SE District President
Greetings from the Southeast District!
We continue to see great things happening in our district as we have more and more new teachers join our district & get involved at a greater rate. The past year showed an increase of participation in schools and students in our honor events.
Last year our high school honor ensembles had the privilege of performing in the new Bicknell Family Center for the Arts at Pittsburg State University. This was an amazing experience for our students as they were able to perform in an auditorium built with the finest technological advances available today. We once again thank Dr. Susan Marchant, her students and the staff at the center for their diligent work to make this opportunity a success for our students. The Honors Concert in December was truly a remarkable performance.
We again experienced a huge attendance at our Elementary/Middle School Honor Groups Concert in January. I believe it is due to many new teachers in our district who have been encouraged to bring students to this event. Chanute High School has hosted this event for many years and we are extremely grateful to them for the fine job they do. This will be their last year to host & we have a new location in mind for the following year.
Our chairs have been working diligently to prepare for this year’s honor concerts. We are looking forward to having the following clinicians working with our 2016-17 honor ensembles:
- High School Jazz: Clinician – to be announced
Lewis Hundley, Uniontown USD 235, chair
- High School Orchestra: Clinician Dr. David Littrell, KSU
Jami Kleinert, Independence USD 446, chair
- High School Band: Clinician Dr. Frank Tracz, KSU
Scott Bradley, Erie USD 101, chair
- High School Choir: Clinician Dr. Terry Crull, Ft. Hays State University
Danica Gibson, Cherokee USD 247, chair
- Middle School Band: Clinician – to be announced
Jami Messner, Caney USD 436, chair
- Middle School Choir: Clinician Greg Bontrager
Lori Scantlin, Riverton USD 404, chair
- Elementary School Choir: Clinician Janeal Krehbiel, retired
Rebecca Logan, Cherokee USD 247, chair
KMEA Southeast District Calendar of Events 2016-17
- HS Choir Audition Entries Deadline – Oct 9, 2016 – Sun
- HS Band Audition Entries Deadline – Oct 17, 2016 – Mon
- HS Jazz Audition Entries Deadline – Oct 17, 2016 – Mon
- HS Orchestra Audition Entries Deadline – Oct 17, 2016 – Mon
- State Elementary Choir Audition Deadline – 1st week of Nov.
- District Tryouts – Parsons – Nov. 5, 2016 – Sat.
- Elem. Choir Audition Entries Deadline – Nov 6, 2016 – Sun
- MS Band Audition Entries Deadline – Nov 6, 2016 – Sun
- HS District Jazz Band Concert – Nov. 17, 2016 – Thurs. – PSU
- MS Choir Audition Entries Deadline – Nov 20, 2016 – Sun
- District Honors Concerts – PSU – Dec. 3, 2016 – Sat.
- State Instrumental Auditions – Salina – Jan. 7, 2017 – Sat.
- Middle School Honors Concerts – Chanute – Jan. 14, 2017 – Sat.
- KMEA In-Service – Century II, Wichita – Feb. 23-25, 2017
SE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to the following teachers for being selected by your peers as our honor teachers:
Middle School Teacher of the Year
High School Teacher of the Year
Carol Hoyt, Parsons
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Chris Kastler – Meadowview Elementary
School, Honor Administrator of the Year
I have enjoyed serving as president of the SE District and learning about the many facets of our state organization. As I have worked with the many people who make up the KMEA Board, I realize that Kansas is blessed with diligent workers, willing to commit many, many hours to find the best possible solution for our students. Thank you to all of you who give so much of yourself to create life-long experiences for our students! Oh, the memories that we make through our love of music!
