Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I attended the GMEA Conference in Savannah. I make it my annual pilgirmage to relaxation and getting a fresh start. It seems that were not as many workshops as in the past. Some of the ones I attended were very interesting. Each class related specific area in my schools. One clinician emphasized the importance of ensembles in instrumental music. I sometimes have my better students play either solos or duets for programs. This approach has a definite effect on other students wanting to play solos. I feel his main point was that we or I should incorporate as many students to do the same, not to restrict participation. The other class dealt with reeds and mouthpieces. The relation to the first class was that in choosing a mouthpiece for your students in the band, do not start with you best students(1st and 2nd) but start with the 3rd and work your way up. It could be the mouthpiece that is keeping them in the third section. He gave examples of students moving from 3rd to the the first clarinet based on the changing of the mouthpiece. I think I will incorporate this concept with my violin students. Checking bows, shoulder rests to help move my slower students along.

The other two classes dealt with new piano music and a new instrumental music book coming out this spring. The important aspect about the book is that you can personalize it and add you own teaching ideas to the finish product. In any case the presentation concept dealt with the style and look of the book. I think what got my attention and others is that we can place our school on the cover. I think we are all looking forward to this new edition. If you are really into music education this conference and others is always a good way to learn more about how you relate to students and how important we are to the whole student and school. I met new people there and some who are taking this Saturday class. They wanted to know when the next class will be and are we going to make up the one we miss.

Tuesday January 26,2o1o

It has been some time since I have written anything about music or teaching. There has been a lot of activities going since school opened back up. We moved back into the new Dunbar Elementary school. The music staff has pretty much gotten our area in some working order. The room is spacious. The students are still very excited about being in the new school. I guess the newness has not worn off yet. As I mention in my last blog, I wanted to use the new atmosphere to get the students more excited about the music they are playing. I have some 2nd graders who are getting more comfortable with their instrument, the fingering, bowing and posture. More students in their grade level are asking to be in the orchestra. The teachers are cooperative there as well. All last week I made a point of passing around the judges comments from last year's LGPE. I pointed out the scoring procedure, the difference in the judges comments and what we need to work on. This was a very good move on my part. I was able to make them understand what I have be saying based on three other persons. So when I made a comment, they would reflect on what the other judges wrote. I took this revelation to the other schools it is working well. It does help them focus more.

I am on my way to Savannah in the morning. I find it is always good to get away and see, hear and learn what others around the state are doing.

Today was test day for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. I was able to work with my students in the afternoon and get ready for upcoming programs. Some of the student were having a hard time with one piece and after some trial and error they were able to play the piece with relative ease. I tried some classroom techniques and asked them to give me one word that would sum up what they feel about themselves in relation to the piece they just played. The word I was looking for was confidence. I could see the positive reaction when I said the word. I want to try this again with my other students and see how it works. Although I have to make sure that my teaching methods will receive the same results.

I am finding now that there is a more urgent need to do well on these upcoming tests. The music teacher and PE teacher are facing schedule changes based on administrative urgency to pass and test and it is disrupting their class routine. I think these areas need to maintained and not disrupted to help stimulate the students minds in areas other than acedemics that would ultimately help with successful testing. The front office is minimizing the importance of the arts in that respect.