Minnesota Chapter Middle School Small Ensemble Day

Happy November, everyone!

Read this wonderful account from Past President, Randy Lee of Minnesota about the wonderful project their state has done for the past 5 years!

ASBDA-MN is proud to announce the successful completion of its 5th annual SMALL ENSEMBLE DAY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, at Southview Middle School in Edina, MN

Thanks to our hosts, ASBDA members, Bob Ouren and Geneva Fitzsimmonds (state chair), we were able to teach 75 middle school band students! With seven ASBDA-MN members and two other hired instructors we were able to offer students this opportunity to receive training and experience performing in small ensembles, such as brass choirs, saxophone ensembles, clarinet choirs, flute ensembles, percussion quintets, etc. Participating schools: Southview, Buffalo, Hermantown, St. Anthony, Morgan Park, Chaska, Woodland, and Valleyview Middle School. Six of those schools have ASBDA member directors. Others were invited. COST TO STUDENTS was ONLY $15. They added on $5 and had a pizza, pop, and cookie lunch. Participating students must have had at least one year of band experience and be in 7th or 8th grade. The surprise of the day was when some members of the MN Orchestra came in to the building, coincidentally, in prep for a Chamber Music event to take place the following day. The clarinet group got a visit from Burt Hara, principal clarinetist of the MN Orchestra, who played briefly for them, talked for a few minutes, and even let a student try his clarinet?!

**SCHEDULE of the day**

9:30-9:50 check in

10:00 Began the day all together to talk about small ensemble playing, to assess needs and attendance (illness? Or surprises), etc. A staff clarinet trio performed briefly. Instructors determined final instrumentation with abilities, experience, age and also practical ways to group students with the staff and facilities available.

10:20 - students break into their ensembles and begin rehearsal, led by ASBDA directors and guest teachers.

11:30 University of MN Brass Quintet performed!

LUNCH HOUR – pizza (Chapter meeting took place while parents and other staff helped supervise students)

1:00 - master classes - A nice woodwind quintet was also formed from the top players.

2:00 More small ensemble rehearsal

3:00 student groups perform. PARENTS, FRIENDS, GRANDPARENTS, AND OTHER GUESTS CAME TO WATCH THE FINAL CONCERT!!

Randy Lee, Event Coordinator

Staff for the day included:

Geneva Fitzsomonds, host, state chair, woodwinds

Katie Sandor, flute

Terri Svec, double reeeds
Paul Isaacs, clarinet

Randy Lee, saxophone

Bob Ouren, host, brass

Eric Anderson, brass

and
Leslie Churchill, brass

Bruce Taylor, percussion, and Josh Greenberg, woodwinds, were hired to help.

And special thanks to Dr. David Baldwin who teaches the U of MN Brass Quintet and arranged their appearance once again!!

Minnesota chapter is also happy to report that our chapter will, as always, do a session at our state convention in February- *"Armed and Dangerous!* Teaching beginning band can be a treacherous endeavor, but whether you are a new teacher or have a few years under your belt, this session will address the unique challenges that come with beginning band programs. A panel of ASBDA members (Terri Svec, Randy Lee, Chris Ravndal, Katie Sandor, and Paul Isaacs) will address topics including: recruitment, instrument selection, retention, scheduling, rapport with building staff/administration, facility use, dealing with vendors and traveling between buildings. This session is sponsored by the MN Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association.

So - what else is going on around the country with ASBDA members making a difference in student's lives - let's hear about it, and share our great ideas with other state chapters! Until next Sunday -

Cindy Swan-Eagan, President

American School Band Directors Association

Orlando Convention Hotel - Brand New and It's a Beauty!

The brand new Hilton Orlando has been open officially now for just 1 month. It is the perfect location for a convention - ASBDA will enjoy being there this summer (July 6 - 10, 2010), as we join forces with the Florida Bandmasters Association for the second time, to have combined conventions.

The lobby is bright, airy & spacious, and the staff is attentive.

There are several wonderful ballrooms - our meetings, concerts and sessions will be held in these. They are within an easy walking distance of the guest rooms.

There are four on site restaurants, all with different menus, plus a deli sandwich shoppe. There are also several restaurants within easy walking distance - I will post a list of those in an upcoming blog post.


There is a business center, complete with computers and ticket printing stations, but also, a UPS Store! What a convenience!

The pool complex is fantastic, and this picture only shows half. I'll have more detailed pictures of this area in an upcoming blog post. We'll be walking distance from Sea World and the Sea World water park, but this pool complex may just make your family forget just how close we are to those other attractions!

Our 2010 convention is sure to be uplifting and inspiring - I'm not going to give it all away yet, but we have middle school, high school, community and military bands set to perform, some wonderful clinic sessions (including artistry with the middle school band, concert snare drum technique & a new music reading session), and of course, the ASBDA meetings. We'll also have extra time beyond what we've had in recent years devoted especially to regions being able to come together to plan their first ever regional conventions for 2011.

Information regarding making your room reservations with the hotel will be coming soon. You'll love the venue, and the room rate we have just can't be beat.

Convention registration information will be coming during it's usual mid-winter time, but mark your calendars now for the ASBDA Convention - July 6 - 10, 2010 - "Carrying the legacy into tomorrow!"

Until next Sunday - have a great week!

Cindy

Position Statement in "the Instrumentalist"

Please check p. 27 of this month's "The Instrumentalist" magazine. Our "position statement on curriculum reform" is there along with our web address in the index. This was adopted by the membership at this summer's convention. Hopefully, this document will spur other groups and individuals to advocate music (and band programs in particular) in our schools! This is also part of what will be our work with the ABA. Please make this document available to YOUR school administration and policy makers! Thanks!

Thanks for a great year!

To all ASBDA members:
Thanks for a great year. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your President for 2008-2009. I feel that we made great progress as an Association and hope that all of you will continue to support our new President and President-Elect as they reshape ASBDA! Also, this is the time for you to do something for the Association by volunteering for committee work, writing an article for the newsletter, and/or becoming a mentor for a prospective new member! ASBDA is a SELF-help organization, so it's up to YOU to keep us going! Have a great year!

Jeff Phillips
ASBDA President 2008-2009

Sad News

We have received word this afternoon of the passing of ASBDA Past President Seymour Okun.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday at the Dorfman Chapel, 30440 West Twelve Mile Road, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Interment will follow at the Temple Beth El Cemetery.

The family invites you to join them for a luncheon immediately following, which will occur in the Town Room of the 5000 Town Center Building. The building is a high rise located at the southwest corner of Evergreen and Civic Center Dr, in Southfield, Michigan. The entrance is on Civic Center, and complimentary valet parking is provided.

The Okun family will green their guests at a Shiva on Monday, August 31, begining at noon, in the home of Suzanne Okun, which is the 5000 Town Center Building, #2501.

The family suggests that contributions be made to the Faye and Seymour Okun Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Faye and Seymour Okun Fund at the Jewish Federation of Detroit, or a charity of your choice.

Should any further information be made available, it will be posted here immediately.

Mark Your Calendars - MidWest Clinic Meeting Room, Date & Time Announced!

Hi everyone! Mark your calendars now - ASBDA will be having a breakfast meeting, complete with Continental Breakfast at the Hyatt at McCormick Place, Room CC22B, on Friday, December 19, 2009 from 7 a.m. til 9 a.m.

While this is not an official business meeting, this is a great time of sharing, getting updates on the progress of our regionalization, implementation of the Handbook Newly Revised, and on the wonderful Convention being planned for us by the Florida Delegation - remember, this year we'll be at a brand new facility (opening within a few weeks!!!) and will be working together with the Florida Bandmaster's Association for our convention - you won't want to miss the updates about that!

Mark your calendars - Chicago's calling!

Teaching in Switzerland

I have now been teaching for two weeks in Wil, Switzerland on my Fulbright teacher exchange. I think I am finally getting on a regular sleep schedule. I was warned that I would be very tired during the first two weeks, and they were right. The fact that I had to start teaching two days after my arrival didn't help. I have also spent a great deal of time taking care of non-school-related items such as getting my residence permit, setting up a bank account, and getting cell phones.

I have discovered so far that there are some major differences between Littleton Public Schools and St. Katharina. I specify the two particular schools since I'm not completely sure at this point what is typical and what is specific to LPS or "Kathi." Here's a short list:
1. School starts at 7:30 and generally ends at 4:00, but can go until 6:00.
2. Lunchtime is a major event in Switzerland (many businesses close for lunch) and the students have 1:40 for this.
3. Students are allowed to be in classrooms during lunchtime and breaks without teacher supervision. Many just sit in the classrooms and socialize and others may go to the music rooms to practice.
4. Students take many electives, including a lot of music.
5. There is no such thing as a school bus. Students find their own means of transportation to school. Many students take a train.
6. Wednesday is a short day. Most students and teachers are finished by 11:00.
7. There are no school sponsored after-school activities. Any additional programs are privately operated.

So far, my experience has been wonderful, but also stressful. I am realizing that, even though I have been studying German for a couple of years, I need to get much better at it. On the other hand, I am learning how to deliver instruction without a lot of needless verbiage. The difficulty is having to translate things that I have said every day for the past 25 years. I can never teach on "auto pilot." I was also warned that I would feel like a first year teacher, and they were right about that also. That is the wonderful thing about doing a teacher exchange. Not only does one get the cultural experience, but it also make one re-think your teaching methods from the ground up.