss any of them!
I look forward to seeing you at all AVA events!
Questions about your MENC membership?
Call
1-800-828-0229 or email
mbrserv@menc.org 9
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