registering/logging in on the northwest district website (
www.nwmmea.net). We are using “Set 2” of the revised state audition materials for both the high school and ju- nior high school audition sessions. These can be found on the MBA website:
www.missouribandmasters.org.
I hope that you and your students have a successful year, filled with learning and making music! Contact me at:
kevin.griffin@
sjsd.k12.mo.us.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT #2 Brad Heckman, MMEA District President
Communication. Whether you’re a parent waiting on your child’s grades, waiting for your confirmation of the big sweepstakes win, or a music teacher waiting for a reply from your administrator about an urgent purchase requisition, communication is vital. No matter how quick the reply or how early communication is begun, it seems that we could or should communicate more quickly and efficiently.
For our students and their parents, communication by any means necessary, provided that is early and often, should eliminate lots of stress for them and for us, their teachers. There are free one-way texting services (remind101. com), Facebook fan pages (be aware of your school board policies here), websites, phone systems, good old- fashioned newsletters, and the local newspaper to make the process simpler and catch more parents and students in their favorite media. One system won’t work alone but the “shotgun” approach using all or a few of them does. Some directors put the next year’s calendar on the spring concert program. Consider posting an information packet on your website along with vital forms such as travel release information, needed equipment, curricular calendars, and so on. The parents of your students are powerful advocates for your program and when they know how much you are doing for their kids through good communication, they are powerful allies who will advocate for your program.
Respond as quickly as possible to incoming communication. The spam filter is my friend but it has also tripped me a few times. New and unrecognized e-mail gets dumped in the spam folder way too easily and though it isn’t personal, the senders take it that way far too often when we don’t respond. In any case, if you do receive that email a week after it was sent by finding it in your spam folder, respond as soon as possible, apologize for the tardiness and mend the fence. Don’t assume that it’s too late. An even better idea is to pick up the phone and call. In any case, reply to reasonable requests from co-workers and colleagues expediently as a matter of professional courtesy.
Fall 2013
There are times when you should not immediately reply with an email. If you receive an email and you sense hostility in the verbiage, it might be your own hostility. Unfortunately, there is no “sarcasm font” and the sender of the offending email may actually have thought they were joking with you. Emotion in the written word is on the part of the reader so take a day and then go talk in person.
Speaking of communication, we do our best to communicate with you as NEMMEA members. We do 99% of it through email and the NEMMEA website located at
http://nemmea.org. There are bulletin boards and a listserv, which we use to communicate. The site is due for an overhaul and update so check back often. Your district officers are provided there under “District Contacts” for your convenience and easy communication. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call or email.
I would like to take a moment to thank Jordan Perry, Brad Hudson, Tom Sweeney and Jamie Baker for their efforts at the first annual NEMMEA “meet and greet” BBQ. Without them, the event would not have occurred. This event was well received and had a decent turnout. Look for a survey via our listserv to make the event more convenient for everyone. Thanks also to Lincoln County Music and Palen Music for providing some nice door prizes!
And last but certainly not least, a hearty congratulations goes to the following performing groups that were selected to perform at the 2014 MMEA Convention:
• Westran High School Band, Erin Johnson • The University of Missouri Wind Ensemble, Dr. Brian Silvey
• (Columbia) Lee Expressive Arts Elementary School Explorers, Elizabeth Tummons
• Truman State University Concert Percussion Ensemble, Michael Bump
Important dates:
• District Choir Auditions: Sept. 21, Concert is Nov.2, at Columbia-Hickman.
• All-District Band/Jazz Band Auditions: November 9, at Moberly High School. All-District Band rehearsal and concert January 11, 2014 at Moberly HS.
• NEMO Jr. High Band Auditions: Jan 18th at Macon. Feb 16th
Concert at Macon.
• Elementary Honor Choir: April 7th at Moberly Area Community College.
• Junior High Honor Choir: April 14th at Moberly Area Community College.
27 NEMO Jr. High/ All-District Jazz Rehearsal/
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