South Central Kansas Music Educators has lots to celebrate for this issue of the KMR. We congratulate the directors of the following South Central Kansas music students who participated in the NAfME National Honor Groups at the National Convention in Grapevine, TX Nov. 10-13: Symphony Orchestra: Leah Rosales (alternate) (Wichita Northeast Magnet) and Sarah Smith (Maize High School), Concert Band: (Jacob Hemenway (McPherson High School), Mixed Choir: Logan Combs (Campus High School), Matthew Slusser (Cheney High School) and Elis Thompson (Wichita Northwest High School). It was an incredible event and we are so proud of the great work these students and educators are doing.
The high spirited District Elementary Honor took place October 15, 2016 at Andover High School under the direction and inspiration of Christy Elsner, Founder and Artistic Director of the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City and a former South Central music educator. The singers loved her creative and fast paced energy and presented a magical concert, accompanied by Amanda Pfenninger. To serve our music educators, our workshop was facilitated by Kansas Music Educators of Kansas president Lindsay Jervis, a local elementary school music educator who has created a popular Teachers Pay Teachers online store, Lindsay’s Kodály Inspired Classroom featuring terrific ideas for music classrooms at all levels. We are grateful to Andover Martin Elementary teacher Maureen Berry, who, after having done a wonderful job, turns the chairwomanship reigns for next years’ choir to Marcia Bricker from Cessna Elementary, Wichita. Thank you, Maureen and welcome, Marcia!
On November 5 Andover Central High School hosted the SCKMEA District HS Band, Orchestra and Choir auditions. We are grateful to Joe Emery, Alex McMahon, Kevin Brightup, Julia Miller, the ACHS music students and support parents for their hard work and hospitality. The Middle Level Honor Band, directed by Dr. Brian Silvey from the University of Missouri, did a terrific job, as did the Middle Level Honor Choir with Dr. Mark Bartel from Friends University, accompanied by Paul Graves. The HS 1234 Jazz Band was directed by Nick Schroeder from Hutchinson Community College and the 56A Jazz Band was directed by Lisa Hittle of Friends University. SCKMEA students had an inspiring and great day taking it to the next level.
Anticipating a successful and busy day at Wichita East High School on December 3, we’d like to send our thanks to the Wichita Public Schools, Wichita East High School administration and music faculty Eric Crawford, Jennifer Potochnik and Maranda Wilson for hosting our district Mini-Convention and Honor Group performances. Music educators, elementary/instrumental and vocal will be able to gather together in one location because of their generosity and assistance, including a barbeque lunch accompanied by our business meeting. Thanks also to the collegiate NAfME chapters at WSU and Friends, whose students generously give their time to assist students and directors. Honor Ensemble performances will include:
- High School Mixed Honor Choir directed by Dr. Brad Vogel from Tabor College, Hillsboro
- High School Women’s Honor Choir directed by Dr. Melissa Grady from Kansas University, Lawrence
- High School 1234A Band directed by Dr. Daniel Laing, Hastings College, Hastings, NE
- High School 56A Band directed by Dr. Jeff Jordan, Fort Hays State University, Fort Hays
- High School Orchestra directed by Dr. Ramiro Miranda, Emporia State University, Emporia
For more information about the South Central District activities, please find our website at: http://www.sckmea.org.
The SCKMEA Board held fall elections and the officers and chairs above were elected to their positions. Due to the resignation of Mark Walker, prior President-Elect, the district elected Bryan Kirk to serve the remainder of the term. Bryan will become President of SCKMEA during the February, 2017 ISW – his experience as KMEA Historian and SCKMEA Facilities chair will come in handy as he steps in so quickly. He will represent a group of music education leaders who are passionate about serving the music students of the South Central district. I am grateful for their service and willingness to commit to providing exceptional opportunities for our students and it has been my delight to serve as President these last two years.
We are pleased to present and congratulate our 2016-2017 Outstanding Music Educators and Honor Administrator for the South Central District:
SCKMEA 2016 Outstanding Elementary Music Educator
Wiley Elementary
Hutchinson
SCKMEA 2016 Outstanding Secondary Music Educator
Hillsboro K-12
SCKMEA 2016 Outstanding HS Music Educator
Rose Hill High School
Outstanding Honor Administrator
Burrton Schools USD 369
South Central Kansas Music Educators Executive Board:
- President Amy Brown, Wichita Northwest HS
- President-Elect Bryan Kirk, Maize HS
- VP & HS Band Chair Shawn Knopp, Tabor College
- Executive Director Larry Brownlee, Sterling HS
- Chair HS Orchestra Henry Littich, Smoky Valley HS and
- Asst, HS Orchestra Roberta Banks, Winfield Schools
- Chair, HS Jazz Band Dane Danielsen Goddard HS
- Asst, HS Jazz Band Kim Pfeiffer, Goddard HS
- Chair, HS Choir Matthew Hanne, Independent School
- Asst, HS Choir Jarl Morland, Wichita
- Chair, MS Band Allen Hisken, Wichita Mead MS
- Asst, MS Band Jayme Hayes, Haven MS
- Chair, MS Choir Mary Halsig, Wichita Isely Magnet
- Chair, Elem Choir Maureen Berry, Martin Elementary
- Facilities Joe Emery, Andover Central HS
- Advocacy Jordan Northerns, Circle HS
- Mentoring Deborah Harris, Wichita
- Webmaster Troy Johnson, Belleville
