23/03/2012
NW Division Meeting
January 14, 2012
Missoula, Montana – NW Division Performance Competitions
Dr. Mack called the meeting to order at 6:02pm and said how delightful it was to see everybody. He acknowledged our visiting dignitaries Dr. Gary Ingle, and Kenneth Christensen, and said how delightful it was to have them as well.
Roll
Susan Todd – NW Division Commissioner
Dianne Johnston – Washington Pres.
Diane Volkman – Montana Pres.
Dr. Gary Ingle – MTNA Executive Director and CEO
Kenneth Christensen – National Certification Chair and MTNA President Elect
Theresa Bogard – representing Wyoming
Fern McArthur – Oregon Pres.
Jani Peterson – NW Competitions Chairman
Dr. Peter Mack – NW Division Director
R. David French – Idaho Pres.
Dr. Mack called for the state reports:
Alaska – Linda Green – read by Peter
Idaho – David (email)
Montana – Diane (email)
Oregon – Fern (email)
Washington – Dianne (email)
Wyoming – Theresa (hard copy) Kristin Robison new president elect in June – Wyoming in a world of hurt, due to conflicts between members.
Dr. Mack gave his director report, brought up the cancellation of the competitions of other instruments besides piano – but went on to announce that in December there was a unanimous vote to reinstate the competitions. Peter says that we need to help make sure these particular areas are strong in the future.
Susan gave her Commissioner report - Wyoming is the leader in teachers certified, Washington is second. Teacher profile projects are coming along very nicely.
Jani gave her Competitions Chairman report– everything is going smoothly – really appreciate everybody’s help and only needed a few local people to help. As far as numbers we are pretty much the same as last year. We dropped from 5 states to 1 in the Duet. She knows some people that have dropped MTNA and would not enter the competitions because of the board decision.
Ken gave us a few updates of the new program of certification. 15.2% of all MTNA membership is certified.
Dr, Ingle – started with greetings from the rest of the board and the Pres. Ben Caton. If MTNA has a brand out there its brand is the competitions, and the controversial decision brought that to light.
Competitions – the members weren’t shy.
The discussion about how this all came about went on for about 30 minutes, and Dr. Ingle was more than happy to answer our questions and concerns and questions and concerns we brought from our members in a very open, welcoming manner.
Dr. Mack ask to move the formal meeting to the division dinner for a more informal discussion at 7:00pm where he had arranged for a private dining room.
Respectfully submitted:
R. David French, NCTM
NW Division Director Elect
10/06/2011
Music Teachers National Association
Northwest Division Meeting
March 27, 2011
MTNA National Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Attendance: 31
Alaska: - 1 member
Idaho: - 3 members
Montana: 5 members
Oregon: 4 members
Washington: 14 members
Wyoming: 4 members
Proceedings:
The meeting was called to order at 5:00p.m. by Division Director Dr. Peter Mack, NCTM. He welcomed the members by state, and asked for the state reports by the state Presidents in reverse alphabetical order. Reports were given by: Wyoming: Karen Bree, NCTM – Washington: Jani Peterson, NCTM – Oregon: Fern McArthur, NCTM – Montana: Diane Volkman, NCTM – Idaho: R. David French, NCTM - Alaska: Christine Kastanopolous, NCTM. Hard copies of these reports are on file.
Comments were made by Northwest Division Certification Commissioner: Susan Todd, NCTM and National Certification Commissioner – designate, and MTNA President Elect: Ken Christensen, NCTM.
Dr. Mack then called for nominees to represent the NW Division on the MTNA Nominating Committee for the next two years. Patti Robertson (WA) was nominated. No other nominations were made. Robin Chadwick (WA) called for the nominations to cease and this was seconded by Jani Peterson (WA).
Dr. Mack announced the dates for the next three MTNA national conferences:
2012 – March 24-28 in New York City
2013 – March 9-13 in Disneyland, CA
2014 – March 22-26 in Chicago
Susan Todd (OR) then gave details of the Northwest Division Dinner to follow the meeting at Mo’s Irish Pub.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:12p.m.
Minutes submitted by R. David French, NCTM – NW Division Director Elect
25/02/2011
MINUTES OF THE MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NORTHWEST DIVISION LEADERSHIP MEETING
(held in conjunction with the division competitions)
BOISE, JANUARY 15TH, 2011
Those present: Christine Kastanopolous (Alaska pres.), David French (Idaho pres., NW Division Director-Elect, and NW Competitions Director), Diane Volkman (Montana pres.), Fern McArthur (Oregon pres.), Jani Peterson (Washington pres.), Theresa Bogard (Wyoming Rep./Past-pres.), Susan Todd (NW certification commissioner), Ken Christensen (National Certification Chair-Designate).
The meeting was called to Order at 7:30 by Peter Mack (NW Division Director).
Reports were delivered by the attending state presidents: Christine Kastanopolous (Alaska), David French (Idaho), Diane Volkman (Montana), Fern McArthur (Oregon), Jani Peterson (Washington), Theresa Bogard (Wyoming Past-pres.; representing current state pres. Karen Bree who was unable to attend). Although each report was different, certain trends were seen in every state: declining numbers of members, fewer students in adjudications, competitions losing money.
The report of the NW division director followed. Peter Mack outlined significant developments arising from the most recent board meeting in Cincinnati in December.
His talk preceded the update from the NW Division Director-Elect. Dave French gave details of the upcoming dinner in Milwaukee, to be held in an Irish bar, and arranged by the NW certification commissioner, Susan Todd.
Commissioner Todd spoke next about the success of the division in certifying members; the lowest ranked state in the division is Washington, coming in eighteenth in the nation. All others are higher, with Montana leading the division in sixth place. Kenneth Christensen, National Certification Chair-Designate spoke next, with invaluable guidance and insight from national office.
NW Competitions Director D. French then thanked his volunteers for their great help in ensuring that the division competitions ran smoothly. In particular Mary Kaye Owen (Young Artist coordinator), Marilyn Reischke (Senior coordinator) and Jean Hinkle (Junior coordinator) were thanked.
The meeting was then opened to discussion, and a lively discussion followed. So lively and absorbing was it, that it was decided to continue the meeting over dinner at the Cottonwood Grille, where much productive activity ensued.
Respectfully submitted:
Peter Mack
11/05/2010
MINUTES OF
THE MTNA NORTHWEST DIVISION MEETING
MARCH 21,
2010
ALBUQUERQUE,
NEW MEXICO
Debra
Florian called the meeting to order at 5:04pm.
Jammie
Wilemann, representing Cindy Eppersen, presented the report from the state of
Alaska. She was pleased to announce
that Jamila Hla Shwe will be the state adjudicator in 2010, and that Sitka will
be the site of the 2010 conference. Jennifer Linn, the well-known composer and clinician will be the
convention artist.
President
Janet Folster delivered the report from the state of Idaho. She announced that the state has 187
members, of whom 22% are certified. She was proud to point out that that’s almost 25%! In the national competitions, the 3rd place winner of the junior strings is a violinist from her home - town of
Meridian. Election meetings are
scheduled for April 10th. She announced her appointment of Steve Allen to the Newsletter chair
position. The 2010 conference will
take place in Boise from October 8-9th. In addition, both the state competition and the Northwest
Division competition will also take place in Boise. The state competition will be held some time in
November; the division event will be from January 14-16. President Folster then presented
individual reports from local chapters. She concluded by expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to
serve in her state, and to work with many fine people at all levels.
President Christopher Hahn then presented the report from Montana. He expressed satisfaction with the
increase in membership – up thirteen, to 163. He reported on the success of the combined fall festival and
conference. The next conference
will be in Missoula, over the first weekend of November. Peter Miyamoto and Jane McGrath will be
the honored guests. He was proud
to announce that the group from the University of Montana had been named the
collegiate chapter of the year. In
competitions Heather Barnes, a student of Kimberly James, won the Division
Young Artist competition, and he hoped that she would regain her health for the
national competition.
Susan Todd,
president of Oregon, delivered the report from her state. She began with greetings, and showed
her pleasure at the many activities afoot in her state. Lincoln had its 22nd annual
ribbon festival, each of which has had a tee shirt of its own. The 2010 convention will take place
from July 22-25th in Corvallis at Oregon State University. Dean Kramer will be the convention
artist. The conference co chairs
are Fern McArthur and Clare Wachter. She introduced Fern McArthur, who was present at the meeting, as the
incoming president of the state, to take office after the conference.
In
conclusion she noted that 2010 marked 60 years of OMTA’s affiliation with MTNA,
and looked forward to many more years of positive partnership.
Jani
Peterson, president of Washington, then delivered the report from her
state. She began with a rundown of
the adjudication figures for the current year. Since January 4,855 students from the studios of 533
teachers have participated in the program. She mentioned with pride the honorees at this national
conference -- foundation fellow Linda Burger, whom she thanked for her service,
and Peggy Austin, a fifty - year member. Okanogan chapter is to receive the 2010 local association for the year award
(MTNA chapter of the year.) The
2010 state conference will be held from June 21 – 25th in Olympia,
with Jon Kimura Parker as guest artist. The 2011 conference will take place in Pasco. In keeping with the upcoming emphasis on collaborative music
making, Margo Garrett will be the convention artist.
Martha
Holloway (Immediate Past President) then delivered the address from the state
of Wyoming, representing Eric Unruh. State membership has increased by 12% (total is now 72 people) 2009 conference featured Nancy
Weems. Convention will now rotate
back to a summer conference held in June (the state’s own membership will be
doing it for one year) in Casper College. She congratulated Yu Zhang, and his teacher Dr. Theresa Bogart, who was
to represent the northwest division in the Young Artist piano competition on
the following day. The current
president has revised the constitution to reflect modern times, eliminating
voting by post, and other archaic language. The final draft is to be voted on by the membership in
June. Many local associations have
been doing Chopin and Schumann recitals to commemorate their anniversary
years. The state has lots of
festivals, most notably the Cheyenne association which has a “play it forward”
annual fundraiser to benefit a needy local family, which past president
Holloway described in glowing terms.
At this
point in the proceedings Division Director Florian recognized the stalwart work
of the 2010 competitions chair Jammie Wilemann, who thanked her team of coordinators
Marilyn Reischke, David French, Mary Kaye Owen, and Caroline Malnes.
Molly
Morrison was recognized too, for her great contribution as certification
commissioner. Also thanked was Ken
Christiansen, for accepting the role of National Certification Chair Designate
for a year, after which time he will become the National Certification Chair.
Colleen
Hunter, Spokane chapter President then spoke movingly about Linda Burger, and
what a privilege it is for Colleen to accept her honor on Linda’s behalf. As a tribute to her, Colleen has
recorded duets with Marlene Haney. Colleen ended by saying that “The heart of music touches our souls” as
Linda Burger exemplifies.
The
University of Montana was congratulated by Debra Florian on being selected as
the 2010 Benjamin Whitton chapter of the year. From Washington state, Okanogan music teachers association
was chosen to be the 2010 local association chapter of the year.
Congratulations
were given to Autumn Abbott, a newly certified member present at the meeting,
and also to Fern McArthur, who was attending her first national conference.
The meeting
then continued with the Division officers’ reports. Molly Morrison’s report talked of the anticipated
certification rush at the end of 2009, and was happy to declare that all had
been processed. In the new
national certification rankings all Northwest states were above the average.
Montana is
ranked 8th
Idaho 10th
Wyoming 15th rank
Alaska 18th
Washington
19th
Oregon 21st
She asked
that the certification chairs be informed that Susan Todd is the new northwest
division certification chair.
Molly
thanked the members for the opportunity to serve MTNA.
At this
point in the proceedings, new officers were introduced. David French is the new northwest
division competitions chair. In
his remarks he thanked Jammie, and mentioned that he loved working with
her. He announced Patrick Stevens
as the new Composition coordinator, Jean Hinckle as the new junior competitions
coordinator,
Marilyn
Reischke as the new senior competitions chair, and
Mary Kaye
Owen as the young artist chair.
The 2011
division competition will be in Boise. In addition to his aforementioned duties, David was confirmed as the new
NW division director-elect.
Chair
Florian then delivered Board Of Directors’ meeting news. Last year was bleak – but she was proud
of the support she received from division leaders. The summit has been reinstated but is incorporated in the
conference next March.
She
recognized Gary Ingle and Marge Bengel for doing a great job of seeing us
through a difficult time. Chair
Florian encouraged state leaders to include and promote collegiate chapters. She then introduced more new officers,
including incoming division director Peter Mack, who praised and thanked her
for her wisdom and kind leadership. She thanked the meeting for the opportunity to serve, and said what a joy
it was to lead. She concluded the
meeting by looking forward to the 2011 conference in Milwaukee, and the 2012
conference in New York City.
Respectfully
submitted,
Peter
Mack.
Correction
to minutes from Jan 2009
The
state conferences in Wyoming will alternate between Casper and Laramie, and not
Cheyenne and Laramie, as I erroneously minuted. My apologies for the error. PM
24/04/2009
The meeting of the Northwest Division of MTNA was convened at 5:00 p.m., on March 29, 2009 at the MTNA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia; Debra Florian, NCTM, NW Division Director, presiding. Following a brief word of welcome, state reports were given:
The report from Alaska was given by Paula Gray (for Cindy Epperson, president). The 2009 AMTA Conference will be held in Anchorage August 14-15, 2009, with Nancy and Randall Faber as presenters. Gary Ingle, MTNA Executive Director and CEO will also attend. Alaska's three local associations (Anchorage, Sitka and Fairbanks) are active, and will be rotating the responsibility of hosting the state conference.
The Idaho report was presented by Janet Folster, president. A new local association in Moscow is being approved in April. The 2009 Idaho State Conference will be held October 9-10, 2009 in Pocatello, with clinician Gayle Kowalchyk from Alfred Publishing. Idaho's state MTNA competitions will be Nov. 21, in Boise, location TBA.
Christopher Hahn, president of Montana State MTA, reported that their conference will be November 5-7, 2009 at the Emerson Cultural Center in Bozeman. Nelita True will be guest artist and clinician. The Conference will also host Montana's Fall Festival and MTNA Competitions.
The Oregon MTA report was given by president, Susan Todd. Their state conference will be held in Eugene, July 30-August 2, 2009. The conference artist is Santiago Rodriguez, with presenters Jane McGrath, Phyllis Peiffer, Scott McBride Smith, Susan Bruckner and Susan Chan. OMTA is in the process of establishing a permanent state office with a part-time Administrative Assistant. Samples of their professional new fliers and postcards designed as part of an ongoing publicity focus were shared with those in attendance.
Mary Kaye Owen, president of Washington State MTA, reported that Washington's conference will be held in Yakima, June 21-25, 2009, with guest clinician Ingrid Clarfield, and recitalists Peter Mack and John Pickett. WSMTA was awarded the 2009 MTNA State Affiliate of the Year, and used the $1000 prize to assist eight collegiate members with travel costs to the Atlanta conference.
The report from Wyoming was given by Martha Holloway (for Eric Unruh, president). Wyoming's conference is scheduled for November 5-7, 2009 at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, with Nancy Weems as guest artist. The conference, which previously has been held in summer, has been moved to the fall to include the state MTNA competitions. Several local association projects benefiting various charitable organizations were shared.
Linda Burger, Northwest Division Certification Commissioner, was unable to attend the conference due to health issues. The Northwest Division extends our deepest thanks to Linda, who concluded her term at the end of conference, for her tremendous service to our division for the last two years; and we wish her a full and speedy recovery. We welcome Molly Morrison (Montana), our incoming Northwest Division Certification Commissioner, and wish her well in her new role.
Debra Florian, NW Division Director, reported that the MTNA Board of Directors has adopted a strategic plan to ensure MTNA's fiscal stability during this time of economic crisis. The state presidents received more detailed information from MTNA President Gail Berenson at the SPAC meeting at conference. One part of the strategic financial plan calls for the MTNA Leadership Summit to be suspended for one year, so there will be no Summit in 2009. State presidents are urged to remind and encourage their members to renew their dues in a timely fashion, as not only the states, but MTNA as well, depend upon that income to meet budgets. Working together we will meet the current economic challenges, and emerge stronger than ever.
Other business and announcements for the Division:
*Christopher Hahn (Montana president) was elected to represent the NW Division on the MTNA Nominating Committee for the next two years.
*The 2010 NW Division Competition will be held at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon January 15-17, 2010.
*The 2010 MTNA National Conference will be March 20-24 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Many thanks to Division Director-Elect Peter Mack for arranging a delightful dinner and evening at Pittypat's Porch!
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Florian, NCTM
NW Division Director
23/03/2009
All of the Northwest Division states held successful state competitions in Fall 2008, sending representatives to the Division Competition at Whitworth University in Spokane in January, 2009. Our division competition officials--Jammie Wileman, Chair; Abbi Clark, David French and Elinore Quander, coordinators--ran a very efficient, and exciting competition, with monitoring assistance from several state presidents and Spokane chapter members. The division leadership met on Friday evening, January 16, before the competitions began. All state presidents reported successful state conferences, and updated the division on current and anticipated state activities. There was discussion following a report by NW Certification Commissioner Linda Burger who gave us a preview of revisions to the certification process.
The Northwest Division will meet at the MTNA National Conference in Atlanta on Sunday, March 29, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in the Westin Room 1201. All members of the division are invited and encouraged to attend. Immediately following the meeting, we will adjourn to dinner at Pattypat's Porch.
29/11/2008
The Northwest Division leadership convened on Saturday, September 6, 2008 in conjunction with the MTNA Leadership Summit in Cincinnati. Ecah state president or representative gave detailed reports of recent activities within their states since the last division meeting in March. Primary areas of focus included state conferences, certification, competitions, and membership recruitment and retention.
All of our Northwest Division states have now successfully concluded the state level MTNA competitions, many in conjunction with their state conferences. Individual state competition results may be found at the state portal sites.
The Northwest Division leadership will next meet on January 16, 2009 at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, the site of our MTNA Northwest Division Competition. Specific time and location of the meeting TBA.
23/05/2008
Four states in the Northwest Division will hold their annual conferences this summer: Alaska's Conference will be held August 16-17, 2008 in Fairbanks. Oregon's Conference will take place during the Portland International Piano Festival, July 12-20. Washington is holding their Conference June 23-27, on the waterfront in Bremerton, Washington, featuring artist-clinician Barbara Lister-Sink, MTNA's Deputy Executive Director and CIO Julianne Miranda, and several master teachers and performers from Washington State. Wyoming will hold their State Conference in Powell at Northwest College July 10-12, featuring Conference Artist Alan Chow, Coordinator of Piano at Northwestern University's School of Music, Evanston, Illinois.
Idaho will hold their State Conference October 10-11, 2008 in Boise, with clinician Sandra Soderlund. Montana's State Conference and Competitions will be held in Great Falls, November 6-8, with Peter Mack from Cornish College as clinician and recitalist.
The Northwest Division convened on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at the MTNA National Conference in Denver, Colorado. Our states continue to be vitally interested and active particularly in the areas of member recruitment, certification and competitions. State leadership will next meet at the MTNA Summit Leadership Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 5-7, 2008.
14/01/2008
Two states in the Northwest
Division will be presenting their state conferences thi
s fall. Idaho MTA state co
nference is scheduled for October 5-6, 2007 in Boise Idaho.
Guest clinician will be Martha Hilley, NCTM form the Unviers
ity&
nbsp;of Texas at Austin. Gail Berenson, MTNA National Preside
nt
will al so be attending the conference&nbs
p;in celabra tion of Idaho MTA 50 years of affiliation
with MTNA. September 1, 2007 was the 100th bi
rthday f
or Idaho MTA member Fern Nolte Davidson, NC
TM. During her career she was a very successful t
eacher of piano and one of her most famous students is Marvi
n Bl
ickenstaff. In honor of her great contribution to the profess
ion of music teaching, she was presented a lifetime achievem
nt a
ward at a banquet in her honor.
Montana Stat
e Music Tea chers Association will be prese
nting their state conference November 1-3,
2007 in Kalispell, Montana near Glacier Nat
ional Park. Faina Lushtak form
Tulane University will be t
he featured guest artist and clinician. She was recently
named a Steinway Artist. At the conference she will present
two
sessions. One on her career as a pianist, teacher and co
mposer as well as a session on the Mazurkas of Chopin. Piani
st Barbara Blegen will present a session on the piano son
atas of Franz Shcubert. Arne Sahlen form Kimberly,
03/07/2007
Northwest Division News The state presidents of the
Northwest Division and Northwest Division officers convened
at the MTNA National Conference which was held in Toronto,
Ontario, March 23-27. Each president shared ideas from
their perspective states about membership, future and
current projects, fundraising, conferences, certification
and leadership training. Alaska MTA held their second
annual Ribbon Festival which was held March 9-10. The
featured artist for the festival was Robert Vandell.
Festival participants included themselves in activities
such as adjudicated and non- adjudicated recitals, drumming
classes, theory games and classes, scale competitions, and
a Monster Concert that was conducted by Robert Vandell.
August 18-19 are the scheduled conference dates for the
state of Alaska. Anchorage is the site and Dr. Gary Ingle,
Executive Director of MTNA, will be the featured presenter
along with Ingrid Clairfield from Westminster Choir
College. Wyoming MTA will host their state conference July
12-14 at the University of Wyoming, Laramie Wyoming. Robert
Shannon, Director of Keyboard Studies at the Oberlin
Conservatory, will be the conference artist. The
commissioned composer is Valerie Roubos who is represented
by FJH Publishing Company. Her composition will consist of
a suite which will describe the state of Wyoming. Pullman,
Washington will be the site for the Washington State MTA
Conference to be held June 25-29. The conference will
include programs compelling to a wide audience. In addition
to the piano master class taught by guest artist Douglass
Humpherys, Eastman School of Music, there will be master
classes in Strings, woodwinds, voice, organ and
collaborative piano. Oregon MTA state confernece will be
held August 3-5 in Newport, Oregon. Yakov Kasman,
silver medalist in the Van Cliburn Compitition, will be the
featured guest artist. Janeine Jacobsen will present two
pedagogical sessions along with Debera Wallace who will
present a session on certification.
29/01/2007
The 2008 Northwest Division Competitions will be held January 11-13 on the campus of Montana State University-Billings, Billings, Montana.
16/01/2007
In September, Washington State MTA held its annual adjudicators conference and Leadership Seminar. These conferences allowed the opportunity for state adjudicators, officers, chairs and chapter presidents to meet, get acquainted, exchange ideas and develop leadership skills. June 25–29, 2007, are the dates for the WSMTA conference to be held on the campus of Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Douglas Humpherys of the Eastman School of Music will be the featured guest artist.
Twin Falls Idaho was the site for the Idaho MTA conference, which was held this past October. Robert Vandell of Alfred Publishing Company was the featured clinician.
Montana MTA held its annual state conference November 2–4, 2006. Cassandra Carr from the University of Washington was the featured clinician. She presented sessions on strategic thinking and creating a master plan, great composers, interpretation, adjudication and a master class for intermediate level students. Marina Lomazov form the University of South Carolina was the featured guest artist.
Wyoming State MTA will present its state conference July 12–14, 2007, at the University of Wyoming. Robert Shannon, director of keyboard studies at Oberlin Conservatory, will be the conference artist. The Northwest Division competitions will be held on the campus of Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, January 12–14, 2007.
––Kenneth Christensen
Bozeman, Montana
