Contract for Grade

MMEA Mid-Winter Music Convention

February 17-19, 2000

Minneapolis Convention Center

Submitted by:

Paul Brownlow

Another great convention was held this winter for music educators. There are so many sessions available for everyone who attends. There are great performances put on by children in the primary grades to retired adults. Informational sessions are also readily available in any musical topic you would like to learn about. This convention is a must for anyone who wants to stay ahead in the music profession.

I attended several performances this year. The best performance of all was by the Sleepy Eye Middle School Band. There kids were playing music that some high school bands would be challenged with playing. They were a small band from a small community, but that did not keep them from making great music. The other great performing group came from Anoka. Their orchestra had many talented players. The principle chair violinist played a solo that was phenomenal. Her biography printed in the program was one most adults would be proud to have. She had performed with several professional groups and won many awards during her short tenure as a violinist.

Some other performing groups included the Blaine and Duluth East Wind Ensembles, the Middle Honor Band, and the St. Olaf Norseman Band. Both wind ensembles did very well, but a music director expects that from an auditioned ensemble. The schools that have wind ensembles usually have a large enrollment. For example, Blaine has 2900 students attending their school and from that 700 are involved in the music program. These numbers allow schools to come up with very elite groups. St. Olaf did a light-hearted concert. They played several songs written by Swedish composers. One title HoH was an elementary level song which they played because of its name and heritage.

I presided over a session entitled Technology, National Standards, and the Beginning and Middle Level Band. The main purpose of the session was to present a new band method to educators. I do not usually go to those sessions because I am pleased with the method I am currently using. But, after hearing the young performers at this session, I decided to give the new pops music book a try. I do not usually have my students perform much of the hit pop music because I want students to learn to play music by using the basic fundamentals of counting and reading the notes. After using the book a couple of weeks, I can say I am glad I presided over the session and decided to buy the books because my kids are having a lot of fun.

Networking is another important feature of MMEA. Thousands of music teachers convene every year to improve their teaching skills. The three day clinic gives music educators the opportunity to work with others who share the same concerns and situations. After the clinic is over, I always seem to know more teachers around the state who are trying some of the same ideas I am This networking is powerful because it offers the support and encouragement a teacher needs working in a very demanding field.

Every year I look forward to February and MMEA. It is a time for music educators to sharpen their skills in their own profession and also a time to hear what great school performing groups are accomplishing around the state. It is fun to meet up again with old acquaintances as well as meeting new people. For as long as I am a music teacher in the state of Minnesota, I will always go to MMEA because the benefits to my students and myself are numerous.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2000