Minutes
Saturday, August 8. 2009
Los Lunas High School

President Bill Austell called meeting to order at 9:34 a.m.  Bill welcomed everyone, especially those new to the district. Introduction of members followed.

President’s Report:
Bill mentioned that at the state meeting this summer, the issue of ethics came up. He read the ethics statement that was adopted to the members.

Bill also passed around a clipboard for us to update our information on the roster. A copy of the current roster was available for members to refer to.

Secretary’s Report:
Cathy Danner read the Secretary’s Report. Two amendments were added. The first was adding that the Orchestra decided they would be adding onto Band Solo and Ensemble this year. The second was to clarify the term MPA, writing “Music Performance Assessment” after the first instance in the minutes. Rene Pena moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Henry Estrada. The motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report:
Cathy read the Treasurer’s Report. Bill reiterated the General Rules that Jeaninne had written on page 2. Mark Scholz moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Amy Anderson. Motion passed.

General Music VP Report:
Bill mentioned that Amy Anderson will be receiving the John Batcheller award this year.

Amy told us that the General Music Festival will be held on April 17^th at Rio Rancho HS. There will be 9 stations this year.

Opening number music will be purchased by each school. However, after discussing textbook adoption in the Spring meeting, if everyone has the same textbook, no purchase of additional music for the opening number will be necessary.

The general music teachers will look into the possibility of purchasing t-shirts this year. This will give everyone a uniform look on stage. This will, however, impact the cost. Cathy Estrada is looking into the impact.

Jobs were assigned for the festival at the Spring meeting. It was also discussed that there is no General Music section in the district handbook. This will be drafted for approval at the Spring meeting.

Orchestra VP Report:
Karen Ginther asked for private string teacher lists from everyone because she wants to see a higher participation in Honor Orchestra and Solo and Ensemble from the district.

The orchestra programs will continue to split time between our district and District VII events.

Honor Orchestra will be just middle school level again this year. It was a success last year.

Guitar VP Report:
Mark Scholz reported that the guitar program has exploded in Moriarty. He would like to include elementary at Solo and Ensemble for guitar.

The guitar festival this year will take place on March 13^th at Moriarty.

All-State audition music was provided.

Mark is trying to get a level one guitar workshop here in New Mexico. He said he would keep us all updated.

Choir VP Report:
Jadira Flamm reported that the spring meeting was very productive.

Large Group will be hosted by Belen this year. Honor Choir will be in Rio Rancho. Solo and Ensemble is up in the air, but will be solved in the section meeting.

Band VP Report:
Mariko McWhorter reported that Honor Band packets were located on stands in the back of the room. Clinicians this year will be Monty Hill for the middle school group and Kenny Capshaw for the high school group.

Bill told us that we need to work on full participation in district events this year. We need to let our administrations know that we are utilizing all opportunities given to us so our programs are not cut. Produce results for them.

Advocacy Report:
Dan Kinsman reported that the state established a committee for advocacy last year. There is one representative from each district on this committee.

The state has invested in the “Keep Music Education Strong” program from NAMM. We are responsible for taking national program down to the state/district level because each group’s advocacy needs are different.

Packets are available and should be given to decision makers in the district (i.e. principals, school board, etc.). Pens and stickers are available as well. Don Gerheardt’s email address is on the pens because he wants to hear from people.

State will provide supplies and information, but we have to do the legwork ourselves.

Dan presented a plan to get advocacy going in our districts.

Discussion followed with ideas to get information out to people.

Old Business
The master district calendar was reviewed. The only change that needed to be made was the correction of the guitar festival date.

The list of state award recipients was read. Amy Anderson received the John Batcheller award.

Handbook Update –

• We wanted to make sure that we included everything that we’re doing now in the handbook. New items will be discussed and approved or adjusted.
• Need to change “Elementary Music” to “General Music” because of student population present in that group.
• Wording was changed to either clarify or be grammatically correct.
• Bill went through the changes made to the handbook.
• Additional change – take out “Best of Day” under Solo and Ensemble (redundant)

Debbie Fleming moved to approve the handbook as updated. Rene Pena seconded. Discussion followed, and the motion passed.

Additions to the handbook will be presented for approval at the spring meeting.

New Business
Don reminded presidents to remind us about All-State updates.

Bill reminded us to update personal information and to sign up for All-State duties.

A reminder was given that in order to be eligible to vote at meetings, you must be a member of NMMEA. Kurt moved to amend online registration for events to include MENC member number and expiration date. Jadira seconded and the motion passed.

Discussion followed of possible topics to include/change in the handbook. The main one was fees. Jadira suggested adding Jeaninne’s rule #2 under the fees section.

Amy moved to adjourn to section meetings. Bo Rogers seconded. Meeting adjourned to section meetings at 11:52 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Danner

Home  |  Central District  |  Central District Forms  |  Director & Adjudicator Guidelines