News fom the Districs DISTRICTS, from p. 34


play out of social media where former students seek out and thank their former directors for making them punctual, professional and most importantly, HUMAN. Students also reminisce how they were given opportunities through applied music to improve their focus and discipline as a team while at the same time being taught to be a creative and thoughtful individual.


I would like for everyone in our profession to honestly embrace Kaizen as a great way to describe our musical drive. Although some educators naturally do it better than others, there is always room to improve serving our students and their families. This servitude was both visually and aurally apparent at the 2017 MMEA conference. The level of professionalism and enthusiasm shared between students, teachers and audience members was practically an epidemic. Every year this conference pushes us to see the endless musical limits for our ensembles, and more importantly our professional goals. “Life-long learners” shouldn’t just be a phrase we say to administrators while in a job interview, it should be our credo. Kaizen!


Thank you to the MMEA board for developing an outstanding convention. It was rejuvenating and inspiring. Thank you to my colleagues Bob Thalhuber and Kim Foley for their strong editing, making my writing readable.


For a list of the rest of this year’s events, please go to http://nemmea.org/calendar/nemmea-calendar/


Northeast District 2 Board: • President: Marc Lewis - mlewis@cpsk12.org • Past President: Tom Sweeney - TSweeney@ cpsk12org


• President Elect: Brad Hudson - bhudson@ kirksville.k12.mo.us


• Secretary: Jenna Maule – jenna.r.maule@gmail. com


• Treasurer: Debbie Higbee-Roberts - dhigbee@ hannibal.k12.mo.us


• University rep: Dr. Dori Waggoner - dwaggone@ centralmethodist.edu


spring 2017 | www.mmea.net


• Mentoring Chair: Josh Myers - jmyers@fayette. k12.mo.us


• MIOSM Chair: Kelsy Whitacre - kwhitacre@ glasgow.k12.mo.us


• Webmaster/Jazz VP: Brad Heckman - bheckman@ monroe.k12.mo.us


• Jr. High Band VP: Jamie Baker – jbaker@macon. k12.mo.us


• District Choir VP: Robin Steinhaus – rsteinhaus@ cpsk12.org


• Jr. High Choir VP: Rebecca Murphy – rmurphy@ kirksville.k12.mo.us


• District Orchestra: Bill Strozier – wstrozier@ cpsk12.org


• Elementary Choir: Eva Eikel/Kimberly Guilford (email: Marc Lewis – see above)


• District Band: Jordan Perry – jperry@moberly.k12. mo.us


KC METRO DISTRICT #3 Clif Thurmond, MMEA District President


Is it not everyday that you learn something? Is it not everyday that you experience something for the first time? Is it not everyday that you live a little differently because something has an effect on your being? As I sit here pondering the focus for this month’s issue, “Life Long Learning,” I think to the moments everyday that keep me in that arena.


This past MMEA Conference, our Wind Ensemble was fortunate enough to be selected to perform. The entire process was a microcosm of this topic. From the first rehearsal in August to the last release in January, I think of the birth of a journey to the arrival at the destination as a scene of life long learning for myself and my students.


While it is difficult to put into words, the amazing experience it was with my students, I think it is best to hear from the very ones involved. On Monday after the conference, I stood before the band, not sure where to go from here. We have another huge performance at the beginning of March, with all new music. I told them that I would love nothing more


See DISTRICTS, p. 38 35


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